Mother nature has certainly not been kind to baseball so far this season. As of Friday (4/20), there have been four games postponed, with more rain in the forecast this weekend. Weather obviously plays a big role in trying to predict two-start pitchers, as games aren’t always made up the next day. Nonetheless, I’m going to try to do it anyway, though keep in mind that these are subject to change.

*As always, keep in mind that these are the probable two-start pitchers as of Friday, April 20 and are subject to change. 

No-Brainers

It’s simple. These are the two-start guys that you should slot into your roster and not worry about them. These are the guys that have a pair of favorable matchups, are hot of late, or are just plain studs.

Carlos Carrasco – 4/23 @ BAL, 4/28 vs. SEA

Gerrit Cole – 4/23 vs. LAA, 4/29 vs. OAK

Rick Porcello – 4/24 @ TOR, 4/29 vs. TB

Robbie Ray – 4/24 @ PHI, 4/29 @ WAS

Jose Berrios – 4/24 @ NYY, 4/29 vs. CIN

Gio Gonzalez – 4/23 @ SF, 4/29 vs. ARI

Anyone with ownership of these guys must be loving life right now. They’re all off to an incredible start, with a combined 2.28 ERA over 150.1 innings. They’re proven, reliable, and for the most part, all have favorable matchups this week. Don’t think twice when running these guys out there for two starts.

Survive and Thrive

With two starts come two chances to put up big numbers. However, pitchers aren’t always fortunate enough to match up against two weak teams in a week. A lot of times, pitchers will be faced with one easier matchup and one tougher one. If they can so much as survive the tougher one, they have a chance to thrive on the weaker and really help a fantasy team.

J.A. Happ – 4/24 vs. BOS, 4/29 vs. TEX

Happ hasn’t gotten off to the best start but has certainly had his bright spots. He’s pitched into the sixth inning in three of his four starts and has posted a 31:7 K:BB ratio. I wouldn’t wish facing the Red Sox’s lineup on anyone, but if he can survive Boston, he’ll get to feast on the struggling Rangers.

Masahiro Tanaka – 4/23 vs. MIN, 4/28 @ LAA

Tanaka has two drastically different matchups ahead of him this week. He starts off the week against the Twins, who rank in the bottom five in almost every offensive category. He ends the week against the Angels, who rank in the top five in almost every category.

Jake Odorizzi – 4/23 @ NYY, 4/28 vs. CIN

Despite their struggles, the Yankees at Yankee Stadium are still not a team you’re excited to face. If Odorizzi can make it out of New York alive, he’ll get to face one of the weakest offensive teams in the majors in the Reds.

Jake Faria – 4/24 @ BAL, 4/29 @ BOS

Take out his 1.2-inning, eight-run performance against the Red Sox on April 7, and Faria has had a decent start to the season. Aside from that outing, he’s allowed just one run in each of his other three starts. Faria’s never blown people away with his stuff, but he can work the zone nicely and get hitters out. He gets the Orioles on Tuesday and gets a shot at redemption in Boston on Sunday.

Steven Matz – 4/24 @ STL, 4/29 @ SD

Andrew Triggs – 4/23 @ TEX, 4/29 @ HOU

CC Sabathia – 4/24 vs. MIN, 4/29 @ LAA

Medium Risk, High Reward

It’s never a sure thing what you’re going to get from these guys. Their matchups aren’t overly challenging and could allow them to turn in some really solid numbers. There’s always the risk with these guys, though, so don’t expect too much.

Kenta Maeda – 4/24 vs. MIA, 4/29 @ SF

Maeda has struggled in his last two outings. In nine combined innings, Maeda has allowed nine runs (six earned) on 13 hits and four walks. He has favorable matchups in Miami and San Fransisco, who rank 25th and 30th, respectively, in runs scored. It’s unlikely he’ll get lit up, but it’s also unlikely he’ll pitch much past the fifth inning.

Hyun-Jin Ryu 4/23 vs. MIA, 4/28 @ SF

The same thing goes for Ryu. His poor start came in his first of the season. He’s logged back-to-back quality starts since then and has the chance to keep it going against Miami and San Fransisco.

Alex Cobb – 4/24 vs. TB, 4/29 vs. DET

It’s been a really rough start to the season for Cobb. After joining his new team late, he’s started the season with two starts in which he failed to make it through the fourth inning, giving up a combined 12 runs. It’s far too soon to assume that he’s lost it, though. He’ll get a chance to bounce back with two favorable matchups against Tampa Bay and Detroit.

Kevin Gausman – 4/23 vs. CLE, 4/28 vs. DET

Take away Gausman’s first start of the season, and his ERA sits at a decent 3.70. He’s never been a pillar of consistency, though. Of course, you can’t ignore the fact he gave up six earned runs on three homers against the Twins. However, the chance for a large number of strikeouts is there if he’s on.

Vince Velasquez – 4/24 vs. ARI, 4/29 vs. ATL

It’s too early to say Velasquez has officially turned it around, but the needle is definitely moving in the right direction. He’s shown great control (2.12 BB/9) and is still missing plenty of bats (10.1 K/9). We’ve seen Velasquez go on very impressive stretches before, and it’s not out of the question that another one is right around the corner.

Tyler Chatwood – 4/24 @ CLE, 4/29 vs. MIL

Chris Stratton – 4/23 vs. WAS, 4/28 vs. LAD

Zach Davies – 4/24 @ KC, 4/29 @ CHC

Adam Wainwright – 4/24 vs. NYM, 4/29 @ PIT

Mike Leake – 4/23 @ CHW, 4/28 @ CLE

Chad Bettis – 4/23 vs. SD, 4/29 @ MIA

Tyler Mahle – 4/24 vs. ATL, 4/29 @ MIN

Chad Kuhl – 4/24 vs. DET, 4/29 vs. STL

Nothing To See Here

Stay away from these guys. I know the thought of two starts in a week is tempting, but it’s more likely these guys put you in the negative than help you.

Tyler Skaggs – 4/23 @ HOU, 4/29 vs. NYY

Skaggs was lit up in his last outing, giving up six runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings against Boston. He won’t catch a break this week, as he’s scheduled to face two equallydangerous lineups in Houston and New York.

Ty Blach – 4/24 vs. WAS, 4/29 vs. LAD

Brandon McCarthy – 4/23 @ CIN, 4/28 @ PHI

Matthew Boyd – 4/24 @ PIT, 4/29 @ BAL

Jarlin Garcia – 4/23 @ LAD, 4/29 vs. COL

Marco Gonzales – 4/24 @ CHW, 4/29 @ CLE

Josh Tomlin – 4/24 vs. CHC, 4/29 vs. SEA

Carson Fulmer – 4/24 vs. SEA, 4/28 @ KC

Matt Moore – 4/23 vs. OAK, 4/29 @ TOR

James Shields – 4/25 vs. SEA, 4/29 @ KC

Bryan Mitchell – 4/23 @ COL, 4/29 vs. NYM

Miguel Gonzalez – 4/23 vs. SEA, 4/28 @ KC

Sal Romano – 4/23 vs. ATL, 4/28 @ MIN

Eric Skoglund – 4/24 vs. MIL, 4/29 vs. CHW