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Two-Start Pitchers for the Week of May 15

I probably say this every year but I don’t remember a tougher year to handle a fantasy baseball pitching staff. First, you have an almost complete change in the offensive environment across baseball. Now toss on an ever-increasing barrage of injuries to some of the best pitchers in baseball and you have the difficult situation most fantasy baseball managers find themselves in right now. These adverse conditions make it as important as ever that we try and take advantage of two-start pitchers on a weekly basis.

Below, you will find my two-start pitcher rankings for the week beginning May 15. I group my rankings by the general depth of league I would consider each pitcher in. As always, trying to project probable pitchers is a challenge. I’ve compared pitching schedules from several sites and done my best to come up with an accurate list. It’s on you to keep an eye out for any last-minute changes and react as necessary.

More great fantasy baseball advice and analysis: Waiver Wire & FAAB Recommendations | Daily MLB Injury Report | MLB DFS Picks | Line-up Analysis | Dynasty Rankings and Strategy | MLB Bullpen Updates | MLB Player Props | Prospect Rankings & Analysis | Fantasy Baseball Risers and Fallers

Two-Start Pitchers for the Week of May 8

Start in All League Sizes

The top 11 here are pretty much no-brainers you’re going to start every week. I include Josiah Gray and Merrill Kelly here, both because of their matchups and how well they’ve been pitching. They may not dominate but the floor is high enough that I’m not too concerned about a big blow-up.

RnkPLAYERStart # 1Opposing PitcherStart # 2Opposing Pitcher
1Shohei Ohtani LAA  RHPMay 15 @ BALGrayson RodriguezMay 21 vs MINPablo Lopez
2Clayton Kershaw LAD  LHPMay 16 vs MINBailey OberMay 21 @ STLJordan Montgomery
3Framber Valdez HOU  LHPMay 15 vs CHCJameson TaillonMay 21 vs OAKJP Sears
4Justin Verlander NYM  RHPMay 16 vs TBYonny ChirinosMay 21 vs CLEShane Bieber
5Kevin Gausman TOR  RHPMay 16 vs NYYDomingo GermanMay 21 vs BALDean Kremer
6Nathan Eovaldi TEX  RHPMay 16 vs ATLJared ShusterMay 21 vs COLConnor Seabold
7Jesus Luzardo MIA  LHPMay 16 vs WASJosiah GrayMay 21 @ SFAlex Wood
8Freddy Peralta MIL  RHPMay 15 @ STLJack FlahertyMay 21 @ TBYonny Chirinos
9Shane Bieber CLE  RHPMay 16 @ CWSLance LynnMay 21 @ NYMJustin Verlander
10Pablo Lopez MIN  RHPMay 15 @ LADNoah SyndergaardMay 21 @ LAAShohei Ohtani
11George Kirby SEA  RHPMay 15 @ BOSTanner HouckMay 21 @ ATLCharlie Morton
12Josiah Gray WAS  RHPMay 16 @ MIAJesus LuzardoMay 21 vs DETJoey Wentz
13Merrill Kelly ARI  RHPMay 15 @ OAKDrew RucinskiMay 21 @ PITMitch Keller

Start in 15-Team Mixed Leagues

It’s in this tier where the big questions begin. I love the matchups for Lance Lynn, but he’s been a complete enigma. Jameson Taillon and Grayson Rodriguez are two more pitchers I’m probably starting, but the matchups will have me thinking twice. As a whole, using two-start pitchers in this tier is largely context-driven. If you’re doing well in the ratio categories, then you probably want to limit your exposure to these pitchers. If however, you’re more about building up your counting stats, these pitchers offer enough upside that they’re probably worth the risk in deeper mixed leagues.

RnkPLAYERStart # 1Opposing PitcherStart # 2Opposing Pitcher
14Lance Lynn CHW  RHPMay 16 vs CLEShane BieberMay 21 vs KCBrad Keller
15Jameson Taillon CHC  RHPMay 15 @ HOUFramber ValdezMay 21 @ PHIBailey Falter
16Grayson Rodriguez BAL  RHPMay 15 vs LAAShohei OhtaniMay 20 @ TORAlek Manoah
17Yonny Chirinos TB  RHPMay 16 @ NYMJustin VerlanderMay 21 vs MILFreddy Peralta
18Charlie Morton ATL  RHPMay 15 @ TEXDane DunningMay 21 vs SEAGeorge Kirby
19Hunter Greene CIN  RHPMay 15 @ COLConnor SeaboldMay 21 vs NYYDomingo German
20Alek Manoah TOR  RHPMay 15 vs NYYJhony BritoMay 20 vs BALGrayson Rodriguez

Start in AL- and NL-Only Leagues

This tier of two-start pitchers is similar to the tier above, except you’re not going anywhere near these pitchers in a mixed league. I’m considering these pitchers in mono-leagues but even then, if I’m trying to protect ratios, a good middle reliever is probably the safer play.

RnkPLAYERStart # 1Opposing PitcherStart # 2Opposing Pitcher
21Dean Kremer BAL  RHPMay 16 vs LAAChase SilsethMay 21 @ TORKevin Gausman
22Jordan Montgomery STL  LHPMay 16 vs MILWade MileMay 21 vs LADClayton Kershaw
23Brad Keller KC  RHPMay 15 @ SDMichael WachaMay 21 @ CWSLance Lynn
24Domingo German NYY  RHPMay 16 @ TORKevin GausmanMay 21 @ CINHunter Greene
25Jhony Brito NYY  RHPMay 15 @ TORAlek ManoahMay 20 @ CINLuke Weaver
26Noah Syndergaard LAD  RHPMay 15 vs MINPablo LopezMay 20 @ STLJack Flaherty
27Jack Flaherty STL  RHPMay 15 vs MILFreddy PeraltaMay 20 vs LADNoah Syndergaard
28Alex Wood SF  LHPMay 15 vs PHIBailey FalterMay 21 vs MIAJesus Luzardo

Start These Pitchers If You’re Trying to Tank the Season

Rank this group of two-start pitchers however you want. Just don’t put them in your active roster for the week ahead. The chances of a huge 10-ER start just aren’t worth it… Unless of course you’re in a keeper or dynasty league and you’re trying to ensure that top overall pick in next year’s draft.

RnkPLAYERStart # 1Opposing PitcherStart # 2Opposing Pitcher
29Bailey Falter PHI  LHPMay 15 @ SFAlex WoodMay 21 vs CHCJameson Taillon
30Patrick Corbin WAS  LHPMay 15 vs NYMDavid PetersonMay 20 vs DETAlex Faedo
31Connor Seabold COL  RHPMay 15 vs CINHunter GreeneMay 21 @ TEXNathan Eovaldi
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