If you’re trying to decide which pitchers to start next week, or looking for a perfect two-start streamer, you’re in luck. Below is a comprehensive, annotated, ranked list of all 35 two-start pitchers for Week 6 of the 2024 fantasy baseball season. Have a scroll.
Don’t You Dare Bench These Two-Start Pitchers
Logan Webb SP Giants
Last start: Tuesday, April 23 vs. Mets – 8 IP, W, 0 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 4 K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, April 30 @ Red Sox + Sunday, May 5 @ Phillies
19 scoreless innings in a row and counting for Logan Webb. You drafted him for the solid innings totals and ratios and so far, that’s exactly what you’ve gotten (2.33 ERA/1.11 WHIP). Set it and forget it.
Joe Ryan SP Twins
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 vs. White Sox – 6 IP, W, 3 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 8 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 @ White Sox + Sunday, May 5 vs. Red Sox
Joe Ryan’s pinpoint control has been even better than usual (1.26 K/9 so far). His K rate would be a career-high also (11.9 K/9). You should start him in any week, but this two-start pitcher is among the very best options.
Max Fried SP Braves
Last start: Tuesday, April 23 vs. Marlins – 9 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 6 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 @ Mariners + Sunday, May 5 @ Dodgers
Health is always a long-term concern for Max Fried. But after a dominant start Tuesday, it at least seems like he’s healthy right now. Start him if ya got him.
Grayson Rodriguez SP Orioles
Last start: Tuesday, April 23 @ Angels – 4.1 IP, L, 7 ER, 11 H, 1 BB, 7 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 vs. Yankees + Saturday, May 4 @ Reds
Good pitchers have bad outings sometimes. This early in the season it can sure skew your stats. Though Grayson Rodriguez now has a 4.45 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, he’s pitched well four times out of five. And his whiff and K rate (ranked 76th percentile and 77th, respectively) are still more than solid. Still a must-start in my book.
Nestor Cortes SP Yankees
Last start: Thursday, April 25 vs. A’s – 7 IP, L, 3 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 4 K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, April 30 @ Orioles + Sunday, May 5 vs. Tigers
So far so good for Nestor Cortes. Really liking the elite control so far (3.5% BB rate). I know it’s very early, but the xERA (2.52) is almost a run better than what’s happened on the field (3.50 ERA). I’d roll him out there for the Orioles. At least you get the Tigers too (27th in wOBA).
You Should Probably Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Ryan Pepiot SP/RP Rays
Last start: Tuesday, April 23 vs. Tigers – 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 @ Brewers + Sunday, May 5 vs. Mets
Though he hasn’t displayed the pinpoint control of his small sample size last season, Ryan Pepiot’s increase in whiffs and strikeouts makes it easy to believe the breakout is for real. For now, he should probably be in your lineup no matter who the opponent is.
Bryce Miller SP Mariners
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 @ Rangers – 4 IP, L, 2 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 5 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 vs. Braves + Sunday, May 5 @ Astros
The results have been great so far (2.22 ERA/ 0.99 WHIP) for Bryce Miller. Despite the less-than-stellar start against the Rangers (who can blame him?), I still want his increased whiff rate and K rate (ranked 63rd and 70th percentile, respectively) in my lineup. This week might be daunting against two powerhouses (Braves 1st in wOBA and Astros 4th), but odds are you won’t have many better options.
Cristopher Sanchez SP Phillies
Last start: Tuesday, April 23 @ Reds – 3 IP, L, 1 ER (5R), 4 H, 3 BB, 3 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 @ Angels + Sunday, May 5 vs. Giants
Can’t say I’m not worried about Cristopher Sanchez’s lack of control in the early going (4.1 BB/9 rate). It was elite last year (1.45 BB/9), but had never been before. Still early, though, and the lefty’s ground ball rate is even more extreme than usual (99th percentile). Plus, the two matchups next week are generally favorable (Angels are 16th wOBA, Giants 18th).
Nick Lodolo SP Reds
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 vs. Phillies – 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 4 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 @ Padres + Sunday, May 5 vs. Orioles
I think you just have to trust Nick Lodolo’s talent despite the very difficult opponents (Padres 5th in wOBA, Orioles 6th). And despite not being at his best against the Phillies on Wednesday. For what it’s worth in a small sample size, he has a 2.53 xERA/2.04 FIP/3.33 xFIP over his first three starts.
MacKenzie Gore SP Nationals
Last start: Thursday, April 25 vs. Dodgers – 6 IP, L, 1 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, April 30 @ Rangers + Sunday, May 5 vs. Blue Jays
Feels like we spent a couple of years wondering what Mackenzie Gore could do if he cut the walk rate down (career 3.95 BB/9). Well, not only is he doing that, but he’s also throwing his fastball almost two miles per hour harder. I’m in. I’d like to see where this goes.
Luis Severino SP Mets
Last start: Tuesday, April 23 @ Giants – 6 IP, L, 3 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 5 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 vs. Cubs + Saturday, May 4 @ Rays
Despite a whiff rate that’s not nearly where it’s been in his All-Star seasons (currently ranked in just the 23rd percentile), it’s looking like Luis Severino is putting an ugly 2023 behind him. He’s now turned in two quality starts in a row and has yet to yield more than three runs in any of his first five starts. His opponents next week are a mixed bag. The Cubs rank 8th in wOBA, while the Rays are just 22nd. Seems like an obvious points-league stream or start. In a categories league, it would kind of depend on your options.
In the Right Situation, These Two-Start Pitchers Make Sense
Garrett Crochet SP/RP White Sox
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 @ Twins – 4 IP, L, 5 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 6 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 vs. Twins + Sunday, May 5 @ Cardinals
OK, fine, Garrett Crochet had some very poor results the last three times out (17 earned runs in 11.2 innings). And yes, he plays for a team that will not offer him any support (White Sox are dead last in runs per game and wOBA). But have you seen the 24-year-old’s Statcast page? I’ll sum it up: he deserves a lot better. Just the xERA (2.19 vs. 6.37) and K rate (32.0% ranks 90th percentile) should be enough to keep him on your roster during these tough times. It should probably keep him in your points-league RP slot too, most especially based on next week’s opponents (Twins ranked 26th in wOBA, Cardinals rank 24th). Categories leagues? Let’s wait and see if results get better.
Javier Assad SP/RP Cubs
Last start: Thursday, April 25 vs. Astros – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, April 30 @ Mets + Sunday, May 5 vs. Brewers
Not too many pitchers can consistently induce soft contact without also inducing a lot of whiffs. Javier Assad has been an exception over his first 174 career innings. This year, though, his k rate has jumped to 25%. Given the tough opponents next week, I’d limit the 26-year-old to points-league streamer status. But in other leagues, I’d start paying closer attention.
Dean Kremer SP Orioles
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 @ Angels – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 10 K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, April 30 vs. Yankees + Sunday, May 5 @ Reds
Was Dean Kremer’s big 18-whiff performance (10 on his fastball!) on Wednesday just an aberration? Maybe. But as a pretty solid innings eater even without extra strikeouts, this might be a good points-league experiment next week given the two starts. Categories? Not unless you like living dangerously (both Yankees and Reds are ranked in the top half in wOBA).
Bailey Falter SP Pirates
Last start: Tuesday, April 23 vs. Brewers – 7 IP, W, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 8 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 @ A’s + Sunday, May 5 vs. Rockies
Bailey Falter has been surprisingly solid for four starts in a row. He’s coming off the best of the bunch on Tuesday, striking out a career-high (8), and generating a solid 13 swinging strikes (on 85 pitches). This was against one of the best offenses in the early going. While on a roll, the 27-year-old seems like a reasonable (and highly available) stream against two ideal opponents. The A’s rank 29th in wOBA. And the Rockies, as is usually the case, struggle mightily on the road (just a .655 OPS).
Clarke Schmidt SP Yankees
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 vs. A’s – 5.1 IP, W, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 @ Orioles + Saturday, May 4 vs. Tigers
There’s been an uptick in strikeouts for Clarke Schmidt in the last few starts. Could it have something to do with added movement to his cutters? Which has resulted in increases to his stuff+ metrics? Maybe. Seems like a good time to stream the 28-year-old to see if that trend continues. He has a solid Yankees offense backing him up too which helps. I’m thinking mostly points leagues, but categories shouldn’t be out of the question during a two-start week with one opponent being the Tigers (27th in wOBA)
Trevor Rogers SP Marlins
Last start: Tuesday, April 23 @ Braves – 5.2 IP, 3 ER (5 R), 7 H, 1 BB, 4 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 vs. Nationals + Saturday, May 4 @ A’s
Still some encouraging signs for Trevor Rogers, who survived another start against the Braves on Tuesday. He’s kept his head above water so far (3.80 xERA and a good-enough whiff rate of 27.0%). And next week, you couldn’t ask for much more favorable opponents (Nationals 20th in wOBA, A’s 29th). You could do much worse in points and deep leagues.
Hunter Brown SP Astros
Last start: Sunday, April 21 @ Nationals – 4 IP, L, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, April 30 vs. Guardians + Sunday, May 5 vs. Mariners
With all the hard contact against Hunter Brown (91.8 MPH average exit velocity), this might not be the time to use him for a two-start week. With lots of season left, you probably don’t want to give up on him yet either. If you don’t have enough better options, cross your fingers.
Cooper Criswell RP Red Sox
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 @ Guardians – 5 IP, W, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, April 30 vs. Giants + Sunday, May 5 @ Twins
A multitude of Boston injuries all but assures Cooper Criswell will stick in the rotation after an effective start on Wednesday. Though he’s not fully stretched out yet (just 72 pitches last time), RP eligibility could make him a plausible points-league start next week. Especially given the opponents (Giants are 18th in wOBA and the Twins are 26th).
Jameson Taillon SP Cubs
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 vs. Astros – 5.2 IP, W, 1 ER (2R), 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 @ Mets + Saturday, May 4 vs. Brewers
Though Jameson Taillon didn’t induce many whiffs (just five on 89 pitches), and allowed plenty of baserunners on Wednesday, he’s now 2-for-2 in wins. Now that the 32-year-old should be fully stretched out (89 pitches last time), he could make for an OK deeper points-league option next week. His tough opponents (Brewers rank 2nd in wOBA, Mets are 11th in runs per game), though, would make a categories stream inadvisable.
Jon Gray SP Rangers
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 vs. Mariners – 4.2 I,P 1 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 7 K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, April 30 vs. Nationals + Sunday, May 5 @ Royals
Jon Gray hasn’t exactly been eating innings. He’s only thrown five or more twice. That could limit upside. But he’s been effective so far (2.92 ERA). So in a two-start week that includes the Nationals (20th in wOBA), it could be worth the stream in a deep points league. The career 4.42 ERA isn’t trustworthy for categories.
Griffon Canning SP Angels
Last start: Tuesday, April 23 vs. Orioles – 5 IP, W, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 vs. Phillies + Sunday, May 5 @ Guardians
Griffon Canning is likely better than his results so far (7.30 ERA vs. 4.89 xERA). But until his whiff and K rates start bouncing back to last year’s levels (just 31st percentile and 24th, respectively this season), anything outside of a deep points league doesn’t make much sense.
You Better Be Desperate To Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Kenta Maeda SP Tigers
Last start: Tuesday, April 23 @ Rays – 5 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 vs. Cardinals + Sunday, May 5 @ Yankees
Despite coming off his best start of the season (12 swinging strikes on 88 pitches), we probably shouldn’t be ready to trust Kenta Maeda just yet. At least not until we see some improvement on his 4.51 xERA. He got off to a slow start last year though, and was still useful in stretches. So at least keep an eye on the veteran.
Landon Knack SP Dodgers
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 @ Nationals – 6 IP, W, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 5 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 @ DBacks + Sunday, May 5 vs. Braves
After earning his first career win and pitching well enough, Landon Knack might get at least one more turn in the rotation, especially with Walker Buehler not pitching well in his rehab assignment (Wednesday he gave up two home runs, seven hits, and two walks). They won’t keep him down much longer, though, so odds are Knack won’t make that second start. Prepare accordingly.
Bryse Wilson SP/RP Brewers
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 @ Pirates – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 vs. Rays + Sunday, May 5 @ Cubs
The Milwaukee pitching staff is in a bad way these days. Bryse Wilson should be the in the rotation for the time being, but his lack of recent workload certainly limits any upside. Still, he’s been serviceable so far (3.50 ERA/1.00 WHIP/15 Ks in 18 IPs). And it’s backed up by a 3.83 xERA. So maybe in a deep points league with an RP spot to fill, it’s only somewhat insane to stream him.
Sean Manaea SP/RP Mets
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 @ Giants – 4.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 6 K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, April 30 vs. Cubs + Sunday, May 5 @ Rays
It’s been a bend-but-don’t-break sort of season so far for Sean Manaea. That’s reflected in his 1.44 WHIP and rather ugly 5.18 BB/9 rate. See also: a 5.71 xERA. With the exception of an empty RP spot in points leagues, you should probably wait to see if those numbers come down before considering a stream.
Sixto Sanchez SP/RP Marlins
Last start Wednesday, April 24 @ Braves – 2.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, April 30 vs. Rockies + Sunday, May 5 @ A’s
If you’ve been waiting since 2020 to see a Sixto Sanchez start, you were probably over the moon on Tuesday. Until the first inning, anyway. Though he could potentially draw two extremely favorable starts next week, that is certainly no sure thing. So probably just a wait-and-see situation unless you’re desperate to fill your RP spot in a points league.
Steven Matz SP/RP Cardinals
Last start: Tuesday, April 23 vs. DBacks – 4.1 IP, L, 7 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 4 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 @ Tigers + Sunday, May 5 vs. White Sox
OK, of all two-start pitchers, Steven Matz probably has the most favorable matchups. And he’s RP eligible which should make him a slam-dunk points-league stream. But there’s been very little in his results or in the metrics that would suggest he’s worth a roster spot right now.
Carlos Carrasco SP Guardians
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 vs. Red Sox – 5 IP, L, 5 ER, 9 H, 1BB, 4 K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, April 30 @ Astros + Sunday, May 5 vs. Angels
Really hard to trust Carlos Carrasco against any lineup, much less the one with the 4th best wOBA (Astros). The Angels haven’t been horrible, either (16th). The veteran is best left on the wire for now.
Tommy Henry SP DBacks
Last start: Tuesday. April 23 @ Cardinals – 6 IP, W, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 vs. Dodgers + Sunday, May 5 vs. Padres
Injuries to the DBacks rotation gave Tommy Henry another chance. Though he took advantage of it Tuesday, he’ll line up against two early-going powerhouses. The Dodgers are 3rd in wOBA and the Padres are 5th. Find a better option.
Yariel Rodriguez P Blue Jays
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 @ Royals – 4 IP, L, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 vs. Royals + Sunday, May 5 @ Nationals
There could be some upside for Yariel Rodriguez, but the big question is how much leash the Blue Jays will give him on a start-to-start basis. Added to that, the team has already said he’d return to the bullpen when Alec Manoah is ready to rejoin the team. Rodriguez will likely make his Monday start, but the second one is up in the air. For that reason, it doesn’t make much sense to stream him if you’re looking for the two-start volume.
Matt Waldron SP Padres
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 @ Rockies – 6 IP, W, 1 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 vs. Reds + Sunday, May 5 @ DBacks
Knuckleballers are not easy to evaluate. Even for a pitcher who throws it just 35% of the time, it always feels like results have the potential to vary so widely. For now, I’ll fall back on the career minor-league 5.52 ERA/1.40 WHIP, and two tough-enough opponents (Reds 12th in wOBA, DBacks 7th) next week, to err on the side of caution.
Jake Irvin SP Nationals
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 vs. Dodgers – 4.2 IP, L, 6 ER, 12 H, 1 BB, 3 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 @ Marlins + Saturday, May 4 vs. Blue Jays
We can give Jake Irvin a pass for his implosion against the Dodgers. And other than that the results haven’t been bad. But this would fall under a wait-and-see strategy.
Joe Boyle SP A’s
Last start: Wednesday, April 24 @ Yankees – 3 IP, L, 2 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 6 K
2 starts next week: Monday, April 29 vs. Pirates + Sunday, May 5 vs. Marlins
I’m just not really interested in Joe Boyle at this time. His close-to-10-K/9 rate isn’t worth the unsightly 6.65 BB/9. And he won’t get any favors from the A’s offense.
Ryan Feltner SP Rockies
Last start: Tuesday, April 23 vs. Padres
2 starts next week: Tuesday, April 30 @ Marlins + Sunday, May 5 @ Pirates
If you were ever going to start Ryan Feltner, next week would be the week. He’ll be away from from Coors for two starts against the Marlins (28th in runs per game). Then the Pirates (17th). I’d still have to be really desperate, though (5.47 ERA/1.51 WHIP on the road over the last three years).