Welcome to the 22nd edition of the 2026 two-start pitcher rankings!
Each week, I’ll break down all the projected two-start starters into four tiers: Set and Forget, Most Likely Start, Questionable, and Avoid. Set-and-Forget starters are simply that: get them in your lineup and shift your focus to other positions. The Most Likely tier includes players with a mix of skill and matchups that make them almost certainly two-start plays, though they carry some elevated risk compared to the top tier. Questionable starters are those best suited for daily lineup leagues, where you can bench them against the tougher of their two opponents; they’re more situation-dependent in weekly leagues. Finally, the Avoid tier includes the pitchers who should remain on your bench or the wire.
I will also be highlighting one Two-Start Streamer of the Week. The criteria for a streamer will be a rostered rate under 50% in Yahoo & ESPN leagues. The streamer of the week for this upcoming week is Walbert Ureña, and he will have (STOW) next to his name.
As a friendly reminder, the projected starters are just that, projections, and are subject to change
- Parker Messick allows just over 1 baserunner an inning (1.03), and is striking out 25.7% of the hitters he faces. He’s been even better over his last 10 starts, in which he’s averaged over 6 IP a start (62.1IP).
- Zack Wheeler has the second-best strikeout rate of his career (30.4%) while still maintaining an above-average walk rate (71st percentile). 12 of his 21 starts have counted as quality starts.
- Cade Cavalli has been dominant over his last 10 starts, pitching to a 2.12 ERA, 0.93 WHIP across 59.1 IP. Over that stretch, he has a dominant 32.3% strikeout rate and 5.8% walk rate.
- Chase Burns has struggled with efficiency at times, but the stuff is so good the innings are still quality. At San Fran is a nice start to the week for the Reds’ electric righty.
- Braxton Ashcraft’s last two outings have resulted in an 85-pitch CG and an 80-pitch 8-inning performance. Now he pitches in two pitcher-friendly parks this week.
- Ranger Suarez is a higher floor, lower ceiling type of arm. The pitch count is fully back up after a stint on the IL and he faces the Marlins and an unimpressive Yankee offense.
- Walbert Ureña (STOW) sometimes struggles with command (11.6% walk rate over his last 10 starts), but the changeup has been phenomenal, posting a 32.9% CSW with an 18.2% SwStr% on the pitch. The strikeout upside is there, and he’s thrown 6 IP in 4 of his last 6 starts.
- Kevin Gausman hasn’t benefited from the Cubs defense yet, but he did rack up 15 whiffs on his splitter in his last start. I’m not worried about him yet and am comfortable with him until he gives a reason not to be.
- Robbie Ray has relied on a more kitchen sink approach since joining the Padres. He’s pitching well enough that he has a high enough floor to trust, especially with the Pirates and Rays coming up.
- Will Warren might only make one start this week with Fried eligible to return for the weekend series against Boston. I’m still not convinced he can handle lefties, which makes facing Yordan Alvarez a scary proposition, but he should be able to handle the rest of the Astros lineup.
- José Urquidy completed 6 IP on just 68 pitches and managed to strike out 8 hitters, racking up four whiffs on both his curveball (15 pitches) and changeup (17 pitches). Assuming the pitch count increases to the 70s or low 80s, he’s an intriguing streaming option.
- Keider Montero is worth consideration in daily leagues against the Rays, but I’d avoid starting him against the Dodgers.
- Zac Thorton is similar to Montero, where he’s worth considering in daily leagues. Against Houston over the weekend is the more intriguing option.
- Andrew Alvarez has completed 5 innings or more in his last 4 starts, although the pitch count has hovered in teh mid 70s (maxing at 81), limiting his upside. Against the Rockies offense away from Coors is potentially interesting.
- Merrill Kelly pitched well against the Dodgers on August 7th, and then struggled against the Rockies (away from Coors) and Red Sox. I’m hesitant to start him against the Cubs, but in San Fransisco could be worth a stream in deeper leagues.
- Adrian Houser won’t rack up the strikeouts, but he’s been effective in his last three starts, allowing just 1 run over 16 IP against the Tigers, Astros, and Guardians.
I’m looking for better options on the days these pitchers start. There’s not much to say about any of them here, but I’m happy to elaborate on any of the two-start starters this week! Just reply to Nick’s post with the article on Twitter/X, and I’ll answer any questions!
