Two-start pitchers: Zack Wheeler fronts a bevy of strong options heading into the third week of June

Hello and welcome to the 12th installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2026 MLB season.

I will continue to be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week providing my insights and recommendations on which options should be started or benched.

The fantasy baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s easy to fall into bad habits and not spend as much time on teams that have struggled out of the gate, but now is not the time to panic or give up. Keep putting in the work and plugging away, striving to improve each week, and you’ll reap rewards at the end of this season.

This is a living document, so we’ll update the options below as the weekend moves along.

Before we get into it, we’ll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:

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It doesn’t seem like anyone on the Cardinals is going to pitch twice next week, though if anyone does it would be Dustin May (vs. Cardinals, at Reds). They are rolling with a six-man rotation at the moment though, so unless they want to skip Hunter Dobbins, it’ll be one start for everyone.

As of now, it doesn’t look like anyone on the Tigers is going to make two starts next week. With the return of Tarik Skubal on Saturday and with Casey Mize and JustinVerlander nearly ready as well, expect the team to roll with a six-man rotation for their six games next week. If anyone does wind up drawing two starts, it would likely by Troy Melton (at Astros, vs. White Sox), in which case he would make for a strong option.

The Dodgers continue to utilize a six-man rotation, so with six games on the docket once more none of their starters will pitch twice next week. If Justin Wrobleski were to miss his start due to the hamstring issue that ended Thursday’s start a bit early, it’s possible that Eric Lauer could go twice (vs. Rays, vs. Orioles), but knowing the Dodgers in that instance they’d stick with a six-man alignment and finally give River Ryan an opportunity.

The Marlins are still struggling to find healthy and viable arms at the moment, with TBD scheduled to start on Monday and potentially pitch twice (at Phillies, vs. Giants). Most likely scenario has that being another bullpen game, but we’ll update here throughout the weekend if anything changes.

The Mets have yet to announce a starter for Monday yet. That could wind up being the return of Kodai Senga after he pitched well in his latest rehab start. If so, he would slide right back in for a two-start week (at Reds, at Phillies). If so, he makes for an intriguing option. We’ll adjust here if we get more clarity throughout the weekend.

Going Twice…

Note: Probable pitchers as of June 12 and are subject to change.

American League

▶ Strong Plays

Gerrit Cole, Yankees, RHP (vs. White Sox, vs. Reds)

So far in four starts since returning from the injured list, we have seen basically the vintage version of Cole that we have come to know and love throughout the years. He holds a terrific 2.45 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and an 18/6 K/BB ratio over 22 innings. The matchups this week are middle of the pack, certainly not anything that you would need to avoid from a fantasy perspective. Expect Cole to continue to put up great ratios and solid strikeout numbers with a high likelihood that he lands his second victory of the season next week. He’s an automatic start in all leagues.

Payton Tolle, Red Sox, RHP (vs. Blue Jays, at Mariners)

Tolle had been lined up to make two starts this past week until a change in the Red Sox’ rotation moved Connelly Early into that spot instead. The 23-year-old southpaw has been exceptional this season, with a 2.70 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 54/14 K/BB ratio across 53 1/3 innings of work. He should be locked into fantasy lineups each and every week right now regardless of matchups. Just sit back and enjoy the added volume from a two-start week this time around.

Reid Detmers, Angels, LHP (at Diamondbacks, at Athletics)

Detmers has had a couple of blow up starts this season, but has otherwise been a major asset for fantasy managers. He’s on a very good run right now, posting a 1.73 ERA, 0.54 WHIP and a 36/5 K/BB ratio over 26 innings over his last four starts. That’s elite production. The matchups are tough this week, having to battle the Diamondbacks and Athletics in hitter-friendly parks, but the way that Detmers is throwing the ball right now, I would be comfortable using Detmers in any matchups. He makes for a very strong play this week.

Davis Martin, White Sox, RHP (at Yankees, at Tigers)

Raise your hand if you expected Davis Martin to be among the best pitchers in the American League in the first half of 2026. I see no hands. The 29-year-old is having a breakout campaign, sitting at 9-2 with a minuscule 2.41 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 79/17 K/BB ratio over 78 1/3 innings for the upstart White Sox. The only thing holding him back this week is the matchups, though the Yankees are a bit less fearsome without Aaron Judge in the middle of the order. If you’re been blessed to have Martin on your roster this season, continue riding the wave this week.

▶ Decent Plays

Brandon Young, Orioles, RHP (at Mariners, at Dodgers)

Young has done a nice job through his first 10 starts for the Orioles this season, posting a 3.04 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 42/19 K/BB ratio over 56 1/3 innings. Normally that would make him a strong streaming option, especially in two-start weeks, but unfortunately one of his matchups this week comes against the vaunted Dodgers’ offense in Los Angeles. There’s probably still enough meat on the bone here to use him in 15-team formats, but it gets a bit sketchier in 12’s.

Seth Lugo, Royals, RHP (at Nationals, vs. Cardinals)

The 36-year-old right-hander always seems to be a decent streaming option whenever he’s scheduled to make two starts, as the added volume helps to make up for his overall lack of strikeouts. That’s the case again this week as he draws a pair of solid matchups against the Nationals and Cardinals. Lugo was hit in the head by a comebacker during his last outing, though it sounds like he’s fine and will be good to go for Monday, just something that fantasy managers should monitor over the weekend just to be sure.

Walbert Ureña, Angels, RHP (at Diamondbacks, at Athletics)

The 22-year-old right-hander has done a nice job through his first 12 appearances (10 starts) in the big leagues, posting a 2.44 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and a 55/33 K/BB ratio over 55 1/3 innings. That elevated walk rate could hurt him in a pair of hitter-friendly ballparks this week, but he still makes for a decent streaming option in all formats. I’d use him for sure in 15 teamers and may even find room in 12’s if I didn’t have better alternatives.

▶ At Your Own Risk

Kai-Wei Teng, Astros, RHP (vs. Tigers, vs. Guardians)

Teng has struggled since making the move from the Astros’ bullpen to their rotation, registering a 4.82 ERA and a 27/17 K/BB ratio over 28 innings through his first six starts. Things have gone downhill recently as well, surrendering nine runs over nine innings in his last two starts. The Tigers and Guardians have both been swinging the bats pretty well against right-handed pitching as of late, making this two-start week a bit more volatile than I would have originally thought. I’d try to stay away here if I had viable alternatives in deeper leagues.

Mike Paredes, Twins, RHP (at Rangers, at Diamondbacks)

Paredes has pitched decently through his first three appearances for the Twins, posting a 4.35 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and an 8/6 K/BB ratio over 10 1/3 innings. The problem is that they haven’t really decided what role he’s best suited for yet. Because of that, they’re limiting him to around 65 pitches per start instead of getting him fully stretched out to remain in the rotation. That’s fine if he’s working after an opener, but if he’s going to start the game it’s very problematic for fantasy managers as it means he’ll almost never qualify for a victory. He’s fine if you’re looking to stream for volume and strikeouts in deeper leagues and don’t need the wins, just understand the ceiling is very low here.

Jack Perkins, Athletics, RHP (vs. Pirates, vs. Angels)

So far the transition from the bullpen to the rotation has been a struggle for Perkins. He has gone just four innings in each of his first two starts while posting a 9.00 ERA and 1.88 WHIP with a 10/5 K/BB ratio across those eight frames. The matchups are decent enough this week and the strikeout upside is there, but making both starts in the hitter friendly confines of Sutter Health Park doesn’t help his cause. I’d lean toward staying away from this one.

Slade Cecconi, Guardians, RHP (at Brewers, at Astros)

Cecconi has had a really rough go for the Guardians this season, going 3-5 with an uninspiring 4.83 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and a 61/23 K/BB ratio over 72 2/3 innings. If the matchups were better, I may condone using him for a two-start week, but taking on the Brewers and Astros with both starts coming on the road is a very tough draw. He hasn’t been generating wins or strikeouts at the level that you’d want to see, leaving a whole lot of risk here for a very low ceiling. Maybe if you need the volume in the deepest of leagues and can handle the ratio hit (or don’t care about ratios at this stage), otherwise I would avoid this one.

National League

▶ Strong Plays

Zack Wheeler, Reds, RHP (vs. Marlins, vs. Mets)

To say that Wheeler has shown no ill effects from his surgery would be a massive understatement. He has been even better this year than he was before the injury – posting a 2.22 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and a 53/12 K/BB ratio over 56 2/3 innings through his first nine starts. Look for those good times to continue this week with an unbelievable two-step on tap with the Marlins and Mets coming to town. Wheeler is probably the top overall play on the board this week and I’d be floored if he doesn’t deliver another exceptional week for fantasy purposes.

Chase Burns, Reds, RHP (vs. Mets, at Yankees)

Burns continues to dazzle each and every time he takes the mound. The 23-year-old right-hander holds a stellar 7-1 record with a 2.14 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and an 88/23 K/BB ratio over 75 2/3 innings through his first 13 starts. He has allowed more than two earned runs just one time all season, and it came back on April 10 against the Angels. The matchup against the Yankees in New York is tough, but it’s balanced out by a home tilt against the Mets. Burns is easily one of the top overall plays on the board this week.

Shota Imanaga, Cubs, LHP (vs. Rockies, vs. Blue Jays)

Imanaga had been among the most effective pitches in baseball this season, that was until he was lit up for 18 runs over 17 1/3 innings in a three-start stretch from late May to early June. He did look much improved his last time out, striking out seven over five scoreless innings against the Rockies at Coors Field. Plus, even when he was struggling, the strikeouts and the WHIP were still there. The recent struggles are concerning, but it’s not enough for me to sit Imanaga for a two-start week. I’d use him in all leagues.

▶ Decent Plays

Grant Holmes, Braves, RHP (vs. Giants, vs. Brewers)

Holmes has done a decent job overall for the Braves this season, registering a 4.05 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and a 59/29 K/BB ratio across 66 2/3 innings. He’s usually a fringe mixed league option for single start weeks, but for a two-step that includes a home tilt against the Giants, it should be wheels up in all formats. Roll Holmes out there with complete confidence in all leagues this week.

Jared Jones, Pirates, RHP (at Athletics, at Rockies)

This will be the ultimate test this week of how much you trust the skills of Jared Jones, as he draws a brutal pair of matchups having to pitch at perhaps the two most hitter-friendly venues in all of baseball. We have also seen mixed results through his first three starts, with a 4.73 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and a 14/5 K/BB ratio over 13 1/3 innings. As a gambler at heart, I trust what I see from Jones and would be willing to roll with him despite the brutal draw. It’s understandable if your level of risk tolerance is lower though and you want to sit this one out to avoid a potential massive hit to your ratios.

Ryne Nelson, Diamondbacks, RHP (vs. Angels, vs. Twins)

It’s really hard for fantasy managers to trust Ryne Nelson right now. After a miserable start to the season, he went through a very strong stretch where he posted a 2.89 ERA over 46 2/3 innings across seven starts from the start of May until last week. That was until he was lit up for seven runs over four innings his last time out against the Marlins. It could just be a blip on the radar, but it’s at least something that fantasy managers should note when making lineup decisions for next week. I’d probably accept the ratio risk and still roll with him in 15-team leagues. Anything more shallow than that, I’d lean toward benching if possible.

▶ At Your Own Risk

Robert Gasser, Brewers, LHP (vs. Guardians, at Braves)

There’s an awful lot of upside in Gasser’s left arm, especially in the strikeout department, but the early results have been far from encouraging. Through his first four starts he boasts a miserable 6.38 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and a 19/9 K/BB ratio over 18 1/3 innings. The Guardians and Braves are a pair of teams that will punish him if he can’t consistently find the strike zone, setting this week up to deliver more ratio damage. If all you need is strikeouts, go ahead, otherwise steer clear.

Lucas Giolito, Padres, RHP (at Cardinals, at Rangers)

It has been a bit of a struggle for Giolito through his first five starts with the Padres, compiling a 4.35 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and a 14/18 K/BB ratio over his first 20 2/3 innings. If he can’t cut those walks way back, he’s never going to have sustained success. He has issued three or more free passes in four of those five starts this season. Until he exhibits a better command of the strike zone, he shouldn’t be trusted for fantasy purposes.

Michael Lorenzen, Rockies, RHP (at Cubs, vs. Pirates)

Repeat after me, Never Rockies. Just don’t subject yourself to it and you’ll be much better off in the long run. Even if he wasn’t starting these games at Wrigley Field and at Coors Field, Lorenzen still holds a terrifying 7.54 ERA and 1.90 WHIP over 65 2/3 innings on the season with just 55 strikeouts. There’s really no reason to even consider this.