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Paul Skenes leads a list of promising two-start pitchers for fantasy baseball in the third week of May 2026. This weekly article provides insights on which pitchers to start or bench.
Two-start pitchers: Paul Skenes headlines a smattering of quality options heading into the third week of May
Hello and welcome to the seventh installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2026 MLB season.
I will 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.
It feels like we just drafted our teams, yet the weather is warming up around the league and balls are starting to fly out of the ballpark with more regularity as we steamroll into the middle of May.
We now have actual actionable data that we can use to make decisions on these pitchers, as most of them have taken the mound five or six times already. A pitcher can get lucky and post quality results despite poor underlying numbers through a couple of starts, but itās much more difficult to sustain that over a longer stretch of time.
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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Itās possible that someone could make two starts for the Braves next week (vs. Cubs, vs. Red Sox), but Iām not even sure they know who it would be at this point. They skipped Grant Holmes on Wednesday, opting to go with Martin Perez in that spot instead. Either of them could pitch on Tuesday and wind up pitching twice. Itās also possible that could start on Tuesday and he could wind up pitching twice. The most likely scenario, has further chaos ensuing there with each of those options taking the ball once and no one ending up with a two-start week. Weāll update here if we get any further clarification throughout the weekend.
Paul Skenes is highlighted as a leading option among several quality two-start pitchers for the week.
Players should evaluate matchups, recent performance, and weather conditions when deciding to start or bench pitchers.
The best time to draft fantasy baseball teams is typically before the season starts, but preparation continues as the season progresses.
Two-start pitcher recommendations are updated weekly, typically every Friday during the MLB season.

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We arenāt quite sure whatās going to happen with the Royals in regards to the availability of Cole Ragans this week, which throws their rotation into flux. Itās possible that he overcomes his āpitcherās elbowā that heās battling and is able to take the ball on Tuesday, which would line him up for a two-start week (at White Sox, at Cardinals). Itās also possible that he winds up on the injured list and someone else makes those starts. We could also see Seth Lugo start on regular rest on Tuesday and wind up with the two-start week. Stay tuned.
Another rotation thatās in flux is the Angels following the injury to Yusei Kikuchi. Itās possible they could promote someone from Triple-A Salt Lake to start in his place on Monday, or that Alek Manoah could potentially be ready to return from the injured list. Those options would potentially line up for two starts (at Guardians, vs. Dodgers), though with those matchups itās not an avenue that we would want to explore anyways. Itās also possible that the Halos simply go with a bullpen game on Monday.
Going Twiceā¦
Note: Probable pitchers as of May 8 and are subject to change.
Ryan Weathers, Yankees, LHP (at Orioles, at Mets)
Weāre finally seeing what Weathers can do when he stays healthy over a prolonged stretch and it has been glorious. The 26-year-old southpaw holds a pristine 3.03 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 45/10 K/BB ratio over 38 2/3 innings through his first eight starts. Thatāll absolutely play in all leagues. He gets a pair of quality matchups this week and is benefited by both of them being away from the cozy confines of Yankee Stadium. Weathers represents one of the top overall options on the board this week.
Jeffrey Springs, Athletics, LHP (vs. Cardinals, vs. Giants)
Springs has excelled through his first eight starts for the Athletics this season, registering a 3.87 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 39/12 K/BB ratio across 44 frames. He has one disaster in there against the White Sox (seven runs in five innings), but otherwise has been pretty consistent each time out and effective both home and on the road. I donāt love that both starts are coming at Sutter Health Park, but getting to take on the Giants in one of them makes up for that. Iād be starting Springs with complete confidence in all leagues for this two-start week.
Peter Lambert, Astros, RHP (vs. Mariners, vs. Rangers)
Through his first four starts, Peter Lambert has pitched like he wants to keep his spot in a depleted Astrosā rotation. The 29-year-old hurler has registered a stellar 2.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 23/11 K/BB ratio across 22 1/3 innings. The 3.34 xERA is pretty favorable as well. Now he gets to make two starts at home against familiar divisional foes, both who rank in the middle of the pack against right-handed pitching. I couldnāt go quite as far to say Lambert is a great start for this week, but heās completely viable and someone that I would be happy to use in leagues of all sizes.
Brandon Young, Orioles, LHP (vs. Yankees, at Nationals)
We have seen a mixed bag from Young through his first four starts in the Oās rotation. He has had one brutal start where he was lit up for 10 runs (four earned) against the Astros. Otherwise, he has won each of his other three tries with decent overall results. If he wasnāt forced to battle the Yankees to start the week, Iād even go as far to say that heās a sneaky streaming option in shallower leagues. If youāre trying to make up ground in wins and strikeouts, I do think thereās viability to using Young this week. My apologies if he gets pummeled by the Yankees though.
Joey Cantillo, Guardians, LHP (vs. Angels, vs. Reds)
Aside from his questionable WHIP (1.37), Cantillo has been terrific in eight starts for the Guardians this year with a 3.43 ERA and 37 strikeouts over 39 1/3 innings while picking up a pair of victories. The Angels and Reds both rank in the upper half of the league against southpaws, but both matchups coming in Cleveland helps to balance that out. He also draws strong opposing pitching matchups here, so his chances of earning that third win look pretty high this week. Iād be comfortable starting Cantillo in both 15 and 12-team formats this week.
Bailey Ober, Twins, RHP (vs. Marlins, vs. Brewers)
Ober continues to defy logic and put up decent results despite his limited velocity this season, posting a 4.19 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 32 strikeouts over 43 innings. I still believe thereās a correction coming here at some point, but I donāt hate using him as a streaming option while things are going well. A pair of home matchups against the Marlins and Brewers arenāt anything to worry about, giving him a nice shot at earning a victory this week with six or seven strikeouts. Thatās perfectly fine to use in all leagues if you have a spot available and need volume.
Erick Fedde, White Sox, RHP (vs. Royals, vs. Cubs)
It has flown a bit under the radar, but Fedde has actually pitched pretty decently in his return to the White Sox. Through his first seven outings, he holds a respectable 3.79, a downright useful 1.13 WHIP and a 24/13 K/BB ratio over 38 innings. He has yet to win a game, but thatās more the fault of the White Soxā offense than it is Fedde. The matchups are a mixed bag, with the Royals grading out positively before finishing the week with a tough battle against the Cubs. The issue is that if youāre streaming fringe starters, youāre usually looking for wins or strikeouts ā or preferably both. Fedde hasnāt offered either this year. That isnāt to say that he canāt sneak a win in one of these starts, but youāre fighting an uphill battle. If youāre desperate for options in 15-teamers, I could see going here.
Jack Flaherty, Tigers, RHP (at Mets, vs. Blue Jays)
How the mighty have fallen. Flaherty was always a lock for fantasy purposes during his two-start weeks, but these days he canāt locate his fastball and owns a flabbergasting 1.65 WHIP to go with his 5.56 ERA and league-leading 26 free passes and five hit batsmen. He has also yet to win a game, despite pitching for the Tigers. The strikeouts are the only thing he has provided of value with 42 punchouts in his first 34 innings. The only glimmer of hope here is that he posted a 10/1 K/BB ratio over five innings against the Red Sox his last time out. If you believe there is more of that to come, you can roll the dice and use him for two starts here. Just donāt come back complaining when he throws your ratios into a blender.
Brayan Bello, Red Sox, RHP (vs. Phillies, at Braves)
Bello has been an unmitigated disaster for the Red Sox through his first seven appearances on the season, posting a miserable 7.44 ERA and 1.93 WHIP over 32 2/3 innings. The one thing that youād expect from Bello, strikeouts, havenāt even been there with just 24 punchouts on the year. He probably saved his rotation spot his last time out with seven strong innings of one-run ball against the Tigers. Is that enough to trust him going forward? For me, itās not. The Philliesā offense has been heating up against right-handed pitching and the Braves crush everyone these days. Rolling out Bello for two starts is just screaming for ratio damage.
Lance McCullers Jr., Astros, RHP (vs. Mariners, vs. Rangers)
Remember when McCullers opened the second with one great start and everyone thought he could be back to being a viable fantasy option? Good times. He now sports a 7.41 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 34 innings and only continues to get the ball every fifth day because the Astros donāt have enough healthy arms to field a rotation otherwise. While the matchups are decent and thereās a chance he could sneak through here with strong strikeout numbers and a chance at a win, Iām not subjecting my ratios to the risk that he provides. If you want to gamble, more power to you.
Paul Skenes, Pirates, RHP (vs. Rockies, vs. Phillies)
While many first and second round fantasy selections have been busts through the first eight weeks or so of the season, Skenes has been the exception. The star right-hander boasts a scintillating 2.36 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and a 46/7 K/BB ratio across 42 innings while securing five victories already. Fantasy managers should never consider benching him for any matchup, especially for a two-start week that includes a home tilt against the Rockies. He has been perhaps the best pitcher in all of baseball through his first eight starts on the season and heāll get a chance to improve upon those numbers as the top overall play on the board this week.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers, RHP (vs. Giants, at Angels)
Itās rare that we get a week where a Dodgersā pitcher is lined up for two starts given that theyāre rolling with a full six-man rotation, but it looks like Yamamoto will get the honor next week with a pair of juicy matchups to boot. He has been exceptional through his first seven starts, registering a 3.09 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 40/10 K/BB ratio over 43 2/3 innings. Heās locked into fantasy lineups every week regardless of matchups, but this will be one of the few weeks where heāll provide you with double the volume. On a week that looks scant for quality options, Yamamoto looks like one of the best plays on the board this week
Freddy Peralta, Mets, RHP (vs. Tigers, vs. Yankees)
Peralta has been as good as advertised through his first eight starts in a Metsā uniform, compiling a 3.12 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 43/18 K/BB ratio across 43 1/3 innings. Heās an easy start for fantasy managers each and every week, so thereās no decision point here, though the matchups are going to be tough this week. He gets the benefit of both starts being at home, but has to tangle with a pair of strong offenses in the Tigers and the Yankees. He should be used in all leagues regardless of the poor matchups, just understand that his ratios may check in a bit higher than weāre used to seeing this week.
Zack Wheeler, Phillies, RHP (at Red Sox, at Pirates)
So far, so good for Wheeler through his first three starts since returning from the injured list, posting a 3.12 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and an 18/6 K/BB ratio over 17 1/3 innings. If he can keep that up, Philliesā fans and fantasy managers everywhere will be thrilled with the overall results. The Pirates actually rank as one of the better offenses in baseball against right-handed pitching this season while the Red Sox check in as one of the worst. This looks like a prime week for Wheeler to add a win to his ledger while piling up double digit strikeouts.
Eury PƩrez, Marlins, RHP (at Twins, at Rays)
With as good of stuff that he has, itās frustrating to see PĆ©rez sitting with a 5.01 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP over his first 41 1/3 innings on the season. The hope remains that as he gets further removed from his injury, the consistency will come and the results will improve. This looks like a good week for him to bring those ratios down with a pair of road matchups against middling offenses. He has punched out six or more batters in each of his last four starts, so even in the worst case scenario, he should deliver 10+ strikeouts here with a shot at a win. You have to trust the process and use him in all formats for this two-start week.
Michael Soroka, Diamondbacks, RHP (at Rangers, at Rockies)
The overall line for Soroka on the season doesnāt look great, with a 4.14 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 37 innings, but a lot of that damage was done in one eight-run disaster against the Brewers in Milwaukee. He also gave up four runs against the Phillies in Philadelphia. In his other five starts (all at home), Soroka has allowed two or fewer earned runs each time. Is the home/road thing a trend or simply small sample variance? Thatās for you to decide. The Rangers and Rockies both rank middle of the pack against right-handed pitching and that second start will be at Coors Field. In 15-teamers, I feel confident enough that Iād probably roll him out there. In 12ās, it would really depend on what type of alternative options I had available. That home/road split though would definitely be in the back of my mind though.
Chad Patrick, Brewers, RHP (vs. Padres, at Twins)
Patrick has actually been a bit of a disappointment this season, posting a 3.45 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 20/16 K/BB ratio over 31 1/3 innings. He has really struggled to throw strikes consistently and isnāt working deeply into games, which hurts when he isnāt working behind an opener. With the added volume of a two-start week, you probably still want to be using him in all formats, but the overall upside here this week is much lower than I wouldāve expected from Patrick a couple of weeks ago.
Colin Rea, Cubs, RHP (at Braves, at White Sox)
Aside from a tough matchup against the Dodgers where he was shelled for six runs, Rea has done a really nice job since joining the Cubsā rotation. Overall he holds a 4.03 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a 35/12 K/BB ratio across 38 innings while notching four victories. The WHIP is a problem for sure and having to battle the Braves in Atlanta to open the week isnāt ideal. A home matchup against the White Sox to finish the week helps to offset that. I think heās fine as a streaming option if looking to add volume for the purpose of making up ground in wins and strikeouts. Just understand that he could actively be hurting your WHIP while heās in there.
Brady Singer, Reds, RHP (vs. Nationals, at Guardians)
Usually a viable streaming option in two-start weeks, Singer hasnāt quite been as reliable this season. Through eight starts, he holds an unhealthy 5.63 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 38 1/3 innings. He has a strong track record of success, though his 5.78 xERA and 4.58 xFIP show that he has more or less earned that brutal line so far this season. He has been much better in his three starts at home, which could bode well for that soft matchup against the Nationals to start the week. The Guardiansā lineup isnāt intimidating either though, so I donāt hate traveling on the road to face them. My gut tells me that he should be a decent option this week, that he should approach double digit strikeouts while having a shot at earning a victory and avoiding any major blowups. That flies in the face of the numbers we have seen thus far though. Iād probably take the plunge in 15ās while leaving him on the shelf for 12ās.
Michael Lorenzen, Rockies, RHP (at Pirates, vs. Diamondbacks)
The āNever Rockiesā mantra was seemingly built for fringe options like Lorenzen. Thereās just no reason to go here in home or split weeks. Could he sneak past the Pirates with a decent outing, sure, but you canāt like his chances of silencing the Diamondbacks at Coors Field on Sunday. There isnāt enough upside in that veteran right arm to justify the ratio risk that you would be taking on by using him for these two starts. Just say no, there are better options available.
Matt Waldron, Padres, RHP (at Brewers, vs. Mariners)
While he was terrific his last time out, Waldron holds an unappealing 7.71 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 18 2/3 innings in his first four outings for the Padres this season and is far too inconsistent to trust for fantasy purposes. Maybe in the deepest of leagues if you're desperate for volume and need to chase strikeouts, otherwise he's a clear player to avoid this week.