The final edition of two-start pitchers for 2026 is a mixed bag. The list isn’t long, but there are a handful of solid options, which should be more than enough to meet the needs of the two teams in the championship round of head-to-head leagues. Those in roto formats may wish to stream from a deep list of one-start options. On the hitting side, the Athletics should be a good source of production all week.
Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Cristian Javier, Astros, 17% (@ SEA, @ ATH): Although Javier lacks impressive season-long numbers (5.31 ERA, 1.46 WHIP), he has been effective in his past three starts (16.1 IP, 4 ER, 15 SO). At this time of year, someone who is pitching well on a team that is battling for a postseason berth is as good as it gets in the world of waiver wire two-start pitchers. He will open the week against a Mariners lineup that ranks 28th in runs scored before finishing up against a 61-95 Athletics squad that may already be thinking ahead to the offseason.
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Anthony Kay, White Sox, 10% (@ KC, vs. COL): Kay has been a key part of the White Sox resurgence, going 9-9 with a 4.41 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 149 innings. But fantasy managers don’t need an innings eater in the same way that a real major league team does. Kay normally wouldn’t make the two-start cut, but he has a favorable schedule, and Chicago is one of the few teams that is likely to have something to play for on the final day of the season. Although there is risk, Kay could earn a win or two.
Andre Pallante, Cardinals, 26% (@ PIT, @ MIL): Although Pallante is coming off one of his worst starts of the season (5 IP, 6 ER), he has generally been someone with a high floor en route to going 12-7 with a 3.70 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. The groundball specialist has been especially effective on the road (7-0, 2.76 ERA), which is where he will make both of his starts this week. Pallante’s initial outing will take place against the Pirates, who rank 29th in runs scored since the All-Star break. And his season will end against the Brewers, who may have nothing to play for during the final weekend.
Zebby Matthews, Twins, 27% (@ SF, vs. TEX): After starting September by allowing nine runs over 7.1 innings in two starts, Matthews tossed six shutout innings against the Yankees last time out. The right-hander ranks among the least consistent starters in baseball, and the timing of his dominant outings and blowups are hard to predict. Matthews has allowed one or zero runs in four of his past six starts and could lead head-to-head teams to a championship this week. He could also cost them a title by repeating his early September struggles. Feeling lucky?
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Yusei Kikuchi, Angels, 16% (@ ATH, @ SEA): Kikuchi is one of baseball’s least consistent starters, which has led to a 5.02 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 12 starts in an injury-impacted season. But he collects his share of whiffs and has allowed two or fewer runs in three of his past four starts. The southpaw is someone to avoid for those who are protecting their WHIP but is otherwise a decent option who should produce a double-digit strikeout total in a two-start week.
Max Scherzer, Blue Jays, 12% (@ BAL, vs. CIN): Those who like sentimental stories should add Scherzer. The Blue Jays have run out of rotation options, which provides an opportunity to skip a bullpen day this week and start Scherzer at home on the final day of the regular season. The guess here is that the 42-year-old gets that opportunity, as there is a chance it could be the final start of his Hall of Fame career. Although he is far from his prime, Scherzer has been serviceable (4.26 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) in 10 second half starts. He would certainly be motivated to finish the season, and perhaps his career, with a quality outing.
Dustin Lynch IV, Royals, 7% (vs. CWS, vs. CLE): Lynch didn’t have much initial success when shifting from the bullpen to rotation in August, but he has allowed two runs over 10 innings in his past two starts. Before we get carried away, his 6:3 K:BB ratio in those outings shows that he is still a work in progress as a starter. With a pair of starts against teams that are vying for postseason berths, Lynch carries more risk than reward this week.
Sean Manaea, Mets, 21% (@ TEX, @ WSH): After allowing at least four runs in five straight starts, he finally has a respectable outing (5.1 IP, 2 ER) last time out. One decent start isn’t enough to get the left-hander a lineup spot in mixed leagues, especially since his matchups include a highly motivated Rangers team and the high-scoring Nats.
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One-Start Streamers
In order, here are the best streamers for the week, with their start date and Yahoo roster rate in brackets.
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Jake Bennett vs. CHC (Friday, 39)
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Zac Thornton @ TEX (Thursday, 24)
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Connor Prielipp vs. TEX (Friday, 11)
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Jonah Tong @ WSH (Saturday, 19)
Favorable Monday-Thursday hitting matchups
Diamondbacks @ Rockies: Arizona will take its diminishing postseason hopes to hitter-friendly Coors Field to face a pitching staff that has logged a 5.80 ERA in home contests. Former Rockies slugger Nolan Arenado (32%) could go deep in this series, while Lars Nootbaar (2%) will bat leadoff in the two games started by right-handers. Utilityman Tim Tawa (11%) is an option as well.
Athletics vs. Angels, Astros: Hitters on the Athletics will get a final shot at boosting their statistics by finishing up the season with a full week of games at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park. Fantasy managers should focus on the top of their lineup, which includes leadoff man Henry Bolte (43%) and No. 2 hitter Jeff McNeil (21%).
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
