Justin's Two Start Pitcher Ranks - Week 1

Reviewing and ranking every two start pitching option for the first week of the season.

By Justin May · March 28, 2026 · Updated October 13, 2026

{"template":"baseball-two-start-ranks","subtitle":"Reviewing and ranking every two start pitching option for the first week of the season.","readTime":"","intro":"Reviewing and ranking every two start pitching option for this week. The tiers and explanations are below: JUST-INcredible: Aces that should be in your lineup every week JUST-INdulge: Easy starts in most leagues - don't overthink it JUST…one for me, thanks: Pitchers who I'd start for one of their games, but bench for the other start JUST-INsanity: Don't start these guys unless it's an extreme deep league desperation stream *An asterisk next to the opponent means that the pitcher is at risk of losing that start due to possible rotation adjustments, weather, etc. based on my research, so tread lightly for those. As always, starts are subject to change after the article gets posted - sadly managers don't ask me before making rotation changes. ","tiers":[{"id":"tier-1","label":"JUST-INcredible","players":[{"name":"Max Fried","team":"NYY","starts":"@SEA, MIA","writeup":"It's lonely at the top this week, as Max Fried headlines the list with a couple of matchups he can really take advantage of. Start your studs. "},{"name":"Kris Bubic","team":"KC","starts":"MIN, MIL","writeup":"Kris Bubic kicks off the year with two matchups against middling offenses. He ended last year injured and only got up to 59 pitches in spring - but the possibility of 5 strong innings in both starts is there "}]},{"id":"tier-2","label":"JUST-INdulge","players":[{"name":"Ranger Suarez","team":"BOS","starts":"@HOU, SD","writeup":"Not the best matchups here but Ranger Suarez is someone you've gotta just start this early in the year. The only reason he didn't make the top tier is that the Sox are supposedly bringing him along slowly due to limited WBC action affecting his buildup. "},{"name":"Kodai Senga","team":"NYM","starts":"@STL, @SF","writeup":"Kodai Senga has two pillowy soft matchups - must start. "},{"name":"Edward Cabrera","team":"CHC","starts":"LAA, @CLE","writeup":"Cleveland is a patient lineup which normally isn't the best for Edward Cabrera, but he did cut his walk rate to 7.7% in the 2nd half last year. Just start him this year until he gives us reason not to. "},{"name":"Ryan Weathers","team":"NYY","starts":"@SEA, MIA","writeup":"Ryan Weathers benefits from the Yankees' uncommon decision to start with a 4-man rotation. A great streamer candidate as well since he's only owned in 25% of Yahoo leagues. "},{"name":"Chase Burns","team":"CIN","starts":"PIT, @TEX","writeup":"Chase Burns could easily ascend to the ace tier soon, but for now he's still an easy start. "},{"name":"Chris Bassitt","team":"BAL","starts":"TEX, @PIT","writeup":"Chris Bassitt has one of the most consistent workloads in the league. After getting up to 89 pitches in spring, he's an easy start in a week where innings are at a premium. "},{"name":"Cody Ponce","team":"TOR","starts":"COL, @CHW","writeup":"Can't ask for much better matchups to begin your return to the MLB. Go get 'em, Cody Ponce. "},{"name":"Mick Abel","team":"MIN","starts":"@KC, TB","writeup":"Mick Abel has a chance to prove himself after a strong spring. Ambitious putting him this high but I'm a believer. "},{"name":"Luis Castillo","team":"SEA","starts":"NYY, @LAA","writeup":"Luis Castillo gets the tougher matchup at home and the Angels are a soft landing on the road to start 2026. "},{"name":"Kyle Harrison","team":"MIL","starts":"TB, @KC","writeup":"Kyle Harrison has some breakout appeal this year and he starts off with two fine matchups. He got up to 82 pitches in his last spring start, so the workload should be there. "},{"name":"Clay Holmes","team":"NYM","starts":"@STL, @SF","writeup":"Clay Holmes faded down the stretch last year, but luckily it's a new season again and he starts with two soft matchups. "}]},{"id":"tier-3","label":"JUST…one for me, thanks","players":[{"name":"Jack Leiter","team":"TEX","starts":"@BAL, CIN","writeup":"Jack Leiter was better at home last year, so while I don't love these matchups, I'd still roll him out against the Reds. I'm avoiding that Baltimore start, though. "},{"name":"Justin Verlander","team":"DET","starts":"@ARI, STL","writeup":"Love seeing Justin Verlander back in Detroit. I don't love that Dbacks start though - I'll hold off until he gets the Cardinals at Comerica. "},{"name":"Brandon Pfaadt","team":"ARI","starts":"DET, ATL","writeup":"Brandon Pfaadt added a cutter last year and it seemed to help improve his underlying numbers. Still, he was such a ratio killer - I'm gonna sit the Tigers' start out and if there's reason to buy into a bounce back then I'm down to roll him out for Atlanta after. "},{"name":"Braxton Ashcraft","team":"PIT","starts":"@CIN, BAL","writeup":"Braxton Ashcraft is another popular breakout pick this year. I'll risk it against the Reds even at GABP, but play it by ear for the O's after. "},{"name":"Mike Soroka","team":"ARI","starts":"DET, ATL","writeup":"Mike Soroka also added a cutter recently and there's some hope that it can help him be more consistent. Much like Pfaadt, I think I'd wait and see how he looks against Detroit first. They're pretty scary with McGonigle raking. "},{"name":"Nick Martinez","team":"TB","starts":"@MIL, @MIN","writeup":"Not sure how I feel about Nick Martinez this year given his lack of standout stuff and meh 2025 - but he's worth a start against the Twins. "},{"name":"Kyle Leahy","team":"STL","starts":"NYM, @DET","writeup":"I'm worried about Kyle Leahy's lack of strikeouts catching up with him in a starting role, but I'm down to give it a go in Comerica. Just bench for the Mets first. "},{"name":"Walker Buehler","team":"SD","starts":"SF, @BOS","writeup":"Walker Buehler was a late spring addition to the Padres rotation, but got up to 79 pitches in spring, so the workload should be there for a soft Giants matchup at Petco. Despite the revenge game appeal at Fenway next, I'm gonna sit that one out. "},{"name":"Landen Roupp","team":"SF","starts":"@SD, NYM","writeup":"Landen Roupp was much worse on the road and rough against San Diego last year - I'm alright chancing it against the Mets but I'd bench for the Padres early in the week "},{"name":"Davis Martin","team":"CHW","starts":"@MIA, TOR","writeup":"I expected Davis Martin to be better than he has been in his career, but he's still getting chances in the rotation and I'll run him out there against Miami. Likely going to pass on the Jays though. "},{"name":"Chris Paddack","team":"MIA","starts":"CHW, @NYY","writeup":"To me, Chris Paddack shouldn't be in the rotation (where is Robby Snelling??) - but a start against the White Sox in Miami can't be that bad. No shot I'm starting him in New York though. "}]},{"id":"tier-4","label":"JUST-INsanity","players":[{"name":"Foster Griffin","team":"WSH","starts":"@PHI, LAD","writeup":"I was a fan of Foster Griffin as a late round target in drafts since he looks like a stable ratios arm. But this week I just can't advocate running him out there. "},{"name":"Parker Messick","team":"CLE","starts":"@LAD, CHC","writeup":"Parker Messick somewhat surprisingly won the last rotation spot in Cleveland. He's interesting and may be a guy who sticks on your roster all year, but this is a brutal draw to start the season. "},{"name":"Adrian Houser","team":"SF","starts":"@SD, NYM","writeup":"Adrian Houser was surprisingly amazing for the White Sox last year - and then faded after being dealt to Tampa Bay. He's been inconsistent throughout his career, so I've just gotta see something this year before trotting him out there. "},{"name":"Taijuan Walker","team":"PHI","starts":"WSH, @COL","writeup":"I know we're not as scared of Coors anymore for opposing pitchers, but I'm scared of Taijuan Walker. "},{"name":"Aaron Civale","team":"ATH","starts":"@ATL, HOU","writeup":"Aaron Civale was rough in 2025 and now gets this? No thanks. "},{"name":"Roki Sasaki","team":"LAD","starts":"CLE, @WSH","writeup":"No clue what to expect from Roki Sasaki start-to-start. The likely short leash + uneven spring has me staying away for now. "},{"name":"Lance McCullers Jr.","team":"HOU","starts":"BOS, @ATH","writeup":"Lance McCullers Jr. was very inconsistent last year in his return to the rotation. Tough matchups here and I just have to see something from him first. "},{"name":"Bryce Elder","team":"ATL","starts":"ATH, @ARI","writeup":"I don't trust Bryce Elder and the matchups are tough. "},{"name":"Jose Suarez","team":"ATL","starts":"ATH, @ARI","writeup":"Jose Suarez: see Elder, Bryce. "},{"name":"Tomoyuki Sugano","team":"COL","starts":"@TOR, PHI","writeup":"Tomoyuki Sugano: Never Rockies. "}]}]}