Ron Rigney shares his Best Two-Start Pitchers each week. Ron tells you who he believes will turn it around and who won’t. Follow Ron on Twitter – @RonRigney
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Week 19 Pitching
My Favorite Two-Start Pitchers (in order from best to worst matchups)
Corbin Burnes SP- MIL, @ WSH, vs PIT
On the season, Burnes’ strikeouts are down, and his walks are up. Despite that, he’s still been really good and it makes you appreciate just how good his previous two seasons were. This week he gets two teams near the bottom in home runs and runs scored. Both teams have some promising youngsters, but both teams are still quite a ways away from having lineups opposing pitchers will fear.
Julio Urias SP – LAD, @ OAK, @ SD
Anytime you can pick on Oakland, you do it, not much analysis needed. San Diego on the other hand should be one of the most feared offenses in the league. Instead they are hitting .236 as a team. They can hit the long ball, and Urias has given up a few more of those than we are used to. The start comes at San Diego, so that should help him keep the ball in the yard.
Framber Valdez SP – HOU, vs CLE, @ NYY
Valdez is 73% consistent on the season, picking up where he left off in 2022. The K’s are up and walks are down this season and his FIP and xFIP indicate he’s actually been better than his 3.29 ERA. He’s been a little worse on the road, so he could see a bit of a hiccup at the Yanks, but should cruise against a Guardians team that’s dead last in home runs, and 26th in runs scored.
Freddy Peralta SP – MIL, @ WSH, vs PIT
See Corbin Burnes above for the reasons I like the matchup. Peralta has been disappointing overall but as of late but has allowed more than three runs just once since July 18. In two of those starts he failed to give up any runs. His walks are concerning, so don’t expect a great WHIP but he should see plenty of strikeouts, and neither team is a juggernaut with the bat.
Be Careful
Zac Gallen SP – ARZ, @ SFG, @ MIN
You’re probably a bit down on this guy, and you have every right to be. In three of his last six starts he’s allowed at least four runs, including five his last time out against St. Louis. He’s not been as good as 2022, but he’s still been good, even though he’s just 53% consistent right now. Two teams in the bottom third in batting could be what he needs to get back on track. He’s been far worse on the road, with an ERA just under five. You probably have to start him like I do, but I don’t feel good about it. It could be a sneaky week for the Giants and Twins in DFS against him.
Sneaky Sneaky
Jose Quintana SP – NYM, @ KC, @ BAL
Quintana has been surprisingly effective in his first two starts. If you need strikeouts, look elsewhere. But he’s a good play if you need ratio help. KC has been anemic on offense, and if he can limit the damage to the Orioles it should be a good week.
Waiver Arms
Jose Quintana SP – NYM (available in 48% of Fantrax leagues)
Its scary if you need waiver wire help, but see above. You could do worse.
Hyun Jin Ryu SP TOR (available in 63% of Fantrax leagues)
He’s being activated to start Tuesday against the Orioles in his season debut. Here’s to hoping he can regain some of his form from a few seasons ago. He looked sharp in his rehab stint, and he has a powerful offense behind him for those of you in wins leagues.
