David Price is easily the most reliable two-start option this week

Daniel Marcus takes us through Week 16’s two-start pitchers. Be sure to review our Two-Start Pitcher Rankings chart.

Elite Options

• David Price (7/28 @TB, 8/2 @BAL)
• Sonny Gray (7/28 @LAD, 8/2 CLE)
• Masahiro Tanaka (7/28 @TEX, 8/2 @CWS)

Not much needs to be said for this group. You should have zero hesitation plugging David Price into your starting lineup. We have seen some expected regression from Gray recently, but he is still putting together a very solid campaign. Tanaka has some issue with the home run ball but has still been solid as expected.

Strong Options

• Jorge De La Rosa (7/27 @CHC, 8/1 @STL)
• Alex Wood (7/27 @BAL, 8/1 @PHI)
• Jason Hammel (7/27 COL, 8/1 @MIL)
• Jordan Zimmerman (7/28 @MIA, 8/2 @NYM)
• Jose Fernandez (7/28 WSH, 8/2 SD)
• Mike Fiers (7/28 @SF, 8/2 CHC)
• Noah Syndergaard (7/28 SD, 8/2 WSH)
• James Shields (7/28 @NYM, 8/2 @MIA)
• Hisashi Iwakuma (7/28 ARI, 8/2 @MIN)
• Chris Heston (7/27 MIL, 8/2 @TEX)
• Lance Lynn (7/27 CIN, 8/1 COL)
• John Lackey (7/28 CIN, 8/2 COL)

Jorge De La Rosa and Alex Wood have both been considerably better on the road this season, which is why I wouldn’t mind starting them this week. However, De La Rosa faces some especially tough matchups. Jason Hammel and John Lackey have each seen their career resurgence continue and are fine options to start any week. Jordan Zimmerman has been a far superior pitcher at home this season, but facing two weak lineups will put him on pace for a strong week. Jose Fernandez has been lights out since his return, but he doesn’t quite reach elite status as the return from Tommy John always has some bumps in the road. Mike Fiers is one of my favorite pitchers for the second half of the season as he has seen his ERA fall every month of the season. Noah Syndergaard has been as advertised, but both a pitch and inning count will affect how deep he pitches into games, which holds back his potential. James Shields has an ERA above 5.00 on the road, but those matchups are just too good to resist. Hisashi Iwakuma has looked good in his return from injury, and only the matchups keep him from being an elite option. After a rough May, Chris Heston had a great month of June and even better month of July, making him a reliable option at this point. Lance Lynn never gets the respect he deserves and has a great chance to pick up two wins this week.

Low-End Options

• Wade Miley (7/27 CWS, 8/1 TB)
• Rick Porcello (7/28 CWS, 8/2 TB)
• Ubaldo Jimenez (7/28 ATL, 8/2 DET)
• Kevin Gausman (7/27 ATL, 8/1 DET)
• Kyle Hendricks (7/28 COL, 8/2 @MIL)
• Mike Leake (7/28 @STL, 8/2 PIT)
• Trevor Bauer (7/28 KC, 8/2 @OAK)
• Jeff Samardzija (7/28 @BOS, 8/2 NYY)
• Anibal Sanchez (7/27 @TB, 8/1 @BAL)
• Collin McHugh (7/28 LAA, 8/2 ARI)
• Aaron Nola (7/28 @TOR, 8/2 ATL)
• Nate Karns (7/27 DET, 8/2 @BOS)

Wade Miley and Rick Porcello are only upgraded to low-end options due to their matchups, but I still would be squeamish starting either of them. Of the pair, I like Miley more. Jimenez has been roughed up of late, but a return home after eight of his 10 starts have come on the road could provide him some much-needed relief. Kevin Gausman and Aaron Nola are two stud prospects who could help fantasy teams down the stretch, but I’m a bit skeptical until I see more. Mike Leake, McHugh and Karns all provide solid if unspectacular starts on a regular basis. Don’t sleep on them. Kyle Hendricks has been a huge surprise this season, especially in July, but the wheels could start to come off soon as seen by his last start against Cincinnati. Trevor Bauer, Jeff Samardzija and Anibal Sanchez have all been major disappointments this season but at least provide strikeout value.

Stay Away

• Martin Perez (7/28 NYY, 8/2 SF)
• Matt Harrison (7/27 NYY, 8/1 SF)
• Mike Montgomery (7/27 ARI, 8/1 @MIN)
• Cody Anderson (7/27 KC, 8/1 @OAK)
• Mike Pelfrey (7/28 PIT, 8/2 SEA)
• Julio Teheran (7/28 @BAL, 8/2 @PHI)
• Charlie Morton (7/28 @MIN, 8/2 @CIN)
• Kyle Lohse (7/27 @SF, 8/1 CHC)
• Jeremy Guthrie (7/28 @CLE, 8/2 @TOR)
• Felix Doubront (7/28 PHI, 8/2 KC)
• Raisel Iglesias (7/27 @STL, 8/1 PIT)
• John Danks (7/27 @BOS, 8/1 NYY)
• Ivan Nova (7/27 @TEX, 8/1 @CWS)
• Robbie Ray (7/27 @SEA, 8/2 @HOU)
• Jered Weaver (7/28 @HOU, 8/2 @LAD)

Daniel Marcus is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Daniel, check out his archive or follow him @danmarcus3.