Tier 1: Must-Start Aces

The top of this week's two-start board is loaded. Dylan Cease (99.0% owned) draws two favorable spots for Toronto and continues to miss bats at an elite clip — his swinging-strike rate keeps the floor high even when command wobbles. Max Fried (99.0% owned) is the surest bet on the board: a sub-3.00 ERA arm getting two turns through opposing lineups he can carve up with his curveball/changeup mix. Luis Castillo gets two trips out of pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park territory and remains a high-strikeout anchor with sub-3.50 ERA upside. Round out the tier with Jesús Luzardo (95.0% owned), who has been one of the NL's strikeout leaders and gets two starts where his slider should travel.

Tier 2: Solid Upside

Parker Messick (87.0% owned) keeps proving the breakout is real — Cleveland's defense and his command make him a confident two-start play. Matthew Boyd (72.0% owned) carried a sub-3.50 ERA into this stretch and the Cubs' rotation usage gives him innings security. Clay Holmes (61.0% owned) is a slightly bumpier ride given walks, but the sinker-driven groundball profile plays anywhere and the volume is there. Ranger Suarez is a sneaky Tier 2 if you can grab him — soft contact and length make him a ratios stabilizer in two starts for Boston.

Tier 3: Low-Owned Streamers (Under 30%)

If you're scrambling for innings and Ks, these names can quietly win you a week:

• Steven Matz (25.0% owned) — Tampa Bay's pitching infrastructure plus two starts equals a legit streamer. Expect a usable ERA and a handful of strikeouts.
• Tyler Mahle (6.0% owned) — When healthy, Mahle posts mid-3s ERA numbers, and Oracle Park is a forgiving home backdrop. Deep-league gold.
• Chris Paddack (2.0% owned) — Two starts and improved command make him a desperation dart with real strikeout pop.

Avoid the Coors special from Kyle Freeland (3.0% owned) and the wrong-side-of-matchups arms in Anthony Kay (1.0% owned) and Jack Kochanowicz unless you're chasing wins in a 20-team format.