Zack Wheeler leads a list of projected two-start options as MLB’s August stretch winds down

Two-start pitching weeks tend to reveal who can separate themselves when the margin tightens, and a new late-August roundup from Yahoo Sports puts Zack Wheeler at the center of the slate. The piece, published August 21, is part of a recurring weekly series that previews which starters are expected to be lined up for two outings in a short window as MLB’s regular season enters its final weeks.

Beyond Wheeler, the roundup also names Parker Messick, Chase Burns and Brandon Pfaadt among the pitchers projected to see two starts in the upcoming stretch. In practical terms, this is the type of planning that matters for both teams and fantasy managers: rotation managers try to balance workload while still keeping their top arms available for September, and the ability to pitch effectively on short rest often becomes a distinguishing factor as contenders and wild-card hopefuls separate.

Wheeler’s placement as the headline option indicates that he is viewed as an “anchor” type of starter in the current conversation around late-season pitching. In late August, a two-start look is generally most valuable for teams that need reliable innings from their leaders, and for staffs that are trying to line up their rotation order so key matchups do not collide with skipped starts.

The inclusion of Messick and Burns alongside Wheeler suggests the series is targeting pitchers perceived as among the better available arms for the week, not just anyone on a rotation. Late-season two-start previews usually emphasize pitchers who can be trusted to go multiple innings in both outings, because bullpen usage remains a central issue when every club’s depth gets stress-tested in September.

Brandon Pfaadt’s appearance in the same set reinforces how teams increasingly lean on right-left or pitch-style matchups across consecutive games. Pitchers who can keep their approach consistent over two starts have a clearer path to being used as a steady bridge into postseason positioning, especially when schedules compress and travel and off-days can scramble rotation plans.

For readers using this kind of list as a guide, the key caveat is timing. Projected two-start pitchers are subject to change based on daily lineup decisions, weather, innings limits, and any late adjustments inside a staff. Even when a starter is penciled into the week, the actual two-start outcome can be altered by unexpected developments, which is one reason Tuesday-through-Friday pitching headlines often get updated closer to game time.

With August nearing its end, the bigger picture is how rotation availability sets the tone for September. Every club tries to ensure it has the best combination of starting pitching and bullpen freshness for the final playoff pushes, and the league’s top starters often become the staffs’ primary leverage. Weekly previews like this one are a snapshot of what planners expect to be the most usable arms across two outings, and they also hint at which pitchers clubs may look to as the season pivots.

What to watch next is straightforward: whether each named starter is still projected to receive both starts, and how their performances compare across the two outings. A strong showing in consecutive starts can validate a team’s September workload plan, while variability can force staffs to rethink bullpen roles and rotation sequencing heading into the final weekend grind.