Schlittler is making waves

Every team is scheduled to play either six or seven games during Week 3. Weather can change that, but as things currently stand, a busy schedule means plenty of two-start pitchers to consider. Let’s highlight five players who are projected to take the mound twice and discuss what their matchups could mean for their fantasy returns.

Hunter Brown, Houston Astros: at COL, at SEA

Brown was a breakout fantasy star in 2025, posting a 2.43 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP to go along with his 28.3% strikeout rate. His 3.15 xERA and 3.19 xFIP indicated that his numbers were no fluke. He has picked up where he left off, allowing one run and recording 17 strikeouts over 10 2/3 innings this year. While he did walk six batters over his two starts, he only gave up five hits.

Facing the Rockies at Coors Field isn’t ideal. However, they do swing and miss a lot, which is Brown’s forte. After striking out the second-most times in baseball last year, they have the seventh-most strikeouts this season. The Mariners also have problems making contact. They struck out the sixth-most times in baseball last year. Don’t let a start at Coors Field scare you. Brown can still dominate both of his matchups next week.

Cam Schlittler, New York Yankees: vs. ATH, at TB

Schlittler is quickly making a name for himself. He was excellent when the Yankees called him up to make 14 starts last year, posting a 2.96 ERA and a 3.77 xFIP. He stepped up in the playoffs, as well, solidifying his starting job for this season. Through two road starts against the Giants and Mariners, Schlittler allowed three hits, no walks and recorded 15 strikeouts over 11 2/3 innings.

Schlittler has been overpowering out of the gate, limiting opponents to a 26.1% hard-hit rate in his two starts. The Athletics have some talented young hitters, but they have also struck out 74 times over six games. The Rays can be dangerous, but at this point, Schlittler is mowing down even the best of lineups. Getting two starts out of him in one week can help swing your fantasy matchup.

Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks: at NYM, at PHI

The Dodgers roughed up Gallen for four runs over four innings in his first start of the season. He bounced back in his last outing, logging six shutout innings against the Tigers. He only allowed four base runners in the outing, although he also had just two strikeouts. Through his first 10 innings, he has a total of four strikeouts.

Gallen’s ERA has been on the rise as his strikeout rate has dropped in recent seasons. Last year, his strikeout rate was just 21.5%. That left him with a 4.83 ERA and a 4.28 xERA. The Mets and Phillies are loaded with power hitters, so if Gallen isn’t missing bats, his outings could get ugly in a hurry. It might be wise to bench him in 10 and 12-team leagues.

Casey Mize, Detroit Tigers: at MIN, vs. MIA

Mize didn’t jump off the page last year, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t valuable in fantasy. He finished with a 3.87 ERA that was backed by a 3.66 xERA. After posting a 17.3% strikeout rate in 2024, he increased that to 22.2% last year. That’s still not great, but it at least made him a viable streaming option for when he had favorable matchups.

The Twins’ two best hitters are Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis, who are both right-handed. That contributed to them ranking 22nd in OPS versus right-handed pitchers last year. His second outing of Week 3 will come against the Marlins in Detroit, where he had a 1.21 WHIP last year. This is a week to start Mize in most formats.

Dean Kremer, Baltimore Orioles: at CWS, vs. SF

The Orioles placed Zach Eflin (elbow) on the 15-day injured list this week, opening a spot in their starting rotation. It will likely be filled by Kremer, who should immediately step into a two-start week. Kremer logged 171 2/3 innings with the team last year, finishing with a 4.19 ERA and a 3.88 xERA. Although he’s not a power pitcher with his career 20.4% strikeout rate, he has limited opponents to a 35.4% and a 35.1% hard-hit rate the last two seasons.

Kremer’s first start of the season should come against the White Sox, who had the third-worst OPS in baseball last season. Through six games this year, they have a .608 OPS and have struck out 73 times. The Giants have been just as bad with a .621 OPS across seven games. Last year, they ranked in the bottom half of baseball in both OPS and runs scored. Kremer should step right back into fantasy relevancy.

Mike Barner has been covering fantasy sports since 2007. His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, SportsLine and RotoWire. Mike was also a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.