Brown gets two starts this week

The playoff picture is taking shape with just over two weeks left in the regular season. Week 26 will be an important one for fantasy baseball managers as they try to secure a championship. Let's dig into the schedule and highlight five projected two-start pitchers, while also discussing what their matchups could mean for their stat lines.

Cristopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies: at WAS, at NYM
Sanchez allowed six runs across six innings versus the Astros in his last start. It was a rare dud for the Phillies' ace, who already has 17 wins this season. He has a 2.58 ERA and 3.23 xERA overall, allowing just 0.7 HR/9. His 27.5% strikeout rate is on pace to the best mark of his career, and he continues to show very good control with his 5.6% walk rate.

As far as matchups go, Sanchez doesn't have two easy foes next week. The Nationals can't pitch, but their lineup has scored the second-most runs in baseball, while recording the third-highest OPS. Sanchez has faced them three times already, giving up eight runs over 15 1/3 innings. Then he will take on the Mets, who are a more dangerous team with Juan Soto back in the lineup. Since his return, they averaged 6.7 runs over 11 games. Still, even with two difficult matchups, Sanchez must be started in all fantasy formats. However, expectations for his results might need to be curtailed.

Hunter Brown, Houston Astros: vs. KC, vs. ATL
Brown's control has been an issue this season. He only had a 7.8% walk rate last year, but that mark has jumped to 12.6% in 2026. That has contributed to his WHIP increasing from 1.03 to 1.30. Still, he has a 3.31 ERA and a 3.53 xERA across his 16 starts. He has helped make up for his lack of control by generating a 25.5% strikeout rate. Over his last nine starts, he posted 57 strikeouts over 52 innings.

Brown's wildness might not be a big issue against the Royals, who rank 22nd in the majors in walk rate. The Braves have been even worse with the 28th walk rate, but that hasn't stopped them from scoring the ninth-most runs in baseball. Despite Atlanta being a scary matchup, Brown can do enough in the strikeout department to warrant starting him in 12-team leagues.

Tanner Bibee, Cleveland Guardians: vs. CWS, vs. ATH
Bibee has faltered down the stretch. Over his last six starts, he has a 5.79 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He only struck out 23 batters over 32 2/3 innings. His strikeout rate is down to 18.9% for the season, and that could be a reason why he is on pace to set a new career high with his 1.4 HR/9 allowed.

Facing the White Sox is not a favorable matchup to get back on track. They have scored the seventh-most runs in the majors, including six runs over 10 innings against Bibee in two previous games. The silver lining to Bibee's week is that he will face the Athletics in Cleveland. They have a .780 OPS at their hitter-friendly home park, but just a .662 OPS on the road. Given his lack of strikeout upside, the matchup against the White Sox alone means it might be best to bench Bibee in shallow leagues. However, in 12-team and deeper formats, he is still a viable option for those who need innings.

Kade Anderson, Seattle Mariners: at LAA, at COL
Anderson earned his first win in the majors on Wednesday, allowing one run over six innings against the Rangers. While he pitched deep into the game, he was limited to 81 pitches. He has not thrown more than 85 pitches in any of his four starts since being called up to the majors, so the Mariners appear to be limiting his workload. Prior to being called up, he logged 93 1/3 innings over 18 starts at Double-A.

Anderson is a tantalizing fantasy option because of his 40.5% strikeout rate in the minors. He did so while recording a 3.9% walk rate. His overpowering stuff could be amplified in Week 26 based on his two matchups. The Angels have the second-highest strikeout rate in baseball, while the Rockies have the eighth-highest mark. Even if Anderson is held to under 90 pitches in both outings, he is worth starting in all formats.

Griffin Jax, Tampa Bay Rays: vs. ATH, vs. BOS
The Rays have eased Jax back into action after he missed a month with an elbow injury. He threw 63 pitches in his first start off the IL, allowing six runs over 2 2/3 innings against the Mets. He logged 66 pitches in his second outing, holding the Braves to one run over five innings. Although he only had two strikeouts in that performance, his strikeout rate for the season is 25.5%.

Facing the Athletics in Tampa Bay is a plus for Jax, but it's difficult to envision him throwing much more than 75 pitches in that matchup. He could also remain limited against the Red Sox, who have scored the eighth-most runs in baseball over the last 30 days. There's not a ton of upside that comes with starting him in 10 and 12-team leagues.

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.