It was a good week for several pitch-to-contact pitchers across Major League Baseball. And as we enter Week 20 of the 2026 fantasy baseball season, there are viable fantasy options among that group, including Clay Holmes and Brandon Pfaadt.
Best Week 20 pitchers to target
- SP Clay Holmes (Cubs)
- SP Eric Lauer (Dodgers)
- SP Keider Montero (Tigers)
- SP Brandon Pfaadt (Diamondbacks)
- SP Brandon Young (Orioles)
Across his last 39 innings, Brandon Pfaadt notched four wins and posted a stellar .92 ERA for the Diamondbacks. Simply marvelous stuff for the fourth-year right-hander, who actually spent much of June away from the team. Why? He was in the Minors.
From an overall standpoint, the D-Backs needed Pfaadt to turn the corner. Arizona invested a hefty sum of term and money in the pitcher, as the club gave him a five-year extension back in 2025. But since that little reset, Pfaadt’s been a much better pitcher. Less of the curveball, more of the changeup, and more results.
Now, Pfaadt, from a fantasy perspective, should hold value as long as he keeps the ERA low. The lone problem is that Pfaadt struck out 20 over those 39 innings, which is not a lot in this day and age.
Keider Montero doesn’t strike out a lot of batters, either. In fact, in his last start, Montero didn’t even have a strikeout. Still, he tossed 6.1 scoreless innings against the Guardians on August 13. He’ll look to continue the success on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Clay Holmes was steady on August 14 against the Cardinals, his second start with the Chicago Cubs. Holmes is penciled in to face the White Sox on August 19.
Eric Lauer has seen the Rockies twice thus far in his short Dodgers career, as he made starts against the club on May 26 and July 6. He pitched well in both instances, which resulted in four earned runs over 12 innings and a win. Now, he’ll receive a stiffer test against the Rockies in Coors Field on August 18.
Lastly, Brandon Young is one of the few two-start starters this week who should be readily available this week. Young will look to continue the Orioles’ dominance over the Rays on August 17, and then follow that up against the Rays again this coming weekend.
Overview of Week 19
We hope you listened to us when I noted to pick up Hunter Dobbins last week.
Dobbins struck out 12 over 10 innings over the past week and picked up a win on August 16 against the Chicago Cubs.
Michael Soroka didn’t pick up a win in either of his two starts from this past week but pitched well overall in his return from the injured list. Over 10 innings, he struck out nine and allowed just two earned runs.
Dustin May pitched very well in San Diego last week. He remains a strong option at home this week against the Seattle Mariners.
Check out more of our fantasy baseball coverage, including our Week 20 hitters to target.