Welcome to the first edition of the 2024 two-start pitcher rankings!
My rankings have four tiers: Set and Forget, Probably Start, Questionable, and Avoid. Set and Forget starters are simply that; get them in your lineup and don’t think twice. The Most Likely Start tier includes players with the mix of skill and matchups that make them almost certainly two-start plays, but not without some elevated risk compared to the top tier. Questionable starters are those best suited for daily lineup leagues where you can bench them against the tougher of their two opponents. Finally, we have the Avoid tier, which includes two-start SPs who should remain on your bench or the wire.
Each week, I’ll be selecting my Two-Start Streamer of the Week. The criteria for a streamer will be a rostered rate under 50% in Yahoo leagues. The Streamer of the Week will be highlighted in the tables in green. Reach out to me in the PL+ Discord or on Twitter @AnthonyTucker81 and let me know if you’d grade the weekly streamer as a win or loss.
As a friendly reminder, the projected starters are just that, projections and subject to change.
Set and Forget
- Kevin Gausman may not have been ready to take the hill on Opening Day, but those who drafted him when he was dealing with shoulder fatigue can count avoiding the IL as a major win. He won’t have a full pitch count to work with, but he’ll still be a steady source of strikeouts.
- Triston McKenzie enters the year healthy, and while he may not be an auto-start, he stands out as one of the few two-start options who has top-of-the-rotation stuff.
Most Likely
- Tier two is home to a number of pre-season sleepers (save for Charlie Morton). They could be difference makers that you required minimal draft capital for, or they could be back on the wire before the All-Star break. Cubs’ lefty Shota Imanaga has the highest upside of the group, but you can likely expect some bumps in the road as he continues to acclimate to a new baseball and improved competition. In daily leagues, you’ll likely bench against the Dodgers, however, in weekly leagues a start against the Rockies is too good to pass up.
- Tanner Houck enters the year looking to take the next step as a starter and show he can handle lefties. Regardless, neither the A’s nor the Angels have any lefties who’d make you think twice. At just 4% rostered in Yahoo leagues, he’s an easy choice for Two-Start Streamer of the week
Questionable
- Luis Gil and Max Meyer were two of the big winners of Spring Training, each being awarded the final spot in their team’s rotation. While some might choose to play it safe to see if their March success will translate to the regular season, it should be a gamble worth taking.
- Dean Kremer has some early season relevance in 12-teamers while pitching behind a strong supporting cast and at two pitcher’s parks. While you shouldn’t avoid the Royals and Pirates, it is worth noting they both boast improved lineups.
- MacKenzie Gore and Sean Manaea make for potential one-start streamers likely best suited for points leagues.
- Kyle Gibson (vs MIA) and Emerson Hancock (vs CLE) each have an opponent you can stream against, but this early in the season there are likely far more interesting options, even in 15-teamers.
Avoid
- Ryan Pepiot has to pass through a gauntlet of a schedule in the debut week as a Tampa Bay Ray. He has the makings of a potential breakout, but he’s a pretty clear bench next week.
- Joe Boyle turned some heads this spring due to his nasty stuff but likely made as many impressions in the opposite direction with 15 walks in 18.1 spring innings. The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish hurler won’t be on the fantasy radar until he improves his command.
Two-Start Streamer of the Week Record: 0-0.
You missed Wacha–he’s two-start this week (@Bal, vs. CWS) ??