Welcome to another 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 or are more situation-dependent in weekly leagues. 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
- There are a plethora of strong two-start options this week available in more leagues than you would expect. In Yahoo leagues, Reese Olson (39%), Bryan Woo (69%), Clarke Schmidt (59%), and Taj Bradley (43%) are all well under-rostered and should find a place on someone’s team before the start of the next week. Olson is the Two-Start Streamer of the Week for the second time this season. He’s posted a sparkling 2.09 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP, but unfortunately doesn’t have a win on the year to show for it. There’s no way to know if a win is on the way soon, but he’s pitching far too well to not be a priority add if he’s still on the waiver.
Most Likely
- Javier Assad continues to defy expectations, proving his early season success could withstand Atlanta for six innings without a single earned run. He’ll get a chance to do it again next week and, even if there’s still some trepidation, he’s pitched too well to consider benching.
Questionable
- Charlie Morton and Michael Wacha are two veterans with a manageable set of matchups. Morton has the better strikeout upside while Wacha more recently turned in a strong outing. Ben Lively also stands out as a potential pickup for those looking to stream against cold lineups.
- The remainder of pitchers is likely best served as one-start streamers or points league options.
Avoid
- Tylor Megill will come off the IL either on Sunday or Monday. Regardless of strong minor-league rehab appearances, I’d personally hold off on starting Megill until we see how he looks in the big leagues. Cal Quantrill has quietly rattled off six quality starts in his last seven trips to the mound. It does, however, come with a 1.32 WHIP and a low strikeout rate. Even against Oakland, there are better one-start streamers to chase.
Two-Start Streamer of the Week Record: 3-3.