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
- Michael King and Chris Bassitt each have been inconsistent throughout this season. While King’s peaks have been much higher, Bassitt has a long track record as a serviceable fantasy arm. Both have a pair of strong matchups and will assuredly be in your lineup, even if you’ve been burned by them on multiple occasions this year.
Most Likely
- Justin Steele and Blake Snell have each displayed some rust since their returns off the IL. Between the two, Steele appears to be closer to being back on track, looking strong for his first six innings against Atlanta. He also sports a much more favorable upcoming schedule than the reigning NL Cy Young winner. Snell gets about as rough a pair of opponents for a pitcher trying to get back on track. He carries some major ratio risk against the powerful Phillies and Yankees, but he does always present strikeout upside.
- Gavin Stone has been a reliable, if unspectacular, option for the Dodgers this year. While he might be more of a streamer on other teams, pitching behind one of the best teams in baseball creates an opportunity for a win every time Stone takes the hill. Lining up against two of the National League’s bottom feeders, Stone is a clear standout for Two Start Streamer of the Week. He’s turned in five quality starts in his last seven appearances and should continue to provide decent ratios.
Questionable
- There are few two-start streaming options entering the next week. Alec Marsh through Cooper Criswell are all best served for points leagues or as one-start options in deeper leagues.
Avoid
- Jake Irvin has a respectable 3.79 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, but he likely doesn’t belong on your radar with a low strikeout rate. Pair that with opposing two first place teams and Irvin is a fairly easy avoid. Simeon Woods Richardson has similarly strong ratios but also doesn’t get enough strikeouts to be intriguing. He’s not an option outside of pitching starved rosters in 15-teamers.
Two-Start Streamer of the Week Record: 3-3.