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
- The Phillies are the envy of most of the league, getting ace-level performance from the top three in their rotation. Amongst a crowded group of must-start options, Aaron Nola and Ranger Suárez sit at the top of the ranks. Not only do they pitch behind an NL front-runner, but they’ll be mismatched with two of the league’s bottom-feeders.
- Perhaps as a result of starts and stops due to injury, Nick Lodolo has put together one of the quieter breakout campaigns of 2024. He’s delivering on much of the hype he was receiving entering 2023. The Reds’ lefty is backing up his pristine ratios with a 14% swinging strike rate. Lodolo still has some work to do to get more consistency with his curveball, but you shouldn’t expect it to hurt you against the Pirates and Cards.
Most Likely
- Bobby Miller looked rather pedestrian in his minor league rehab outings and in his return to the majors at the Rockies. With his stuff, however, he’s a pitcher to buy stock in if there’s an opportunity. The buy-low window might be closed by the time Miller’s two-start week is up.
- Taj Bradley’s persistently low roster rate in Yahoo leagues remains curious, but at exactly 50% he’s eligible to be Two-Start Streamer of the Week. Starters with 29% strikeout rates don’t often find themselves free on waivers, so if he’s available in your league you should change that prior to next week. Bradley looks especially poised to rack up the Ks next week, facing a Mariners lineup that goes down on strikes more than any team in the league.
- You didn’t have Tyler Anderson ahead of Kevin Gausman on your 2024 bingo card, but Anderson continues to succeed in spite of a 6% K-BB%. He has a cushy pair of matchups ahead, while Gausman has struggled from the jump this season. He’s carried elevated WHIPs each of the last two seasons, but he doesn’t currently have the strikeouts or run prevention to make him a fantasy ace.
Questionable
- For those willing to pick up streamers based purely on matchups, Griffin Canning is a potential option. While it’s sometimes difficult to envision Oakland or Detroit doing damage, Canning has done little to instill confidence as a safe choice to put in your lineup. He’s a much better points league play.
- Blake Snell may bypass a rehab stint and return off the IL next week. He should stick on benches given an anticipated limited pitch count against the Cubs and a weekend visit from a banged-up, but still powerful Dodgers team.
Jon Gray is not a two start pitcher next week
Do you think that its likely that Gerrit Cole will actually start twice? Have to imagine they want to give him extra rest if possible.