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
- Jared Jones won’t be pitching this weekend in Atlanta, potentially setting him up for two starts next week. Regardless of if it’s one or two, you’ll be starting the ascending Pittsburgh rookie. It’s possible the Pirates will continue to impose restrictions on his pitch counts or innings from start to start, but he is a difference-maker regardless.
- It’s likely Hunter Brown was dropped at some point in your league earlier this year, but he’s turned it around behind some improved command and a better-looking fastball. He’s on a roll and you’ll keep starting him until he proves otherwise, particularly against a middling lineup like Toronto has been for much of the year.
Most Likely
- This week’s Two-Start Streamer of the Week is none other than Kyle Gibson, who has ditched some of the inconsistency that plagued him throughout his career. The Cardinal has delivered in 2024 whenever the matchups have made him an appealing streaming option. While Gibson can go back to the wire as soon as the quality of opposing lineups increases, he’ll get the Pirates and Nats next week, giving pitching-needy teams a good combination of a pitcher trusted to work deep into games against two of the bottom five teams in the league by SLG%.
- Gavin Williams should line up for two in his debut week. While we typically display some caution in season debuts and returns off the IL, especially for pitchers as unproven as the second-year Guardian, a visit from the White Sox lends to a soft landing. If you’ve gone through the trouble of stashing Williams in valuable IL space all season, you’re likely not holding back against a punchless Chicago team.
Questionable
- Similarly to Gibson, David Peterson has the fortune of facing the Nats and Pirates. He hasn’t built up as the same level of trust as Gibson, but he did recently rack up strikeouts against the Yankees. He makes the most sense in points leagues and 15-teamers.
- Mitch Spence and Simeon Woods Richardson are potential points league options with albeit limited upside
- Don’t let the favorable matchups sway you, you should be steering clear of Roansy Contreras.