Two-Start Pitchers: 6/26-7/3

Welcome to this week’s edition of the 2023 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 rostership-rate under 50% in Yahoo or ESPN 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

 

• Nathan Eovaldi has notably been showing decreased fastball velocity across his last few starts. It’s a big sign for concern for one of the AL Cy Young front-runners, particularly given his injury history. Despite the longer term concerns, he’s an automatic start next week against the Tigers and a Yordan-less Astros lineup.

 

Most Likely 

 

• Ranger Suárez has been locked in throughout the month of June, giving up just three runs across 26 IP. Better yet, those starts have included Atlanta, Arizona, Los Angeles.  He’ll receive a more favorable upcoming slate, making it all the more easier to start Suárez with confidence. At just 38% rostered on Yahoo, it appears many have been slow to react to the lefty’s resurgence post-IL stint. You’ll want to add him before that changes as he’s a strong option for Two-Start Streamer of the Week.

 

• Where Suárez isn’t available, Garrett Whitlock makes for another strong option. After a season of stops and starts, Whitlock has had the sinker, changeup, and slider all working, evidenced by 32% CSW on the year. He’s an easy start against the Marlins and should be safe enough against a Blue Jays lineup that has struggled as of late.

 

Questionable

 

• After watching his dominant 2022, it’s tough to consider Sandy Alcantara anywhere outside of the top tier. His 2023, however, has been questionable at best. Amongst qualified starters, only four have a higher ERA than the reigning Cy Young winner. He’s given up 5 ER in three of his last four starts. There’s no reason to believe things won’t just click for Sandy at some point this season, but until he gets through a start unscathed, you’ll likely consider benching him. In most cases, I’d roll the dice on Sandy’s skills and start him.

 

• Gavin Williams didn’t look quite as polished as we were all hoping for in his major league debut. It’s possible the debut jitters were at play and, while he’s more a lottery ticket than anything right now, he’s worth the speculative add if still available. He’ll face two teams below .500 next week, giving you valuable data points if he’s deserving of a long-term spot on your roster.

 

• Martín Pérez and Julio Teheran are two seasoned veterans with underwhelming stuff. Pérez made it work last season while Teheran is defying expectations this year. They’re uninspiring, low-floor plays, but an option nonetheless in their more favorable matchups (DET and @PIT).

 

 

Avoid

 

• Matthew Boyd has flashed some promise this year, particularly when executing fastballs up in the zone and his slider low. While it creates some intrigue for potential as a quality streamer, it won’t be the time to try next week. The Seager-Semien led Rangers and a trip to Coors are a no-go for the Detroit southpaw.

 

• Brady Singer is too volatile to comfortably trust, even against the Guardians. A sub-20% strikeout rate and a lot of hard contact suggest it’s best to look elsewhere.

 

Two-Start Streamer of the Week Record: 3-4.