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
- Luis Gil and MacKenzie Gore have each rocketed up pitching rankings this May and look to be amidst true breakout seasons. They both carry high-end strikeout upside, both in the top-10 in strikeout rate. They’re currently as sure a thing outside the established aces to post ace-like outings, even if their second starts come against formidable opponents in the Dodgers and Braves.
Most Likely
- Nathan Eovaldi would typically find himself in tier 1 and you’ll still be starting him without hesitation even in shallow leagues. He falls a tier, however, as he only threw 37 pitches across three innings in his return off the IL. It’ll be a slow build-up in the majors for Eovaldi and he’s likely not to be back to a full pitch count even in his second start. As this will impact his ability to tally strikeouts or earn wins, he won’t bring the full benefits of a two-start pitcher.
- In a week with a bevy of auto-start hurlers, there is naturally a shortfall of appealing streamers. As a result, knuckleballer Matt Waldron is an intriguing, albeit risky, option. After turning in four straight respectable outings, the Padre is this week’s Two Start Streamer of the Week. In his recent four-start stretch, he’s befuddled opposing hitters, racking up 31 strikeouts. Starting a knuckleballer will always carry an outsized chance at a blowup outing (the start before this stretch concluded with 7 ER), but he’s on a roll and you’ll be starting him until we see otherwise.
Questionable
- Tyler Anderson and Trevor Williams have each been revelations this year, even if it’s largely smoke and mirrors. They’ve each been ratio stabilizers for anyone who has added or streamed them this season, posting ERAs under 2.50 through two months of the season. Starting either is fully dependent on your risk tolerance as these strong stretches could end at a moment’s notice.
Avoid
- Frankie Montas is a streamer at this point, but neither start garners enough excitement to add him in advance of next week outside of the deepest leaguers. Trips to Coors Field are not nearly as daunting as they once were given the state of the Rockies lineup, but there are likely better options available elsewhere. The Cubs’ offense is middling to below average, however, there’s not enough to warrant starting Montas at home in the Great American Small Park.
Two-Start Streamer of the Week Record: 4-3.