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
- A quartet of Cy Young favorites sit atop the rankings this week. They all enter the second half with matchups that should allow them to continue the dominance we’ve all come to expect.
- Amongst the eleven Set and Forget arms in this week’s rankings, only one wasn’t in Texas as an All Star. Bailey Ober may not have participated in the Midsummer Classic, but his peripherals create a lot of reason to be excited for contributions down the stretch. Amongst starters, the towering right-hander has the second-best PLV and PLA in the league, validating much of what those who have watched Ober all year likely know: while he’s had a couple of clunkers that have damaged his ERA, Ober has been excellent. The Phillies can give anyone a headache, but Ober is up for the challenge.
Most Likely
- After starting the year with strong ratios and low strikeout totals, Carlos Rodón has done a complete 180, much to the chagrin of the Yankees’ fanbase. Since the start of June, Rodón has posted an unsightly 7.20 ERA and 1.53 WHIP. The lefty does have a 27.8% strikeout rate over the same time frame, however, and there are a couple of signs that poor luck might be a partial contributor to the struggle (62% LOB and a 3.79 xFIP).
Questionable
- In a light week for streaming quality arms in 12-team leagues, Mitchell Parker is this Two Start Streamer of the Week. The Nats’ lefty has exceeded all expectations for his rookie year. He’s solidified himself as a dependable streamer and makes sense as an addition for any pitching-needy teams. The Padres have struggled in the absence of Fernando Tatis Jr and the Cardinals are a league-average lineup at best, making Parker a viable pickup.
- Robbie Ray appears slated to make his return to the majors after Tommy John surgery in 2023. He’s an easy bench against the Dodgers, but depending on how things look he could be worth starting against the Rockies. Jordan Montgomery and Max Meyer also look to be headed back to their team’s major league rotations, however, it’s likely best to exercise caution with both in their first start.