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 has pulled himself out of the rut he landed in at the end of June, looking much more like the Rookie of the Year over the course of his most recent three starts. The Phillies are perhaps the most complete lineup in baseball, but Gil still brings strikeout upside.
- Jack Flaherty is tentatively lined up for two starts next week, but as one of the most likely movers before Sunday’s trade deadline, you shouldn’t rely on two starts. Regardless, Flaherty has established himself as an automatic start for fantasy teams and may find himself with a much stronger supporting cast behind him.
Most Likely
- It’s tough to ask for a better set of matchups for Micahel Wacha, who will see two of the league’s weakest lineups that may become even lighter after the trade deadline. Wacha’s late-career renaissance has continued to fly under the radar, continuing his third year in a row with an ERA in the 3.00s. Jameson Taillon has had a similarly strong year, bouncing back nicely from a disastrous debut season in Chicago. He’s one of the more popular trade candidates currently being floated around, so it’s possible he will lose his two-start week.
Questionable
- At 50% rostered in Yahoo league, Jordan Montgomery is this week’s Two Start Streamer of the Week, despite a disappointing follow-up to a breakout season with postseason heroics. Currently, Gumby is a floor play at best. A paltry 14.9% strikeout rate is the worst of his career, but there are limited suitable streamers to be found entering next week. The Nats and Pirates should hopefully lead Montgomery to a bounce-back outing or two.
- Jose Quíntana and Alec Marsh both have favorable matchups but are both uninspiring adds. Marsh has the better outing, however, Quíntana looks more reliable of late. Griffin Canning through Colin Rea are all one-start streamers and likely best suited for points leagues. Canning against Colorado is the most intriguing of the bunch.