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
- You won’t have any issues finding pitching volume this week with a bevy of capable arms set to take the mound twice. The pair of Brewers strikeout artists have a particularly advantageous week ahead.
- Sandy Alcantara and Julio Urías won’t come anywhere near living up to their draft-day cost and have frustrated managers all season, but you’ll be giving them the benefit of the doubt next week.
Most Likely
- Carlos Rodón has yet to enter a groove, registering under a strikeout per inning across his first four starts in pinstripes. Houston’s lineup is now fully healthy and poses a difficult test, but you’ll still be starting the lefty.
- Taijuan Walker is more than capable against below-average opponents and he’ll get two next week. He frequently works deep into games, making him a good option at the back of your fantasy rotation.
Questionable
- Justin Steele is reminiscent of a lite version of peak Patrick Corbin, a lefty with a great slider and good-enough fastball. Despite a sparkling 2.87 ERA, he’s not in the small circle of pitchers who you can start against Atlanta.
- With a mere 11% rostership rate in Yahoo leagues, José Quintana is this week’s Two Start Streamer of the Week. He’s an easy choice to start against the Royals but comes with risk against the Orioles. The pitcher-friendly dimensions in left field at Camden Yards are enough to give the Mets’ starter a go in weekly lineup leagues.
Avoid
- It’s hard to envision a pitcher of Seth Lugo’s quality in a “Do Not Start” tier, but a trip to Coors Field and against the Dodgers in a week with plenty of alternatives, it’s likely best to bench him in weekly roto or categories leagues.
- Those hoping Domingo Germán might use his perfect game as a launching pad to a strong second half have been sorely disappointed. The Rays have looked lost at the plate, but it’s not enough to recommend Germán. His strikeout upside is offset by struggles to keep runs off the board.
Two-Start Streamer of the Week Record: 4-5.
Featured Image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) / Photo by Cliff Welch & Leslie Plaza Johnson /con Sportswire