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
- Kevin Gausman may no longer be a fantasy ace, but he has the fortune of of home starts against the Reds and Angels. While the Halos’ struggles were expected, the Reds are one of the league’s more disappointing lineups. While the biggest question mark entering spring was how Cincy could make playing time for all their promising young hitters, the team has limped to a .303 OBP on the year. Gausman had a mid-career breakout as a result of being a whiff standout, however, his swinging strike rate has plummeted this year to below 12%. While the 33-year-old’s peak is likely in the rearview, he’s still an easy decision to start next week.
Most Likely
- After being one of the first half’s biggest standouts, Seth Lugo has posted a 5.23 ERA since the All-Star break. He’s already exceeded his career high in innings pitched and his recent struggles suggest there’s a potential he’s running out of gas. With a visit from the Angels on the horizon, there’s likely little reason to bench him. In weekly leagues, despite Boston’s production as of late, the matchup against the Angels and some confidence Lugo will find a way to turn things around are enough to keep him in your lineup.
- After a promising debut, Zebby Matthews is a tentative choice for Two-Start Pitcher of the Week. While he’s an add in most leagues, there’s some reason to be a bit hesitant against San Diego. Matthews is more known for command than overpowering stuff and will face a surging Padres lineup that has quietly been one of the best in the league this year, even while missing Fernando Tatis Jr. With that being said, Matthews has a level of upside that no other arm rostered below 50% in this week’s rankings has. For those willing to take a leap that Matthews can build upon his impressive first start, adding the Minnesota rookie might just pay dividends.
- Reynaldo López returns from the IL amidst a career year for the veteran. Atlanta’s disappointing regular season has overshadowed the fact López has been a revelation for a team in desperate need of reliable innings. Few, if any, could have predicted the right-hander would have an ERA in the low 2s as he battled for a rotation spot in Spring Training. He’s a bench in daily leagues in his return against the powerful Phillies, but in weekly leagues, the upside against the Nats makes him a potential worthy option for your lineup, even with a rough first matchup.
Questionable
- Need to make up ground in strikeouts in your roto league? Kyle Harrison and DJ Herz might be just the remedy. They’ll each have an opportunity to rack up the Ks against the two most strikeout-prone teams in the league (@SEA for Harrison and COL for Herz). Harrison gets the edge in terms of priority as he also sees a historically bad White Sox club.
- Zack Littell and Frankie Montas each take a trip to Oakland, but it’s hard to confidently trust either arm. They’re best served as one-start streamers in points leagues. Matthew Boyd isn’t at the point of being a recommended add in 12-teamers, but at the very least he’s worth monitoring for pitching-needy teams down the stretch. If he performs well against the Bronx Bombers, consider adding him for a stream against the struggling Rangers.
Why is Houck ranked so highly? Tough matchups and he has performed poorly of late.