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 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
- After Sandy Alcantara looked mostly back on track as an ace over the last month, he stumbled against San Diego. The strikeout upside isn’t as high as Kevin Gausman’s, but a more favorable schedule is enough to give him the edge over the Blue Jays Cy Young candidate.
Most Likely
- Aaron Civale has looked like a solid fantasy contributor with the Rays and will be rewarded with two road starts where you’ll want him in your lineup. Civale was good-not-great in his first tilt against his former Guardian teammates, but expect him to be locked in for his return to Cleveland. The Rays might not be the powerhouse they were in the first half, but Civale looks to be one of the better bets for earning a win or two this week.
- Many fantasy managers may have checked out already this season, but it’s still inconceivable that Tarik Skubal is rostered in just 45% of leagues. Detroit has been cautious with the lefty in his return from his flexor surgery, but he still possesses the ability to rack up strikeouts with a typically strong WHIP. With the Yankees and White Sox already eyeing next season, Skubal looks poised for a strong week. Speaking of looking to next year, Skubal’s team context and current 4.06 ERA may have him flying under the radar in early drafts next season. If so, he’ll likely be a popular target of savvy drafters come February and March. He’s a clear choice for Two Start Streamer of the Week.
- In daily leagues, it’s likely best to bench Bobby Miller against Atlanta. Given the dearth of reliable arms in tier three, however, it’s well worth the risk in weekly leagues.
Questionable
- Bryan Woo will still be on a pitch count in his second start off the IL, but against the A’s and at the Mets, he’s still worth adding and starting if available on waivers.
- Charlie Morton is on his best three-start stretch of the season, racking up 25 strikeouts over 18 scoreless innings. He’ll face a true test this upcoming week, at Coors and a potential NLCS preview against the Dodgers.
- For those in the deepest of leagues, Johan Oviedo and Reese Olson make for potential streamers, albeit with limited upside.
Avoid
- Luis Severino finally secured himself a positive line in the box score last time out, but it’s unfortunately not a sign that he’s back to his former self. It’s inadvisable to expect a similar outcome next week, even against the Tigers.
Two-Start Streamer of the Week Record: 5-6.
Featured Image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) / Photo by Cliff Welch & Leslie Plaza Johnson /con Sportswire