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
- Don’t let the five earned runs Jared Jones allowed in his return off the IL scare you away from starting the rookie next week. The slider not returning a single whiff is more of an anomaly than cause for concern, expect him to find more success with it against the Cubs and Nats.
- Brayan Bello has settled into a rhythm in August and has tallied a 3.42 ERA in the second half. As we enter the final month in roto leagues, every inning is impactful. Bello has earned your trust against the Mets and is an easy start against the White Sox as they track toward a record-breaking season of futility. The Red Sox righty doesn’t qualify for Two-Start Streamer of the Week, but check to see if he can be found on waivers; he’s currently available in 49% of Yahoo leagues.
Most Likely
- Speaking of Two-Start Streamer of the Week, Jeffrey Springs remains under-rostered, likely a result of an uninspiring first two starts off the IL and many managers shifting to football. He’s this week’s streamer and has looked much like the pitcher having a breakout in 2023 before it was interrupted by a torn UCL. While he’s racked up the strikeouts, you likely shouldn’t expect the left-hander to work deep into games through the remainder of the season. Springs hasn’t thrown 90 pitches in a start yet as the Rays look towards 2025.
- Ryne Nelson, David Festa, and Osvaldo Bido have all emerged in different ways over the second half as relevant members of the back end of your fantasy rotations. Bido clearly has the most enticing matchups, but if you can only find room in my lineup for one, it’s likely Nelson or Festa.
Questionable
- In one of the more shocking pitching developments of the last few months, Patrick Corbin has shown signs of being a potential streamer down the stretch. It’s primarily motivated by a cushy schedule, but Patty Ice has turned back the clock in his last two starts. With the emergence of his cutter, Corbin could be a points league option for the pitching-needy against the Marlins and Pirates. The floor for the lefty, however, is disastrous. While he has the potential to end his tenure in DC on a high note, Corbin is more of a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency type of streaming option.
- Jack Leiter and Andrew Heaney both have intrigue as one-start streamers. In weekly leagues, however, it wouldn’t be wise to risk it against Judge, Soto, and company.