Welcome back to the 2025 two-start pitcher rankings!
Each week, I’ll break down all the projected two-start starters and group them into 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 tier includes players with a 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; they’re 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.
I’ll also be highlighting one Two-Start Streamer of the Week. The criteria for a streamer will be a rostered rate under 50% in Yahoo and ESPN leagues. The Streamer of the Week will be highlighted in green in the tables.
Let’s dive in.
As a friendly reminder, the projected starters are just that, projections. They are subject to change, especially in the final week (!!!) of the season.
Set-and-Forget
- This tier features three pitchers who have the Aces Gonna Ace distinction, and one who certainly performed like an ace throughout the year in Merrill Kelly, up until his last couple of starts.
- Chris Sale finishes off the season with two excellent matchups. The Nationals and Pirates have been two of the most streamable opponent lineups this season, especially as the Pirates don’t have one qualified hitter with a wRC+ over 100. As for Sale, these are two more starts towards becoming a Hall of Famer.
- I think Nick Pivetta is perhaps the biggest breakout pitcher of the season, as we all expected him to regress, but he stayed strong for the whole year. Perhaps he stays out for the second start if seeding is decided by then, but in the meantime, he’s in line to battle the Snakes.
Most Likely
Questionable
Avoid
