Welcome to the final edition of the 2024 two-start pitcher rankings!
As we enter the final week of the season, projecting probable pitchers is mostly a fool’s errand. Teams out of contention may turn to abbreviated starts or bullpen days while teams with clinched playoff berths may be focused on setting their rotations for the Wild Card series. Entering next week, all teams play six games except for the Reds and Guardians. Ohio’s teams will play five.
To account for the inherent chaos in predicting probables for the final week of the season, this week we’ll shift from ranking all two-start probables to only those who appear likely to make their second start. There are few if any difference-makers available, but for those in need of innings, two outings from a streamer could pay dividends in your final push to bring home a fantasy title.
As a friendly reminder, the projected starters are just that, projections and subject to change.
Two-Start Pitcher Rankings
- The term “league winner” is used far too often, but in head-to-head leagues, Bowden Francis absolutely qualifies. Francis has rattled off seven consecutive quality starts. After generating some spring training buzz, Francis’ season has been a tale of two halves. He quickly fell off fantasy radars in the opening months of the season, but has since turned in a 1.95 ERA in the second half. A 3.92 FIP suggests the breakout might not be sustainable into next season, but you should continue rolling with Francis through the final week of the season.
- Bryce Miller, Nestor Cortes, and Tanner Houck would typically rank above Francis, but there are reasonable enough concerns that they may have abbreviated final starts if they’re handed the ball at all. Miller and Houck each have cruised past their career high in innings pitched and may be shut down if their respective teams find themselves eliminated. Cortes also has a career-high in IP, but it remains to be seen how he’ll be handled by the Yankees with a top-2 AL seed likely secured.
- Jack Kochanowicz, Jonathan Cannon, and Brady Basso are not particularly enticing options, but at this stage in the season are volume plays. In categories leagues, they should not be added but might have a place on rosters in deeper points or roto leagues. Unfortunately, none of the three bring strikeout upside. As a result, an above-average one-start streamer should likely take precedence in your waiver priority.
- For teams solely in search of strikeouts, Dean Kremer is likely the best bet available on the wire. He’s tallied seven strikeouts across each of his three September starts but will face the best lineup in the American League plus a Twins team with their eyes on securing a playoff spot.
- Shane Baz and Matthew Boyd each have established themselves as potential difference makers down the stretch. Baz has underwhelmed this season in terms of strikeouts, failing to exhibit the upper-echelon K% that made him one of the game’s top pitching prospects. Despite this, he’s still turned in a respectable 3.28 ERA across 60.1 IP. He’s this week’s Two-Start Streamer of the Week at home against two division foes.
- In a few instances does a 5.23 ERA and 1.39 WHIP give you any reason other than to send a pitcher back to the waiver wire, Gavin Williams might be one of the few exceptions. His sophomore season has not gone at all according to plan, starting the year with an extended stay on the IL and unable to build upon a promising rookie season once he returned. Watching Williams pitch, however, creates some room for optimism. Already equipped with a plus four-seamer, Williams has shown signs of an emergent cutter that could help him begin to turn things around.