Two-Start Pitchers: 4/10-4/16

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 Probably 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 roster-rate under 50% in Yahoo or ESPN 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

 

• This week features what might be the deepest set of two-start pitchers we’ll see all season. Amongst the aces, Corbin Burnes and Max Scherzer have created some early-season angst amongst those who drafted them. The former Cy Young winners have struggled with different issues. Burnes is uncharacteristically struggling to get whiffs with a 7.8% SwSt% through two starts. Scherzer on the other hand, has had no issue generating the swing-and-miss. He is, however, giving up concerning amounts of hard contact. Both will look to settle in next week. At the very least, a Scherzday in Oakland should be filled with Ks.

 

Probably Start

 

 

• Alek Manoah and Logan Webb each have enough track records of success over the last two seasons to make them auto-start options until proven otherwise. Manoah’s first start had poor results and his second featured lower velocity and poor command. Until he quells those concerns, you’ll be starting the Toronto right-hander with a bit of stress. Webb has looked solid enough, even if his ERA and WHIP look out of whack early. He has the misfortune of facing the Dodgers, which is enough of a hurdle to push him down to tier 2.

 

• Rostering Grayson Rodriguez will almost certainly come with inconsistency and ups-and-downs along the way. As long as he’s in the O’s rotation, he’s a good bet to remain in your lineup as well. A start against the fledgling A’s should help bolster the rookie’s confidence for a weekend start against a White Sox team sans Eloy.

 

• Kenta Maeda left his first start since 2021 with what Rocco Baldelli described as fatigue. Before exiting, Maeda carved up the Marlins to the tune of nine strikeouts. Watching him leave with a trainer, however, does create some added hesitation entering the new week. He belongs in most lineups, but the Twins will likely monitor his workload closely. If he’s still on the wire in your leagues, scoop him up before your league-mates. He’s the clear top Two-Start Streamer of the Week for the strikeout upside.

 

Questionable

 

 

• The number of quality two-start streaming options this week is slim. Amongst them, Kyle Gibson is a reluctant option due to his home matchup against Oakland. In daily leagues, he’s likely heading back to the waiver wire after his first start.

 

• Bryce Elder makes for an intriguing streaming candidate after he handled the Cardinals in his season debut. The Reds’ offense has benefited early from playing their games at Great American Ballpark while the Royals have started ice cold at the plate.

• Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz are the only options in daily leagues against the Pirates and should not be started in any circumstances at Coors Field. Garrett Whitlock is slated to return from the IL next week. Monitor his performance against the Rays, he might be an option against the Angels.