Two-Start Pitchers: 5/15-5/21

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 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

 

• We’ll all be treated to a rarity this week: three former MVPs all take the hill twice. Shohei Ohtani is making another early case for the award, flashing a sterling 0.91 WHIP and a 36% strikeout rate. Justin Verlander looks to continue settling in against two teams doing their best to replicate the Spider-Man pointing meme. Both the Nats and Guardians are top-five in team strikeout rate, but at the bottom of the league in slugging. Finally, Clayton Kershaw is in vintage form this year and is an early contender for Cy Young.

 

Most Likely 

 

 

• Jesús Luzardo is healthy and looks to be having the breakout season we’ve been waiting for, save for a frustrating 1.41 WHIP. Look for that number to trend in the right direction next week. Washington has been above average against lefties, but Luzardo is an easy decision to pencil into your lineup.

 

• Josiah Gray will oppose Luzardo on Monday and looks to be amidst a breakout season himself. With a lower strikeout rate and a PLV that isn’t quite buying in, it’s fair to temper your rest-of-season expectations for Gray. Heading into next week, however, he’ll benefit from perhaps the most favorable schedule of any pitcher. At 45% rostered in Yahoo, he makes an easy choice for the Two-Start Streamer of the Week.

 

• Merrill Kelly makes for another strong play based on his matchups.

 

Questionable

 

• Tier three is home to two of the most frustrating pitchers to roster thus far in 2023, Lance Lynn and Alek Manoah. I’m not terribly optimistic about either arm returning SP2-SP3 value the rest of the way. I would, however, be willing to play the matchups and start Lynn in weekly leagues. Manoah, on the other hand, likely belongs firmly on your bench. The Yankees lineup has been mediocre this year, but the burly Blue Jay hasn’t been able to generate whiffs or find his command. If you’re on the fence, look no further than Manoah’s 3.7% K-BB% this year.

 

• Given the state of pitching in general this year, there are few two-start streamers you can give any consideration to even in 15-team leagues. For those in need of a one-start streamer, Dane Dunning has a home start against the Rockies and pitches behind one of the better teams in the American League.

 

 

• Domingo Germán has been serviceable for the Yankees this year. He’s not advisable next week, however, due to a tough draw against the Blue Jays and a trip to the venue known as The Great American Small Park. He might be able to make it work, but he’s likely best served on your bench next week unless you’re searching for volume.

 

• Jack Flaherty may not want to talk about his drop in fastball velocity, but his 6.18 ERA and 1.71 WHIP say it all. Flaherty’s 15.3% walk rate is second worst in baseball behind only Brad Keller. Speaking of Keller, the Royals’ groundball specialist is currently the only qualified starter in baseball with a negative K-BB%. Both should be far from your fantasy team’s radar.

 

 

Two-Start Streamer of the Week Record: 1-4.