The fantasy playoffs have arrived! Now it’s time to outsmart your competition by picking up the best two-start pitchers for Week 24. However, be careful with who you decide to stream. The stakes are extremely high and remember, it’s almost always better to pitch a reliable one-start pitcher than a risky two-start pitcher. Lastly, make sure you consistently check the Fangraphs Starting Pitchers Grid before you make any moves or transactions. Pitching rotations change daily. Let’s take a look at the two-start pitchers for Week 24 (9/12-9/18)!
Week 24 Two-Start Pitchers
Must-Start: These pitchers should be started regardless of match-up. They are a must-start in all leagues until further notice.
Should-Start: These pitchers should start in most leagues. This is based on the pedigree of the pitcher and/or favorable matchups.
Risky Business: Only start these pitchers if you are in a deep roto or points league, desperate for counting stats, or feeling lucky.
Must Sit: Do not start these pitchers.
Must Start
| Pitcher | xERA | Start 1 | wRC+ | Start 2 | wRC+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob deGrom NYM RHP | 1.80 | CHC | 98 | PIT | 80 |
| Alek Manoah TOR RHP | 3.42 | TB | 104 | BAL | 99 |
| Sandy Alcantara MIA RHP | 2.97 | PHI | 101 | @ WAS | 97 |
For those that drafted and held on to Jacob deGrom all year, you have been rewarded with a two-start week in the fantasy playoffs. The 34-year-old has an utterly ridiculous 1.80 xERA with a 38.8 K-BB%, and a 0.55 WHIP. When hitters do make contact they only have a .170 xBA. When healthy, he is the best pitcher in the world and it’s not even close. Enjoy the week deGoat owners!
Should Start
| Pitcher | xERA | Start 1 | wRC+ | Start 2 | wRC+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Anderson LAD LHP | 3.18 | @ ARI | 89 | @ SF | 112 |
| Chris Bassitt NYM RHP | 3.16 | CHC | 98 | PIT | 80 |
| Jordan Montgomery STL LHP | 3.81 | MIL | 87 | CIN | 95 |
| Joe Ryan MIN RHP | 3.81 | KC | 90 | CHC | 98 |
| Kyle Wright ATL RHP | 3.90 | @ SF | 95 | PHI | 101 |
| Yu Darvish SD RHP | 3.71 | @ SEA | 104 | @ ARI | 97 |
Chris Bassitt holds a 3.16 xERA with 153 strikeouts in 161.1 innings so far this season. Bassitt does an outstanding job limiting hard contact and he has been worth every penny of his one-year, $8.8 million dollar contract. Like deGrom, he has two great home matchups against the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates next week.
Risky Business
| Pitcher | xERA | Start 1 | wRC+ | Start 2 | wRC+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Pivetta BOS RHP | 4.35 | NYY | 111 | KC | 90 |
| Eduardo Rodriguez DET LHP | 4.54 | HOU | 116 | CHW | 130 |
| Trevor Rogers MIA LHP | 4.82 | TEX | 117 | @ WAS | 91 |
| Jeffrey Springs TB LHP | 3.30 | @ TOR | 116 | TEX | 117 |
| Alex Cobb SF RHP | 3.16 | ATL | 106 | LAD | 123 |
| Michael Kopech CHW RHP | 3.90 | COL | 80 | @ DET | 72 |
Since August 1st, Michael Kopech has a 5.88 ERA, 4.77 FIP, and 4.59 xFIP across 26 innings. Usually, he would be a must-sit but next week he has two outstanding matchups. Kopech faces the Colorado Rockies at home then the Detroit Tigers in Comerica Park. Playing him is definitely risky business, but it could pay off big.
Jeffrey Springs is having the best season of his career. He has pitched a career-high 109.2 innings with a 3.30 xERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He also has a career-low 6.1 BB%. Most of the time, he would be in the “should start” category but he has two tough matchups next week against the Toronto Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers. Both teams are in the top ten against lefties according to wRC+. If you must start him, I wish you the best of luck.
Must Sit
| Pitcher | xERA | Start 1 | wRC+ | Start 2 | wRC+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bailey Falter PHI LHP | 4.50 | @ MIA | 63 | @ ATL | 124 |
| Ken Waldichuk OAK LHP | 3.42 | @ TEX | 117 | @ HOU | 116 |
| Mike Minor CIN LHP | 4.41 | PIT | 81 | @ STL | 134 |
| Glenn Otto TEX RHP | 5.02 | @ MIA | 93 | @ TB | 104 |
| Kris Bubic KC LHP | 5.76 | @ MIN | 104 | @ BOS | 111 |
| Ryne Nelson ARI RHP | 1.36 | LAD | 123 | @ SD | 101 |
| Cody Morris CLE RHP | 5.95 | LAA | 93 | MIN | 111 |
| Bryse Wilson PIT RHP | 5.76 | @ CIN | 85 | @ NYM | 117 |
| Luis Cessa CIN RHP | 4.69 | PIT | 80 | @ STL | 111 |
| Yusei Kikuchi TOR (L) | 5.98 | TB | 109 | BAL | 97 |
| Zach Thompson PIT (R) | 5.22 | @ CIN | 85 | @ NYM | 117 |