Two-Start Pitchers for Week 24 (Sept. 1 – 7)

Keeping track of the week’s two-start pitchers can be a successful way to pad our strikeout and win columns — assuming we choose our two-steppers wisely. However, we need to be cautious about which two-start pitchers we roll with, as they can also torpedo our ratios. As the season winds down, it’s essential to understand what categories you need and how much risk your fantasy team can withstand. If you’re chasing strikeouts and your ratios are fine, you’ll likely have little hesitation starting Jacob Misiorowski. But if you’re seeking wins or need to protect your ratios, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

This weekly write-up helps determine the best two-start pitchers of the week. Some two-starters are easy calls, while others require more deliberation. To help you decide, I rank the two-steppers into tiers, along with brief notes on each player.

Starting rotations often aren’t finalized until late in the weekend. Since this write-up gets submitted on Saturday, you’ll want to check the league’s latest schedule of probable pitchers to make sure you’re up to date with the correct starters. With that, let’s look at the two-start pitchers for Week 24.

Don’t Overthink These Two-Start Pitchers

These are your set-it-and-forget-it arms for the week. Most are elite starting pitchers with strong matchups.

Drew Rasmussen (SP — TBR)

First Start: vs. SEA
Second Start: vs. CLE
Drew Rasmussen returned to a typical starter’s workload following the All-Star break and has been nothing short of impressive. In his last seven starts, he owns a sparkling 2.11 ERA (3.39 SIERA) and 0.86 WHIP across 38.1 frames. He’s also bumped up his Ks in this stretch, posting a 25% strikeout rate and 20.8% K-BB. Rasmussen is looking for his fifth consecutive quality start and is a strong bet to snag it. It’s all systems go for Rasmussen this week.

Max Fried (SP — NYY)

First Start: @ HOU
Second Start: vs. TOR
Following a recent rough patch, Max Fried looks like he’s back on track. In his last two starts, he combined for one earned run across 13 frames with 13 punchouts and five walks. The free passes aren’t ideal, but we’ll still take it. Up next is a difficult two-step, and it’s worth noting that Fried allowed four earned runs to both opposing teams during his bumpy period. Fried should still be in lineups this week; he just brings a little more risk than usual.

Hunter Greene (SP — CIN)

First Start: vs. TOR
Second Start: vs. NYM
Hunter Greene gets a tough two-step this week, as both the Blue Jays and Mets are top-five in OPS against righties this year. But that shouldn’t stop us from putting him in lineups. Greene should still deliver on the strikeout front, but his ratios could get dinged more than usual.

Sonny Gray (SP — STL)

First Start: vs. ATH
Second Start: vs. SFG
Sonny Gray stumbled against the Yankees a couple of weeks ago, but has otherwise had a terrific August. He’s sporting a steady 3.48 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over five starts this month, with 35 strikeouts across 31 frames. His matchups this week aren’t very scary, making Gray a solid play in 12+ team leagues.

Brayan Bello (SP — BOS)

First Start: vs. CLE
Second Start: @ ARI
Brayan Bello has done a great job at limiting earned runs all season. But he’s really excelled since July, when he cut down on the free passes. Bello slashed his walk rate from 10.3% to 5.4% over his last 10 starts, contributing to a sterling 0.97 WHIP and 2.56 ERA (4.00 SIERA) in that stretch. He also picked up seven wins. Bello should keep rolling this week and is a strong play in shallow formats.

Roll With These Two-Start Pitchers

These are solid two-starters for the week. While they come with more risk than the arms above, you’re likely rolling with these two-steppers in Week 24.

Ryne Nelson (SP — ARI)

First Start: vs. TEX
Second Start: vs. BOS
Ryne Nelson is coming off a nice bounce-back game against the Brewers, tossing six frames of one-hit ball with three punchouts. The start was good to see, as Nelson had allowed 3+ earned runs in his previous three starts. Overall, Nelson has been a steady arm this season, boasting a 3.53 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 18 starts. His Ks are a touch light (21.4%), but that’s nit-picky given the rest of the package. Nelson’s two-step is tougher than not, but he’s still a solid play this week.

Dylan Cease (SP — SDP)

First Start: vs. BAL
Second Start: @ COL
It’s generally a bumpy ride with Dylan Cease. You know the Ks will be there; you know the walks will be there; and you cross your fingers that he won’t burn you with too many earned runs. There’s an increased win opportunity this week, in what should be a less bumpy ride. But let’s still keep our fingers crossed in shallow formats.

Charlie Morton (SP — DET)

First Start: vs. NYM
Second Start: vs. CWS
Charlie Morton has been solid since his move to Detroit. In five starts, he holds a 4.61 ERA (3.28 SIERA) and 1.21 WHIP across 27.1 frames with an impressive 30.5% strikeout rate. He also picked up three quality starts and a couple of Ws. His two-step is more difficult than not, but he offers strikeout and win upside, making him a go in 12+ teamers.

Luis Morales (SP — ATH)

First Start: @ STL
Second Start: @ LAA
Luis Morales has settled in nicely since his recent call-up. He’s limited opponents to one earned run or less in each of his last three starts, showcasing a 1.00 ERA and 0.72 WHIP across 18 innings. In addition to the smooth ratios, Morales has fanned a batter per inning while limiting the free passes. He’s been a little lucky with a 95% strand rate and .186 BABIP, but a 3.32 xFIP is nothing to sneeze at. There’s risk with Morales, given his limited time in the majors. But he’s worth rolling out while he’s dealing. Plus, it’s a good week to take a shot on him, as the Cardinals and Angels are both bottom-eight in OPS against righties this season.

Parker Messick (SP — CLE)

First Start: @ BOS
Second Start: @ TBR
Parker Messick has been fantastic in his two big-league starts. He allowed a combined one earned run across 13.2 frames with a sparkling 12:1 K:BB. The talented rookie boasts a strong track record of missing bats, posting a 29.1% strikeout rate across 20 starts in Triple-A this year. He gets a tough two-start, but Messick is worth rolling out in shallow formats given his stuff and strikeout upside.

How Lucky Do You Feel About These Two-Start Pitchers?

This is the tier of tough decisions, with most of these two-start options best suited for 15-team leagues. These are primarily riskier starters who could bloat your ratios if things go south. Tread carefully.

Jacob Misiorowski (SP — MIL)

First Start: vs PHI
Second Start: @ PIT
Jacob Misiorowski is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward starter. In five starts since returning from the IL, he’s fanned batters at a whopping 41% clip. However, he hasn’t pitched deep into games, resulting in a 6.50 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across those 18 frames. Misiorowski has been unlucky in this stretch, but as long as the innings remain limited, he’s always a ratio risk. Tread carefully.

Luis Castillo (SP — SEA)

First Start: @ TBR
Second Start: @ ATL
August hasn’t been kind to Luis Castillo. In five starts this month, he carries a bloated 6.66 ERA (4.24 SIERA) and 1.64 WHIP across 24.1 innings. Batters have been hitting Castillo hard in this stretch, as he posted a 55% hard-hit rate and 93.2 mph average exit velocity. His upcoming matchups aren’t too scary, although the quality contact he’s been giving up may not play well at George Steinbrenner Field. Castillo is a decent option in 15-teamers this week.

Michael Lorenzen (SP — KCR)

First Start: vs. LAA
Second Start: vs. MIN
Michael Lorenzen has labored through his three starts since returning from an oblique strain. He has a 4.73 ERA (3.60 SIERA) and 1.73 WHIP across 13.1 innings with a 15:4 K:BB ratio. There’s risk wth Lorenzen, but this isn’t a bad week to roll the dice if you’re in the market for strikeouts or wins. Both clubs are bottom-10 in OPS against righties this season, making Lorenzen a decent play in 15-teamers.

Shane Baz (SP — TBR)

First Start: vs. SEA
Second Start: vs. CLE
Baseballs fly out of George Steinbrenner Field, and Shane Baz isn’t immune. He’s surrendered at least one long ball in all but one of his home starts, and carries a 2.44 HR/9 at home compared to a 0.93 HR/9 on the road. In other words, two home starts aren’t ideal for Baz (or fantasy managers). Combine that with his 8.47 ERA (3.69 SIERA) and 1.65 WHIP since the All-Star break, and there’s a significant amount of ratio risk lurking. Baz is still dealing the Ks in this stretch to the tune of a 27% strikeout rate. But you need to be able to absorb the risk if you’re going to chase them.

Yusei Kikuchi (SP — LAA)

First Start: @ HOU
Second Start: vs. ATH
Yusei Kikuchi has been middling at best in the second half. In his eight starts since the All-Star break, Kikuchi maintains a 5.27 ERA (4.21 SIERA) and 1.59 WHIP. On the plus side, he’s still fanning a batter per inning across that stretch. Starting Kikuchi comes down to how desperate you are for Ks and if you can withstand the ratio hit. The Athletics have pummeled southpaws lately, and while Kikuchi is spared a start at Sutter Health Park, his lackluster performances don’t instill a ton of confidence. He’s a deep-league consideration only.

Colin Rea (SP — CHC)

First Start: vs. ATL
Second Start: vs. WAS
Colin Rea tosses a blowup game every now and then, but has been a serviceable arm on the whole. In his last 10 starts, he holds a 4.02 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 53.2 innings. The strikeouts aren’t there (17.3%), but Rea offers some win upside when he takes the mound. In 15-teamers, he’s a decent shot to grab a W or two this week and shouldn’t rock your ratios.

Taijuan Walker (SP — PHI)

First Start: @ MIL
Second Start: @ MIA
Taijuan Walker is a 4.00 ERA and 1.30 WHIP talent who offers minimal strikeout upside (16.8% K%). There’s not much to gain by starting Walker unless you’re chasing wins in 15-team leagues.

Forget About These Two-Start Pitchers

This tier is pretty straightforward. If you roll with these two-start pitchers, you’re playing with fire. Fuhgeddaboudit!

Bailey Ober (SP — MIN)

First Start: vs PHI
Second Start: @ PIT
The good: Bailey Ober is a nice WHIP stabilizer. The bad: pretty much everything else. In five starts since returning from the IL, Ober has an ERA pushing the 5.00 mark and a below league-average 20.4% strikeout rate. He’s also winless in his last 15 starts. It’s possible that changes against the Pirates. But his Phillies start could go sideways, and Ober doesn’t bring much else to the table.

Patrick Corbin (SP — TEX)

First Start: @ ARI
Second Start: vs. HOU
Patrick Corbin is coming off an eight-inning shutout with eight punchouts against the Angels. While the start is encouraging, we probably shouldn’t put too much stock into it. Corbin was a disaster in his previous four starts, issuing more walks than strikeouts and posting ballooned ratios. Plus, with a pair of challenging matchups on the docket, this isn’t the best week to target Corbin.

Davis Martin (SP — CWS)

First Start: @ MIN
Second Start: @ DET
Davis Martin holds a 4.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in seven second-half starts with 32 strikeouts across 35.1 frames. Combine that with a near 13% walk rate, and you’re looking at an unappealing two-start option.

Chase Dollander (SP — COL)

First Start: vs. SFG
Second Start: vs. SDP
Chase Dollander struggles with control and brings elevated ratios to the fantasy table. He also doesn’t pitch deep into games. With two starts at Coors Field on the docket, Dollander is an easy avoid.

Slade Cecconi (SP — CLE)

First Start: @ BOS
Second Start: @ TBR
Slade Cecconi has coughed up at least one long ball in all of his eight starts in the second half. Not surprisingly, he’s given up too much loud contact in this stretch with a 13% barrel rate and 50% hard-hit rate. Oof. That’s likely to bite him at both Fenway Park and George Steinbrenner Field this week.

Aaron Civale (SP — CWS)

First Start: @ MIN
Second Start: @ DET
Aaron Civale’s last four starts have been brutal. He allowed a combined 21 earned runs across 19 innings to go with an ugly 1.79 WHIP. Hard pass.

Carson Whisenhunt (SP — SFG)

First Start: @ COL
Second Start: @ STL
Carson Whisenhunt brings too much risk to the table. He’s issued multiple free passes in each of his five starts while lagging in the strikeout department (6.17 K/9). The result is a ballooned 5.01 ERA and 1.46 WHIP across 23.1 innings. Whisenhunt has also struggled with the long ball (2.31 HR/9), which could get ugly fast at Coors Field.

Ryan Gusto (SP — MIA)

First Start: @ WAS
Second Start: vs. PHI
You don’t want to roll out Ryan Gusto for a two-step. He’s allowed 17 earned runs over three starts with his new team to go with a cringey 10:8 K:BB across 15.2 innings. Blegh.

Luis Garcia (SP — HOU)

First Start: vs. LAA
Second Start: @ TEX
There’s a ton of risk with Luis Garcia. The last time we saw him was in 2023, before he underwent Tommy John surgery. Given his lengthy absence and the likelihood of limited innings, Garcia should remain on the bench for his two-step.