First, I want to thank the loyal readers who have consistently gleaned advice on two-start pitchers from this column throughout the season. As a reward for your consistent opinions, I’ll wrap it up by giving you… the list of the worst two-start pitchers of 2024!
It’s not my fault, and it’s not yours either.
The final week of the regular season is always a chaotic affair. No team plays seven games this week, and several teams have switched to a six-man rotation, limiting the number of pitchers with two starts. And every pitcher on this week’s roster is set to make his second start on the final day of the regular season, meaning it could easily be canceled or shortened. Fantasy baseball managers should focus on pitchers on teams that could have something to play for next weekend. They might also want to look at pitchers on teams that have been out of the running for a while, since they’ll likely give a young starter a second outing this week.
Without further ado, here’s the best of a bad streak.
Two-start pitchers (ranked in order of preference)
Mitch Spence, 7% (vs. TEX, @SEA)
You know we’re in the final week of the season, where a pitcher many readers have never heard of is the top prospect on the roster. But Spence has been respectable of late, posting a 2.70 ERA and a 22:7 K:BB ratio in his last five starts. The right-handed pitcher opens the week with a mid-level matchup against the Rangers before taking on a low-scoring Seattle team that has been shut out more times than any other team.
Jack Kochanowicz, 4% (@CWS, vs. TEX)
Kochanowicz has a dismal 3.5 K/9 ratio, and his fantasy numbers (4.56 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) are both poor numbers. So why is he so high on this week’s list? One simple reason: his scheduled start against the White Sox on Tuesday. Kochanowicz threw seven innings of one-run ball against Chicago in his most recent start, and he has an excellent chance to pick up a win against baseball’s worst team. His second matchup is average, especially since the Rangers are without Corey Seager.
Eduardo Rodríguez, 36% (vs. SF, vs. SD)
Rodríguez hasn’t pitched well in eight starts since returning from the IL (5.09 ERA, 1.45 WHIP), but turned heads by retiring 11 batters at Coors Field the last time he appeared. The left-handed hurler opens the week with a midlevel matchup against a Giants team that ranks 17th in runs scored before closing things out with a more difficult matchup against a talented Padres lineup that rarely strikes out. And with Arizona and San Diego likely headed to the postseason, Rodríguez’s second start could be part of a meaningless contest for both clubs.
Jonathan Cannon, 3% (vs. LAA, @DET)
At 4-10 with a 4.61 ERA, Cannon isn’t likely to attract much attention in fantasy baseball leagues. The right-handed pitcher can’t be counted on to win a game while pitching for the worst team in baseball, but he could put up decent numbers and garner a few whiffs if he opens the week with a favorable matchup against the Angels (ranked 27th in runs scored). His second start could be a challenge, as the Tigers are in the thick of a postseason race.
Dean Kremer, 26% (@NYY, @MIN)
After struggling in August, Kremer allowed one earned run in 13 innings over his first two starts in September. But the right-handed pitcher came back to earth with a bang last time out, giving up four earned runs (five total) against the Giants. He should be avoided in most leagues, as his first start is against a Yankees team ranked third in runs scored and his second outing might not matter to Baltimore.
Landon Knack, 11% (vs. SD, @COL)
Knack has allowed two or fewer earned runs in four of his last five starts, but the other game was a two-inning, five-run debacle against the Braves. Still, the right-handed pitcher would normally be recommended if his matchups weren’t so difficult this week. Knack could struggle to muster whiffs against the Padres, and he has plenty of potential to explode by starting at Coors Field on the final day of the season.
Single Start Streamers
Below you’ll find the week’s top streamers, with their start dates and Yahoo! roster figures in parentheses.
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Brant Hurter vs. CWS (Saturday, 13)
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Simeon Woods Richardson vs. MIA (Wednesday, 16)
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Joey Estes @SEA (Saturday, 12)
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Casey Mize vs. CWS (Friday, 7)
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José Suárez @CWS (Wednesday, 1)
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Nick Martinez @CHC (Friday, 45)
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JP Sears @SEA (Friday, 36)
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David Festa vs. MIA (Thursday, 13)
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Reese Olson vs. TB (Thursday, 23)
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Tylor Megill @MIL (Saturday, 29)
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Kumar Rocker @OAK (Thursday, 23)
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André Pallante @SF (Sunday 20)
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Yariel Rodríguez vs MIA (Friday 11)
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Aaron Civale vs. NYM (Friday, 44)
Favorable Monday-Thursday Hit Matchups
Cardinals @ Rockies: The Cardinals haven’t had a great year offensively, but could end it on a high when they visit Coors Field this week. Lars Nootbaar (24%), Jordan Walker (26%) and Masyn Winn (38%) could all make a big impact in either format.
Royals vs. Nationals: The Royals have the most intriguing streamers to start the week, as they face three left-handed Washington starters. And since many of Kansas City’s regulars hit from the left side, the team will likely switch to right-handed or switch-hitters for this series. Fantasy managers can expect Robbie Grossman (0%) and Hunter Renfroe (4%) to figure prominently in the lineup.
