We made it! If you’re still here this week, congratulations on a great season! I have good news, in that this week looks positioned to have a nice selection of quality two-start options. There is bad news, though, and that is the fact that final week rotations never, ever go as planned. Which means you should not assume for a second that teams will do what you want them to do. Guys will be shut down without warning. Others will get pulled after two or three innings. And, as playoff places get locked in, starts you were counting on will vanish into thin air. So root for those battles to rage until the last day, because it’s the best hope you have of getting the stats you need to bring home the title.
For the final time in 2024, let’s get to it!
What follows are our projections at time of writing as to who will be making two-starts this week, but weather, injuries, and secretive team management mean they are just that: projections. To stay as up-to-date as possible, consult Rudy Gamble’s invaluable Streamonator.
Chocolate Chip Cookies (Must Start)
They are kings of the cookie world for a reason. A warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookie just makes you feel happy. Sort of like getting to set your rosters knowing you get two starts this week from these guys.
| Pitcher | First Start | Second Start |
|---|---|---|
| Tarik Skubal, Det | TB | CHW |
| Bailey Ober, Min | MIA | BAL |
| Aaron Nola, Phi | CHC | @WSH |
| Cole Ragans, KC | @WSH | @ATL |
Sugar Cookies (Should Start)
They’re fine. You could certainly do worse than having these guys in your lineup, but don’t expect it to be remarkable.
| Pitcher | First Start | Second Start |
|---|---|---|
| Freddy Peralta, Mil | @PIT | NYM |
| Bryce Miller, Sea | @HOU | OAK |
| Spencer Schwellenbach, Atl | NYM | KC |
| Chris Bassitt, Tor | BOS | MIA |
| Justin Steele, ChC | @PHI | CIN |
| Tanner Houck, Bos | @TOR | TB |
| Nestor Cortes, NYY | BAL | PIT |
| Michael King, SD | @LAD | @ARI |
- Let’s be clear: You’re not benching Peralta this week. However, I do have serious doubts about him making that final start. That game may mean a lot to the Mets, but Milwaukee is likely to be more concerned about having their playoff rotation lined up. Just be prepared, it might just be one good start you get from him, not two.
- It’s possible this becomes Bowden Francis, who would slot in a few spots higher than this. The veteran was originally slated to take the hill on Sunday, but got bumped for unannounced reasons. Assuming it was just to give him an extra day, he gets double duty. If it is Francis who starts on Monday, innings management could still leave him making just one start.
- King is this low partly because of the opponents, and partly due to possible playoff complications.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (Could Start)
These aren’t for everyone. These are the pitchers that may be a pleasant surprise, or they could ruin your week. Tread lightly.
| Pitcher | First Start | Second Start |
|---|---|---|
| Eduardo Rodriguez, Ari | SF | SD |
| Ryan Pepiot, TB | @DET | @BOS |
| Jose Quintana, NYM | @ATL | @MIL |
| Mitch Spence, Oak | TEX | @SEA |
| Dean Kremer, Bal | @NYY | @MIN |
- Pepiot is a Ray who has had a significant innings jump this season. Would it surprise you at all if they shut him down after the Tigers start? It wouldn’t surprise me.
- Spence has pitched pretty well of late, and it seems like every year there’s someone who serves as a surprise hero to end the season. Spence is my bet to be that guy.
Fortune Cookies (Do Not Start)
Yeah, they’re technically cookies. Hold on, what does that little slip of paper say? “Bad times are heading your way.” Oh. Okay, then.
| Pitcher | First Start | Second Start |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Cannon, ChW | LAA | @DET |
| Hayden Birdsong, SF | @ARI | STL |
| Jack Kochanowicz, LAA | @CHW | TEX |
| Landon Knack, LAD | SD | @COL |
| Bailey Falter, Pit | MIL | @NYY |
| Ryan Feltner, Col | STL | LAD |
| Ryan Weathers, Mia | @MIN | @TOR |
