Every Friday I look at every projected two-start pitcher for the week ahead and detail my thoughts about rolling with them on your roster. There are four tiers: Definitely, Probably, Questionable, Bench. Definitely Start features starters that are no doubters for the week ahead followed by Probably Start with pitchers that look like good plays but may create a hesitation or two. Players labeled as Questionable are for deeper leagues or have one-of-two outings that should be skipped. Pitchers under Bench should be avoided despite their two starts in the week ahead.
Definitely Start
Dallas Keuchel (DET, BAL)
Gerrit Cole (@ATL, NYM)
Carlos Carrasco (@CIN, KCR)
Lance McCullers (DET, BAL)
Zack Greinke (CHW, @MIL)
Michael Fulmer (@HOU, @CHW)
Michael Pineda (KCR, OAK)
Danny Duffy (@NYY, @CLE)
Jon Lester (SFG, @LAD)
Probably Start
Johnny Cueto (@CHC, ATL) – Cueto hasn’t been his sharp self this year giving me more hesitation than I would like for his start in Wrigley. Still worth the start, but not as clear cut as before.
Rick Porcello (TEX, SEA) – Porcello is fanning more batters while his peripherals suggest a better ERA awaits.
Rich Hill (STL, CHC) – It’s not certain Hill gets both of these starts (Is a six-man rotation happening or not?), but if he does you have to throw Hill out there when he’s pitching.
Ervin Santana (@BAL, TBR) – While Santana has struggled in two of his last three outings, I think it’s too early to fully give up on him, while he faces two free-swinging teams. Keep in mind, I’m expecting the Twins to go four-man rotation for a moment as yesterday’s double header would force Santana to pitch on three-days’ rest. With an off-day on Thursday, they would be able to throw Santana to go Tuesday and Sunday.
Jake Odorizzi (LAA, @MIN) – Odorizzi is a pitcher that can take advantage of a pair of good matchups.
Kyle Hendricks (SFG, @LAD) – Hendricks has been performing well lately and even a start against the Dodgers doesn’t have me holding him back for two.
Questionable
Matt Shoemaker (@TBR, @MIA) – Shoe is on the border of tier 2 and 3 as he can return big dividends as he could be at the start of one of his patented hot streaks. Or it could collapse like his April, don’t overlook the risk here.
German Marquez (@PHI, STL) – Heading away from Coors for a start in Philadelphia has my eyebrow raised for a possible stream for Marquez. Heading home isn’t ideal at all, though the Cards aren’t the biggest threat.
JC Ramirez (@TBR, @MIA) – Ramirez has spoken out about focusing less on strikeouts and more on getting deeper into ballgames. I’m all for that against two poor offenses that could come with a good amount of Ks as well.
Alex Cobb (LAA, @MIN) – Cobb has focused plenty more on his Curveball lately and it has worked well in his favor. I don’t trust him as much as other upside names, but two weak opponents make me consider him as a two-start option.
Jason Vargas (@NYY, @CLE) – It was a horrid start against the Yanks on Wednesday and now he’s leaving pitching friednly Kauffman to head to the Bronx for a rematch, which doesn’t speak well for Vargas. The Indians hate left-handed pitching, though, so he’s still a decent option for the week.
Matt Harvey (SDP, @PIT) – It’s been difficult times for Harvey, but it’s hard to find a better upside play when he’s pitching against the Padres and Pirates.
Jordan Montgomery (KCR, OAK) – I know it’s following a poor outing against the Royals, and if you want to bench him, go ahead. There are plenty of numbers that suggest Montgomery will improve, like a great strikeout rate, a walk rate that is abnormally high given his career, and a 65.5% LOB rate that is much lower than it should be.
Jerad Eickhoff (COL, CIN) – It’s been a tough schedule for Eickhoff, but he gets the Rockies out of Coors and the Reds could have cooled off fully by the time Eickhoff gets to them.
Mike Foltynewicz (PIT, @SFG) – Folty could show up with his strikeout upside or just fan one like his last outing. Meanwhile, his ratios aren’t anything to write home about making him not the strongest play despite two below average offenses.
Tanner Roark (SEA, SDP) – Roark has been unimpressive to start the year, but a trip to San Diego could spell easy victory with a chance at a pair.
Julio Teheran (PIT, @SFG) – Teheran would normally be in tier two here, but he’s been struggling mightily.
Amir Garrett (CLE, @PHI) – The Indians are poor against left-handers and the Phillies are the Phillies. There’s a chance Garrett gives you a pair of good outings here, elevating from a bottom tier slot this week.
Bench
Dylan Covey (@ARI, DET) – Don’t Covey Thy Dylan. Yes, that’s pretty much all I say about Covey these days because you already know that he’s not fantasy relevant.
Christian Bergman (@WSH, @BOS) – Don’t let Bergman’s latest start fool you – this won’t end well facing the Nationals and Red Sox.
Patrick Corbin (CHW, @MIL) – Corbin hasn’t looked good in his last two starts and the ChiSox are hitting left-handers well. This is the best upside pick of the bottom tier though.
Tyler Glasnow (@ATL, NYM) – I can’t endorse Glasnow until we can trust his command start-to-start.
Andrew Cashner (@BOS, @TOR) – Cashner just isn’t a guy I want to trust at all.
Jhoulys Chacin (@NYM, @WSH) – Chacin has moments of brilliance but it’s too inconsistent to bank on twice, let alone including a date with the Nationals.
Jordan Zimmermann (@HOU, @CHW) – It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted to own JZ in any situation.
Josh Tomlin (@CIN, KCR) – Tomlin is way too susceptible to a blow up outing for me to throw him out there.
Lance Lynn (@LAD, @COL) – Normally a good two-start option, Lynn’s tough matchups make it a wise decision to sit this one out.
Matt Garza (TOR, ARI) – Garza has had a surprisingly good start to the year that I don’t expect to continue.
Miguel Gonzalez (@ARI, DET) – It’s possible Miguel could have been a desperate play against poor teams, but Coors-Lite mixed with the Tigers is not what you’re looking for.
Scott Feldman (CLE, @PHI) – There’s plenty of potential for Feldman to blow up your week and not much that he’ll win it for you.
Ty Blach (@CHC, ATL) – Blach lacks the upside for me to believe a start in Atlanta mitigates the risk heading the Wrigley.
Ubaldo Jimenez (MIN, @HOU) – I can’t recall the last time Ubaldo was a good two-start week candidate.
Zach Eflin (COL, CIN) – Eflin has been struggling mightily, leading to a bench regardless of the matchups.
I know you wrote this yesterday but since Keuchel was DL’ed today — guessing not a two-start? Figured I’d give the heads up in case you wanted to update the post :)
Hi Nick! Appreciate your work all the time.
Jimmy Nelson has a two-start week against Toronto and Arizona. Should I roll the dice on him?
I hate his start against Arizona. I’d look elsewhere if possible.