(Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire)
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.
Note: This article was written Friday morning, estimating probable starters through the week. These are subject to change.
Definitely Start
Zack Greinke (STL, SDP)
Robbie Ray (STL, SDP)
Corey Kluber (@KCR, OAK)
Max Scherzer (BOS, MIA)
- Two of the very elite + two great arms against terrible lineups. Easy stuff here.
Probably Start
Madison Bumgarner (@COL, STL)
Carlos Martinez (@ARI, @SFG)
Rick Porcello (@WSH, @KCR)
Alex Wood (PIT, @LAA)
Kyle Gibson (@MIL, BAL)
Dallas Keuchel (@TEX, CHW)
Jack Flaherty (@ARI, @SFG)
Nathan Eovaldi (@MIA, @NYM)
Andrew Heaney (@SEA, LAD)
Nick Kingham? (@LAD, PHI)
Domingo German (ATL, @TOR)
- You may want Madison Bumgarner in the top tier, but are we incredibly confident in a night in Coors? I’m a little hesitant, bring him down to the second tier.
- Carlos Martinez looked excellent for the first time since his DL stint, though a date with the Diamondbacks gives me pause. I’d still roll him for both, but he doesn’t get top tier status because of it.
- For a discount option, Nathan Eovaldi is a great play, getting two terrible lineups in the Marlins and Mets, just after he dominated the Nationals.
- Even with Dallas Keuchel’s recent struggles, he still deserves a start given the Rangers and ChiSox ahead.
- The upside of Domingo German makes him a considerable Tier 2 option, where he could win your week with his start against the Jays. I’m not a huge fan of the start against the Braves, but it’s not enough to turn away.
- Alright, I’m guessing that Nick Kingham is taking Chad Kuhl’s spot in the rotation, which would give Kingham a two-start week against the Dodgers and Phillies. I’m all for it, even with the hot Dodger offense as Kingham could be a Top 50 starter ROS if handed the #5 role in Pittsburgh.
Questionable
Jake Odorizzi (@MIL, BAL)
Junior Guerra (MIN, ATL)
Michael Fulmer (@CHC, TEX)
Mike Fiers (@TOR, TEX)
Sean Newcomb (@NYY, @MIL)
Wade Leblanc (LAA, COL)
Kyle Freeland (SFG, @SEA)
Luis Castillo (CHW, @CHC)
Brent Suter (MIN, ATL)
- I heavily debated if Luis Castillo deserves the spot, though he should be able to take care of the White Sox with ease, with a chance that the Cubs start doesn’t ruin his spoils.
- Jake Odorizzi goes through hot and cold spells, and it’s possible he spins two solid starts this week – at the very least against the Orioles.
- A decent desperate play may be Brent Suter…if he gets both starts as Zach Davies may be returning to the Brewers rotation soon and possibly kick out Suter.
- The Rockies are bad on the road and the Angels are just…bad, opening the door for Wade LeBlanc to rebound and help this week.
- Believe it or not, Mike Fiers has somehow been decent over the past month, and with mediocre lineups, he can be considered as a desperate option.
Bench
Elieser Hernandez (TBR, @WSH)
Jakob Junis (CLE, BOS)
James Shields (@CIN, @HOU)
Anibal Sanchez (@NYY, @MIL)
Blaine Hardy (@TOR, TEX)
Lucas Giolito (@CIN, @HOU)
Chris Stratton (@COL, STL)
Wei-Yin Chen (TBR, @WSH)
Clayton Richard (@OAK, @ARI)
Alex Cobb (@PHI, @MIN)
Austin-Bibens Dirkx (HOU, @DET)
Tanner Roark (BOS, MIA)
- A lot of names here that should be left on the wire, especially with tough matchups ahead.
- Clayton Richard has gotten plenty of attention in fantasy circles, but his lack of upside mixed with a date in Arizona makes this easy to turn away.
- I’m all for the start against Miami, but an evening with the Red Sox makes me reconsider Tanner Roark for this week, especially with his poor performances over the last month.
