Ranking Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 14 (7/2 – 7/8)

(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.