Ranking Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 16 (7/23 – 7/29)

(Photo by Patrick Gorski/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 Sunday morning, estimating probable starters through the week. These are subject to change as teams are still deciding on their starters for the week after the All-Star Break.

Definitely Start

Luis Severino (@TBR, KCR)

Rick Porcello (@BAL, MIN)

Aaron Nola (LAD, @CIN)

Corey Kluber (PIT, @DET)

Patrick Corbin (@CHC, @SDP)

Ross Stripling (@PHI, @ATL)

Jose Berrios (@TOR, @BOS)

Blake Snell (NYY, @BAL)

Kenta Maeda (@PHI, @ATL)

• Luis Severino, Ross Stripling, Aaron Nola, and Corey Kluber are obvious choices this week.
• Even with the Yankees and Boston ahead, you should be starting both Blake Snell and Jose Berrios. They have the talent to get through it while capitalizing on Toronto and Baltimore.
• I questioned slotting Patrick Corbin and Kenta Maeda here, but in all 12-teamers I’d roll with them regardless of their one tough outing (Cubs and Braves).
• Rick Porcello gets the nod in the top tier as he gets matchups against two poor offenses.

Probably Start

Sean Newcomb (@MIA, LAD)

Zack Wheeler (SDP, @PIT)

Gio Gonzalez (@MIL, @MIA)

Zach Eflin (LAD, @CIN)

Kyle Hendricks (ARI, @STL)

CC Sabathia (@TBR, KCR)

Carlos Rodon (@LAA, TOR)

• Great matchups for CC Sabathia and Zack Wheeler give them comfortable spots in Tier 2 this week.
• Carlos Rodon is a surprise here, but with two good matchups he’s a clear head above those in the lower tiers.
• It’s been a recent struggle for Sean Newcomb, but two starts including the Marlins make these an easier choice.
• Here’s to hoping that Zach Eflin, Gio Gonzalez, and Kyle Hendricks don’t struggle in their one difficult start this week. Each arm could falter enough to make it a disappointing affair, but still are better plays than Tier 3.

Questionable

Kevin Gausman (BOS, TBR)

Luis Castillo (STL, PHI)

Andrew Suarez (@SEA, MIL)

Julio Teheran (@MIA, LAD)

Joe Musgrove (@CLE, NYM)

Jaime Barria (CHW, SEA)

Felix Pena (CHW, SEA)

Jeremy Hellickson (@MIL, @MIA)

Jhoulys Chacin (WSH, @SFG)

• Interesting discount options here with Felix Pena’s solid whiff rate making him a decent strikeout play and his teammate Jaime Barria worth a look given a date with the ChiSox.
• I’m no fan of Jeremy Hellickson, but this could turn out decently well if his fastball doesn’t ruin him against Milwaukee.
• Joe Musgrove, Kevin Gausman, and Andrew Suarez all have one tough matchup, making them risky plays that could pay off if they can endure one difficult evening.
• I’m not confident with the current state of Luis Castillo, but he’s facing two weak offenses and it may turn out decently well.
• Jhoulys Chacin gets the Nats and Giants, which may result in a somewhat productive week.
• Then there’s Julio Teheran who could take advantage of the Marlins on the road, while struggle mightily against the Dodgers. One of the riskiest plays in this tier.

Bench

Heath Fillmyer (DET, @NYY)

Daniel Poncedeleon? (@CIN, CHC)

Jose Urena (ATL, WSH)

Trevor Williams (@CLE, NYM)

Clay Buchholz? (@CHC, @SDP)

Lucas Giolito (@LAA, TOR)

Marco Estrada (MIN, @CWS)

Brett Anderson (@TEX, @COL)

Cole Hamels (OAK, @HOU)

Francisco Liriano (@KCR, CLE)

Drew Pomeranz (@BAL, MIN)

Yefry Ramirez (BOS, TBR)

Homer Bailey (STL, PHI)

Burch Smith (DET, @NYY)

Jason Vargas (SDP, @PIT)

Frankie Montas (@TEX, @COL)

Mike Minor (OAK, @HOU)

• A lot of pitchers aren’t worth your time here, including Heath Fillmyer, Trevor Williams, Lucas Giolito, Jason Vargas, Francisco Liriano, and Homer Bailey.
• Coors field is too scary for me to chase Frankie Montas this week, even if he gets to face the Rangers as well.
• Drew Pomeranz is returning from the DL, wasting two good matchups on what I think will be too much rust to endure.
• There’s some intrigue with Yefry Ramirez and Mike Minor, but their starts against Boston and Houston force me to look elsewhere.
• Daniel Poncedeleon is making his MLB debut tomorrow and could get two starts. Way too risky of a play, but I’m curious what we’ll see.
• Cole Hamels gets the Astros and that’s enough to deny him a roster spot. Same goes for Jose Urena against the Braves and Brett Anderson in Coors.
• Even with two easy matchups, I’m hesitant to role with Marco Estrada as he gets a clear DLH tomorrow.