Ranking Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 9 (5/28 – 6/3)

(Photo by Juan DeLeon/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

Jacob deGrom (@ATL, CHC)

Blake Snell (@OAK, @SEA)

Justin Verlander (@NYY, BOS)

Jake Arrieta (@LAD, @SFG)

Jon Lester (@PIT, @NYM)

Mike Clevinger (CHW, @MIN)

Charlie Morton (@NYY, BOS)

Michael Fulmer (LAA, TOR)

Tyson Ross (MIA, CIN)

• Jacob deGrom, Blake Snell, and Jake Arrieta are the easy choices this week. It’s unfortunate that both Justin Verlander and Charlie Morton have to face both the Sawx and Yankees, but their talent level forces them into the top tier.
• You can’t stop rolling with Tyson Ross, especially with starts against Miami and Cincinnati. The same with Jon Lester against the Pirates and Mets, though there is a greater possibility of cracking than Ross.
• There may be some pushback on Mike Clevinger and Michael Fulmer being placed in this tier, though I believe their skill sets dictate strong performances for the two-start week.

Probably Start

Caleb Smith (@SDP, @ARI)

Kenta Maeda (PHI, @COL)

Chris Archer (@OAK, @SEA)

Gio Gonzalez (@BAL, @ATL)

Luke Weaver (@MIL, PIT)

Michael Wacha (@MIL, PIT)

Dylan Bundy (WSH, NYY)

David Price (TOR, @HOU)

Rick Porcello (TOR, @HOU)

Jakob Junis (MIN, OAK)

Tyler Skaggs (@DET, TEX)

• Despite a questionable matchup against the Diamondbacks, I’d love to roll with Caleb Smith for his two-start week ahead, especially kicking it off with an evening in San Diego
• I don’t love Kenta Maeda heading to Colorado, but it’s well worth the risk as he’s as hot as anyone right now + your brass will be rewarded with the Phillies offense.
• With Shohei Ohtani getting pushed to Monday, I don’t expect him to return again for Sunday considering how they are “managing his workload,” creating a window for Tyler Skaggs to start twice on Tuesday and Sunday.
• Luke Weaver and Michael Wacha get comfortable lineups in the Brewers and Pirates and should be able to ride their recent success through the week.
• It’s too bad Dylan Bundy has to face both the Nationals and Yankees, but with the way he’s pitching, you have to favor him over the tier two options.
• Gio Gonzalez and Chris Archer get mediocre overall matchups and should be free to fly.
• I don’t like that teammates Rick Porcello and David Price have to face the Astros, but I’m willing to look past it for a start against Toronto, each with the upside to return two favorable starts.
• Jacob Junis is the one I debated the most here, though I’m leaning to take a chance on him against a Khris Davis-less A’s offense and middling Twins squad.

Questionable

Kyle Gibson (@KCR, CLE)

Vince Velasquez (@LAD, @SFG)

Jeremy Hellickson (@BAL, @ATL)

Homer Bailey (@ARI, @SDP)

Matthew Boyd (LAA, TOR)

Marco Gonzales (TEX, TBR)

Brandon McCarthy (NYM, WSH)

Dan Straily (@SDP, @ARI)

• Kyle Gibson, Homer Bailey, Dan Straily, and Brandon McCarthy each have one favorable start I’m all for, paired with one that makes me a bit uneasy. Plan accordingly to see if it’s worth the risk for your team.
• Matt Boyd and Marco Gonzales have overperformed a bit this year, though they could continue their solid starts to 2018 against teams outside the top tiers.
• Vince Velasquez gets the benefit of the Dodgers and Giants, and while I dislike his floor, I’d consider VV one of the better choices in the third tier.
• I heavily dislike chasing Jeremy Hellickson’s recent hot streak, though I will not ignore his improved curveball that could carry over through the week. Monitor his blister situation first to ensure he gets these starts.

Bench

Doug Fister (@SEA, @LAA)

Andrew Suarez (@COL, PHI)

Adam Plutko (CHW, @MIN)

Chad Bettis (SFG, LAD)

Lance Lynn (@KCR, CLE)

Daniel Gossett (TBR, @KCR)

Brent Suter (STL, @CHW)

Tyler Chatwood (@PIT, @NYM)

Steven Matz (@ATL, CHC)

Felix Hernandez (TEX, TBR)

Chad Kuhl (CHC, @STL)

Ivan Nova (CHC, @STL)

Matt Koch (CIN, MIA)

Aaron Sanchez (@BOS, @DET)

Eric Lauer (MIA, CIN)

Dylan Covey (@CLE, MIL)

Domingo German (HOU, @BAL)

CC Sabathia (HOU, @BAL)

Alex Cobb (WSH, NYY)

• Plenty of clear of options for you to avoid here, with overall risky plays like Daniel Gossett and Dylan Covey making up the fourth tier paired with a few questionable pitchers with bad matchups (Domingo German, CC Sabathia, Steven Matz, Chad Kuhl, Aaron Sanchez).
• I know some will be tempted to chase Felix Hernandez and Tyler Chatwood, but I just don’t trust their talent enough for you to chase it.