Analyzing Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 16 (7/24 – 7/30)

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

Jacob deGrom (@SDP, @SEA) 

Gerrit Cole (@SFG, @SDP) 

James Paxton (BOS, NYM) 

Jose Berrios (@LAD, @OAK) 

Zack Greinke (ATL, @STL) 

Probably Start

Brad Peacock (@PHI, @DET) – Peacock has three straight Quality Starts and plenty of Ks to his name. Let him fly and hope he gets that second start if the Astros elect to add another piece.

Dan Straily (@TEX, CIN) – He hasn’t looked like the stud from the first half, but I’d still roll him out there twice when he’s not facing elite offenses.

Eduardo Rodriguez (@SEA, KCR) – Eduardo’s first start had some rough patches and I can understand some hesitation against Seattle. It’s a low enough risk to ensure a start in Kansas City.

Jacob Faria (BAL, @NYY) – 10 Walks in his last three games isn’t the most encouraging, though it’s not enough to prevent me from rolling with him.

Luis Castillo (@NYY, @MIA) – There’s no hiding my love for Castillo and with the Yankees near the bottom of wOBA over the last month, you shouldn’t have hesitation to let him fly.

Patrick Corbin (ATL, @STL) – I’m a bit shocked I have Corbin this high, but there’s little denying the run he’s been on and he gets two solid matchups next week.

Gio Gonzalez (MIL, COL) – The regression may be starting to hit, though I think you still need to throw Gio out there until we know more.

Sonny Gray (@TOR, MIN) – This could change if Gray is shipped off to another squad, but for now he looks like a good play against a pair of decent but not intimidating offenses.

Questionable

Aaron Sanchez (OAK, LAA) – Is he even getting these starts? If so, would he be able to find a rhythm against weak offenses? Too many questions, too few answers. I’d guess that he’s missing the first start, but as of he has two. Whoever would replace him shouldn’t be rostered either.

Jordan Montgomery (CIN, TBR) – It’s weird for me to say that Monty is a questionable, but the Reds + Rays are no joke offensively and The Bear just hasn’t been performing as good as he should be. I’d be running with this though it will be with hesitation.

Justin Verlander (KCR, HOU) – Verlander looked great last time out and this could be more of the same, but the Astros are a fearsome group and I’d proceed with caution if I had to double-down for the week ahead. Keep in mind, like Sonny, Verlander might be on a different team before his gets his Houston start.

Kevin Gausman (@TBR, @TEX) – Gausman has looked much improved over the last month making me consider rolling with him in desperate situations.

Kyle Hendricks (CHW, @MIL) – Hendricks is returning from the DL, which screams DLH, amplified by his historically questionable IPS numbers. Still, he’s a better play than those in the bottom tier.

Lance Lynn (COL, ARI) – Lynn is a prime regression candidate and these teams don’t do him any favors. At the same time, he is on a decent roll and could keep it up despite the matchups and peripherals.

Vince Velasquez (HOU, ATL) – I want all of that Atlanta start, but the date with Houston is tough to stomach.

Jhoulys Chacin (NYM, PIT) – Chacin has surprisingly been effective lately and with two great matchups ahead, he suddenly becomes an option for those in dire need.

Carlos Rodon (@CHC, CLE) – Rodon is a PEAS and can’t be trusted start-to-start. It’s possible he strings together a pair of good outings, but it could hurt you plenty for a full week.

Seth Lugo (@SDP, @SEA) – The Padres start is definitely intriguing and while I don’t like Lugo much, I can see that he’s a better option that those in fourth level. I’d hate to be forced into this, though.

Bench

Clayton Richard (NYM, PIT) – Even with two good matchups, it’s still the wrong Clayton. I can fathom Richard doing fine in one of these, but the chances are not in your favor to start him twice.

Josh Tomlin (CIN, CWS) – It’s up in the air if Kluber will be starting on Sunday or on Monday, if it’s Sunday, Tomlin would be the sole man in the six-man rotation to get two starts next week, which we obviously don’t want since Tomlin is not fantasy relevant.

Antonio Senzatela (@STL, @WSH) – He’s outside of Coors, but a date with the Nats is terrible and there is no safety guaranteed against the Cardinals.

Blake Snell (BAL, @NYY) – Snell really shouldn’t be a part of the Rays rotation anymore if the team wants to be competitive in the AL East, but here he is and ready to kill your week.

Francisco Liriano (OAK, LAA) – Liriano couldn’t even get through two frames on Thursday, how could we think these would be better?

Jason Hammel (@DET, @BOS) – There is slight intrigue with Hammel, but the Tigers + Red Sox are making this an easy choice.

Jesse Chavez (@CLE, @TOR) – Chavez simply isn’t someone you ever want to roll with. Unless he’s giving you ride down the block in his sweet whip. I wouldn’t call 1.36 “sweet”. And we’re done here.

Jharel Cotton (@TOR, MIN) – Cotton had blister issues previous – who hasn’t – and is set to return early next week in time for two starts. I wouldn’t bank on those outings benefiting your team.

John Lackey (CHW, @MIL) – It’s sad to see Lackey falter so much this year, but here we are. He’s just not an option I trust on any night.

Martin Perez (MIA, BAL) – I don’t think anyone is shocked by this. I wonder if getting the Phils back-to-back would even make a difference.

Miguel Gonzalez (@CHC, CLE) – Miguel…no.

Mike Leake (COL, ARI) – I’d take a moment to consider him for the third tier if he weren’t facing the Rockies and Diamondbacks. An easy decision.

R.a. Dickey (@ARI, @PHI) – Don’t Trust A Knuckleballer.

Tim Adleman (@CLE, @MIA) – If you’re really desperate for strikeouts, I can understand you going with this, but in the heavy majority of cases the floor is lava and you don’t want to take the chance of landing in it.

Zach Davies (@WSH, CHC) – We’re so far away from this being a good idea.