Analyzing Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 5 (5/1 – 5/7)

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

Chris Sale (BAL, @MIN)

Clayton Kershaw (SFG, SDP)

Danny Duffy (CHW, CLE)

Dylan Bundy (@BOS, CHW)

Gerrit Cole (@CIN, MIL)

Johnny Cueto (@CIN, @LAD)

Jon Lester (PHI, NYY)

Jose Quintana (@BAL, @KCR)

Julio Teheran (NYM, STL)

James Paxton (LAA, TEX)

Corey Kluber (@DET, @KCR)

Justin Verlander (CLE, @OAK)

Lance McCullers (TEX, @LAA)

Noah Syndergaard (@ATL, MIA)

Probably Start

Cole Hamels (@HOU, @SEA) – Am I a fan of Hamels? Not really. Am I scared enough to not throw him out for both of these starts? Nope.

Carlos Martinez (@ATL, MIL) – I was tempted to throw him in the top tier, but it’s hard to turn a blind eye to his inconsistencies lately. A clear two-starter but not as clean-cut.

Luis Severino (@CHC, TOR) – Severino is on fire and I don’t care if he’s facing the Cubs, you start him.

Marco Estrada (@NYY, @TBR) – Estrada is locked in and I’m not too afraid of the hot/cold Yankee offense to turn down two starts.

Rick Porcello (BAL, @MIN) – Porcello took a step forward last time out and the Orioles offense has yet to click.

Matt Shoemaker (HOU, @SEA) – Easily the grayest choice in the tier, but I think I trust Shoemaker enough to go after his upside and risk the floor.

Questionable

Zach Davies (@STL, @PIT) – Davies rebounded last time out and gets a pair of good matchups. Still, the early season woes have to be considered.

Tanner Roark (ARI, @PHI) – He’s not looking all too great but I can’t say no to Roark against the Phils.

Brett Anderson (PHI, NYY) – This could be a pair of cheap Wins – at least against the Phillies – though be wary of the ERA/WHIP hit you might take.

Trevor Bauer (@DET, @KCR) – Bauer struck out a ton last time out and the JD MArtinez/Miguel Cabrera might not be fully back in their groove after DL stints.

Alex Cobb (@MIA, TOR) – Cobb isn’t my favorite arm these days but the Jays and Marlins may not put up enough of a fight to prevent two beneficial outings.

Jake Odorizzi (@MIA, TOR) – Odorizzi is returning from the DL and I’m a bit cautious throwing him out there the first time. However, an evening with the Jays is right up my alley.

Robert Gsellman (@ATL, MIA) – I know it’s been rough thus far, but his still holding an xFIP below 3.50 and his stuff is much better than the results detail.

Wade Miley (@BOS, CHW) – Shocking to be putting Miley here when a Red Sox start is included, but it’s hard to look over his recent performances as he’s a big risk but decent upside play if you’re desperate.

Edinson Volquez (TBR, @NYM) – 3/5 starts thus far have been 2 ER or fewer and there’s a chance he pulls it off at least once against mediocre offenses.

Adam Wainwright (@ATL, MIL) – Waino has not been sharp but if you need a two-start option you could do worse chasing his upside + a date with the Braves

Bench

Daniel Norris (CLE, @OAK) – Norris simply isn’t in the place I want him to be and I can’t be endorsing him until he figures it out.

Sean Manaea (DET, @MIN) – It’s not clear if he’s getting these starts yet and I don’t really like trusting him after showing diminished velocity last time out.

Tyler Chatwood (ARI, @SDP) – That start in San Diego could be beneficial, though Chatwood in Coors against the Diamondbacks is a terrible thing.

Andrew Cashner (@HOU, @SEA) – There’s a reason he’s on your waiver wire.

Hector Santiago (BOS, OAK) – It’s feasible that Santiago could escape the week unscathed, though it’s not enough of a chance to risk his low floor.

Dylan Covey (@BAL, @KCR) – Covey has looked far from decent thus far and he’s not a good option regardless of matchups.

Jeremy Hellickson (@CHC, WSH) – I’m well aware of Hellickson’s hot start to 2017, I worry that his major dependency on the BABIP Gods will burn his against two of the best offenses you’ll find.

Mike Fiers (TEX, @LAA) – Fiers hasn’t been a decent arm for a long time.

Nathan Karns (CHW, CLE) – I’m not going anywhere near Karns these days.

R.A. Dickey (NYM, STL) – Don’t Trust A Knuckleballer.

Rookie Davis (PIT, SFG) – Davis has looked like a Cup of Schmo from the get-go and there’s little reason to think that will change this week.

Scott Feldman (PIT, SFG) – Not the worst option here in the bottom tier, just one where you don’t know what you’re going to get and the upside is limited.

Trevor Cahill (COL, LAD) – Despite the uptick of strikeouts, Cahill’s poor matchups made this an easy call.

Tyler Glasnow (@CIN, MIL) – Until those walks take a dramatic tumble, Glasnow will not be on my roster.

Vince Velasquez (@CHC, WSH) – With the way Velasquez is currently going, I’m not thrusting him out there against two premier offenses.

Wei-Yin Chen (TBR, @NYM) – A pair of poor teams doesn’t fix Chen’s lack of Fastball command.

Wily Peralta (@STL, @PIT) – Peralta is back to his old ways and I’m not banking on a rebound.