(Photo by Gerry Angus/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
Kyle Hendricks (PHI, PIT)
Eduardo Rodriguez (DET, CHW)
Luis Severino (@DET, @NYM)
Dallas Keuchel (SEA, @TEX)
Dylan Bundy (@NYM, @TOR)
Corey Kluber (MIL, @DET)
James Paxton (@HOU, @TBR)
- Corey Kluber, James Paxton, and Luis Severino should be started everywhere regardless of opponent.
- Dylan Bundy and Eduardo Rodriguez get bumped due to a pair of great matchups ahead, making for an easy call in the top tier.
- There’s a small question if Kyle Hendricks and Dallas Keuchel belong in Tier 1, but I think there chances of making it worthwhile are a decent jump than those below them.
Probably Start
Fernando Romero (CHW, LAA)
Ross Stripling (@PIT, ATL)
Carlos Martinez (MIA, @CIN)
Sean Manaea (@TEX, KCR)
- Sean Manaea and Fernando Romero aren’t in good spots, but each provides upside with decent matchups that make them worth the gamble for the week ahead.
- Meanwhile, Ross Stripling is on an absolute tear and even though the Pirates and Braves bring hesitation, it would be a hard case to suggest a bench here.
- It’s a possible DLH situation for Carlos Martinez as he returns on Tuesday, making it the only reason why he’s not in the top tier.
Questionable
Zack Godley (@SFG, @COL)
Julio Teheran (@SDP, @LAD)
Joe Musgrove (LAD, @CHC)
Kyle Freeland (@CIN, ARI)
David Hess (@NYM, @TOR)
Nick Tropeano? (KCR, @MIN)
CC Sabathia (@DET, @NYM)
- I want to believe in Zack Godley, but he’s heading into Coors and that doesn’t spell rebound. There’s a chance he survives while benefiting from a matchup against the Giants, but take caution.
- Y’all know I hate believing in Julio Teheran but a pair of road starts against weak teams could go his way.
- Kyle Freeland is part of the Rocky Mountain Way and starts in Cincinnati while hosting a poor Arizona team in Coors may be a worthy investment.
- I wasn’t incredibly impressed with Joe Musgrove’s latest start, but he could adapt in another matchup against the Cubs, while the Dodgers aren’t enough to turn away.
- CC Sabathia isn’t a flashy option, but starts against the Tigers and Mets deserve your attention.
- I really don’t like banking on David Hess but he’s armed with a good enough slider that has a chance to produce across a full week against bad offenses.
- It’s unclear if Nick Tropeano will get two-starts with the Angels possibly sticking in a six-man situation, but if he does Tropeano gets two middling lineups that has a decent chance of working well.
Bench
Clayton Richard (ATL, @MIA)
Danny Duffy (@LAA, @OAK)
Brad Keller (@LAA, @OAK)
Lucas Giolito (@MIN, @BOS)
Jose Urena (@STL, SDP)
Sal Romano (COL, STL)
Marco Estrada (NYY, BAL)
Zach Eflin (@CHC, MIL)
Mike Fiers (NYY, CLE)
Nathan Eovaldi (@WSH, SEA)
Matt Moore (OAK, HOU)
Ryan Carpenter (@BOS, CLE)
- Ryan Carpenter, Mike Fiers, Matt Moore, Sal Comano, Lucas Giolito, Brad Keller, and Marco Estrada are all very easy benches, all holding minimal fantasy relevancy nor boasting the matchups to make the considerable in Week 10.
- If Nathan Eovaldi had an easier schedule ahead, I’d have considered a move to Tier 3, but the Nationals and Mariners are enough to steer clear.
- The same goes for Zach Eflin who I can see as an occasional streamer. The Cubs and Brewers are not starts you want to commit to.
- There may some people chasing the rare upside of Clayton Richard, but that Atlanta start should ruin any possible return against the Marlins.
- Speaking of Marlins, some may want to consider Jose Urena as he faces the Cardinals and Padres, though putting faith in Urena against any major league team, let alone twice in a week, is a recipe for disaster.
- Lastly, we all want to believe Danny Duffy can rebound this year, but I wouldn’t bank on it happening against the Angels and Athletics.
Will Lopez have two starts next week? I guess bench if he’s facing MIN and BOS?
Hess’ 2 starts (@NYM, @TOR) or Clevinger’s 1 start (@DET) next week in H2H points league? Obvi Clevinger is better pitcher. Thanks in advance
Are we sure about Kluber getting 2 starts? Looks like the tribe only plays 5 games next week.
Urena and Duffy have been plucked from the trash pile in my league and have actually our performed some of my middle round SPs over the past 2-3 starts. It probably won’t continue but I would lean towards QUESTIONABLE rather than BENCH.