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Ranking Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 11 (6/11 – 6/17)

Nick Pollack looks at every two-start pitcher for Week 11, telling you which to start and which to bench.

(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

Madison Bumgarner (@MIA, @LAD)

Patrick Corbin (PIT, NYM)

Carlos Carrasco (@CHW, MIN)

Aaron Nola (COL, @MIL)

Mike Foltynewicz (NYM, SDP)

Lance McCullers (@OAK, @KCR)

  • Madison Bumgarner, Lance McCullers, and Carlos Carrasco are clear Tier 1 options this week with easy matchups and clear upside
  • I understand not liking Patrick Corbin against the Pirates or wavering slightly at Aaron Nola against the Brewers, but you should have zero hesitations slotting them in your lineup this week.
  • Mike Foltynewicz deserves the bump to tier 1 with two poor lineups ahead and how he’s currently feeling his slider.

Probably Start

Dylan Bundy (BOS, MIA)

Eduardo Rodriguez (@BAL, @SEA)

Jack Flaherty (SDP, CHC)

Andrew Heaney? (@SEA, @OAK)

  • I debated if Eduardo Rodriguez belonged in Tier 1, but the Mariners offense should be considered and Erod still isn’t a Top 25 arm.
  • If Andrew Heaney gets two starts – Shohei Ohtani is supposed to miss at least one turn in the rotation and is the six-man rotation still in play? – he will be one of the better plays this week
  • Even with his latest struggle, I’d throw Jack Flaherty out there against the Cubs, especially if comes with a date against San Diego
  • Dylan Bundy is cruising, making me okay with a start against Boston if it comes with Miami on the backend.

Questionable

 

Jose Quintana (@MIL, @STL)

Jon Gray (@PHI, @TEX)

Junior Guerra (CHC, PHI)

Trevor Williams (@ARI, CIN)

Zack Wheeler (@ATL, @ARI)

Clay Buchholz (PIT, NYM)

Jake Odorizzi (@DET, @CLE)

Tanner Roark (@NYY, @TOR)

  • The Nationals are using a four-man rotation for now, giving Tanner Roark two starts this week. He’s a tough call with the Yankee matchup, though the Blue Jays start is one I’d love to roll Roark out there for.
  • A sneaky play may be Clay Buchholz against the Pirates and Mets. It’s a big risk against Pittsburgh, yet his newfound cutter could carve out a productive overall week when it includes a night against the Mets.
  • I’m not a fan of normally running with Trevor Williamsthough the Diamondbacks and Reds don’t scare me, and it could be serviceable.
  • Jose Quintana and Jon Gray would normally be in the second tier with these matchups, but their inconsistencies this season have them as third-rate choices
  • I love going with Junior Guerra against the Phillies, but the Cubs can be a difficult obstacle and lower Guerra to the Questionable tier.
  • You could do worse than chasing Jake Odorizzi with a start coming against the Tigers and taking a chance on surviving the Indians.

Bench

Jordan Lyles (@STL, @ATL)

Lucas Giolito (CLE, DET)

Wei-Yin Chen (SFG, @BAL)

Sam Gaviglio (@TBR, WSH)

Wade Leblanc (LAA, BOS)

Hector Santiago (CLE, DET)

Adam Plutko (@CHW, MIN)

Steven Wright  (@BAL, @SEA)

Blaine Hardy (MIN, @CHW)

Chris Stratton (@MIA, @LAD)

Trevor Richards? (SF, @BAL)

Matt Strahm (@STL, @ATL)

Chase Anderson (CHC, PHI)

CC Sabathia (WSH, TBR)

Daniel Mengden (HOU, LAA)

Mike Leake (LAA, BOS)

  • Plenty of these options are #4/#5 starters and have little fantasty relevance, making them clear bottom tier options
  • Mike Leake, Daniel Mengden, CC Sabathiaand even Sam Gaviglio would have been considered for the third tier, but their difficult matchups ahead force a bench this week
  • I can imagine Chris Stratton squeaking out production against the Marlins and Dodgers, it’s not enough to make him any sort of target, though.
  • It was a tough call for Jordan Lyles heading to the bottom tier, and in the end, I don’t think his upside for the Cardinals start is worth the low floor against the Braves
  • Despite his performance last year, we can’t expect Chase Anderson to turn it around this week against the Cubs, even if the Phillies follow.

Nick Pollack

Founder of Pitcher List. Creator of CSW, The List, and SP Roundup. Worked with MSG, FanGraphs, CBS Sports, and Washington Post. Former college pitcher, travel coach, pitching coach, and Brandeis alum. Wants every pitcher to be dope.

8 responses to “Ranking Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 11 (6/11 – 6/17)”

  1. Ryan says:

    So is Plutko coming up for sure?

  2. Johnny Ryall says:

    Happy Friday Nick!
    What are your thoughts on Jaime Barria? He seems to be doing quite well. Would you drop Gohara or Kingham for him?

  3. Doug says:

    Hey Nick,

    Why is Paxton the picture if he’s not going twice?

  4. Joe says:

    Hey Nick,

    Who do you like better this week and ROS? Heaney or Flaherty?

  5. Diamond Dave says:

    Nick, Steven Wright? What makes this potential 2-start play a comedy of errors in Points League?

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