Ranking Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 13 (6/25 – 7/1)

(Photo by Shelley Lipton/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

Jameson Taillon (@NYM, @SDP)

J.A. Happ (@HOU, DET)

James Paxton (@BAL, KCR)

Corey Kluber (@STL, @OAK)

Michael Fulmer (OAK, @TOR)

Charlie Morton (TOR, @TBR)

Jon Lester (@LAD, MIN)

Ross Stripling (CHC, COL)

Gerrit Cole (TOR, @TBR)

• I debated most about J.A. Happ as he’s the only stud here who gets a tough opponent (save for Ross Stripling and the Cubs, Houston is a bit more dangerous, though). Nevertheless, Happ could return production there while the Tigers should return major dividends.
• Let’s all collectively hold hands and pray that Michael Fulmer can survive the sixth inning against two meh opponents.
• I’m still waiting for the ball to drop with Jon Lester, but I can’t turn away from two starts against hte Dodgers and Twins
• Charlie Morton has two easy starts here, though I can’t shake the idea that his recent spike in walks may burn him. Still roll with him, of course, and let’s hope the free passes dwindle.

Probably Start

David Price (LAA, @NYY)

Michael Soroka (CIN, @STL)

Joey Lucchesi (@TEX, PIT)

Kevin Gausman (SEA, LAA)

Gio Gonzalez (@TBR, @PHI)

Freddy Peralta (KCR, @CIN)

Zack Godley (@MIA, SFG)

Jake Arrieta (NYY, WSH)

Kenta Maeda (CHC, COL)

Cole Hamels (SDP, CHW)

Reynaldo Lopez (MIN, @TEX)

• Plenty of good options this week, though not many that are widely available on waiver wires. The closest calls here are Cole Hamels (terrible lineups), Reynaldo Lopez (bad opponents but volatile), Freddy Peralta (a Cherry Bomb against two poor offenses), and Joey Lucchesi (will a start against the Rangers be enough for him to get in a good groove for the Pirates?)
• Gio Gonzalez and Kevin Gausman have each had missteps lately, but are still worth the bid for the two start week ahead against easier opponents
• Zack Godley has looked improved in his last three, making him a bit easier to endorse with the Giants ahead. Praise the Marlins.
• It wasn’t a strong performance from Michael Soroka last time out, but don’t let that turn you away from the Reds and Cards.

Questionable

Seth Lugo (PIT, @MIA)

Tyler Skaggs? (@BOS, @BAL)

Mike Montgomery (@LAD, MIN)

Jakob Junis (LAA, @SEA)

Lance Lynn (@CHW, @CHC)

Frankie Montas (@DET, CLE)

Felix Hernandez (@BAL, KCR)

Jonathan Loaisiga (@PHI, BOS)

Vince Velasquez (NYY, WSH)

• I can understand some waiting to lift Mike Montgomery into the second tier, though I recognize his floor is a bit lower than what he’s shown in the rotation thus far.
• Felix Hernandez gets two weak opponents after cruising through the Yankee and Red Sox lineups, though it’s not a lock that his small two-start sample will stick after a lot of pain prior.
• I’m far from a fan of Jonathan Loaisiga against the Red Sox, though he may be able to get enough strikeouts to make that start + an easy matchup with the Phillies worthwhile.
• There’s still confusion if Tyler Skaggs will miss another start after his late scratch Thursday. If he does go two, it could spell disaster against the Sawx, while you should be game for the Orioles.

Bench

Jordan Zimmermann (OAK, @TOR)

Andrew Cashner (SEA, LAA)

Shelby Miller (@MIA, SFG)

Dan Straily (ARI, NYM)

Felix Pena? (@BOS, @BAL)

Chris Bassitt (@DET, CLE)

Nathan Eovaldi (WSH, HOU)

Matt Harvey (@ATL, MIL)

John Gant? (CLE, ATL)

John Lamb (@BOS, @BAL)

Tyler Mahle (@ATL, MIL)

Jose Urena? (ARI, NYM)

Chad Bettis (@SFG, @LAD)

Derek Holland (COL, @ARI)

• It’s not known if Jose Urena is healthy after he felt something in his arm after his last start. Even so, his low ceiling makes him an easy arm to lay off this week
• Some pitchers here are never worth your time, including John Lamb, Andrew Casher, Jordan Zimmermann, Chad Bettis, Dan Straily, Chris Bassitt, Felix Pena, and Derek Holland.
• I can fathom Matt Harvey cultivating trust as the season continues, but not against the Braves and Brewers.
• Shelby Miller is returning from TJS, making for an easy DLH even against the Marlins, then the Giants are no joke.
• Poor Nathan Eovaldi, he’ll get easy matchups (finally!) after this week.
• With Michael Wacha hitting the DL, John Gant may get two starts in the week ahead. With the Indians and Braves in his sights, it makes for an easy bench.