Ranking Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 18 (8/6 – 8/12)

(Photo by Kevin Abele/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 Saturday evening, estimating probable starters through the week. These are subject to change.

Definitely Start

Carlos Carrasco (MIN, @CHW)

Trevor Bauer (MIN, @CHW)

Noah Syndergaard (CIN, @MIA)

Charlie Morton (@SFG, SEA)

Max Scherzer (ATL, @CHC)

• These guys all have the AGA label. It’s a bit fortunate that Max Scherzer, the #1 SP, is the one with the toughest schedule. The man can take it.

Probably Start

Jameson Taillon (@COL, @SFG)

Kyle Gibson (@CLE, @DET)

Jake Arrieta (@ARI, @SDP)

Zack Godley (PHI, @CIN)

Cole Hamels (@KCR, WSH)

CC Sabathia (@CHW, TEX)

Chase Anderson (SDP, @ATL)

Sean Newcomb (@WSH, MIL)

Sean Manaea (LAD, @LAA)

• I’m a bit shaky on Taillon in Coors, but it’s not a lock that he struggles and I love the start set up for him in San Fran.
• Good cheaper options include Chase Anderson (2.00 ERA last eight starts!), Cole Hamels (9 Ks in debut start for Cubs), Zack Godley (Looked as good as ever last time out), and CC Sabathia (Good matchups + sturdy floor).

Questionable

Joe Musgrove (@COL, @SFG)

Kyle Freeland (PIT, LAD)

Drew Pomeranz (@TOR, @BAL)

Lance Lynn (@CHW, TEX)

Matthew Boyd (@LAA, MIN)

Luke Weaver (@MIA, @KCR)

Dan Straily (STL, NYM)

Dereck Rodriguez (HOU, PIT)

• There are some decent discount options here to be had. Lance Lynn makes his first two starts for the Yankees, Dan Straily faces two weak teams in the Cards and Mets, and Matthew Boyd gets the Angels and Twins while on a little hot streak of his own.
• I debated a bit about slotting both Dereck Rodriguez and Joe Musgrove here with the Astros and Coors. They are a bit risky but could have the upside to pull off a good week.
• Drew Pomeranz is back from the DL and while I don’t love his approach at the moment, representing the Red Sox against the Jays and Orioles should work out decently well.
• I have my hesitations overall with Kyle Freeland, especially hosting a pair of teams in Coors. Still, it’s possible his 2018 magic lasts a little longer and I’d take that chance over the bottom tier.
• It’s tough for me to have any faith in Luke Weaver helping, but if he’s going to do it, the Marlins and Royals would be the teams to face.

Bench

Jakob Junis (CHC, STL)

Nick Tropeano (DET, OAK)

Dylan Covey (NYY, CLE)

Wade Leblanc (@TEX, @HOU)

Bartolo Colon (SEA, @NYY)

Adalberto Mejia (@CLE, @DET)

Antonio Senzatela (PIT, LAD)

Robbie Erlin (@MIL, PHI)

Alex Cobb (@TBR, BOS)

Felix Hernandez (@TEX, @HOU)

Yovani Gallardo (SEA, @NYY)

Marcus Stroman (BOS, TBR)

Andrew Cashner (@TBR, BOS)

• All pretty easy choices to fall to the bottom tier this week.
• Jake Junis, Nick Tropenao, and Wade LeBlanc would have been considered for the third tier if they each didn’t have at least one tough matchup.
• It’s not a great idea to be a Marcus Stroman owner for the next two weeks as he’ll get the Yankees after this gauntlet of Red Sox and Rays.
• Prince Felix Hernandez has seen better days and a date with the Astros makes this an easy pass.