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Ranking Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 7 (5/14 – 5/20)

Nick Pollack looks at every two-start pitcher for Week 7, telling you which to start and which to bench.

(Photo by Frank Jansky/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

Carlos Carrasco (@DET, @HOU)

Miles Mikolas (@MIN, PHI)

Lance McCullers Jr. (@LAA, CLE)

Sean Manaea (@BOS, @TOR)

Rick Porcello (OAK, BAL)

Eduardo Rodriguez (OAK, BAL)

Patrick Corbin (MIL, @NYM)

Zack Greinke (MIL, @NYM)

Alex Wood (@MIA, @WSH)

  • Carlos Carrasco and Zack Greinke are easy calls given their AGA status
  • Sean Manaea is a must start even facing the Sawx considering he no-hit them in their last bout paired with a comfortable outing against the Jays.
  • There are questions about Patrick Corbin’s velocity, though good matchups make him an easy choice.
  • I’m amazed at the command of Alex Wood and you should expect it to continue against the Fish + Nats
  • Teammates Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez have both impressed mightly this year, giving them top tier status for the week ahead.
  • There’s no sign for concern with Miles Mikolas‘ pair of starts to hold you back, while the strikeout upside of Lance McCullers is enough to justify a clear Start.

Probably Start

Reynaldo Lopez (@PIT, TEX)

Nick Pivetta (@BAL, @STL)

Joey Lucchesi (COL, @PIT)

Yu Darvish (ATL, @CIN)

Jose Quintana (@ATL, @CIN)

Mike Foltynewicz (CHC, MIA)

Tyler Anderson (@SDP, @SFG)

  • Tyler Anderson gets the benefit of playing two weak opponents outside of Coors and could be a sneaky pickup even in your 12-teamers for the week ahead.
  • Yes, there are a ton of questions about Yu Darvish’s ability, though the real gamble here is against the Braves as the Reds should be a beneficial outing. I’d take the chance.
  • Reynaldo Lopez’s secondary stuff was improved in his last start, with the Pirates and Rangers acting as favorable options for a two-start week.
  • Jose Quintana and Mike Foltynewicz are both rolling and deserve your love.
  • Another fine option is Joey Lucchesi who gets decent matchups and can easily take advantage of them to give you stable production.

Questionable

Julio Teheran (@CHC, MIA)

Mike Minor (@SEA, @CHW)

Andrew Heaney (HOU, TBR)

Trevor Williams (CHW, SDP)

Mike Leake (TEX, DET)

Junior Guerra (@ARI, @MIN)

Chris Stratton (CIN, COL)

Daniel Mengden (@BOS, @TOR)

  • As much as I don’t believe in the longterm success of Julio Teheranhe does get decent matchups these week that makes him a decent play.
  • I am a fan of Andrew Henaey, though I question if a start against the Rays is worth the gaunlet against the Astros.
  • I’m not loving how Mike Minor looked in his previous start, though there’s a chance he spins a pair of solid performances, especially against the ChiSox
  • Mike Leake and Trevor Williams are not options I endorse often, though they are slated for two starts agains below average opponents and could be sneaky options.
  • Junior Guerra could pull off another gem as his fastball earned 15 whiffs last time out, while Daniel Mengden’s start against Toronto may outweight the risk of the Red Sox.
  • I don’t like believing in Chris Stratton at the moment, but he is a slight step up from Tier 4 as he hosts the Rockies and Reds in San Fran.

Bench

Sal Romano (@SFG, CHC)

Andrew Cashner (PHI, @BOS)

Jaime Garcia (@NYM, OAK)

Wade Leblanc (@MIN, DET)

Mike Fiers (CLE, @SEA)

Jake Odorizzi (SEA, MIL)

Francisco Liriano (CLE, @SEA)

Wei-Yin Chen (LAD, @ATL)

Ty Blach (CIN, COL)

 

Eric Skoglund (TBR, NYY)

  • Plenty of clear benches here including Andrew Cashner, Eric Skoglund, Wei-Yin Chen, Francisco Liriano, Wade LeBlancand Mike Fiers.
  • I can fathom a decent week from Sal Romano but his volatility and a date with the Cubs make me stay away.
  • Jaime Garcia gets the Mets, but it’s far from enough when he has an evening with the strong Oakland offense as well.
  • It’s not out of the question Ty Blach squeaks out passable outside as he hosts the Reds and Rockies, but he’s far from someone I would chase in 12-teamers.
  • The floor of Jake Odorrizi far outweighs the possible return as he faces the Mariners and Brewers.

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.

10 responses to “Ranking Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 7 (5/14 – 5/20)”

  1. Duncan Smith says:

    German Marquez not a two start pitcher this week?

  2. Joe says:

    Mahle? I’m starting him anyway but he wasn’t mentioned

    • Nick Pollack says:

      Reds have Monday + Thursday off = Mahle pitches Tuesday and the following week.

      A doubleheader on Saturday confuses things, but that’s a spot start, and I don’t think Mahle gets pushed up for a Sunday outing.

      • Joe says:

        Reds are @ Giants Monday 5/14. He is slated for tuesday, with 7 games you still think he doesnt start?

      • Joe says:

        I feel like even if he doesn’t double a single start versus the Gnats isn’t the worst matchup in the world. You think they’d call up Finnegan for the double header? I dont know enough about the reds depth to make a good call.

  3. Bbboston says:

    Nick,

    Just thinking out loud…. Clevinger needs a big bump. Between last year and this year he has strung together a season of “Ace” stats.

  4. Andrew says:

    Greinke’s a two start pitcher next week?

  5. wasntme says:

    Is Jack Flaherty now a 2-start for the week? Where would he land on this?

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