Reviewing Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 19 (8/7 – 8/13)

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.

Definitely Start

Chris Sale (@TBR, @NYY) 

Zack Godley (LAD, CHC) 

Dallas Keuchel (@CHW, @TEX) 

Carlos Martinez (@KCR, ATL) 

Carlos Carrasco (COL, @TBR) 

Jake Arrieta (@SFG, @ARI) 

Max Scherzer (MIA, SFG) 

• It’s stars and scrubs this week with a good amount of aces getting a pair of starts while plenty of poor options will be sitting on your wire and should stay there.
• All of these are clear choices, maybe save for Jake Arrieta as he has to head to Arizona. Still, he’s been pitching better as he’s increased his Sinker usage and I’d let him roll for both starts.
• Keep in mind that there is a chance that Max Scherzer could miss one of these starts as he did leave early with neck spasms in his previous start. His teammate Stephen Strasburg could possible be a two-start arm as well, though it’s currently thought that he will not be ready by Monday to pitch for the Nationals.

Probably Start

J.A. Happ (NYY, PIT) 

Michael Wacha (@KCR, ATL) 

Jason Vargas (STL, @CHW) 

Trevor Cahill (STL, @CHW)

• Even with Trevor Cahill’s recent struggles, two great matchups give him the nod for those in auto-lock leagues.
• I wouldn’t call myself a fan of Cahill’s teammate Jason Vargas, but with the same weak offenses, it makes the decision process a lot easier.
• J.A. Happ flexed his strikeout ability last time out and it could carry over in both starts against the Yankees and Pirates. Meanwhile, Michael Wacha gets two beneficial matchups versus the Royals and Braves, leading to a clear Tier 2 slot.
• Kenta Maeda would be a part of this tier if the Dodgers weren’t in a six-man rotation as well. Knowing Los Angeles, this could change in a blink of an eye, so monitor the situation.

Questionable

Dylan Bundy (@LAA, @OAK) 

Ariel Miranda (@OAK, LAA) 

Brent Suter (@MIN, CIN) 

Ervin Santana (MIL, @DET) 

• There are very third tier options this time around, and even Brent Suter is debatable here. I’m not a fan of the southpaw throwing under 88mph and a date with the Reds could very well be troubling. Still, I do see him a step above the arms available in the fourth, giving him the boost.
• The other three pitchers – Ervin Santana, Ariel Miranda, Dylan Bundy – have their warts as well, though each have a recent history of performing well (especially Santana’s complete game). Miranda and Bundy also get the benefit of poor lineups in the A’s and Angels, making them a clear cut above the “Bench” tier.
• There are some sources saying Jeremy Hellickson will be getting the Monday start and thus two games next week, though it’s not accounting for the six-man rotation of the Orioles. With the six-man, it’s Bundy on Monday and Sunday.

Bench

CC Sabathia (@TOR, BOS) 

Adalberto Mejia (MIL, @DET) 

Austin Pruitt (BOS, CLE)

Chad Kuhl (DET, @TOR) 

Chris O’Grady (@WSH, COL) 

Daniel Gossett (SEA, BAL) 

Derek Holland (HOU, KCR) 

Erick Fedde or A.J. Cole? (MIA, SFG)

Jake Thompson (@ATL, NYM) 

JC Ramirez (BAL, @SEA) 

Jhoulys Chacin (@CIN, @LAD) 

Jordan Zimmermann (@PIT, MIN) 

Luis Perdomo (@CIN, @LAD) 

Matt Garza (@MIN, CIN) 

Matthew Boyd (@PIT, MIN) 

Matt Moore (CHC, @WSH) 

Parker Bridwell (BAL, @SEA) 

Rafael Montero (TEX, @PHI) 

Sal Romano (SDP, @MIL) 

Scott Feldman (SDP, @MIL) 

Trevor Williams (DET, @TOR) 

Vance Worley (@WSH, COL) 

• This might be the largest 4th tier we’ve had in 2017, with plenty of #4 and #5 arms getting the double start next week. Many of these options are clearly not worth your time – Moore, Williams, Worley, etc. – though there are some I can fathom being serviceable if you are truly desperate, such as Scott Feldman as he gets a date with the Padres and Brewers, taking a chance on Chad Kuhl for his hot July, and even Rafael Montero with the prayers that weak offenses will negate the fact that his stuff is wildly inconsistent.
• It’s too bad the Padres have a pair of difficult opponents this week or Luis Perdomo and Jhoulys Chacin would be elevated by a tier.
• I can conceive someone wanting to run with Sal Romano, but in reality, you really don’t know what you’re going to get. It could be a 7+ K night against the Padres, but it could also be a 5 BB in 4 IP start.
• With Stephen Strasburg most likely not ready to pitch by Monday next week, Scherzer will slot into Monday’s game leaving a mystery starter for Tuesday’s outing. Edwin Jackson is slotted for Saturday’s start, making it possible for Erick Fedde or A.J. Cole to get two starts in Strasburg’s place.