Reviewing Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 22 (8/29 – 9/3)

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 (@TOR, @NYY) 

Corey Kluber (@NYY, @DET) 

Luis Severino (CLE, BOS) 

Jake Arrieta (PIT, ATL) 

Stephen Strasburg (MIA, @MIL) 

• Clear choices here. The one question may be Luis Severino against two tough teams in the Red Sox and Indians, but there’s no way I’m sitting him giving how well he’s performed this year.

Probably Start

Ervin Santana (CHW, KCR) 

Drew Pomeranz (@TOR, @NYY) 

Jeff Samardzija (@SDP, STL) 

Marcus Stroman (BOS, @BAL) 

Trevor Bauer (@NYY, @DET) 

Luke Weaver (@MIL, @SFG) 

Rich Hill (@ARI, @SDP) 

• It’s weird seeing Ervin Santana back in the second tier, but with two cushy matchups ahead he needs to be slotted here.
• Marcus Stroman would be in the higher tier if he weren’t facing a tough Sawx team and a high ceiling Orioles offense.
• Even with Rich Hill pitching a no-hitter and near perfect game, a date in Arizona makes him not a sure-fire arm for the week ahead.
• With Adam Wainwright missing plenty of time, Luke Weaver has a two-start week ahead and you should take full advantage of it as he faces the Brewers and Giants. Don’t forget, he’s coming off a 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 10 K start against the Padres.

Questionable

Andrew Heaney (OAK, @TEX) 

Mike Montgomery (PIT, ATL)

Edwin Jackson (MIA, @MIL) 

Hyun-Jin Ryu (@ARI, @SDP) 

Matt Moore (@SDP, STL) 

Nick Pivetta (ATL, @MIA) 

Zack Godley (LAD, @COL) 

Jhoulys Chacin (SFG, LAD) 

Mike Fiers (TEX, NYM) 

Michael Fulmer (@COL, CLE) 

• I debated plenty about where to place Jhoulys Chacin and Michael Fulmer. With Chacin, he’s a decent start for the Giants but there’s plenty of conern with the Dodgers. Fulmer has to head to Coors, which should be avoided, but I can see him turning it around against the Indians.
• Zack Godley is an arm I’d love to start in most scenarios, but two difficult games in Coors and against the Dodgers pushes him into the third tier. It’s still possible he succeeds, but it’s a tough play to make.
• Matt Moore has been pitching much better in his last three starts and gets two weak lineups ahead, giving him consideration as a once-a-year lock for the week.
• Surprisingly, Mike Fiers looked better in his recent outing and could be a beneficial arm for two starts against the Mets and Rangers.
• After returning from Tommy John Surgery, Andrew Heaney has surrendered song longballs in 10 innings. Fortunately for him, he’s getting two mediocre offenses in the A’s and Rangers, giving him a good opportunity to get on track.
• With Jon Lester on the DL, Mike Montgomery takes his place against two below average teams. It’s possible Lester returns soon enough to snatch the second start away from Monty, but if goes twice, he should be a solid backup plan for those needing the starts.

Bench

Andrew Cashner (@HOU, LAA) 

Mark Leiter Jr. (ATL, @MIA) 

Chris Flexen (@CIN, @HOU) 

Austin Pruitt (@KCR, @CHW) 

Antonio Senzatela (DET, ARI) 

Asher Wojciechowski (NYM, @PIT) 

Ian Kennedy (TBR, @MIN) 

Jaime Garcia (CLE, BOS) 

James Shields (@MIN, TBR) 

Jordan Zimmermann (@COL, CLE) 

Jose Urena (@WSH, PHI) 

Justin Nicolino (@WSH, PHI) 

Lucas Sims (@PHI, @CHC) 

Luis Perdomo (SFG, LAD) 

Marco Gonzales (@BAL, OAK) 

Matt Garza (STL, WSH) 

R.A. Dickey (@PHI, @CHC) 

Tom Koehler (BOS, @BAL) 

Trevor Williams (@CHC, CIN) 

Wade Miley (SEA, TOR) 

• I questioned if Mark Leiter Jr. should be pushed into the third tier with a date against the Braves and an average matchup against the Marlins. It’s still up in the air if he will be a good streamer the rest of the way or fade from fantasy relevancy. Keep him in mind if you’re digging through this bottom tier.
• It’s a pretty clear week of sits all around here, with many receiving poor matchups, or simply being an arm that hasn’t been reliable in any fashion. It’s possible Jose Urena or Luis Perdomo could have been considered in the third tier, but with each getting one difficult outing (Dodgers, Nationals), they are easy benches.
• The one arm here with poor lineups ahead is Austin Pruitt, though he’s still a major risk regardless of his solid matchups.