Reviewing Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 23 (9/4 – 9/10)

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

Carlos Martinez (@SDP, PIT) 

Dallas Keuchel (@SEA, @OAK) 

Jake Arrieta (@PIT, MIL) 

Stephen Strasburg (@MIA, PHI) 

Jose Berrios (@TBR, @KCR) 

• Not much to say here, everyone gets cushy schedules and you’d be starting them even against tough teams, with the close exception of Jose Berrios. Start them all with confidence.

Probably Start

Robbie Ray (@LAD, SDP) 

Jose Quintana (@PIT, MIL) 

Gio Gonzalez (@MIA, PHI) 

Chase Anderson (@CIN, @CHC) 

Danny Salazar (@CHW, BAL) 

Kenta Maeda (ARI, COL) 

Michael Wacha (@SDP, PIT) 

• We don’t know what to expect from Danny Salazar when he returns, but two average-to-poor lineups give him a higher floor than most when returning from the DL.
• I battled with Chase Anderson’s placement, but I think his talent exceeds the tough matchups he has ahead, bumping him above those in the second tier.
• The steal here is Michael Wacha who may be available in some of your leagues as he gets the Padres and Pirates – two of the worst offenses in the business.

Questionable

Danny Duffy? (@DET, MIN) 

Robert Stephenson (MIL, @NYM) 

Adam Conley (WSH, @ATL) 

Alex Cobb (MIN, @BOS) 

J.A. Happ (@BOS, DET) 

Zach Davies (@CIN, @CHC) 

Mark Leiter Jr. (@NYM, @WSH) 

Rafael Montero (PHI, CIN) 

Rick Porcello (TOR, TBR) 

German Marquez (SFG, @LAD) 

Hyun-Jin Ryu (ARI, COL) 

• Danny Duffy is expected to return this week, but that’s still wildly up in the air given the enigmatic nature of his injury and the Burger King incident. Keep that in mind
• Plenty of intriguing names if you’re desperate for starts. Mark Leiter Jr. could provide some value as I’m not nearly as afraid of the Nationals as I was with Harper around and the Mets are…the Mets. Same goes for Adam Conley who gets the Nats and Braves and could be decent if you need more Ks than your average single start.
• Rafael Montero has been pitching well as of late and while it could spell trouble in a repeat start against the Reds, he may be worth the risk when the Phils are involved.
• It’s unfortunate that the hot Zach Davies runs into both the Reds and Cubs, though it’s not enough to warrant a full on bench. Play it according to your situation
• I like starting J.A. Happ against the Tigers, but the Red Sox may give him a bit of trouble.
• After tallying the strikeouts in two straight starts, it’s hard to resist Roberrt Stephenson against the Brewers and Mets, but his apparent floor with an inflated walk rate has his upside capped at the third tier for now.
• Facing the Diamondbacks and Rockies normally spells for a sit, but since Hyun-Jin Ryu is hosting both squads, there’s a chance he can squeak by with two starts of production. Keep an eye on the Dodgers’ expected schedule though, you never know if things change at the last moment.

Bench

Andrew Cashner (@ATL, NYY) 

Chad Kuhl (CHC, @STL) 

Chris Smith (LAA, HOU) 

Chad Bettis (SFG, @LAD) 

Homer Bailey (MIL, @NYM) 

Bartolo Colon (@TBR, @KCR) 

Ivan Nova (CHC, @STL) 

Jaime Garcia (@BAL, @TEX) 

James Shields (CLE, SFG) 

Jason Vargas (@DET, MIN) 

Jerad Eickhoff Mystery Phillies Starter (@NYM, @WSH) 

Julio Teheran (TEX, MIA) 

Kendall Graveman (LAA, HOU) 

Matt Moore (@COL, @CHW) 

Sean Newcomb (TEX, MIA) 

Travis Wood (STL, @ARI) 

Troy Scribner (@OAK, @SEA) 

Vance Worley (WSH, @ATL) 

• If you need to pick one from this tier, it would be a toss up between Julio Teheran, Andrew Cashner, and Jason Vargas. All have had their moments in the limelight, though each can be considered a TEEs and have floors make me stay away in most situations.
• There may have been some intrigue with Kendall Graveman, but after a poor outing last time out and a date with the Astros, he’s an easy sit.
• Some may still be holding onto Ivan Nova, but he hasn’t been consistent since April and dates with the Cards + Cubs does not spell a fun time.
• It’s possible that Homer Bailey can spin a pair of good outings against the Brewers and Mets, though his collection of blowups this year has me not wanting to take the gamble.