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. The first tier features starters that are no doubters for the week ahead followed by a tier of pitchers that look like good plays but may create a hesitation or two. Players inside Questionable Starts are for deeper leagues or have one-of-two outings that should be avoid. Pitchers labeled Bench should be avoided despite their dual week ahead.
Definitely Start
Zack Greinke (@NYM, @BOS)
Chris Sale (@KCR, @MIA)
Jose Fernandez (SFG, CWS)
Michael Fulmer (@SEA, @TEX)
Rick Porcello (NYY, ARI)
Johnny Cueto (MIA, BAL)
Max Scherzer (CLE, ATL)
Probably Start
Cole Hamels (@COL, DET) – A start in Colorado mixed with an evening with the Tigers doesn’t spell instant success for Hamels.
Steven Matz (ARI, SDP) – Despite his struggles against the Yankees, I still like Matz to bounce back next week, espeically when he closes against the Padres.
Zach Davies (ATL, CIN) – Davies can steamroll through weak offenses and the Reds + Braves fit the bill.
Junior Guerra (ATL, CIN) – Just like Davies, Guerra has the stuff to take full advantage of two poor teams.
Brandon McCarthy (PHI, PIT) – There is some question if McCarthy does indeed get pushed to the start against the Phillies, but if he does, he’s a fantastic two-start option getting a pair of below average offenses.
Jason Hammel (LAA, STL) – Hammel’s history of second half struggles have stayed in the past this season, and even though he gets the hot Angels and sturdy Cardinals, he’s still a solid play.
Kevin Gausman (@OAK, @SFG) – Gaus has been on top of his game lately and the Giants aren’t enough to deter owners from a start against Oakland.
Questionable
Jake Odorizzi (@TOR, @NYY) – Rizzi is on a roll, though he’s performed well only against weak teams. Toronto is a big obstacle that he could fail to hurdle.
Tyler Anderson (TEX, @PHI) – That home start against the Rangers is very frightening for Anderson, though he should be able to contain the Phillies on the road.
Luis Severino (@BOS, TBR) – It’s exciting to see Severino back in the Yankee rotation, though I would proceed with caution. We know his floor and the Red Sox are no joke.
Michael Wacha (CIN, @CHC) – Wacha has been back-and-forth all season, though his odds are in his favor against the Reds. The Cubs aren’t a pleasant sight, making this a tough choice.
Mike Leake (CIN, @CHC) – Despite pitching poorly in his last few starts, there is still upside in Leake that could make his start against Cincy very serviceable. The Cubs start is certainly a tough play, though it might be worth it in the end.
Hector Santiago (HOU, KCR) – You could do worse than Santiago as he faces a strikeout friendly team followed the worst offensive club in the majors.
Bench
Wade Miley (@OAK, @SFG) – Even though he gets the A’s, Miley’s skills aren’t enough to instill confidence in starting him twice next week.
Rob Whalen (@MIL, @WSH) – Whalen is a Cup of Schmo for the Braves and should not be trusted.
Tyrell Jenkins (@MIL, @WSH) – Just like Whalen, Jenkins not worth your roster spot.
Cody Reed (@STL, @MIL) – Reed has him moments, but it’s not wise to bank on them emerging twice in one week.
Trevor Bauer (@WSH, LAA) – Bauer isn’t a bad play normally, though he gets a pair of top 10 offenses ahead making this a tough bench.
Collin McHugh (@MIN, @TOR) – Even with McHugh’s recent 10 K effort, I’m not banking him to repeat it against the Jays, nor do I want to face the hot Twins.
Mike Fiers (@MIN, @TOR) – Ditto for Fiers.
Edinson Volquez (CWS, @MIN) – While the White Sox start could bring some value, it’s not enough to endure Volquez against the blazing Twins.
Jered Weaver (@CHC, @CLE) – Weaver really shouldn’t be starting.
Tyler Duffey (HOU, KCR) – Duffey has his strikeout upside, yet you’re risking imploding your ERA super early in the week.
Kendall Graveman (BAL, SEA) – Regression has hit Graveman, though even if he were still going strong dates with Baltimore and Seattle warrant a bench.
Jesse Hahn (BAL, SEA) – Hahn has been struggling and these matchups do him no favors.
Zach Eflin (@LAD, COL) – Not the worst matchups for Eflin, but given how poorly he has performed lately, it’s not enough to take the risk.
Jeff Locke (SDP, @LAD) – Locke could be playing the Padres twice and I wouldn’t start him.
R.A. Dickey (TBR, HOU) – Don’t trust a knuckleballer.
Luis Perdomo (@PIT, @NYM) – There’s potential in the sinker Perdomo throws, though we may have to wait until 2017 to see it work its magic consistently.
Wade LeBlanc (DET, @OAK) – LeBlanc may not even get both starts given his dance between the rotation and bullpen. If he does still retain the starts, it’s still not worth it.
A.J. Griffin (@COL, DET) – Against the right teams, Griffin could be a streamer for a two-start week. This is not one of those weeks.