Here on Fridays 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.
Let’s get to it:
Definitely Start
Carlos Carrasco (@TBR, NYM)
Carlos Rodon (@MIN, @TBR)
Matt Harvey (MIA, @CLE)
Sonny Gray (LAA, KCR)
Stephen Strasburg (ATL, @PHI)
Aaron Nola (SDP, WSH)
Gio Gonzalez (ATL, @PHI)
Patrick Corbin (@LAD, @SDP) – Even with his lackluster performance against the Diamondbacks, Corbin is still a great play for both opponents next week.
Michael Wacha (MIL, CIN) – Wacha is normally reserved in a lower tier, but he gets two great matchups that you shouldn’t miss.
Probably Start
Juan Nicasio (@DET, MIL) – The Tigers are a bit scary, though given Nicasio’s command last week, it’s worth the play especially with the Brew Crew on deck.
Aaron Sanchez (NYY, @BOS) – Sanchez looked great against the Rays, but it’s not certain that it will continue against two above average offenses.
Nick Tropeano (@OAK, @MIN) – Tropeano is getting called up to replace the injured Andrew Heaney, and he gets two excellent matchups to ease into the majors.
Wei-Yin Chen (@NYM, ATL) – The Mets aren’t swinging a mighty stick so far, making Chen’s 2nd week a good opportunity to steal some value.
Kenta Maeda (ARI, SFG) – Maeda would be in the top tier if not for facing two strong lineups. I’d still roll with him, though there is more risk here than you would like.
Jon Lester (CIN, COL) – The same applies to Lester, who really belongs in the top tier but faces one of the hottest offenses at the moment in the Rockies.
Questionable
Matt Moore (CLE, CHW) – Moore wasn’t too thrilling out of the gate, but he could do worse being slated to pitch at home against the Chi Sox and Indians.
Yovani Gallardo (@BOS, @TEX) – YoGa is a mediocre pitcher who could pull off a cheap win here and there, but the risk is always there, especially against decent offenses.
Michael Pineda (@TOR, SEA) – After allowing a trio of HRs in his 2016 debut, he doesn’t look like a safe play entering Rogers Centre. However, his home start against the Mariners could be the evening owners are starving for.
Brandon Finnegan (@CHC, @STL) – Finnegan looked excellent in the rotation for the Reds, but unfortunately he gets the Cubs in Wrigley. His start in Busch Stadium may be a good stream, however.
Chris Young (@HOU, @OAK) – Young in O.Co seems like a match made in heaven. Young in Minute Maid seems like a night in hell.
Kris Medlen (@HOU, @OAK) – Can’t say I’m a fan of Medlen going against Houston, though a matchup with the A’s can suit you well.
Derek Holland (@SEA, BAL) – Seattle should be fine for Holland, but Baltimore may give him a hard time.
Hisashi Iwakuma (TEX, @NYY) – Iwakuma has the best shot of giving owners a great week of any in this tier despite the tough matchups ahead.
James Shields (@PHI, ARI) – The Phillies are a great target for early streams, while the Dbacks are crushing the ball lately. Mix that with a poor San Diego offense and a cheap Win will be hard to find.
Andrew Cashner (@PHI, ARI) – Ditto for Cashner.
Jon Niese (@DET, MIL) – Milwaukee sounds great, but the Tigers should be avoided.
Anibal Sanchez (PIT, @HOU) – Anibal didn’t look terrible in his first start of the season, though he may face some trouble against the Pirates and Astros.
Ubaldo Jimenez (@BOS, @TEX) – Ubaldo had a great outing Thursday evening, though he may run into some trouble facing the Sox and Rangers.
Taylor Jungmann (@STL, @PIT) – This may look like a Bench at first, though Jungmann could power through the Cardinals and/or Pirates without much damage.
Bench
Clay Buchholz (BAL, TOR) – Two poor matchups following Bucky’s shaky premier start =No thank you.
Shane Greene (PIT, @HOU) – Greene doesn’t have enough upside to risk the possible collapse against two good lineups.
Colby Lewis (@SEA, BAL) – I don’t trust Lewis to capitalize against the Mariners, and the O’s are an even worse matchup.
Kyle Gibson (CHW, LAA) – Gibson’s upside isn’t worth the risk against these teams.
Collin McHugh (KCR, DET) – I’d be heavily questioning rolling with McHugh based on his horrific 1/3 of a frame on Wednesday – having him face the Royals + Tigers makes this an easy call.
Bud Norris (@WSH, @MIA) – Norris really isn’t good enough for an endorsement of any kind.
Jhoulys Chacin (@WSH, @MIA) – Despite the weak Marlins, I wouldn’t want to trust Chacin.
Charlie Morton (SDP, WSH) – Morton couldn’t take advantage of the Reds, there’s little reason to believe he can handle the Padres or Nationals.
Tyler Chatwood (SFG, @CHC) – He pitches for Colorado and gets the Giants and Cubs. ’nuff said.
Jeff Samardzija (@COL, @LAD) – Two poor matchups including a stint in Coors does not make me a happy Shark owner. Then again, I’m never a happy Shark owner.