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.
Definitely Start
Clayton Kershaw (MIA, SDP)
Madison Bumgarner (SDP, @NYM)
Noah Syndergaard (CIN, SFG)
Danny Salazar (@MIN, @PHI)
Cole Hamels (NYY, LAA)
Vincent Velasquez (@WSH, CLE)
Jordan Zimmermann (OAK, @MIN)
Chris Sale (@TOR, @BAL)
David Price (@ATL, NYY)
Ian Kennedy (@LAA, @SEA)
Carlos Martinez (@ARI, WSH)
Zack Greinke (STL, COL)
Probably Start
Joe Ross (PHI, @STL) – Keep in mind, we don’t know if Ross will be ready to go for the Phillies just yet. If he’s good to go, you’ll be happy starting him in both of these outings.
Kyle Hendricks (MIL, ATL) – Two great chances at Wins have me enjoying this two-start week from Hendricks even with his disappointing performance on Wednesday.
Gerrit Cole (@COL, CIN) – If only Cole weren’t pitching his first game in Coors…
Jaime Garcia (@ARI, WSH) – I was considering putting Garcia in the higher tier, but I understand that in some shallow leagues where you maaay want to sit Garcia here.
Raisel Iglesias (@NYM, @PIT) – Iglesias has turned it up a notch, while getting pushed out of a start in Coors to get two starts this week and face the Mets. The Baseball Gods are good.
Kevin Gausman (@TBR, CWS) – I traditionally avoid pitchers on their first start back from a DL stint, but these two below average teams present a good opportunity for Gausman.
Chris Archer (BAL, TOR) – There have been a good amount of issues with Archer lately, and he gets two tough teams in the O’s and Jays. You have to believe he’ll improve given his low 2.91 xFIP while his strikeouts are as high as ever, which means it’s in your best interest to start him,
Taijuan Walker (HOU, KCR) – Walker has been looking good as of late, and even though the Stros and Royals aren’t favorable, you should still roll with him.
Rick Porcello (@ATL, NYY) – I’m liking how Porcello looks these days, and while the Yanks could pose some trouble, it’s not enough to discourage a two-start week.
Wei-Yin Chen (@LAD, @MIL) – Chen is a great guy to trust against all but the top tiers of offensives. Fortunately, neither of these are a part of that tier.
Garrett Richards (@KCR, @TEX) – I can’t say I’m too much of a fan of these starts, but Richards is talented enough to make me lean in favor.
Ross Stripling (MIA, SDP) – Solid matchups for a good floor pitcher. Yes please!
Drew Pomeranz (@SFG, @LAD) – Pomeranz has been impressive lately, and both the Dodgers and Giants are average offensive clubs thus far
Questionable
Ubaldo Jimenez (@TBR, CWS) – Solid matchups, not so solid pitcher. Jimenez is feast or famine, so you’re taking a risk if you’re trusting him through the week.
Mike Pelfrey (OAK, @MIN) – This is really pushing the “Questionable” envelope as Pelfrey isn’t a good pitcher at all, but has a chance of earning two Wins as the Tigers could walk all over both teams.
Doug Fister (@SEA, @OAK) – I’m not a fan of Fister, though he could provide value through Wins or generally lowish ERA/WHIP against these teams.
Rich Hill (@DET, HOU) – Hill would be higher up if he didn’t have to face a pair of Top 10 offenses. You’re taking a major risk if you’re rolling with Hill, but it could be rewarding in the end.
Tom Koehler (@LAD, @MIL) – I wouldn’t favor Koehler often, but that start in Milwaukee could be solid while the Dodgers isn’t a huge deterrent.
Jimmy Nelson (@CHC, MIA) – Nelson has the upside to give you a solid outing against Miami and there’s a very small outside chance he can also perform against the Cubs. Don’t see it happening, but it’s there.
Bench
R.A. Dickey (CWS, @TBR) – I simply do not trust Dickey on any given night, let alone twice in one week.
Nathan Eovaldi (@TEX, @BOS) – With Eovaldi, it’s all about the matchups and Tex + Bos is not something you want to be involved with.
Shelby Miller (STL, COL) – Something is obviously wrong with Miller and these aren’t the best two teams for Miller to rebound against. If your league locks for the week, I wouldn’t take the risk.
Tommy Milone (CLE, @DET) – Detroit and Milone sounds like a party…for the Tigers.
Jorge De La Rosa (PIT, @ARI) – I really don’t like Colorado pitchers, and the only situation I’d consider De La Rosa is two games against weak opponents outside of Coors. This is not that week.
Chad Bettis (PIT, @ARI) – Ditto for Bettis.
Matt Wisler (BOS, @CHC) – Wisler is below average and these offenses are above average.
Kendall Graveman (@DET, HOU) – This doesn’t have a happy ending.
Julio Teheran (BOS, @CHC) – Teheran has been struggling mightily this season and it doesn’t look to change this week.
Jeff Locke (@COL, CIN) – I don’t care if he was pitching against your high school football team in his second game of the week, nothing justifies throwing Locke out against the Rockies.