Expected SP Schedules Weeks 5-6: Some Healthy Arms Return

It’s getting to a point in the year where some Spring Training injuries are healing and pitchers are returning to rotation spots that are theirs. There are also promotions. Whatever the case, there are changes happening in many rotations, short-term and otherwise.
As the season rolls along, don’t forget these few terms that may come in handy while reading the expected SP charts.

(OFF) means the team has an off-day before they play that team.

(DH) indicates a doubleheader that day.

SPOT is used when that game might be projected to be someone different than the mainstay in the rotation. Notes will explain.

??? represents an unclear rotational spot, and the notes will explain options.

Before getting to the pitching, let’s look at the most recent offensive rankings courtesy of Nick.

 

Nick’s Loose Team Offense Rankings (Updated 4/22)

 

AL East

 

Orioles’ Expected Starters

• Kyle Bradish returns this week! He was a tough loss for fantasy managers. Be wary, though, the rehab process seemed pretty short and his first start is projected to be against a tough Yankee lineup.

 

Red Sox Expected Starters

• Nick Pivetta is getting closer to returning. Chase Anderson is currently projected to start against the Giants in that spot the next time through the rotation before Pivetta returns.

 

Yankees’ Expected Starters

• In what should be a shock to nobody, the Yankees not only can hit, but they can pitch too. Walks are a tad high as a group, but they’re getting the job done overall.

 

Rays’ Expected Starters

• Ryan Pepiot seems to keep getting better and better. In his last two starts, he’s thrown 12 innings and given up only a single run while striking out 11. He’s a very intriguing arm for Tampa right now.

 

Blue Jays’ Expected Starters 

• With matchups against the Royals and Nationals taking up most of the week, this rotation should be one of interest in the coming week.

 

AL Central

 

White Sox Expected Starters

• Per our projections, Chris Flexen is set to get an early week start before Mike Clevinger makes his season debut. More clarity on that should come during the week.

 

Guardians’ Expected Starters

• The big story in regards to the Guardians rotation is that Gavin Williams was shut down due to elbow soreness while working his way back from an injury. The team hopes it won’t be a long setback.

 

Tigers’ Expected Starters

• While he’s been struggling so far this year, Kenta Maeda did throw five shutout innings against the Rays. Maybe a sign it’ll turn around. If not, the Tigers might be approaching a necessary decision to be made about the 36-year-old veteran.

 

Royals’ Expected Starters

• After Alec Marsh hit the IL following getting hit by a comebacker, Jonathan Bowlan is projected to get at least the first start for that rotation spot.

 

Twins’ Expected Starters

• It appears Louie Varland is out for the time being and Simeon Woods-Richardson is in. That may last, or it could be a rotation spot in flux. Whether that means Varland gets another shot soon or maybe David Festa.

 

AL West

 

Astros’ Expected Starters

• With J.P. France being optioned to AAA, it appears Spencer Arrighetti will have a little more time to prove himself. There are some improvements being made through three starts, but with Cristian Javier likely back in a couple of weeks, those improvements might need to speed themselves up.

 

Angels’ Expected Starters

• Reid Detmers is starting off the season very well. He’s one of 17 pitchers to have a K/9 over 10 entering the week, and of those 17 he trails only Tarik Skubal and Zack Wheeler in ERA.

 

Athletics’ Expected Starters

• Paul Blackburn had his prove-it stretch against the Cardinals and Yankees and gave up 7 combined runs over 11.2 innings while striking out 12. Take from that what you will. I’d still start him against a struggling Miami offense.

 

Mariners’ Expected Starters

• It’s not technically a spot start, but Emerson Hancock is only projected on more start in that spot before Bryan Woo presumably returns to the rotation.

 

Rangers’ Expected Starters

• The rotation isn’t likely to look like this for very long. Max Scherzer is on the way back, and it’s not Jack Leiter is probably going to get another shot at some point, too.

 

NL East

 

Atlanta Expected Starters

• Bryce Elder didn’t allow a run in his first debut start of the season, but that was also against the Marlins. With his next start scheduled to be against the Dodgers, that will be a tougher test.

 

Marlins’ Expected Starters

• Roddery Muñoz certainly had an intriguing outing in his MLB debut posting a lot of strikeouts. He seems like a good option at home against the Rockies.

 

Mets’ Expected Starters

• I jumped the gun a bit on Tylor Megill last week. He’s still rehabbing and he’s been looking good. His return means someone in this rotation is likely going to be exiting, but it won’t be this week.

 

Phillies’ Expected Starters

• Taijuan Walker returns to an already good Phillies rotation. He doesn’t raise the ceiling any, but if history is any indication he raises the group’s floor.

 

Nationals’ Expected Starters

• As much as I like Mitchell Parker and believe in the early season returns, his next two starts are projected to be against Texas and Baltimore. That will certainly test the waters for anyone on the fence about Parker.

 

Cubs’ Expected Starters

• Kyle Hendricks will be out at least through this week. When he does return that could push Ben Brown into a different role, if not a different level.

 

Reds’ Expected Starters

• With Frankie Montas heading to the IL, that means Nick Martinez is back.
• The Reds have some tough matchups this week between the Padres and Orioles.

 

Brewers’ Expected Starters

• I don’t know how long Tobias Myers will be with the Brewers, but I’m very interested in him while he’s there. Cleveland, Tampa, and San Francisco all had a hand in the development process of Myers, now Milwaukee. Smart pitching teams have liked him his whole career.

 

Pirates’ Expected Starters

• The Pirates have a really good draw this week. First is Oakland, then Colorado away from Coors.

 

Cardinals’ Expected Starters

• This veteran group should fare pretty well with matchups against the Tigers and White Sox this week.

 

NL West

 

DBacks’ Expected Starters

• It’s a hazard of being in the division, but having a week with both the Dodgers and the Padres this week isn’t ideal.

 

Rockies’ Expected Starters

• Note: Coors Field is where balls go to fly a long way. If the Rockies are at home, then their pitchers will bear the brunt of that from a value standpoint.
• If there were ever a week to consider Rockies pitchers it’s the one where they’re away all week against lower-ranked offenses. Still, proceed with caution. This rotation is near the bottom of many categories entering the week.

 

Dodgers’ Expected Starters

• Last week I had Walker Buehler listed in a rotation spot. He’s still coming back, projected after one more start from Landon Knack. Plan accordingly.

 

Padres’ Expected Starters

• Jhony Brito is projected to get starts in the potential absence of Yu Darvish. Brito has been working out of the bullpen, but as of now seems like the best option to fill starts until Darvish can return.

 

Giants’ Expected Starters

• Going to Boston isn’t a good start to the week, then things don’t get easier with the Phillies toward the end of the week.