Ranking Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 6 (5/7 – 5/13)

(Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire)

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.

Note: This article was written Friday morning, estimating probable starters through the week. These are subject to change.

Definitely Start

Carlos Martinez (MIN, @SDP)

Luis Severino (BOS, OAK)

Clayton Kershaw (ARI, CIN)

Aaron Nola (SFG, NYM)

Stephen Strasburg (@SDP, @ARI)

Jacob Degrom (@CIN, @PHI)

Dallas Keuchel (@OAK, TEX)

Blake Snell (ATL, @BAL)

Kyle Hendricks (MIA, CHW)

James Paxton (@TOR, @DET)

• Plenty of clear choices here, though we don’t know if Jacob deGrom is actually getting both starts. The Mets will be testing out his arm during catch today and see how he’s feeling. I hope they skip him, honestly.
• Blake Snell also gets the bump into the top tier despite facing the hot Braves offense. He’s proven his approach plays against any team and he’s an auto-start at this point.
• You may be hesitant to roll with Dallas Keuchel, but I think he’ll be worth the double start.

Probably Start

Jeff Samardzija (@PHI, @PIT)

Dylan Bundy (KCR, TBR)

Michael Fulmer (@TEX, SEA)

Sean Newcomb (@TBR, @MIA)

Zack Godley (@LAD, WSH)

Luis Castillo (NYM, @LAD)

Tyson Ross (WSH, STL)

• I debated a bit if Luis Castillo deserves to be here, though his velocity was a little higher last time out and the Dodgers offense minus Seager, Turner, and Puig shouldn’t be too scary. The Mets are far from a threatening team as well making me side believe that Castillo can take his elite changeup and make it worthwhile.
• Dylan Bundy is coming off two starts with a plenty worse fastball, though he’s been through phases in the past and they usually don’t last long. Getting his rhythm back against the Royals could easily be in the cards, making him ready for the Rays offense the following start.
• The slider of old is back from Tyson Ross, making him a solid play for two starts.
• Sean Newcomb may be a surprise here, though I question if the Rays can keep up their recent offensive surge by Monday. A start against the Fish is a no-brainer.

Questionable

Jon Gray (LAA, MIL)

Marcus Stroman (SEA, BOS)

Drew Pomeranz (@NYY, @TOR)

Homer Bailey (NYM, @LAD)

Fernando Romero (@STL, @LAA)

Derek Holland (@PHI, @PIT)

• I wanted to put Gray in the second tier, but back-to-back games in Coors made me a bit hesitant. Still a good play just a little riskier than I would like.
• Derek Holland squeezes in here as I can understand chasing two starts against mediocre offenses for those in need of the innings.
• There is a ton of risk in putting faith in Fernando Romero twice, though he does have the upside to make this work as the Angels have been struggling offensively.
• Homer Bailey is known as a coin-flip, and that could easily be the case this week facing the Mets and injured Dodgers.
• I hate the Drew Pomeranz start against the Yankees, though it’s possible he survives it and finds value against the Jays.
• Marcus Stroman could continue trending up, however proceed with caution as he faces the Mariners and Red Sox.

Bench

Jarlin Garcia (@CHC, ATL)

Zach Eflin (SFG, NYM)

Jeremy Hellickson (@SDP, @ARI)

Danny Duffy (@BAL, @CLE)

Jose Urena (@CHC, ATL)

Wade Miley (CLE, @COL)

Clayton Richard (WSH, STL)

Matt Moore (DET, @HOU)

• Don’t buy into the recent performance of Jeremy Hellickson, even if he does get a date with the Padres. This is not the bet you want to me.
• I considered Danny Duffy entering the third tier, but he has been a shadow of his former self this season, making me think you’re putting yourself in too much danger to start him in both.
• Jarlin Garcia has found a way to be effective in his first two outings in the majors, but I don’t expect it to stick, especially facing the premier Braves offense and heading to Wrigley.
• If you didn’t know already, Matt Moore isn’t a good choice.