Another week and yet again, another No-Hitter. This time courtesy of the veteran Corey Kluber. No-Hitters have somewhat lost their novelty this season for me because of the vast amount of them in such a short period of time. Also, a fun stat, if you face either the Mariners, the Indians, or the Rangers you have just under a 5% chance of throwing a No-Hitter. We’ve never seen anything like this, so all we can do is embrace it and that is the plan. The last few weeks I have picked a stud pitcher to throw one and seeing how that’s not really the trend, we’re going to switch it up and the pick this week is…Yusei Kikuchi. We’ll get to him later on.
Other Noteworthy news, Jacob DeGrom is set to return Tuesday lining him up for a 2 start week. Kenta Maeda was placed on the IL with an Abductor Strain. Chris Sale has started a throwing program and is pitching off a mound which is good news to hear. Noah Syndergaard’s Rehab Assignment in AAA is beginning this week, so if he’s still on the waiver wire he’s somebody to monitor closely. And lastly, Scott Kazmir pitched last week for the Giants for the first time in over 5 years! What an unlikely thing to say, but who doesn’t love a good comeback story. That’s the news, and there’s a bevy of must-start pitchers this week so let’s begin!
THE MUST STARTS:
1. Jacob DeGrom NYM: (5/25 vs COL)(5/30 vs ATL)
– I do not care that he’s coming back from the IL. If he’s pitching, he’s number one and that’s that.
2. Max Scherzer WAS: (5/25 vs CIN)(5/30 vs MIL)
– Mad Max is about as sure a thing as DeGrom. I expect these two to be battling for the CY Young at year’s end.
3. Corbin Burnes MIL: (5/25 vs SD)(5/30 @ WAS)
– 67:2. That’s his strikeout to walk ratio. He’s done that in 40.1 innings. His second start comes against Mad Max, tune in if you like strikeouts.
4. Brandon Woodruff MIL: (5/24 vs SD)(5/29 @ WAS)
– The other half of the 1-2 punch that sits atop the Brewers Rotation. He’s authoring a phenomenal season himself and is as reliable as they come at this point, thanks to a 5 pitch mix that continuously keeps hitters off balance.
5. Lucas Giolito CHW: (5/25 vs STL)(5/30 vs BAL)
– Another 1-2 punch coming at you. Giolito has had some rough outings this year but all of his peripherals are in check and if his last outing is any indication, he’s turned a corner. In his last start he went 8 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, and 11 K’s. Easily his best outing of the season and Giolito has been through similar rough patches in his career since his breakout. I’m all the way back on board.
6. Lance Lynn CHW: (5/24 vs STL)(5/29 vs BAL)
– Lynn is steady and reliable and when he’s really on, he’s light out. 46 K’s in 40.2 IP and 1.55 ERA. Like fine wine, he’s only gotten better with age.
7. Clayton Kershaw LAD: (5/25 @ HOU)(5/30 vs SF)
– 6 out of 10 starts have been of the quality variety. He has 65 K’s in 56.2 Innings and 0.95 WHIP. His start against the Giants comes against the next guy on this list.
8. Kevin Gausman SF: (5/25 @ ARI)(5/30 @ LAD)
– My hunch is he’s been a huge benefactor of the deadened ball because of his usage of his splitter which is notoriously a groundball pitch. Still you can’t take anything away from what he’s doing. Lights out is the phrase that comes to mind. 8 of 9 starts have been QS’s, and he’s striking out over a batter per inning.
9. Joe Musgrove SD: (5/25 @ MIL)(5/30 @ HOU)
– In his last start he went 7 IP with 2 H, 0 BB, and 11 K’s. He has 70 K’s and 11 walks in 51 IP this year so he is unquestionably a must-start each week.
10. John Means BAL: (5/24 @ MIN)(5/29 @ CHW)
– Another QS’s machine, as 6 of 9 starts have been of that variety. He’s holding opponents to .163 BA what more needs to be said.
11. Trevor Rogers MIA: (5/24 vs PHI)(5/29 @ BOS)
– The early favorite to win Rookie Of The Year. He has done nothing but impress. Start him in all formats.
12. Sandy Alcantara MIA: (5/25 vs PHI)(5/30 @ BOS)
– Another 1-2 punch coming up back to back in the rankings. Besides one bad start where he allowed 8 runs, he has been extremely reliable with a very solid floor. His last start came against the strikeout prone Phillies where he K’d 9 in 6 innings. Expect more of that in his first start.
13. Corey Kluber NYY: (5/25 vs TOR)(5/30 @ DET)
– The Klubot has shown that he’s still a really good pitcher. He’s gaining the trust of fantasy managers everywhere and with a start against Detroit this week he’s a solid lock for production.
14. Blake Snell SD: (5/24 @ MIL)(5/29 @ HOU)
– Snell finally got his first quality start of the season last week fanning 11 over 6 innings. He’s not going deep into games because his control has been out of whack. It could be something as simple as a mechanical issue and maybe in his last start he figured it out. His upside and strikeout potential is high and with his best start of the season having just happened he’s making the must-start list.
15. Zack Greinke HOU: (5/25 vs LAD)(5/30 vs SD)
– Both of these starts come against two other guys on this list. Both games should be entertaining to watch. Greinke has a very sturdy floor, we know exactly who is and what he offers. Start him.
16. Aaron Civale CLE: (5/25 @ DET)(5/30 vs TOR)
– Civale is another solid floor guy. His numbers aren’t flashy but he shows command of the strike zone which is his best attribute. A start against the Tigers makes him a must start.
17. Charlie Morton ATL: (5/25 @ BOS)(5/30 @ NYM ??)
– He was supposed to be a 2 start pitcher last week, it didn’t happen. This week is also in question since the Braves have 2 days off this week. I talked about last week if Morton didn’t get on track in his start against the Pirates that it was time to hit the panic button. That start never took place but he did come through and have his best start of the season against the Mets. In hopes that old Chuckie has figured something out we have to take a chance on the upside here and start him.
18. Zach Eflin PHI: (5/24 @ MIA)(5/30 @ TB)
– Again, another pitcher with a very solid floor. Eflin doesn’t get enough love but he should. He’s gone at least 6 innings in every start this year and is averaging a strikeout per inning. He’s gotten better year by year since his debut and the trend is still continuing. Start him.
19. Yusei Kikuchi SEA: (5/24 @ OAK)(5/29 vs TEX)
– I’ve been highly touting Kikuchi in recent weeks and he came through again with another solid start last week. If he is available Roster him. His K rate has increased this season and he’s pitching deep into games. Oh also he’s sporting an impressive .208 BAA. Start him.
THE QUESTIONABLES
20. Spencer Turnbull DET: (5/24 vs CLE)(5/29 vs NYY)
-In his last 2 starts Turnbull has turned up the strikeouts. One of those starts was a No-Hitter. 15.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, and 16 K’s in the last 2 starts. He gets Cleveland on Monday so there’s always a possibility of him turning his second No-No. Probably not. Still ride the hot hand here and start him.
21. Frankie Montas OAK: (5/24 vs SEA)(5/29 vs LAA)
– He’s been a serviceable number 4 starter this year. His strikeout rate is ugly for him. He’s averaging under a strikeout per inning, and he has not pitched past the 6th inning. But, Again, his first start is against Seattle…No-No watch!! I’m starting him even with his abysmal numbers.
22. Tyler Mahle CIN: (5/25 @ WAS)(5/30 @ CHC)
– After being serviceable for most of the season Mahle got roughed up in his last start against the Giants. His line was an unimpressive 2 IP, 7 H, 7 ER’s, 2 BB, and 2 K’s. I expect better outings in both of these games but I don’t think I can start him.
23. Cole Irvin OAK: (5/25 vs SEA)(5/30 vs LAA)
– If Cole Irvin throws a No-No against Seattle I’ll crap my pants. He’s been decent this year, but I’m not buying it. I have no problem saying I think this guy stinks relative to his decent numbers he’s putting up. I’m waiting for him to fall flat and in his last start, he got rocked. I’m not starting him.
24. Matt Shoemaker MIN: (5/24 vs BAL)(5/30 vs KC)
– Shoemaker has been either decent or downright miserable. He draws two decent matchups this week which is why I’m writing about him. If you’re searching for a streaming option he’s a decent choice. Be wary though, his last start against the Royals was BAD.
25. Tarik Skubal DET: (5/25 vs CLE)(5/30 vs NYY)
– His strikeout rate has taken an uptick in his last 3 starts. In his first 6 starts of the year, he had 18 K’s in 22 IP. In his last 3 starts, he has 22 K’s in 16 IP. A massive swing like that could be an indicator of the once highly touted prospect possibly breaking out. I’m interested, Monitor him closely. Also, a start against Cleveland never hurt anybody. I’m streaming him this week.
POINTS LEAGUES PLAYS
26. Austin Gomber COL: (5/24 @ NYM)(5/29 @ PIT)
27. David Peterson NYM: (5/24 vs COL)(5/29 vs ATL)
28. Steven Matz TOR: (5/25 @ NYY)(5/30 @ CLE)
29. Brad Keller KC: (5/25 @ TB)(5/30 @ MIN)
30. Ryan Yarbrough TB: (@ TOR)(vs PHI)- Could be piggyback starts.
31. Kwang Hyun Kim STL: (5/24 @ CHW)(5/30 @ ARI)
NO THANKS
Jake Arrieta CHC: (5/25 @ PIT)(5/30 vs CIN), Chi-Chi Gonzalez COL: (5/25 @ NYM)(5/30 @ PIT), Ross Stripling TOR: (5/24 vs TB)(5/29 @ CLE), Matt Peacock ARI: (5/25 vs SF)(5/30 vs STL), Dean Kremer BAL: (5/25 @ MIN)(5/30 @ CHW), Sam Hentges CLE: (5/24 @ DET)(5/29 vs TOR), Trevor Cahill PIT: (5/25 @ CHC)(5/30 vs COL)
