Greetings baseball fans, welcome to week 11 of the fantasy baseball season. Most weeks have begun with me talking about the No-Hitter that took place. While that increasingly easy feat did not happen, Freddy Peralta came within 5 outs of yet another one. The list of stud two start pitchers this week is short, so options are limited. With that said, my pick for a No-No this week is Alex Wood.
We’ve also got news folks, but first I’d like to voice my sympathy to Tyler Glasnow owners for losing out on the 2 start week. It’s such a shame that the Rays are… well the Rays. Ok, to the news. John Means was removed from his start early in the game Saturday due to Shoulder Fatigue. This is concerning considering he’s enjoying a breakout year. Sixto Sanchez suffered a setback last week. This is not the news we want to hear after the Marlins have slowly and cautiously been bringing him along. This is something to monitor closely, hopefully it’s nothing to worry about. If you’ve been stashing him I’d advise to keep holding tight because he can be a league winner for you once he enters your lineup. Michael Pineda will miss his Sunday start due to forearm fatigue, something to monitor in the coming days. John Gray was removed from his start with elbow soreness. Lastly, Spencer Turnbull, Kwang Hyun Kim, Cody Poteet, Madison Bumgarner, Stephen Strasburg and Logan Webb are all headed to the 10 day IL. It’s a bit of a short week for two start pitchers and the names are less than great so let’s get to them.
MUST STARTS:
1. Carlos Rodon CHW: (6/8 vs TOR)(6/13 @ DET)
– Another victim of having his second start pushed back. This means Rodon will start Tuesday. Although he got roughed up in his last start against Cleveland he still had 8 K’s in 6 IP. I’m not worried at all about Rodon and he can be started without pause this week. He is without question the best starter of the week.
2. Robbie Ray TOR: (6/8 @ CHW)(6/13 @ BOS)
– Robbie Ray has been the biggest surprise of the season for me. After years of frustrating starts and walking everyone under sun, Ray has been the complete opposite of his former self. In the month of May he had a 40/3 SO/W ratio. And in his last start, he impressed once again went 6 IP, 2 BB, and 9 K’s. He’s got two difficult matchups this week but pickings are slim so he earns the number two slot this week.
3. Framber Valdez HOU: (6/8 @ BOS)(6/13 @ MIN)
– I’ve been highly anticipating Valdez’s return for weeks and it’s here and it’s spectacular. After a pitch count in his first start he was exactly where I expect him to be in his second start. 7 IP, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K’s against Boston. He draws them again in his next start so I wouldn’t expect a repeat performance out of the gate, but expect a good week from him nonetheless.
4. Pablo Lopez MIA: (6/8 vs COL)(6/13 vs ATL)
– Lopez only went 4 innings in his last outing, but he also matched his season high with 9 K’s. Lopez is as steady as they come and with two home starts, I expect 2 QS from him this week.
5. Chris Bassitt OAK: (6/8 vs ARI)(6/13 vs KC)
– After the best start of his career with a complete game against the Angels on May 27th, Bassitt was sent back to earth with a little bit of a stinker in his last start against the Mariners. Still Bassitt is enjoying a career year, and with 2 great matchups on the horizon this week he’s an easy must-start.
6. Alex Wood SF: (6/8 @ TEX)(6/13 @ WAS)
– Wood allowed more than 2 runs for the first time this season in his last start. He’s been great this year, the strikeouts are there and he’s working deep into games. Making him my pick for a No-Hitter because he faces Texas. And his second start of the week isn’t too shabby either. Confidently start him.
7. Sonny Gray CIN: (6/8 vs MIL)(6/13 vs COL)
– He’s got 2 starts against 2 teams from 2 hitter friendly ballparks playing in a hitter friendly ballpark. With that said, even though Gray has been a little bit up and down this year, both of these lineups stink. I expect Gray to get his strikeouts and and pitch well in both these matchups.
THE QUESTIONABLES:
8. Tony Gonsolin LAD: (6/8 @ PIT)(6/13 vs TEX)
– I’m expecting Gonsolin to make his debut Tuesday, he might not, but that is the expectation. Even if he does it’s no sure thing he’ll get the second turn in the rotation this week considering he just came off the IL. Working under the assumption he does get both starts, he’s still going to be on a pitch count for the first couple of starts. Regardless I’m starting him, he’s no strikeout wizard but he limits contact and controls the strikezone. If he’s available in your league you should be adding him immediately.
9. Adbert Alzolay CHC: (6/7 @ SD)(6/13 vs STL)
– He’s Been good this year. He’s averaging over a strikeout per inning and opponents are batting just .197 against him to go with a 0.91 WHIP. The San Diego matchup isn’t great but I’m still starting him this week since he has yet to have a bad outing this year.
10. Nick Pivetta BOS: (6/8 vs HOU)(6/13 vs TOR)
– He gets 2 home starts against 2 good offenses this week. Personally, I’ve been waiting for Pivetta to blow up and revert to his former self, but it hasn’t happened yet. I’m tabbing this week as the week that it happens and I’m benching Pivetta.
11. Dinelson Lamet SD: (6/7 vs CHC)(6/13 @ NYM)
– He’s been used as more of an opener so far this year, but the Padres could be just easing him in as he had his longest outing of the year in his last start. Granted it was only 4 Innings, Lamet has still looked pretty good and I’m starting him this week even with his capped innings limit. Also, keep in mind that the Padres have been finicky with their rotation this year so the second start might not happen.
POINTS ONLY
12. Matthew Boyd DET: (6/8 vs SEA)(6/13 vs CHW)
13. Adrian Houser MIL: (6/8 @ CIN)(6/13 vs PIT)
14. Kris Bubic KC: (6/8 @ LAA)(6/13 @ OAK)
NO THANK YOU:
Drew Smyly ATL: (6/8 @ PHI)(6/13 @ MIA), David Price LAD: (6/8 @ PIT if Gonsolin doesn’t start)(6/13 vs TEX), Jon Lester WAS: (6/8 @ TB)(6/13 vs SF), Antonio Senzatela COL: (6/8 @ MIA)(6/13 @ CIN), Sam Hentges CLE: (6/8 @ STL)(6/13 vs SEA), Eric Lauer MIL: (6/8 @ CIN)(6/13 vs PIT), Randy Dobnak MIN: (6/8 vs NYY)(6/13 vs HOU)
