Is it Christmas already? This is the kind of weeks you dream about and look forward to with giddy excitement. Some weeks this list is brutal, and it feels like a stretch to have anyone in the top tier. But this is not one of those weeks, my friends. This week there are guys you probably have a some level of confidence in going all the way down to the end of the third tier. It’s Aces Week!
What is Aces Week, you ask? You know those guys you drafted to be the anchors of your staff? There’s a good chance at least one of them is lined up for two starts in the upcoming period. Probably more than one! Unfortunately, it does mean it’s also likely true of your opponents. Don’t worry about them, though. Your guys are better.
Let’s dive right into the goodness in store.
What follows are our projections at time of writing as to who will be making two-starts this week, but weather, injuries, and secretive team management mean they are just that: projections. To stay as up-to-date as possible, consult Rudy Gamble’s invaluable Streamonator.
Chocolate Chip Cookies (Must Start)
They are kings of the cookie world for a reason. A warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookie just makes you feel happy. Sort of like getting to set your rosters knowing you get two starts this week from these guys.
| Pitcher | First Start | Second Start |
|---|---|---|
| Garrett Crochet, Bos | TOR | @CHW |
| Zack Wheeler, Phi | @ATL | @STL |
| Logan Gilbert, Sea | HOU | TEX |
| Hunter Greene, Cin | @SF | PIT |
| Cole Ragans, KC | MIN | @CLE |
| Michael King, SD | @ATH | COL |
| Chris Sale, Atl | PHI | @TB |
| Nathan Eovaldi, Tex | @CHC | @SEA |
- If we want to nitpick, there are a few matchups here that one could wish were just a little better. Sacramento looks like it could be worse for pitching than a lot of people were forecasting before the season, for example. Tampa’s temporary home is likewise not particularly pitcher-friendly. And one figures the Braves will begin hitting eventually. But on the whole, this is a lovely selection of names.
Sugar Cookies (Should Start)
They’re fine. You could certainly do worse than having these guys in your lineup, but don’t expect it to be remarkable.
| Pitcher | First Start | Second Start |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Rodon, NYY | @DET | SF |
| Pablo Lopez, Min | @KC | DET |
| Freddy Peralta, MIL | @COL | @ARI |
| Logan Webb, SF | CIN | @NYY |
| Kodai Senga, NYM | MIA | @ATH |
| Zac Gallen, Ari | BAL | MIL |
| Dustin May, LAD | @WSH | CHC |
| Shane Baz, TB | LAA | ATL |
| Tanner Houck, Bos | TOR | @CHW |
| Justin Steele, ChC | TEX | @LAD |
| Hayden Wesneski, Hou | @SEA | LAA |
- And the goodness keeps coming! Many of these guys will have strong cases for being in the top tier in other weeks. Even now it’s not so much that they don’t deserve it, but that a demarcation needs to be made somewhere.
- Streamonator is significantly more pessimistic about Peralta this week than I am. The Diamondbacks aren’t a great matchup, to be sure, but even the risks of Coors aren’t enough to make me worried about him facing this Rockies lineup.
- Do I like that Webb has to face the Torpedo Bats on their home turf? I do not. Is it enough to make me think you should bench him? It is not.
- Long-term I think Steele is going to be just fine. But the early Tokyo trip meant he had a weird spring, and he has to face the Dodgers this week? I’m still saying you should start him, but I completely understand if you don’t feel super great about it.
- On the flip side, Wesneski may well not find himself this high again. But those matchups are fairly unimposing. And if you’re in a league where his RP eligibility makes a difference, he’s worth the gamble.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (Could Start)
These aren’t for everyone. These are the pitchers that may be a pleasant surprise, or they could ruin your week. Tread lightly.
| Pitcher | First Start | Second Start |
|---|---|---|
| Luis Severino, Ath | SD | NYM |
| Zach Eflin, Bal | @ARI | TOR |
| Jose Berrios, Tor | @BOS | @BAL |
| Casey Mize, Det | NYY | @MIN |
| Ben Lively, Cle | CHW | KC |
| Simeon Woods Richardson, Min | @KC | DET |
Fortune Cookies (Do Not Start)
Yeah, they’re technically cookies. Hold on, what does that little slip of paper say? “Bad times are heading your way.” Oh. Okay, then.
| Pitcher | First Start | Second Start |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Lorenzen, KC | MIN | @CLE |
| Kyle Hendricks, LAA | @TB | @HOU |
| Matthew Liberatore, StL | @PIT | PHI |
| Connor Gillispie, Mia | @NYM | WSH |
| Kyle Freeland, Col | MIL | @SD |
| Trevor Williams, Wsh | LAD | @MIA |
| Shane Smith, ChW | @CLE | BOS |
| Thomas Harrington, Pit | STL | @CIN |
| Easton Lucas, Tor | @BOS | @BAL |
- Yes, I’ve seen what Kyle Freeland has done in his first two starts. No, I am not buying it.
- Streamonator thinks Paul Skenes is going to pitch Monday, with the Pirates keeping him on an every-5th day schedule rather than every 5th-game. I don’t think that’s how they roll. You’re starting Skenes every week regardless, but I did want to acknowledge that is at least possible that the top of this list gets even tastier.
