After a couple of pretty strong weeks in the two-start department, this week is significantly weaker. It has the potential to be pretty good, but a few names in the Sugar Cookie tier haven’t been as good as you’d hope they would be, and there are some sour matchups on deck to boot.
Beyond that, this piece is usually finalized and submitted on Sunday morning. Even then, stuff can get thrown off like it did last week when the Rays announced an adjustment to their rotation minutes after I could no longer change anything. This week, due to the holiday, it is being finalized Saturday night. So if anyone loses a start or gains one and it isn’t properly reflected below, that’s why.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Flaherty, Det | SD | BAL |
| Spencer Schwellenbach, Atl | STL | @ARI |
| Bailey Ober, Min | CHW | LAA |
| Hunter Brown, Hou | Tor | @KC |
| Kris Bubic, KC | COL | HOU |
- Based on performance to this point, Ober’s inclusion in this tier is admittedly slightly dubious. But the White Sox are so bad, guys.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jose Soriano, LAA | PIT | @MIN |
| Robbie Ray, SF | MIL | TEX |
| Max Meyer, Mia | CIN | @SEA |
| Aaron Nola, Phi | @NYM | @CHC |
| Brandon Pfaadt, Ari | TB | ATL |
| Bryce Miller, Sea | @BOS | MIA |
| Kevin Gausman, Tor | @HOU | @NYY |
| Nick Lodolo, Cin |
@MIA | @COL |
- Lodolo is expected to be back to start Monday after being put on the paternity list over the weekend, but you probably want to keep an eye on it just in case.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Osvaldo Bido, Ath | TEX | CHW |
| Tylor Megill, NYM | PHI | @WSH |
| Mitchell Parker, Wsh | BAL | NYM |
| Walker Buehler, Bos | CHW | @CLE |
| Jose Quintana, NYM | @SF | @STL |
| Gavin Williams, Cle | NYY | BOS |
| Clarke Schmidt, NYY | @CLE | TOR |
- Bido’s WHIP is not great. He had no strikeouts last time out. But the White Sox are so bad, guys.
- I don’t have a lot of confidence in Buehler in general. But the White Sox are so bad, guys.
- You looked so good in Spring Training, Gavin! Alas. Maybe he finds a groove this week. I wouldn’t want to gamble on the matchups if I could at all avoid it, personally.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dean Kremer, Bal | @WSH | @DET |
| Jordan Hicks, SF | MIL | TEX |
| Quinn Priester, Mil | @SF | @STL |
| Randy Vasquez, SD | @DET | TB |
| Davis Martin, ChW | @MIN | @ATH |
| Ryan Feltner, Col | @KC | CIN |
| Zack Littell, TB | @ARI | @SD |
| Patrick Corbin, Wsh | @ATH | @SF |
| Brayan Bello, Bos | SEA | @CLE |
| Jonathan Cannon, ChW | @BOS | @ATH |
| Bailey Falter, Pit | @LAA | @LAD |
- Bello is presumed to be coming of the IL this week. However, I’d want to see a start from him before I plugged him into my lineup. Especially because there’s a better-than-not chance it’s only one outing with Boston moving to the six-man rotation they talked about this offseason.
