Chris Sale was originally scheduled to be a part of this week’s batch, but a trip to the IL due to a broken rib changes things. A lot of times when an ace goes down like that, the guy who takes his place is entirely underwhelming. This time, however, there’s at least a chance it’s Spencer Strider who moves in to take that spot in the rotation. That would be very exciting. His inclusion here is mostly my own speculation and counting the days since his last start, and the Braves may do their thing where if he does start Tuesday he might not again until the following Monday anyway. But I’m including him on the chance he does belong. If he only starts once this week, you’re still starting him, because he’s very good. There’s my one bit of super helpful single-start pitcher advice for you.
Last week really brought the rotation chaos to the fore more than we’d seen yet this season. I’d like to believe it was a single-week blip, but I’d also like to believe the White Sox have an actual plan and desire to be competitive sometime in the next couple seasons. In other words, keep your eyes open for changes that get made between the time this gets submitted Sunday morning to the time when you need to have waiver claims/free agent moves made. Because despite our best efforts, teams simply insist on making changes that screw this list up. It’s rude of them, is what it is. I’ll do my best to answer questions about changes down in the comments when they pop up.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tarik Skubal, Det | ATH | MIN |
| Spencer Strider, Atl | @NYM | PHI |
| Framber Valdez, Hou | PHI | CHC |
| Spencer Schwellenbach, Atl | @NYM | PHI |
| Bryan Woo, Sea | @MIN | @TEX |
| Ranger Suarez, Phi | @HOU | @ATL |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kris Bubic, KC | TB | LAD |
| Luis Castillo, Sea | @MIN | @TEX |
| Nick Lodolo, Cin | NYY | SD |
| Jameson Taillon, ChC | @STL | @HOU |
- The chances that Bubic actually makes two starts this week are less than 50/50. As the Royals try to keep his innings in check, his last two starts have come after 5+ games, not days, off. So while there’s certainly a chance he goes twice in a six-game week, don’t count on it. And considering that second start would be against the Dodgers, that’s probably for the best, actually.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Liberatore, StL | CHC | @CLE |
| Ben Brown, ChC | @STL | @HOU |
| Chad Patrick, Mil | PIT | COL |
| Justin Verlander, SF | MIA | @CHW |
| Eduardo Rodriguez, Ari | @CHW | MIA |
| Erick Fedde, StL | CHC | @CLE |
| Ryan Yarbrough, NYY | @CIN | ATH |
| Max Scherzer, Tor | @CLE | @BOS |
| Shane Smith, ChW | ARI | SF |
| Bailey Ober, Min | SEA | @DET |
| Taj Bradley, TB | @KC | @BAL |
| Walker Buehler, Bos | @LAA | TOR |
| Chris Paddack, Min | SEA | @DET |
- I still mostly believe Scherzer has the ability to get guys out, even at age 40. What I doubt is his ability to stay healthy or to give you innings in his first start back from this most recent stay on the IL.
- The Cubs were once the club of Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown. Now they employ Ben “Oatmeal Raisin” Brown. Working backwards, the ER totals from his last six starts have gone 2, 6, 2, 8, 6, 2. That is the epitome of what this tier represents.
- How juicy are those matchups for Patrick? Streamonator actually has him ranked fourth this week, despite him coming off two rough outings and being Chad Patrick.
- Smith keeps showing up on this list because the White Sox keep spacing out his starts to manage his workload. Will this be the week he actually toes the rubber twice? No, seriously, I’d like to know if I’m going to have to put him on here again next week.
- From Ober on down are guys who probably should just be in the Fortune Cookie tier. They all have talent, and they’ve all had their moments, but they’re all guys you just can’t trust at all right now. If you’re setting a roto lineup, just stay away. Head-to-head points? Sure, go ahead and take the risk if you want. Head-to-head categories? That is entirely up to how lucky you’re feeling.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Parker, Wsh | @SD | @LAA |
| Luis Severino, Ath | @DET | @NYY |
| Jack Kochanowicz, LAA | BOS | WSH |
| Stephen Kolek, SD | WSH | @CIN |
| Patrick Corbin, Tex | @BAL | SEA |
| Frankie Montas, NYM | ATL | @PIT |
| German Marquez, Col | LAD | @MIL |
| Trevor Rogers, Bal | TEX | TB |
| Paul Blackburn, NYM | ATL | @PIT |
| Cal Quantrill, Mia | @SF | @ARI |
| Logan Allen, Cle | TOR | STL |
Best two step, JV, Libby or Paddack?
If you’re looking for a sleeper, Mitchell Parker is appealing with the Padres (wRC+ of 82 vs LHPs) and Angels (wRC+ of 76 vs LHPs) both struggling against lefties. It’s a dice roll that’s worth a shot if you’re a big underdog in a H2H match up.
Any deeper SP streamers you could throw out? Particularly ones that start in the beginning of the week?
Nevermind meant to post on the other article.