I think we can all agree that Two-Startapalooza is pretty much mind-blowingly awesome. But as far as paloozas go, let’s be real: our weekly two-start feature takes a backseat to Lollapalooza music festival. Sure, both paloozas have similarities: each attracts crowds in the hundreds of thousands; each is a celebration of profound creativity; each is best experienced while under the influence of booze and/or mind-expanding chemicals. It’s close, but I must admit, Lolla’ is a slightly better event than this blog post. Anyway, I only bring this up because Lollapalooza is happening right now in Grant Park on Chicago’s lakefront. I’m there today. I was there yesterday. I’ll be there tomorrow. Needless to say, my comment activity will be sparse during the PM hours this weekend, but I’ll be around in the AM to address your inquiries.
As always, probable pitchers are subject to change. For a look at all fantasy baseball streamers, click that link.
MUST START
Mike Minor (@WAS, MIA); Chris Sale (NYY, MIN); Anibal Sanchez (@CLE, @NYY); Justin Verlander (@CLE, @NYY); Clayton Kershaw (@STL, TB); Jeff Locke (MIA, @COL); Hisashi Iwakuma (TOR, MIL); Matt Cain (MIL, BAL); Adam Wainwright (LAD, CHC); Stephen Strasburg (ATL, PHI)
- Start ’em if you got ’em.
FIRST TIER
John Lackey (@HOU, @KC); Justin Masterson (DET, LAA); James Shields (MIN, BOS)
- The first tier is a little light this week. Your only real streamer option from this group is John Lackey (owned in 54% of Y! leagues). Lackey has been a steady option for months now, offering upside in the whiff department, and (for the most part) avoiding blow up performances. He gets a sexy week 19 schedule, drawing starts against the Astros and the Royals. Grab him wherever you can find him in weekly formats. Masterson and Shields are owned just about everywhere, and they’re borderline must-starts. I can’t imagine leaving any of these three on the bench this week.
SECOND TIER
Ryan Dempster (@HOU, @KC); Corey Kluber (DET, LAA); Ricky Nolasco (@STL, TB); Jenrry Mejia (COL, @ARI); Andy Pettitte (@CHW, DET); Kyle Kendrick (CHC, @WAS); Chad Gaudin (MIL, BAL); Joe Kelly (LAD, CHC); Martin Perez (@LAA, @HOU)
- If you’re scrounging for your two-starters, tier two provides a handful of solid options. Joe Kelly (4%) has been throwing gas for the Cardinals, sitting in the 94-97 range from his first pitch to his last, and changing speeds with a slider and change, both of which have looked sharp in recent outings. I’m liking what I’ve seen from Kelly so far. He appears to have a firm grasp on the 5th spot in that rotation, and I’m excited about his two home starts in the week ahead. Corey Kluber (30%) would probably find himself in the first tier if it weren’t for the tough match-up versus Detroit. Still, he’s been steady enough to roll out there regardless of opponent. Kyle Kendrick (38%) has been up and down all year, but he draws a favorable schedule for his next two — I’m banking on an up week. Other streamable options worth consideration in week 19: Jenrry Mejia (8%), Chad Gaudin (15%), Andy Pettitte (38%), Ricky Nolasco (42%), and Ryan Dempster (52%).
THIRD TIER
Edwin Jackson (@PHI, @STL); Jose Quintana (NYY, MIN); Tyler Chatwood (@NYM, PIT); Jeremy Guthrie (MIN, BOS); Jerome Williams (TEX, @CLE); Henderson Alvarez (@PIT, @ATL); Wily Peralta (@SF, @SEA); Kevin Correia (@KC, @CHW); R.A. Dickey (@SEA, OAK); Tyler Thornburg (@SF, @SEA)
- Digging this deep for upside is usually a bad idea, but there are a few intriguing guys here if you’re desperate. Henderson Alvarez has been surprisingly good since joining the rotation, but I’m avoiding him this week versus two tough offenses. Kevin Correia gets a couple cupcake opponents, but he’s been awful away from Target Field, and both starts are on the road. Finally, it looks like Tyler Thornburg will replace Yovani Gallardo in the Brewers rotation. Thornburg brings intriguing strikeout potential and he’s done well out the the ‘pen this year, but I’m not ready to trust him as a starter just yet.
DON’T START
Brett Oberholtzer (BOS, TEX); Scott Diamond (@KC, @CHW)
- I know you’re looking at Diamond’s juicy match-ups and thinking about using him. Well, don’t. That is all.
