Richie Tauriello

Author: Richie Tauriello

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Richie Tauriello

2021 Fantasy Baseball: Two Start Pitchers Week 13 (6/21-6/27)

June 20, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers, Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers | 9 Comments

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Welcome to week thirteen sports fans. Last week we saw Walker Buehler and Uncle Chuckles Morton come close to a No-Hitter. Also, the revelation came that Shohei Ohtani will be competing in the home run derby. That will be extremely entertaining to say the least. I’d also like to touch on deGrom. After being pulled from yet another start due to injury. All the tests have shown no damage to the god-like arm but I’m increasingly becoming concerned with it. It could very likely be dead arm but I suppose time will tell. Moving on, this may very well be the last week I pick a No-hitter of the week unless one happens. With that said, my pick is… Kyle Gibson. I’m sure it’s not a popular pick but screw it he’s having a career year.

Onto the news portion. Matthew Boyd felt pain in his triceps and is being evaluated, so it’s wait and see with him. Also, Brady Singer was lifted from his start after three innings due to shoulder tightness and is being evaluated. Another young pitcher Tucker Davidson of the Braves left his start with left forearm tightness and is shut down for 10 days and will be re-evaluated after that. On too the big names. Besides deGroms issues,  Shane Bieber hit the IL with a shoulder strain and  Tyler Glasnow partially tore his UCL and also has a flexor strain. You really hate to see that for Glasnow because he’s most likely going to miss the rest of the season. That’s the news, so let’s get to the two start pitchers!

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Richie Tauriello

2021 Fantasy Baseball: Two Start Pitchers Week 12 (6/14-6/20)

June 13, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers, Two Start Starters | 19 Comments

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As the 2021 season continues to roll on, offense has finally started to take off and boy is it refreshing to see. As much as I like a good pitcher’s duel, the summer months just wouldn’t feel the same without seeing the ball leave the yard repetitively. This offensive boom has me questioning, is the No-Hitter craze over? I want nothing else. With that said I’ll continue with my No-Hitter of the week pick for a couple of more weeks, and if one doesn’t happen I’m trashing it. So this week I’m going with Tyler Glasnow. He takes on Seattle, need I say more.

News Time! Starting with one of my favorite pitchers in the league, Zac Gallen threw a 46 pitch simulated game last week. This is a great sign considering he had a UCL injury. Also reported, John Means has no structural damage to his shoulder (you can wipe the sweat off your brow). Also, Chris Sale threw a bullpen session. Adbert Alzolay hit the 10 day IL, as did Sonny Gray. Jacob deGrom was removed from his last start after 6 innings due to a flexor strain but he says he’s “not worried about it”. Also Notable, Luis Severino suffered a groin injury in a rehab start. Lastly, Sixto Sanchez has resumed his throwing program and I for one can not wait for this guy to get back in the bigs. That’s the news, now let’s get to the two start pitchers this week.

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Richie Tauriello

2021 Fantasy Baseball: Two Start Pitchers Week 11 (6/7-6/13)

June 6, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers, Two Start Starters | 10 Comments

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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.

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Richie Tauriello

2021 Fantasy Baseball: 2 Start Pitchers Week 10 (5/31-6/6)

May 30, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers | 25 Comments

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Week nine is in the books and there was no No-Hitter, no No-No, no games where baseballs were not hit. Is it too early to presume we’re trending back to normalcy!? Probably not but we’ll see what happens. Also, my prediction of Yusei Kikuchi throwing a No-No never came to fruition, hell, he did not even end up making two starts last week, but ya’ win some ya’ lose some. He still had a quality start and should be rostered in all leagues at this point. If only the Mariners could play the Mariners it might have happened. This week’s No-No prediction comes from a young buck by the name of Dylan Cease, we shall speak on him later.

A few noteworthy news items are, Noah Syndergaard being shut down for six weeks due to elbow inflammation. If you were stashing him you can drop him for the time being. Also, the long-awaited return of Framber Valdez to the mound happened and he looked good. He’s still building his pitch count up but I’m expecting a return to the pitcher he was last season very soon. Other Astros Related news, Jake Odorizzi made his return Saturday, one day after Valdez. He also had an encouraging start. If you Have room to roster him he’s worth a shot. Also, Corey Kluber will be making an extended trip to the IL.

Lastly, I’d like to thank the men and women who have served this country and those who currently serve this country. This weekend is in your honor. With that said let’s play ball!

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Richie Tauriello

2021 Fantasy Baseball: Two Start Pitchers Week 9 (5/24-5/30)

May 23, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers, Two Start Starters | 5 Comments

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Another week and yet again, another No-Hitter. This time courtesy of the veteran Corey Kluber. No-Hitters have somewhat lost their novelty this season for me because of the vast amount of them in such a short period of time. Also, a fun stat, if you face either the Mariners, the Indians, or the Rangers you have just under a 5% chance of throwing a No-Hitter. We’ve never seen anything like this, so all we can do is embrace it and that is the plan. The last few weeks I have picked a stud pitcher to throw one and seeing how that’s not really the trend, we’re going to switch it up and the pick this week is…Yusei Kikuchi. We’ll get to him later on.

Other Noteworthy news, Jacob DeGrom is set to return Tuesday lining him up for a 2 start week. Kenta Maeda was placed on the IL with an Abductor Strain. Chris Sale has started a throwing program and is pitching off a mound which is good news to hear. Noah Syndergaard’s Rehab Assignment in AAA is beginning this week, so if he’s still on the waiver wire he’s somebody to monitor closely. And lastly, Scott Kazmir pitched last week for the Giants for the first time in over 5 years! What an unlikely thing to say, but who doesn’t love a good comeback story. That’s the news, and there’s a bevy of must-start pitchers this week so let’s begin!

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Richie Tauriello

2021 Fantasy Baseball: Two Start Pitchers Week 8 (5/17-5/23)

May 16, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers, Two Start Fantasy Starters | 19 Comments

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Injuries are the story of last week. Two of the best pitchers in the game have gone down. Jacob deGrom is still not throwing due to an inflamed lat muscle, but he’s said to be progressing. It remains to be seen when he’ll start throwing again. What is more concerning is the injury to Zac Gallen. Gallen suffered what they are calling a “minor sprain” to his Ulnar Collateral Ligament. Let us pray he does not need Tommy John. Gallen has said he doesn’t think he’ll need Tommy John surgery, regardless he is shut down from throwing for two weeks and will be re-evaluated after the two weeks. Jose Urquidy also left his start with shoulder inflammation, he is shut down from throwing for now as well.

Returns to the hill are the story of this week. Stephen Strasburg is set to make a rehab start this week. David Price has already thrown a batting practice session and is set to return from the IL at some point this week. Both Astros pitchers Jake Odorizzi and Framber Valdez are set to start their rehab assignments this upcoming week as well. Valdez particularly is of note, he is a really good pitcher and if you have an open IL spot you should roster him immediately. Also of note, Shohei Ohtani was scheduled for a two start week but his first start this week has been pushed back due to general fatigue. Joe Maddon has said this is just precautionary, so there is nothing to worry about there.

At the time of the writing of this, Shane Bieber did not throw a No-Hitter in his first start but he still has a start against Seattle. My weekly No-No pick of the week is…Yu Darvish!!! He’s been so good this year and has juicy matchups, we’ll be talking about him soon. With that said…Let’s go talk about him!!

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Richie Tauriello

2021 Fantasy Baseball: Two Start Pitchers Week 7 (5/10-5/16)

May 9, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers | 19 Comments

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Another week, another No-Hitter. Or Two. This time from an unlikely candidate in Wade Miley. Good for him, but what is slightly troublesome here, is the fact that he threw it against the Indians. This gives the Indians the dubious distinction of being one of eighteen teams in history to be No-Hit twice in the same season and there are still nearly five months of baseball left! Third times the charm? Let’s hope not for their sake. John Means threw the other No-No which was a dropped third strike away from a Perfect Game, he has looked phenomenal this year. Something not many Orioles pitchers have been able to say for quite some time.

In other notable news, Sean Manaea flirted with a Perfect Game the same night as Miley which was eventually broken up by the Rays in the eighth inning. Also, Jacob deGrom was scratched in his first start of the week with an inflamed lat muscle, which is something to keep an eye on.

After a little more than a month’s worth of baseball in the books I think one thing is certain. This is going to be the year of the pitcher. There have been four No-Hitters, more strikeouts and offense is down across the entire league. Does some of this have to do with April weather? Sure, but the real “issue” depending on how you look at it is, the MLB’s doctoring of baseballs for the third time in four years. At least this time they admitted they were doing it. We expected offense to be down, but to what degree? Week by week we’re finding out just what degree that is. And for the sake of this weekly post alone, it’s made for some riveting writing I will say that. With that said my weekly No-No pick of the week is…(drum roll please)… Shane Bieber! Revenge time! Now let’s get goin.

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Richie Tauriello

2021 Fantasy Baseball: Two Start Pitchers Week 6 (5/3-5/9)

May 2, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers | 11 Comments

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The month of April is officially in the books. With it came revelations, disappointments, two No-Hitters, and two of the greatest stretches of pitching we’ve seen in recent memory courtesy of Jacob DeGrom and Corbin Burnes. Each week I have not been able to help myself when it comes to gushing over DeGrom. This week we get two starts from DeGrom which shall be a treat for some and infuriating for those having to deal with facing him and that goes doubly for the players. We’ve got a nice slate of pitchers on the docket this week so let’s get going.

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Richie Tauriello

2021 Fantasy Baseball: Two Start Pitchers Week 5 (4/26-5/2)

April 25, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers | 3 Comments

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This week in fantasy baseball there is no shortage of two-start pitchers. A plethora of names that are interesting and an equal amount of names I want no parts of. My prediction of Marcus Stroman “The Rubberband Man” pitching a No-Hitter did not come to fruition, he only made one start, and it was his worst of the season.
The second coming of Carlos Rodon still seems to be on track even though he was a bit shaky with control in his last start. None the less he struck out 9 over 5 innings and it would be wise to ride the horse until it starts bucking. There is a lot of games this upcoming week so let’s get to the rankings.

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Richie Tauriello

2021 Fantasy Baseball: 2 Start Pitchers Week 4 (4/19-4/25)

April 18, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers, Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers | 8 Comments

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Week three is in the books, and yet again, pitching voodoo was conjured up, this time by the unsuspecting lefty Carlos Rodon, who came within a “toe ball” HBP of a Perfect Game. He threw a No-No and has not allowed a run this year over 2 starts, so maybe, just maybe, this is the breakout campaign we’ve long-awaited.

I would also be negligent in my duties if I did not mention the fact that on Saturday, for the second straight start Jacob deGrom struck out 14 batters while allowing 3 unearned runs. The Mets did everything in their power to provide deGrom with a loss but the baseball gods were just on that day, promptly delivering deGrom a win after he was pulled.

So to stick with the theme of the Mets and No-Hitters, Marcus Stroman is my pick to furnish the Mets with their first officially unofficial No-Hitter ( We don’t count the Johan Santana Debacle). Alright, I’m supposed to talk about 2 Start Pitchers so without further adieu…Let’s get goin!

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Richie Tauriello

2021 Fantasy Baseball: Two Start Pitchers Week 3 (4/12-4/18)

April 11, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers | 26 Comments

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It’s week three of Fantasy Baseball and that can only mean one thing: it’s time for overreactions! Jacob deGrom did what he does (20+ strikeouts between his 2 starts) with the Mets still managing to lose both games. One of those was on Saturday, where Trevor Rodgers went tit-for-tat with deGrom. We also, were treated to both versions of Frankie Montas, a stinker against the Dodgers where he lasted 2.2 innings and got shelled for 7 runs, and then on Saturday against another powerful lineup, the Astros, Montas went 6 innings of 1 run ball and 5 strikeouts, leaving us exactly where we were, not knowing which guy will show up. With many of the pitchers second starts coming Sunday, we should have a clearer picture on who is worth what by the end of said day, and this upcoming week has a lot of intriguing matchups so let’s get going.

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Richie Tauriello

2021 Fantasy Baseball: Two Start Pitchers Week 2 (4/5-4/11)

April 4, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers | 8 Comments

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The year is 2021. A Covid ridden 2020 has turned pitching into a post-apocalyptic landscape where no pitcher in the MLB threw more than 84 innings (Except Matt Moore) MOORE on him later. With the worry of how many teams will use a 6 Man rotation, and whether or not pitchers will be on a short leash to try and manage innings, everything pitching is in question. None the less there will assuredly be a bevy of 2 start pitchers for the next 25 weeks. This is just the beginning so let’s get crackin’.

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