And so it begins. Not the season, as that obviously started a few weeks ago. Rather, uncertainty and a complete lack of clarity is beginning to rear its obnoxious head this week. It started last week, when it appeared as though Dustin May was lined up to make two starts for the Dodgers. That didn’t happen. He’s currently penciled in to make two starts this week instead. I’d put it at 50-50 that it will be the same next week because that’s what the Dodgers do.
It’s not just them, though. The projected rotations in Atlanta, Minnesota, Miami, Baltimore, and Washington are currently tenuous due to various reasons. And those are just the ones we know are in flux.
The good news is that the top-end names you’ll see below are not just your best bets for quality performances, but to actually take the hill twice. As for the rest of them…well, I recommend you subscribe to the Streamonator every week for a reason. And it’s not just because I’m a company man.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Skenes, Pit | WSH | CLE |
| Tarik Skubal, Det | @MIL | KC |
| Max Fried, NYY | KC | @TB |
| Jesus Luzardo, Mia | SF | MIA |
| Jack Flaherty, Det | @MIL | KC |
| Dylan Cease, SD | CHC | @HOU |
| Sonny Gray, StL | HOU | @NYM |
- It has no actual significance, but I feel compelled to point out that Jesus is lined up to start on Easter Sunday.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dustin May, LAD | COL | @TEX |
| Yusei Kikuchi, LAA | @TEX | SF |
| Framber Valdez, Hou | @STL | SD |
| Jeffrey Springs, Ath | @CHW | @MIL |
| Tanner Houck, Bos | @TB | CHW |
| Luis Castillo, Sea | @CIN | @TOR |
| Nick Lodolo, Cin | SEA | @BAL |
| Mitch Keller, Pit | WSH | CLE |
- As mentioned above, May is not guaranteed to make two starts this week. But if any Dodger does, it will be him. Probably. Your guess is as good as mine.
- I’m telling you you should use Keller this week. This note is to remind you that he is one of the most maddeningly inconsistent pitchers alive. He may give you 15 innings with 2 ER this week, or he may give you 7 innings and 10 ER. And there is absolutely no rhyme or reason to which it will be. Fun!
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Pepiot, TB | BOS | NYY |
| Seth Lugo, KC | @NYY | @DET |
| Clay Holmes, NYM | @MIN | STL |
| Tylor Megill, NYM | @MIN | STL |
| Justin Verlander, SF | @PHI | @LAA |
| Landon Roupp, SF | @PHI | @LAA |
| Merrill Kelly, Ari | @MIA | @CHC |
| Michael Wacha, KC | @NYY | @DET |
| Grant Holmes, Atl | @TOR | MIN |
| Erick Fedde, StL | HOU | @NYM |
| Jameson Taillon, ChC | @SD | ARI |
| Charlie Morton, Bal | CLE | CIN |
- Streamonator is more optimistic about Pepiot this week than I am. He’s a good pitcher, but those matchups are rough.
- If the Mets would decide to add a spot starter into the schedule this week, it would be Megill who gets bumped.
- I don’t hate Grant Holmes, and wouldn’t be surprised if he pitches his way into a higher tier in the future. But that WHIP is brutal.
- The machine says Morton belongs more toward the top of this tier, and possibly in the one above. I say it’s borderline at best that you’d want to start him if he has two starts this week. And at the time of writing, it’s not at all clear that he will. He’s a fair bet to get you strikeouts, and his team could provide him with wins, I’ll grant. Ratios matter, too, though. I just don’t trust him, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Easton Lucas, Tor | ATL | SEA |
| Zack Littell, TB | BOS | NYY |
| Taijuan Walker, Phi | SF | MIA |
| Tyler Alexander, Mil | DET | ATH |
| Jake Irvin, Wsh | @PIT | @COL |
| Carlos Carrasco, NYY | KC | @TB |
| Connor Gillispie, Mia | ARI | @PHI |
| Logan Allen, Cle | @BAL | @PIT |
| Patrick Corbin, Tex | LAA | LAD |
| Sean Burke, ChW | ATH | BOS |
| Antonio Senzatela, Col | @LAD | WSH |
| Brad Lord, Wsh | @PIT | @COL |
- Lucas has been a pleasant surprise his first couple outings. Part of me wants to let it ride and see if he can keep it up. I can’t in good conscience recommend you to do it, though.
- It’s unclear if Lord will start at all this week, much less twice. And if he does, he would presumably pitch Saturday. But feels like he should pitch on Sunday, doesn’t it?
