Two Start Cookie Shop: April 28-May 4

There’s a few things to mention before we get into it this week.

The biggest question marks going into Sunday’s action is who will take over open rotation spots for the Athletics, Blue Jays, and White Sox. For our purposes here, who they select really means nothing, because the choices are all distasteful.

Do be aware, if you consult our projected starters, it lists Dustin May and Nick Pivetta as having two starts each. They are not included in the list below. In May’s case, there has already been a couple cases where he was set to take the hill twice, but didn’t. The Dodgers have not had a set six-man rotation, but they have been consistent in using spot starters in a way that functionally gives them one. I’d be inclined to use May if he did have two starts, I just don’t believe he will.

As for Pivetta, the Padres only have 5 games this week. So while the schedule does make it possible he could top the mound twice, it would be unexpected. If you have him on your roster, you’re going to be using him regardless.

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.

• Ragans left his last start early with a groin strain. At the time of writing, he had not been ruled out from taking his normal turn in the rotation. Keep your eyes on it, though.
• It’s possible Crochet only goes once this week. Alex Cora indicated that if Lucas Giolioto’s return goes well on Wednesday, Sean Newcomb will simply be bumped from the rotation. However, with how long Giolito has missed, it wouldn’t shock me one little bit if they decided to start Newcomb once more before moving him to the bullpen.
• Do you wish Peralta was going more than 5 innings in his starts? Yes. Do you wish that second matchup was better? Yes. Are the White Sox so bad you’re using him without a second thought anyway? Yes.

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.

• I was a lot more down on Williams when he was lined up to start twice this past week. But then he went out and spun a gem against the Yankees. He’s not without risk, but I can’t see benching him this week.
• Blanco has not been nearly as good as he was last year. But you know why he’s in this tier this week.

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.

• Heaney’s entire career says this hot streak he’s been on isn’t going to last and you don’t want to get burned when it falls apart. But it’s been so good, you also want to let it ride and see what happens. He’s the platonic ideal of the Oatmeal Raisin Pitcher
• It’s not Sears so much as it is the Marlins.

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.

• Guys like Paddack are where Streamonator sometimes keeps me in check. He’s pitched decent enough lately that I sort of wanted to put him in the tier above. But it dislikes him so much it’s like he kicked its digital puppy. So, as a compromise, he’s at the top of this tier with a note telling you I don’t completely despise the idea. But you probably shouldn’t do it
• From Smith-Shawver to the end, we have guys who may make two starts or may make zero starts. Their teams haven’t announced anything definitive, and the best, most deserving option among the last three’s rosters is probably Joey Estes for the Athletics. So whether these names down here are right or not honestly doesn’t matter. You do not want to use any of them.