We’re back! Apologies to any of you who came out of the All-Star break looking for help with 10-day scoring periods, but this column goes live on Sundays. As far as the week ahead goes, we have a pretty good idea about what most of the rotations are going to look like, but there are a few cases where teams are playing coy. As best as I could, I have those noted below.
One situation I do not have a grasp on at this time is the Tigers. Originally the assumption was that Kenta Maeda would find a place in our rankings, but his appearance on Saturday after Reese Olson left with a shoulder injury rules him out. Looking at the Tigers’ current depth chart, my best guess is they end up going with a bullpen game at least once this week. They are simply riddled with injuries both at the major and minor league levels. I suppose they could call up someone like Ty Madden for a look, but taking a look at his numbers so far this year made me sad.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Logan Gilbert, Sea | LAA | @CHW |
| Tarik Skubal, Det | @CLE | MIN |
| Garrett Crochet, ChW | @TEX | SEA |
| Zack Wheeler, Phi | @MIN | CLE |
| Max Fried, Atl | CIN | @NYM |
| Hunter Greene, Cin | @ATL | @TB |
| Blake Snell, SF | @LAD | COL |
| Cole Ragans, KC | ARI | CHC |
- At least one source thinks Gilbert won’t go until Tuesday, with Bryce Miller taking the hill Monday instead. It’s possible, but I’d be surprised. You obviously are using Gilbert regardless, just be aware it may only be for a solo outing. If that happens, those matchups mean Miller would probably slot into the top of the Oatmeal Cookies, if not into the Sugar Cookies.
- At the time of writing, Fried has not officially been named as the Braves’ probable starter for Monday. It’s possible Chris Sale or Reynaldo Lopez get that spot instead. Acknowledging that, you’re starting all of them regardless of whether they have one or two starts.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tanner Houck, Bos | @COL | NYY |
| Jose Berrios, Tor | TB | TEX |
| Mitch Keller, Pit | STL | @ARI |
| Jose Soriano, LAA | @SEA | OAK |
| Ryan Pepiot, TB | @TOR | CIN |
- Why is Houck not in the tier above? Location, for one start. And opposition, for the other. Streamonator actually has him significantly lower than this, but I don’t agree with it.
- Soriano is a more volatile pitcher than I usually like to put in this tier, but Streamonator likes the matchups and so do I.
- Speaking of volatile, here’s Ryan Pepiot! Call me a fool, but he’s a guy I still think can be a steady contributor.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Erick Fedde, ChW | @TEX | SEA |
| Jameson Taillon, ChC | MIL | @KC |
| Bailey Ober, Min | PHI | @DET |
| Carlos Rodon, NYY | TB | @BOS |
| Yilber Diaz, Ari | @KC | PIT |
| Tobias Myers, Mil | @CHC | MIA |
| Albert Suarez, Bal | @MIA | SD |
| Hayden Birdsong, SF | @LAD | COL |
| Spencer Arrighetti, Hou | @OAK | LAD |
| Zack Littell, TB | @NYY | CIN |
| Tyler Anderson, LAA | @SEA | OAK |
| David Peterson, NYM | @MIA | ATL |
- Streamonator actually had Chris Paddack penciled in rather than Ober. However, he got placed on the IL with a shoulder issue Saturday afternoon. I am assuming the towering righty takes that spot in the rotation.
- As I write this, a couple places have Javier Assad scheduled to lead off the week for the Cubs. I’m inclined to believe what we have projected in absence of official word from the Cubs.
- Do I actually trust Tyler Anderson? Not even a little. And in two of his last three starts he has shown why. It’s the fact that he did have that one in between, along with some fairly sweet matchups, that saves him from being a tier lower.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Gray, Tex | CHW | @TOR |
| Jose Quintana, NYM | @NYY | ATL |
| German Marquez, Col | BOS | @SF |
| Landon Knack, LAD | SF | @HOU |
| Michael Lorenzen, Tex | CHW | @TOR |
| Carlos Carrasco, Cle | DET | @PHI |
| Spencer Howard, Cle | DET | @PHI |
| Randy Vasquez, SD | @WSH | @BAL |
| Patrick Corbin, Wsh | SD | @STL |
| Bryan Hoeing, Mia | BAL | @MIL |
| Hogan Harris, Oak | HOU | @LAA |
| Osvaldo Bido, Oak | HOU | @LAA |
| Yonny Chirinos, Mia | @NYM | @MIL |
- That White Sox matchup might be enough to convince you to take the chance on Gray this week. I can’t stop you from doing it, and while I’d understand the rationale, I would disagree with it.
- There is chatter, or at least hope, that Max Meyer will be getting called up by Miami to make these starts. If that does happen, he’s probably a tier above this. Let’s hope that he does. He’s way more interesting.
I look forward to your article every week. Not so sure about streamonater anymore. Yesterday I did hitters (points league) for this week. I did it again today for this week and several of my batters rankings changed drastically. How the heck does that happen from Sunday to monday?
This weekly has steeply fallen off this year. My cursory glances show errors in 2SP most weeks. Case in point, Wheeler, Taillon. Am I wrong ?
I’m sorry if you feel let down by the quality of the article. As to the accuracy of the names on the list, I do the best I can with the information available to me by the time I submit it Saturday night. I acknowledge in the article that Taillon was possibly going to be Assad, as there were conflicting projections, but nothing official from the Cubs. Likewise Wheeler was the projected guess for the Phillies. Believe me, I hate having the actual names wrong, but sometimes there it’s simply unavoidable as teams change their minds, do the unexpected, or have guys go on the IL out of nowhere (looking at you, Max Fried).
Great work, as always. Tough job but someone has to do it. If Jordan Hicks ends up @ LAD Tues (Knack) and v COL Sun (Gomber), where would you put him? It ain’t easy, it ain’t easy, it ain’t easy to get to heaven when you’re going down!
Probably a fortune cookie, bordering on Oatmeal. You can be sure the innings won’t be there, and the Dodgers outing could more than offset getting to face the Rockies outside of Colorado.