When I started writing this column, I assumed the thing that would bother me the most was having pitchers not perform according to how I ranked them. As it turns out, yes, it is obnoxious when guys who I expected to be good go out and lay an egg. And yes, I wince at every pitcher who I saw as a dud go out and deliver the goods. But, as it turns out, the thing that drives me the craziest is when the actual names in the list end up being wrong.
I knew to include a weekly disclaimer that rotations aren’t set in stone, but I underestimated just how fluid things end up being week to week. Way more often than I like, teams don’t announce their Monday or Tuesday starters until sometime on Sunday afternoon. That can be a problem when an article is being submitted Saturday night. Or, even more annoyingly, I put together the list according to has been announced as probable, only for teams to change their minds after I can do anything about it. Or, like happened last week, guys get put on the IL without warning. I can handle being wrong about how a guy will perform in a given week. What I hate is giving you inaccurate information to work with. Unfortunately, though, it is going to occasionally happen.
Along those lines, this week could be particularly aggravating to everyone. We’ve already seen a few trades made, and we are sure to see more happen before Tuesday’s deadline. Who will go where and how it will affect rotations is beyond anyone’s ability to forecast. But, as always, we will venture forth, doing the best we can with the information available to us. Let’s get to it!
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 | @HOU | ARI |
| Chris Sale, Atl | @MIL | MIA |
| Zach Wheeler, Phi | NYY | @SEA |
| Corbin Burnes, Bal | TOR | @CLE |
| Logan Gilbert, Sea | @BOS | PHI |
| Tanner Bibee, Cle | @DET | BAL |
- Sale is an example of what I talk about above. As of Saturday evening, the Braves haven’t announced their probable starters past Sunday. Beyond that, they are one of the primary teams in regards to adjusting schedules and adding 6th starters, keeping Sale (and Reynaldo Lopez) from actually appearing twice in a given week. So, he’s projected to here, but it may not happen. Again.
- The Baltimore matchup isn’t ideal, and he hasn’t been quite as reliable as you’d ideally like from a pitcher in this tier, but Bibee makes the cut anyway.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nathan Eovaldi, Tex | @STL | BOS |
| Nick Pivetta, Bos | SEA | @TEX |
| Zach Eflin, Bal | TOR | @CLE |
| Justin Steele, ChC | @CIN | STL |
| Michael Wacha, KC | @CHW | @DET |
| Luis Gil, NYY | @PHI | TOR |
- The consensus seems to be that the Rangers will not be sellers before Tuesday, but it’s at least within the realm of possibility that Eovaldi finds a new home. I wouldn’t be too concerned about it, but it felt like it was worth acknowledging.
- Wacha is this week’s big winner when it comes to matchups. Good for him!
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Simeon Woods Richardson, Min | @NYM | CHW |
| Jameson Taillon, ChC | @CIN | STL |
| Edward Cabrera, Mia | @TB | @ATL |
| Colin Rea, Mil | ATL | @WSH |
| Jose Quintana, NYM | MIN | @LAA |
| Yariel Rodriguez, Tor | @BAL | @NYY |
| Andre Pallante, StL | TEX | @CHC |
| Lance Lynn, StL | TEX | @CHC |
- Taillon’s name is one getting bandied about a lot in trade talk. Be prepared for him to be removed as an option here.
- Rodriguez has had a couple very nice starts recently, but those matchups are not what you want to see.
- Streamonator really, really doesn’t like Pallante this week. But I sort of do? Don’t go add him solely for the purpose of using him this week, but if’s he’s already on your roster? I wouldn’t hate it.
- Lynn is not a gamble I would feel comfortable taking, but I can see the argument for wanting to.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cal Quantrill, Col | @LAA | @SD |
| Griffin Canning, LAA | COL | NYM |
| Carson Spiers, Cin | CHC | SF |
| Alec Marsh, KC | @CHW | @DET |
| Jordan Montgomery, Ari | WSH | @PIT |
| Allan Winans, Atl | @MIL | MIA |
| Jake Bloss, Hou | PIT | TB |
| Mitchell Parker, Wsh | @ARI | MIL |
| Chris Flexen, ChW | KC | @MIN |
- Quantrill is a wild card for a couple reasons. First, as this is being written, the Rockies haven’t announced who will start the week for them after designated Ty Blach for assignment. Streamonator speculates it’ll be Noah Davis, but Quantrill would be on regular rest. However, Quantrill may also be traded by the deadline. If he stays put and starts Tuesday, he may sneak his way into the Oatmeal Raisin tier.
- Winans is a Brave, so who knows what will happen? You don’t want to use him anyway.
- Parker had a nice little run earlier this season. He’s come crashing back to earth recently, however.
Well, I’m rolling the dice on Canning for his first outing against COL away from Coors. Whether I hold him for his 2nd start remains to be seen…