It has been a pretty hectic week for your resident Cookie Shop proprietor. A significant amount of baking has been involved, fittingly enough. So we shall dispense with the preamble this week and get straight into what you’re here for.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Garrett Crochet, ChW | LAD | COL |
| Tarik Skubal, Det | PHI | @LAA |
| Joe Ryan, Min | @ARI | @SEA |
| Aaron Nola, Phi | @DET | MIA |
| Taj Bradley, TB | SEA | WSH |
| Reynaldo Lopez, Atl | @STL | @PIT |
| Nick Lodolo, Cin | PIT | @STL |
| Hunter Greene, Cin | PIT | @STL |
| Cole Ragans, KC | MIA | CLE |
| Justin Steele, ChC | @SF | @MIL |
| Ranger Suarez, Phi | @DET | MIA |
| Freddy Peralta, Mil | TEX | CHC |
- I don’t know if Lopez will actually get to make two starts. We think he’s going to pitch Tuesday, so in theory he’s lined up for double duty. However, Atlanta likes to bring guys up to make spot starts and ruin my plans. You’re going to start him anyway, just be aware it might only be for a single outing.
- Streamonator has Peralta as the number two option this week. Recent struggles and that Rangers matchup make me a little less optimistic. He’s still a Chocolate Chip Cookie, just maybe not the freshest one in the jar.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bryan Woo, Sea | @TB | MIN |
| Tanner Houck, Bos | TOR | SD |
| Gerrit Cole, NYY | @NYM | @TOR |
| Kevin Gausman, Tor | @BOS | NYY |
| Tanner Bibee, Cle | @BAL | @KC |
| Seth Lugo, KC | MIA | CLE |
| Matt Waldron, SD | WSH | @BOS |
| Chris Bassitt, Tor | @BOS | NYY |
- Woo might make two starts this week. Maybe his arm falls off midway through his first one. I’m willing to risk it.
- Speaking of injury concerns, I wish I could trust that Cole wasn’t going to have any setbacks. But until he does, you’re using him.
- Last time Matt Waldron had two starts he was an Oatmeal Rasin cookie, but worth taking a chance after four straight quality outings. It has now been eight good starts in a row. Being a knuckleballer will always mean he comes with some risk, but he’s earned the bump to a higher tier.
- I like Chris Bassitt a lot. I hate the matchups. Streamonator hates them even more, for what it’s worth.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kyle Gibson, StL | ATL | CIN |
| Brandon Pfaadt, Ari | MIN | OAK |
| Spencer Schwellenbach, Atl | @STL | PIT |
| Griffin Canning, LAA | OAK | DET |
| Cade Povich, Bal | CLE | TEX |
| Tyler Anderson, LAA | OAK | DET |
| James Paxton, LAD | @CHW | @SF |
| Cole Irvin, Bal | CLE | TEX |
- If Schwellenbach does indeed start Monday, he can safely be assumed to actually get two starts.
- I don’t care how good Tyler Anderson’s results have been so far. I refuse to believe it’s legitimate. Even if he keeps pitching well, if his xERA is still two runs higher than his actual ERA next time he has two starts, he will still be in this tier. We all have things we’re stubborn about. He’s one of mine.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lance Lynn, StL | ATL | CIN |
| Andrew Heaney, Tex | @MIL | @BAL |
| Michael Lorenzen, Tex | @MIL | @BAL |
| Casey Mize, Det | PHI | @LAA |
| Logan Allen, Cle | @BAL | @KC |
| Kyle Hendricks, ChC | @SF | @MIL |
| Bailey Falter, Pit | @CIN | @ATL |
| Chris Flexen, ChW | LAD | COL |
| Patrick Corbin, Wsh | @SD | @TB |
| Luis Medina, Oak | @LAA | @ARI |
| Roddery Munoz, Mia | @KC | @PHI |
| Yonny Chirinos, Mia | @KC | @PHI |
| Spencer Howard, SF | CHC | LAD |
| Erik Miller, SF | CHC | LAD |
- It’s possible Lorenzen deserves to be in the tier above this based on how he’s pitched so far. However, he has a total of 6 Ks in his last 17 IP, the matchups are gross, and Streamonator hates him this week. Sorry, Michael.
