Two Start Cookie Shop: May 12-18

I don’t have a whole lot to say in the way of introduction this week.  But, Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there.  If there are four female readers…maybe ONE mom?  Also, Happy Mother’s Day to YOUR mom, for letting you eat Cheetos and live in the basement, give her a special treat today.  Now, let’s go ahead and get right 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.

• Skenes has a 2.77 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP, but because his K/9 is at 8.7 this year instead of last year’s 11.5, it feels like people view him as a disappointment to this point. That’s how you know a guy is incredible. It would be cool if his bosses got him some help so that he and the team as a whole could get more wins.

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.

• Can’t say that I ever envisioned having Rea ranked this high. He has looked pretty good so far, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say it wasn’t more about the matchups than him.
• Kind of like with Rea, it isn’t so much Mahle as it is getting to face the Rockies away from Colorado.

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.

• At the time of submission, there is a possibility that Schmidt starts Sunday. If he does, Max Fried likely makes two starts instead. I hope you don’t need me to tell you to start Max Fried in a two start week.
• Do I feel comfortable having Kikuchi even this high, with those matchups? Not really. So why do I? I don’t know. If he’s on, it’s not going to matter too much what the matchups are. If he’s not…it’s not going to matter too much what the matchups are.
• I’m buying into Liberatore’s recent performances more than Streamonator is.
• And it is the opposite for Leiter. But the Rockies can do a lot to help a struggling pitcher.
• Know who else can do a lot to get a struggling pitcher back on track? The Marlins. Still don’t think I’d risk either of them, 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.

• You know, Houck probably should be above the last two guys in the prior tier. Pretend he’s up there instead.
• It would not surprise me to see Knack outperform this ranking. It also wouldn’t surprise me if he lasted fewer than five innings in a single start.