Last week I commented on how nice the selection of quality options at the top was. This week, however, goes even deeper. Realistically, I’d feel pretty good about using any of these guys down to at least Charlie Morton among the Oatmeal Cookies. Even after him, I’d feel better about using any of that tier than I have some other weeks. Shoot, there’s even a couple guys down among the Fortune Cookies I could probably be swayed to use if you really pushed me. It’s a really good week for two start options! Which means we should probably be prepared for baseballs to start flying over the fence at a greater frequency than they have all season and ruining all of our ratios.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Sale, Atl | SD | @PIT |
| Corbin Burnes, Bal | @STL | @CHW |
| Pablo Lopez, Min | @WSH | TEX |
| Yusei Kikuchi, Tor | CHW | @DET |
| Framber Valdez, Hou | LAA | @OAK |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dylan Cease, SD | @ATL | NYY |
| Logan Gilbert, Sea | @NYY | @WSH |
| Logan Webb, SF | @PIT | @NYM |
| Ranger Suarez, Phi | TEX | @COL |
| Sonny Gray, Stl | BAL | CHC |
| Garrett Crochet, CHW | @TOR | BAL |
| Jose Berrios, Tor | CHW | @DET |
| Tanner Houck, Bos | @TB | MIL |
| Taj Bradley, TB | BOS | KC |
| Kyle Bradish, Bal | @STL | @CHW |
- You’re obviously not benching Cease, but the matchups are just bad enough to drop him from the top tier this week.
- Streamonator has Suarez down amongst the guys you don’t want to use. I don’t get it. He has been incredible this season any way you look at it. I know, Texas is a tough matchup and anything can happen in Colorado. But if you’re in a position to even consider benching him this week, congratulations on your championship.
- Last time Crochet lined up for two starts he was coming off a string of ugly starts and it seemed caution was in order. Since then he’s decided to make me look like a fool by ripping off five good starts in a row. Let’s not do the reverse of that now, ok, Garrett?
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Reese Olson, Det | @KC | TOR |
| Jon Gray, Tex | @PHI | @MIN |
| Clarke Schmidt, NYY | SEA | @SD |
| Erick Fedde, CHW | @TOR | BAL |
| Javier Assad, CHC | ATL | @STL |
| Michael Wacha, KC | DET | @TB |
| Bryan Woo, Sea | @NYY | @WSH |
| Charlie Morton, Atl | @CHC | @PIT |
| Michael King, SD | @CIN | NYY |
| Gavin Stone, LAD | ARI | @CIN |
| Marcus Stroman, NYY | SEA | @SD |
| Casey Mize, Det | @KC | TOR |
| Andrew Abbott, Cin | SD | LAD |
- The metrics say Javier Assad shouldn’t be this good. Streamonator has him as the worst two start pitcher this upcoming week. Meanwhile, as you may have seen, he has an MLB-best 1.94 ERA since June 27, 2023. That’s crazy! Do I expect him to shutout the Braves over 6 innings the way he did last time out? No, I do not, which is why he’s in this tier and not the one above. But do I think he’s the worst possible two start option out there this week? Absolutely not. Just wait until you see some of the names coming up. Anyway, I’ll be starting Assad in the few places I have him, so we’ll all be mad at me together if he gets burnt to a crisp this week.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Reid Detmers, LAA | @HOU | CLE |
| Joe Ross, Mil | @MIA | @BOS |
| Ben Lively, Cle | NYM | @LAA |
| Ryan Weathers, Mia | MIL | @ARI |
| Aaron Brooks, Oak | COL | HOU |
| Cal Quantrill, Col | @OAK | PHI |
| Tylor Megill, NYM | @CLE | SF |
| Martin Perez, Pit | SF | ATL |
| Mitchell Parker, Wsh | MIN | SEA |
| Slade Cecconi, Ari | @LAD | MIA |
- Detmers is the opposite of Suarez and Assad. He’s earned his 5.19 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, and yet the computer would have him up amongst the Sugar Cookies. I’m not buying what it’s selling. Obviously you can take the risk if you want, but I’m not biting.
- Every time I see Brooks’ name, I think of the former quarterback for the Saints. And then the basketball player who went to Oregon and spent 10 years in the NBA. I don’t imagine this Aaron Brooks will ever challenge them for space in my brain. I realize nothing about this blurb is related to fantasy baseball. Sort of like how he should have nothing to do with your roster.
