Welcome back, bar patrons!
Hey, I’ve got some… bad news. This week looks rough for double-dippers. I mean, among the Top Shelf, there isn’t anyone that particularly stands out. They’re all good, of course, but there’s not necessarily a sure thing in the bunch.
Looks like we’re all drinking the cheap stuff this week.
On to the pitchers.
The Top Shelf
| Pitcher | First Start | Second Start |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Rodon, SF | @LAD(TU) | STL(SU) |
| Brandon Woodruff, MIL | CIN(TU) | @ATL(SU) |
| Alek Manoah, TOR | NYY(TU) | @CLE(SU) |
| Charlie Morton, ATL | @NYM(MO) | MIL(SU) |
| Dylan Cease, CHW | LAA(MO) | @BOS(SU) |
Notes
- This whole group is good, Carlos Rodon and Brandon Woodruff the best of the bunch, but there isn’t much to separate them from the pack.
- Charlie Morton is poised to bounce back after three rough outings that saw him go 0-2 with an 8.50+ ERA. I hope.
The Well
| Pitcher | First Start | Second Start |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Bassitt, NYM | ATL(MO) | @PHI(SA) |
| Zac Gallen, ARI | @MIA(MO) | COL(SU) |
| Carlos Carrasco, NYM | ATL(TU) | @PHI(SU) |
| Pablo Lopez, MIA | ARI(MO) | @SD(SA) |
| Trevor Rogers, MIA | ARI(TU) | @SD(SU) |
| Chris Paddack, MIN | @BAL(MO) | OAK(SU) |
| Steven Matz, STL | KC(MO) | @SF(SA) |
| Jordan Montgomery, NYY | @TOR(MO) | TEX(SU) |
| Drew Rasmussen, TB | @OAK(MO) | @SEA(SA) |
| Ranger Suarez, PHI | TEX(TU) | NYM(SU) |
| Patrick Sandoval, LAA | @CHW(MO) | WSH(SU) |
| Jake Odorizzi, HOU | SEA(MO) | DET(SU) |
| Zack Greinke, KC | @STL(MO) | @BAL(SU) |
| Chris Flexen, SEA | @HOU(TU) | TB(SU) |
Notes
- A pretty decent group that doesn’t suck too bad, the Mets duo of Chris Bassitt and Carlos Carrasco, and the Miami pair of Pablo Lopez and Trevor Rogers both feature on this list as solid picks.
- Of the less-obvious choices here, I like Jake Odorizzi, hot off his best start of the young season with a home-and-home against the ice-cold Detroit Tigers and the surprisingly-hot Seattle Mariners.
The Bar Mat
| Pitcher | First Start | Second Start |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Pineda, DET | PIT(TU) | @HOU(SU) |
| Tyler Wells, BAL | MIN(MO) | KC(SA) |
| Bruce Zimmermann, BAL | MIN(TU) | KC(SU) |
| Tommy Romero, TB | @OAK(TU) | @SEA(SU) |
| German Marquez, COL | WSH(TU) | @ARI(SU) |
| Marco Gonzales, SEA | @HOU(MO) | TB(SA) |
| Zach Plesac, CLE | SD(TU) | TOR(SU) |
| Daulton Jefferies, OAK | TB(MO) | @MIN(SU) |
| Ross Stripling, TOR | NYY(MO) | @CLE(SA) |
| Michael Wacha, BOS | LAA(TU) | CHW(SU) |
| Dakota Hudson, STL | @KC(TU) | @SF(SU) |
| Vladimir Gutierrez, CIN | @MIL(TU) | PIT(SU) |
| Erick Fedde, WSH | @COL(TU) | @LAA(SU) |
Notes
- A generally awful bunch, though the Baltimore duo of Tyler Wells and Bruce Zimmermann, with a pair of home-and-homes against two offenses in the bottom-third in MLB in runs scored stand out as an unlikely good choice. How often can you stream one Orioles hurler in a week, let alone two?
Liking two start Zimmerman this week with two games slated at the suddenly “spacious “ Camden Yards. Just not sure if I like Zimmerman more than single start “No No” Megill v Atl. Thoughts?
This is helpful, thanks Steve. Does Thor get two starts this week? Angels have him pitching @ BOS on Tuesday. They don’t have anyone on the schedule yet for Friday v WAS. Is that a bullpen day or would they move the rotation up a day, which would put Thor on track to go Sunday v WAS? H2H, points league, so I’m trying to figure this out.
What’s up Steve
How do you know Romero is being called up to have two starts?
Cheers :)
Hey Steve,
Thanks for the report. I think Ohtani also has 2 starts (he’s pitched with 5 days between his last 2 starts). If he goes tomorrow @ the White Sox, then he has the potential to go next Sunday versus the Nationals.
Based on what I’ve noticed, he pitches great at home, but not so great on the road. So a mixed week for him coming up, from my perspective.
Just thought I’d share that for any Ohtani (pitcher) owners reading this.
Thanks Steve,
Jolt
So from what I see, Ohtani is slated to pitch Tuesday in Boston. If he got two starts in the week I’d put him in the top segment of The Well this week.
Hi Steve,
Looks like Clevinger is staring Tuesday (@ CLE), then again Sunday (MIA)
Do you think he gets high enough pitch count to finish at least 5 innings?
Start or sit for the week
THANKS!
I’m sitting Clev where I have him.
Hey Steve-
Thanks for doing such a great job each week with information on the Double Dippers! Really appreciate all of your insights and your column is always helpful.
It looks like Joe Ryan may have been passed out under the pool table in back of the Dive Bar when you took roll call this week!
Ryan will get the O’s @Bal on Tuesday 5/3 and then host the Athletics at Target Field on Sunday, 5/8.
He’s probably not available in too many league out there (12% in Yahoo), but there is a possibility some managers are asleep at the switch.
Where would you rank Joe Cool this week?
Thanks again!
Murph
Dang, I missed Joe Ryan! I’d put him right at the Woodruff/Rodon top of the list, but also not high enough to get the “bold” treatment. Still, definitely Top Shelf.