Two Start Pitchers, Week 24: Holy Calamity, Scream Lynnsanity

Starter Notes for Week 24…

• • • The Padres and Athletics are both throwing a 6-man rotation this week.
    • The Dodgers are giving Hyun-Jin Ryu a pass on his next start, but haven’t announced when he will make the next one yet, or how the rotation will work this week. While Ryu will be skipped, the Dodgers are also getting Rich Hill back this week, which could maintain the 6 man rotation.
    • How the Dodgers handle the rotation means that Walker Buehler may or may not have 2 starts this week. The good news, of course you’re starting Walker Buehler. The bad news, not sure that he’s getting 2 starts, but he’d be a ‘No Doubt’ guy if he does.
    • The Yankees Tuesday starter has yet to be announced, but should be a 2 start option whoever they throw. My best guess right now is that it’s a bullpen game with Chad Green starting.

No Doubt

What do you want here, you’re starting these guys.

Pretty…Pretty Good

Lynn has the highest fastball velocity of his career in his age 32 season. His pitch mix has changed slightly as he’s moved away from such heavy sinker usage and throwing more of the four seamer and cutter. Whatever the changes, they’ve worked all season and Lynn is going to be an interesting pitcher to evaluate and rank for next season.After a rough 2018 that had people thinking he was done as a quality MLB pitching option, Lance Lynn has bounced back, and while I know it’s not a fantasy baseball stat, do you realize he has the 2nd highest WAR (at Fangraphs) among pitchers and 9th overall. Lynn has the best K rate, BB rate, and swinging strike rate of his career along with the 11th best batted ball rate (min. 300 events).

Gotta Have Faith

There’s an argument to make that Trevor Bauer should be closer to No Doubt territory given his recent run, but he’s too talented for me to bury like that with 2 plus match-ups. Bauer’ fastball velocity is down the last couple months. He’s throwing less curveballs and sliders, which has added to the number of four seamers and cutters he’s throwing.

The cutter is not high on the list of impressive pitches that Bauer can throw and may be why he’s struggling. The curve and slider have been useful pitches this season, and I wonder if there is an underlying injury that has made Bauer adjust his mix. However, the thing that makes Bauer great, his mix of pitches and advanced approach, are also what get him in trouble at times as he is constantly tinkering and adjusting his pitch mix.

Maybe, Maybe Not, Maybe Go F*** Yourself

A couple big names and couple names you probably don’t trust (and for good reason). Ivan Nova and Wade Miley have performed well in the second half, but won’t rack up the strikeouts. Jon Lester and James Paxton have both been a roller coaster ride after the All Star break, but I feel better about Lester with this week with  2 good match-ups.

Do You Feel Lucky Punk?

Well do you? You better because each of these guys has the potential to blow up on you at any moment and each of them has at least one tough start other than Jakob Junis. If you’ve been following this article all season, you know Junis is a constant battle between my poor evaluation of him and the Streamonator’s love for him.

T.J. Zeuch may be the primary/bulk pitcher following Wilmer Font on his days. So, if you’re in a quality start league, or if you happen to use game score, he may take a hit in his value this week.

So You’re Saying There’s a Chance

Free Streamonator Pick of the Week: Streamontaor likes Patrick Sandoval getting the Indians and Rays, although, I’d like Justus Sheffield’s starts more facing the Reds and White Sox at home if you’re looking down in this area.

I Immediately Regret This Decision

Projected 2 Start Days and Opponents