Let me begin by saying that each of my H2H teams has been officially eliminated, and being so, I’ve decided to submit the most spiteful two-start post of all time. Ok, fine, I didn’t go that far. But I sure as shizz wanted to. Anyway. It’s the last week of the season, and anyone still reading this post is surely making a championship push, so good for you, and good luck this week. I want to thank everyone for reading along this season. I hope these weekly posts did more good than harm throughout the year. I’ll be digging into MiLB previews before long, and those posts will continue throughout the offseason. But this wraps up our two-start coverage until next spring. Now, go win some championships.
As always, probable pitchers are subject to change. For a look at all fantasy baseball streamers, click that link.
MUST START
Matt Cain (LAD, SD); Adam Wainwright (WAS, CHC); Mike Minor (MIL, PHI); Yu Darvish (HOU, LAA); Matt Moore (@NYY, @TOR); Justin Verlander (@MIN, @MIA)
- Start ’em if you got ’em.
FIRST TIER
Hyun-Jin Ryu (@SF, COL); Johnny Cueto (NYM, PIT); Chris Tillman (TOR, BOS); Derek Holland (HOU, LAA); Chris Archer (BAL, @TOR); A.J. Griffin (@LAA, @SEA)
- Given the savvy nature of Razzball readers, I’m assuming that both Chris Archer (58% owned in Y! leagues) and A.J. Griffin (65%) are already rostered in your leagues. But perhaps you only stumbled upon the site accidentally while searching something vulgar, which led you to a Tehol post, which then led you to our homepage, and now you’re reading this. If that’s the case, then maybe you can snag Archer or Griffin off waivers. The others from tier one are surely owned already.
SECOND TIER
Tanner Roark (@STL, @ARI); Marco Estrada (@ATL, @NYM); Brandon McCarthy (@SD, WAS); Charlie Morton (@CHC, @CIN); Wade Miley (@SD, WAS); Garrett Richards (OAK, @TEX); Yordano Ventura (@SEA, @CWS); Bruce Chen (@SEA, @CWS); Jose Quintana (TOR, KC)
- Yordano Ventura (0%) has some of the filthiest stuff imaginable. He looked impressive in his debut, aside from some location sloppiness, but if you’re looking for upside this week, Ventura is as good as it gets here in tier two. For a little more background on the 22-year-old, check out my Yordano Ventura fantasy. Tanner Roark (24%) is producing like a first tier talent, but without elite-level stuff, I have to think his success will expire before long. Still, feel free to ride him for as long as he stays hot. Others I’m good with streaming this week: Garret Richards (5%), Charlie Morton (15%), Bruce Chen (17%), and Brandon McCarthy (22%), Marco Estrada (41%), and Wade Miley (51%).
THIRD TIER
Roy Halladay (@MIA, @ATL); Alex Wood (MIL, PHI); Eric Stults (ARI, @SF); Nathan Eovaldi (PHI, DET); Phil Hughes (TB, @HOU); J.A. Happ (@CWS, TB); Wei-Yin Chen (@TB, BOS); Jason Vargas (OAK, @TEX); Todd Redmond (@BAL, TB); Mike Pelfrey (DET, CLE)
- This is the bottom rung this week — I have no one in the don’t start tier, and I’ll get to that in a second. As always, I advise against using any of these arms during a crucial week — and week 26 is as crucial as it gets. But if you’re desperate for counting stats, there’s help to be had right here. Eric Stults and Alex Wood are my first choices from this tier if you’re really scrounging for help.
DON’T START
- I’m labeling no don’t starts this week because in a championship situation, you shouldn’t be limiting your possibilities. Now, don’t that that the wrong way — I’m not saying you should use a guy like Mike Pelfrey, but if you’re just a few W’s and a handful a K’s away from taking home the cash, there’s ample reason to at least consider the possibility of plugging a guy like him in there.
