The injury bug hit hard this week. The biggest blows saw Zac Gallen and Yu Darvish get put on the IL. Hopefully, they can get healed up and back in action sooner rather than later. Their likely replacements are listed below, and you very much do not want to use either of them.
Alek Manoah had started making himself someone to keep an eye on again, at least, but he will now be out of sight for quite a long time. It’s unclear who the Jays will use in his rotation spot, but Manoah had gotten his role more because previous options failed than because he’d really earned it. It’s ugly up in Toronto, folks.
Mike Clevinger is also a pitcher who had a rotation spot who is now on the IL.
Looking at the positive side of things, we have a hearty selection of aces and near-aces lined up and ready to go this week despite those injuries and other uncertain roles. That’s what you’re here for, so let’s get to it.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tarik Skubal, Det | @TEX | MIL |
| Corbin Burnes, Bal | @TOR | @TB |
| Max Fried, ATL | @BOS | @WSH |
| Tyler Glasnow, LAD | @PIT | @NYY |
| Shota Imanaga, CHC | CHW | @CIN |
| Justin Verlander, Hou | STL | @LAA |
| Kevin Gausman, Tor | BAL | @OAK |
- His last outing showed that Imanaga is not, in fact, perfect. But having the White Sox ordered up next is one sweet treat.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nathan Eovaldi, Tex | DET | SF |
| George Kirby, Sea | @OAK | @KC |
| Luis Gil, NYY | MIN | LAD |
| Grayson Rodriguez, Bal | @TOR | @TB |
| Seth Lugo, KC | @CLE | SEA |
| MacKenzie Gore, Wsh | NYM | ATL |
| Jared Jones, Pit | LAD | MIN |
- I understand that Lugo’s metrics don’t really support what he’s been doing to this point. He is also currently 9-1 with a 1.72 ERA. That number is going to rise, but benching him in a week he has two starts would take conviction I do not possess.
- Jones has looked more human in recent starts, and you’d really prefer to see basically anyone other than the Dodgers for that first matchup. Even so, you’re still starting him.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Waldron, SD | @LAA | ARI |
| Kutter Crawford, Bos | ATL | @CHW |
| Bailey Ober, Min | @NYY | @PIT |
| Triston McKenzie, Cle | KC | @MIA |
| Kyle Gibson, Stl | @HOU | COL |
| Tyler Anderson, LAA | SD | HOU |
| Trevor Williams, Wsh | NYM | ATL |
- Matt Waldron throws a knuckleball. That means he would have more game-to-game risk involved than most pitchers even if he was more established than he is. However, he’s strung together four good outings in a row, and that Angels lineup does not scare anyone. But….unproven knuckleballer. He might be the platonic ideal of a Rasin Cookie.
- Both Anderson and Williams continue to put up solid-to-very good lines. I continue to not believe in either to keep it up, and Streamonator believes in them even less than this placement indicates. But since both have defied logic to this point, I can’t really tell you to not use them, even if I believe doing so only ends in pain.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Joey Estes, Oak | Sea | Tor |
| Andre Pallante, StL | @HOU | COL |
| Ryne Nelson, Ari | SF | @SD |
| Frankie Montas, Cin | @COL | CHC |
| Andrew Abbott, Cin | @COL | CHC |
| Bryse Wilson, Mil | @PHI | @DET |
| Jhony Brito, SD | @LAA | ARI |
| Ryan Feltner, Col | CIN | @STL |
| Jake Woodford, CHW | @CHC | BOS |
| Ty Blach, Col | CIN | @STL |
| Spencer Howard, SF | @ARI | @TEX |
| Logan Allen, Ari | SF | @SD |
- Three of Joey Estes’ four starts have been decent-to-good. The fourth was an unmitigated disaster. Also, he plays for Oakland. And he doesn’t throw very hard. Nor does he get that many whiffs. Considering all that, even though my gut says I’d start him this week in a 12-team or deeper league if I had him, it felt irresponsible to tell you to do so. What can I say? Sometimes you just want to try the thing you know you’re not going to enjoy.
- It may be someone other than Brito taking the spot that formerly belonged to Darvish this week, but the ranking remains the same.
- Streamonator has Mike Soroka scheduled to start, but it’s more likely Woodford gets at least the first turn. There are rumors that may be more wishful thinking that Drew Thorpe gets called up to make his debut. He could be interesting, but I would want to both see it happen and see how he performs, first.
