Week 9 is almost here! Like we do every week, we’re going to take a look at the two-start pitchers who you should lock in or at least consider using for the upcoming slate of games.
Like I do every week, I’ll break the pitchers down the two-start pitchers into six categories:
- Don’t Think Twice – These are your aces that you start no matter what.
- Widely-Rostered Options – Players rostered in the majority of leagues who should provide a positive return.
- In the Danger Zone – It’s a dice roll to start them given matchups or other factors.
- Streamers Rostered in Under 50% of Leagues – These guys should live on the waiver wire, but you can start them this week.
- Streamers Rostered in Under 25% of Leagues – Same as above but applied to deeper leagues.
- Not Unless You’re Desperate – I don’t recommend these guys unless you’re swinging for the fences.
Let’s take a look at those pitchers scheduled to make two starts for the upcoming week, as projected on CBS as of Saturday morning.
Don’t Think Twice
Nestor Cortes (SP – NYY): 6/7 @MIN, 6/12 vs. CHC
Carlos Rodon (SP – SF): 6/7 vs. COL, 6/12 vs. LAD
Kyle Wright (SP – ATL): 6/7 vs. OAK, 6/12 vs. PIT
Cristian Javier (SP,RP – HOU): 6/6 vs. SEA, 6/12 vs. MIA
Widely-Rostered Options
Robbie Ray (SP – SEA): 6/6 @HOU, 6/12 vs. BOS
The whiffs were there. The velocity was there. The innings were even there. But the results weren’t. It’s been the story of 2022 for Ray, who just can’t get through a game clean. It doesn’t get easier with Houston and Boston coming up. I’d consider sitting him in 12-teamers.
Carlos Carrasco (SP – NYM): 6/6 @SD, 6/12 @LAA
Cookie has been inconsistent since returning to the mound in mid-April. Even when the Ks are there, the walks appear, too. With the Angels struggling, I’d lean toward starting him this week, but he’s not a lock.
Michael Kopech (SP,RP – CWS): 6/7 vs. LAD, 6/12 vs. TEX
Kopech has been fantastic this year, but there are a few underlying metrics that expect regression to hit soon. We saw it a tad in Toronto, and the Dodgers could continue that trend this week.
Blake Snell (SP – SD): 6/6 vs. NYM, 6/12 vs. COL
Snell threw six innings his last time out, which you absolutely love to see. Now, with the Rockies outside of Coors, roll the dice with Snell for the double-dip this upcoming week.
In the Danger Zone
Noah Syndergaard (SP – LAA): 6/6 vs. BOS, 6/12 vs. NYM
Syndergaard’s numbers were screaming regression. The pitch quality has been bad, and the velocity has really, really dipped. I’d look to bench him this week in two subpar matchups.
Garrett Whitlock (RP,SP – BOS): 6/7 @LAA, 6/12 @SEA
The results have been fine, but Whitlock only has four strikeouts over his last 12 innings. I’d lean starting him here but the Angels’ offense could wake up at any time.
Trevor Rogers (SP – MIA): 6/7 vs. WSH, 6/12 @HOU
He’s still 72 percent rostered, and if we are being honest with ourselves, it’s because of his preseason value. His fastball and change just aren’t working as they did in 2021, making him one of the biggest busts this year.
Michael Wacha (SP,RP – BOS): 6/6 @LAA, 6/11 @SEA
Wacha has been solid on the surface, but his expected numbers and SIERA tell a different story. Regression will hit, and I don’t want to be the one with him in my lineup for two starts when it does.
Streamers Rostered in Under 50% of Leagues
Cal Quantrill (SP,RP – CLE): 6/6 vs. TEX, 6/11 vs. OAK
I’ve made it known that I’m not a big Quantrill fan. The profile of the type of pitcher he is just doesn’t do it for me. But in the right matchups, he’s a good streaming option. Those matchups are this week against the Rangers and A’s at home. Both are plus-matchups, which makes Quantrill a sneaky option.
Hunter Greene (SP – CIN): 6/6 vs. ARI, 6/11 @STL
We’ve seen a big adjustment period for Greene, who has been getting hit hard. But the positive thing is that the strikeouts have remained at a high clip. With Arizona on the schedule, I’m firing him up.
Jeffrey Springs (RP,SP – TB): 6/7 vs. STL, 6/12 @MIN
There’s always a wait-and-see approach with non-top prospects for Tampa Bay because we are worried about their role. Well, Springs has done enough in his 38 1/3 innings for him to be rostered in more than 51 percent of leagues. I don’t love the matchups, but I don’t dislike them enough to consider benching him.
Madison Bumgarner (SP – ARI): 6/7 @CIN, 6/12 @PHI
Bumgarner has now gone more than six innings in four of his last five outings and has been a serviceable fantasy starter. He’s more of a 15-team option this week, though, with the Phillies on the schedule.
Streamers Rostered in Under 25% of Leagues
Graham Ashcraft (SP – CIN): 6/7 vs. ARI, 6/12 @STL
Expect Ashcraft’s rostership numbers to climb after waivers run Sunday after two good outings to start his career. The Arizona matchup should make it three straight for the rookie.
Jon Gray (SP – TEX): 6/6 @CLE, 6/12 @CWS
Gray had 12 strikeouts last time out, and we file that under things we love to see. While Cleveland doesn’t strike out much, they also aren’t an offense that will do a ton of damage. Add that with a reeling White Sox team, and Gray is our streamer of the week.
Not Unless You’re Desperate
Ranger Suarez (SP,RP – PHI): 6/7 @MIL, 6/12 vs. ARI
Kyle Hendricks (SP – CHC): 6/7 @BAL, 6/12 @NYY
Dakota Hudson (SP – STL): 6/7 @TB, 6/12 vs. CIN
German Marquez (SP – COL): 6/7 @SF, 6/12 @SD
Bailey Ober (SP – MIN): 6/7 vs. NYY, 6/12 vs. TB
Ross Stripling (SP,RP – TOR): 6/6 @KC, 6/12 @DET
Cole Irvin (SP – OAK): 6/7 @ATL, 6/12 @CLE
Brad Keller (SP – KC): 6/7 vs. TOR, 6/12 vs. BAL
Jose Quintana (SP,RP – PIT): 6/7 vs. DET, 6/12 @ATL
Daniel Lynch (SP – KC): 6/6 vs. TOR, 6/11 vs. BAL
Konnor Pilkington (SP – CLE): 6/7 vs. TEX, 6/12 vs. OAK
Kyle Bradish (SP – BAL): 6/7 vs. CHC, 6/12 @KC
Mitch White (SP,RP – LAD): 6/7 @CWS, 6/12 @SFG
Joan Adon (SP – WSH): 6/7 @MIA, 6/12 vs. MIL
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Michael Waterloo is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @MichaelWaterloo.