For those who play in head-to-head leagues, it’s playoff time! The time when you’re looking for every edge you can get against your opponents. So, naturally, MLB teams are doing nothing to help you this week. I blame Rob Manfred. (I blame him for most things.) For one thing, this week’s slate of two start pitchers is as ugly as anything we’ve seen this season. And to add insult to mediocrity, said slate is as subject to change as ever. As guys get shut down, or have their innings managed, or teams just want to give someone else a look, expected starts can easily become skipped starts. Just last week, David Festa looked set to pull double duty, as he started on Tuesday in a week with no off days. Yet, here he is again this week. May predictability and reliability be with you and your pitching staffs in your upcoming matchups!
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Rodon, NYY | KC | BOS |
| Christopher Sanchez, Phi | TB | NYM |
| Nathan Eovaldi, Tex | @ARI | @SEA |
| George Kirby, Sea | SD | TEX |
- It’s as shaky of a group as I’ve put in this tier all year. But they’re the best bets of the week, and you’d be starting them all regardless of it being a two start week.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Spencer Arrighetti, Hou | OAK | @LAA |
| MacKenzie Gore, Wsh | ATL | MIA |
| Chris Bassitt, Tor | NYM | STL |
| David Festa, Min | LAA | CIN |
| JP Sears, OAK | @HOU | @CHW |
- Sears may be a slight reach to be this high, but he gets to face the White Sox. You love it when your pitchers face the White Sox.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Cobb, Cle | @CHW | TB |
| Brady Singer, KC | @NYY | @PIT |
| Charlie Morton, Atl | CIN | LAD |
| Ben Lively, Cle | @CHW | @TB |
| Aaron Civale, Mil | @SF | @ARI |
| Kutter Crawford, Bos | BAL | @NYY |
| Tanner Houck, Bos | BAL | @NYY |
| Marcus Stroman, NYY | KC | BOS |
- Cobb got bumped from his scheduled start on Saturday due to a blister. His placement here is taking Cleveland’s word that it wasn’t too serious and should be ready to go by Monday or Tuesday.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Taj Bradley, TB | @PHI | @CLE |
| Paul Blackburn, NYM | @TEX | @PHI |
| Nick Martinez, Cin | @ATL | @MIN |
| Rhett Lowder, Cin | @STL | @MIN |
| Cade Povich, Bal | @BOS | @DET |
| Hayden Birdsong, SF | MIL | SD |
| Walker Buehler, LAD | CHC | @ATL |
| Adam Oller, Mia | @PIT | @WSH |
| Keider Montero, Det | COL | BAL |
| Valente Bellozo, Mia | @PIT | @WSH |
| Kyle Hendricks, ChC | @LAD | @COL |
| Nick Nastrini, ChW | CLE | OAK |
| Bradley Blalock, Col | @DET | CHC |
