Plenty of aces at your disposable for this week, and you really have to love Stephen Strasburg’s matchups against San Diego and Miami. Both are at home, and both are abysmal offenses against right-handed pitching. The Mets’ arms take on the Phillies and the Red Sox this week, and the Sox offense has shown some revival of late, but both are still safe plays as usual.
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James Shields: @WAS, @PHI |
Stephen Strasburg: SD, MIA |
Phil Hughes: @TB, HOU |
Nathan Eovaldi: HOU, @ATL |
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Charlie Morton: @MIA, COL |
Lance Lynn: @ARI, @SF |
Jered Weaver: @DET, @CLE |
Mike Montgomery: OAK, @CWS |
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Corey Kluber: @CHC, LAA |
Jaime Garcia: @ARI, @SF |
Jeremy Guthrie: BAL, @TB |
Felix Doubront: @SEA, @ARI |
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Adam Morgan: NYM, SD |
Jacob deGrom: @PHI, BOS |
Alfredo Simon: LAA, @TOR |
Danny Duffy: BAL, @TB |
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Tom Koehler: PIT, @WAS |
Noah Syndergaard: @PHI, BOS |
Jeff Samardzija: BOS, SEA |
Ubaldo Jimenez: @KC, @TEX |
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Jorge De La Rosa: @ATL, @PIT |
Jon Lester: CLE, @LAD |
Joe Kelly: @CWS, @NYM |
Derek Holland: TOR, BAL |
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John Lamb: LAD, @MIL |
Jake Arrieta: @SF, @LAD |
Miguel Gonzalez: @KC, @TEX |
Nathan Karns: MIN, KC |
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Keyvius Sampson: DET, @MIL |
Matt Cain: CHC, STL |
Mark Buehrle: @TEX, DET |
Hisashi Iwakuma: OAK, @CWS |
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Julio Teheran: COL, NYY |
J.A. Happ: @MIA, COL |
Corey Kluber: @CHC, LAA |
Dallas Keuchel: @NYY, @MIN |
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Robbie Ray: STL, OAK |
Patrick Corbin: STL, OAK |
Alex Wood: @CIN, CHC |
Jose Quintana: BOS, SEA |
Tier One
Stephen Strasburg has looked excellent since his DL return, striking out 25 in three starts, and allowing three earned in that span. He faced the Rockies, once at home, and once in Coors. He dominated them both times, and his momentum is rolling into a week where he faces Miami and San Diego. Something to keep an eye on with Corey Kluber this week. He faces the Cubs, who have been red-hot, but also the wind has been blowing significantly out. I doubt it will be to a point where Kluber is benched, but you could see a mediocre start if the conditions are right. This is a makeup game, so it is a one day trip to Chicago for the Indians. Dallas Keuchel is on the road, where he has been pretty good this year, but obviously not as lights out like when at home. He has a 3.65 ERA on the road, and faces a couple of tricky teams. No reason to sit him. All the aces we trust as usual, nobody to sit.
Tier Two
There are a handful guys to be cautious about in this tier, and a few go out and see if they are available in your league. Patrick Corbin is the first guy to go out and see. He faces a Cardinals offense, which is struggling of late. They rank 24th in wRC+ in the last two weeks, and rank 22nd in offense against southpaws. So not a bad matchup for Corbin. He also faces the A’s, who have really dropped off the map over the last few weeks. Corbin has pitched well in matchups we would expect him to this season. His teammate, Robbie Ray is going to be getting the same matchups. Another lefty to watch out for, and this is one I may sit. Alex Wood in his second start against the Cubs, and even a risky start in Cincinnati. Wood has not looked good, giving up 13 runs in the last four starts. In face he has been consistent in giving up three on the dot in the last three. Jaime Garcia is another one, he is taking on two tough offenses, who hit lefties very well. Good thing for him is facing the Giants in S.F., and the Arizona start makes me nervous. I think it could be a iffy week for both Cardinals pitchers, with Lance Lynn being the other.
Tier Three
Yuck… There is not a lot of options out there to take advantage on this week. I mentioned Robbie Ray above, and he has found himself somewhat of a tier two-three play. Julio Teheran if you are still riding him, he is a guy to hit the pine this week. If you are feeling risky, Joe Kelly has looked really good of late, and gets two softer offenses. Yes the New York Mets have a soft offense, I blame Coors for their big runs. Kelly has allowed three earned runs in the last three starts, and is currently on a four game winning streak. Like I said, just if you are looking do make bold moves.
