Chances are if you have an ace, he is making two starts this week. Most of them have zero concerns, as we head into the last few weeks of the season. There are a few names on here that might be axed out due to shifting of the rotations.
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Yordano Ventura (9/7 MIN, 9/13 @BAL) |
Clayton Kershaw (9/7 @LAA, 9/13 @ARI) |
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Chris Tillman (9/7 @NYY, 9/13 KC) |
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Taylor Jungmann (9/8 @MIA, 9/13 @PIT) |
Raisel Iglesias (9/8 PIT, 9/13 STL) |
Rick Porcello (9/7 TOR, 9/13 @TB) |
Dan Haren (9/7 @STL, 9/12 @PHI) |
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Michael Pineda (9/7 BAL, 9/12 TOR) |
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Jason Hammel (9/8 @STL, 9/13 @PHI) |
Trevor Bauer (9/8 @CWS, 9/13 DET) |
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Ian Kennedy (9/7 COL, 9/12 @SF) |
Matt Harvey (@WSH, 9/13 @ATL) |
Anthony DeSclafani (9/7 PIT, 9/12 STL) |
Carlos Rodon (9/7 CLE, 9/13 MIN) |
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Drew Smyly (9/7 @DET, 9/13 BOS) |
Max Scherzer (9/7 NYM, 9/13 @MIA) |
Cody Anderson (9/7 @CWS, 9/12 DET) |
Jon Niese (9/7 @WSH, 9/12 @ATL) |
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Mike Leake (9/7 @ARI, 9/13 SD) |
Cole Hamels (9/8 @SEA, 9/13 OAK) |
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Aaron Harang (9/7 ATL, 9/12 CHC) |
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Francisco Liriano (9/8 @CIN, 9/13 MIL) |
Tommy Milone (9/7 @KC, 9/13 @CWS) |
Justin Nicolino (9/7 MIL, 9/13 WSH) |
Jeff Locke (9/7 @CIN, 9/12 MIL) |
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Aaron Nola (9/8 ATL, 9/13 CHC) |
R.A. Dickey (9/8 @BOS, 9/13 @NYY) |
Yovani Gallardo(9/7 @SEA, 9/12 OAK) |
Matt Boyd (9/8 TB, 9/13 @CLE) |
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Masahiro Tanaka (9/8 BAL, 9/13 TOR) |
Marco Estrada (9/7 @BOS, 9/12 @NYY) |
Taijuan Walker (9/7 TEX, 9/12 COL) |
Zach Davies (9/7 @MIA, 9/12 @PIT) |
Tier One
There are actually a few more going than what shows above, as Chris Sale and Zack Greinke enter the mix for two-starts. There is not a ton of risk in any of the tier one aces this week, although Masahiro Tanaka draws tough matchups. He faces the boom-or-bust Orioles, and he also faces the Blue Jays, who just crush anything in site. Another pitcher to keep an eye on is Matt Harvey. He is coming up on his innings limit, which I am sure everyone has heard about by now. Harvey has said he is not pitching past the 180 innings that was set. I am not sure he is budging, but he is lined up to make two starts this week, which could be he last.
Tier Two
Well, that escalated quickly. Yordano Ventura is on a roll since coming back from his minor league stint. He has allowed four earned runs in the last five starts, and has tallied 43 punch-outs in that span. He will square off against Minnesota, who struggle against right-handed pitching, and the Orioles are K prone, and he dominated them a few starts ago. Look for another big week in the most important time of the year. Michael Pineda is going to have the same matchups as Tanaka, and I worry a little bit. He pitched well against Boston, but before the injury he had been pretty bad, with low strikeout totals. Both of the arms in pinstripes are risky plays, but I would lean towards starting them anyway. Raisel Iglesias has quickly established himself as a big time fantasy pitcher in the last month. Since the beginning of August, he has a 2.31 ERA, with a 10.6 K/9. He has had double-digit strikeouts in his last three starts. Two arms to keep track of this week is Trevor Bauer, you can start him against the White Sox, but sit against the Tigers. Carlos Rodon is a boom-or-bust play for this week with two matchups with strikeout upside, but also two teams who can do some damage against southpaws at times.
Tier Three
R.A. Dickey has been serviceable this season, but I am staying away from him this week. He is on the road against two solid offenses, who have hit him plenty of times in the past. I like Ian Kennedy this week, as he has found solid form, especially in the strikeout department. Rick Porcello will get the nod for a streamer in his second start against the Rays, but he can sit against the Jays. Dan Haren will face the Cards who have slowed down on offense, and the Phillies who are well the Phillies. I like the chances of quality starts, but also he carries some risk. All the other tier three options you can stay away from.
