This is a great week to be drafting a weekly league. Some big names and near-ace level pitchers are doubling down for your squads, which means big opportunities to nab some quality SPs for your lineups.
These guys have solid matchups across the board. Remember, in points leagues, a scary matchup can still be beneficial, so don’t shy away too much based on the opposing offense alone.
Quick note: Given the time of this article being published, this list is always subject to change, but your weekly lineups and DFS slates can benefit from a lot of these hurlers regardless
Week 6 Two-Start Pitchers
Logan Webb – Giants (1st start – Tuesday)
Opponents: @ Red Sox, @ Phillies
Webb is doing ace things this season, with a 2.33 ERA, nearly 80% left-on-base rate, and just under 60% ground ball rate. The ball is staying in the park, out of the air, and he’s getting outs. Don’t overthink this.
Joe Ryan – Twins (1st start – Monday)
Opponents: @ White Sox, v Red Sox
While his record is underwhelming, Joe Ryan is sporting a K/9 rate of nearly 12, meaning he’s averaging almost 1.33 strikeouts per inning. Combine that with a 38% ground ball rate, which is up by about 3% from this same time last year, and the underlying stats seem to be in favor of Ryan. He’s got ace stuff when he’s on, he just has to be more consistent to be considered a bonafide ace.
Nestor Cortez, Yankees (1st Start – Tuesday)
Opponents: @ Orioles, v Detroit
Opponent’s BABIP is .257 right now against Nestor, well below the league average. While Cortez averages less than a strikeout per inning, his K:BB ratio is just about 3:1, which we can take. He’ll eat some innings and induce ground balls, which is exactly what you need from him in a points league.
Grayson Rodriguez – Orioles (1st Start – Monday)
Opponents: v Yankees, @ Reds
On the other side of the Yankees/Orioles matchup is G-Rod. An atrocious start against the Agnels, of all teams, ballooned his ERA to 4.45. Take away that game, and he’s sitting at a 2.85 ERA – far more palatable.
The Twins and Angels did hit Rodriguez hard, with exit velocities up about 4 MPH compared to his first three starts, but I’m willing to roll the dice on Rodriguez in what I expect to be competitive games.
Max Fried – Braves (1st Start – Monday)
Opponents: @ Mariners, @ Dodgers
After an initial implosion against the Phillies during Opening Weekend, Fried has settled in more with every start. While his last couple of seasons have been marred by injury, Fried is just as important to the Braves now as he ever was.
On paper, the road matchups are a bit scary. Combined with a 6.39 K/9, and the stats aren’t great. However, Fried is giving up .75 HR/9 – aka the ball is staying in the park. If he can maintain that this week, you could be pleasantly surprised with his fantasy point production.
Other Nice Two-Start Pitchers
Nick Lodolo, CIN – @ Padres, v Orioles
Ryan Pepiot, TB – @ Brewers, v Mets
Christopher Sanchez, PHI – @ Angels, v Giants
Jameson Taillon, CHC – @ Mets, v Brewers
Javier Assad, CHC- @ Mets, v Brewers
Garrett Crochett, CHW – v Twins, @ Cardinals
Which two-start pitchers are you keeping your eye on this week?
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