Here are how I see the two-start pitchers for Week 3. Green light obviously means I like them and red light means I don’t like them this week.
ACES
- Dylan Bundy (Orioles) vs. TOR, @BOS
- Johnny Cueto (Giants) vs. ARI, @SD
- Zack Godley (Diamondbacks) @SF, @LAD
- Corey Kluber (Indians) vs. DET, vs. TOR
- Carlos Martinez (Cardinals) vs. MIL, @CIN
- Garrett Richards (Angels) @TEX, @KC
- Chris Sale (Red Sox) vs. NYY, vs. BAL
- Max Scherzer (Nationals) vs. ATL, vs. COL
- Luis Severino (Yankees) @BOS, @DET
- Noah Syndergaard (Mets) @MIA, vs. MIL
- Justin Verlander (Astros) @MIN, vs. TEX
GREEN LIGHT
Tyler Chatwood (Cubs) vs. PIT, vs. ATL
Chatwood walked six in his season debut but limited the damage with one earned run in six innings. With two home starts, Chatwood should be in play this week.
Jon Gray (Rockies) vs. SD, @WAS
Gray was shaky in his first start of the season in Arizona but was dominant against the Padres. Gray had a better ERA at home last season. The Nationals are a difficult matchup, but Gray is someone I am going to use almost every time out.
J.A. Happ (Blue Jays) @BAL, @CLE
Happ has a 14:2 K:BB ratio in 10 innings, but has been hurt by three home runs in matchups against the Yankees and White Sox.
Felix Hernandez (Mariners) @KC, vs. OAK
Hernandez threw 5.1 scoreless innings against the Indians to open the season and then couldn’t find the strike zone against a poor Giants offense and allowed eight runs and five walks in four innings. The velocity is down, and he’s difficult to trust, but he has two good matchups.
Jakob Junis (Royals) vs. SEA, @LAA
Junis was terrific to open the season with seven scoreless innings and allowed three hits, one walk and six strikeouts against the Tigers. Junis had a good second half last season with a 3.55 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.
Ben Lively (Phillies) vs. CIN, @TB
Lively pitched well against the Mets to open the season. He went 5.2 innings and allowed six hits, two earned one walk and struck out five. The Reds offense is struggling, and the Rays offense is weak.
Jake Odorizzi (Twins) vs. HOU, vs. CWS
Odorizzi was sharp to open the season in Baltimore and wasn’t as good in Pittsburgh. The Astros matchup is daunting, but he’s someone you can use.
Tyler Skaggs (Angels) @TEX, @KC
In 11 innings, Skaggs has allowed eight hits, two runs, two walks and struck out ten. The Royals are an offense to exploit.
Blake Snell (Rays) @CWS, vs. PHI
Snell was good to open the season against the Red Sox and struggled against the Yankees in the Bronx. Snell is improving, and the matchups are easier this week.
RED LIGHT
Tyler Anderson (Rockies) vs. SD, @WAS
Homer Bailey (Reds) @PHI, vs. STL
A 4.22 ERA and a 5:6 K:BB ratio in 10.2 innings show he’s not back.
Matt Boyd (Tigers) @CLE, vs. NYY
Boyd’s velocity was down to 88 miles per hour with his fastball in his first start, although it was a cold day. Combine that and the two difficult matchups, and he’s an avoid.
Jhoulys Chacin (Brewers) @STL, @NYM
Doug Fister (Rangers) vs. LAA, @HOU
Mike Foltynewicz (Braves) @WAS, @CHC
He’s off to a good start in 10.1 innings with a 15:3 K:BB ratio. He has allowed two home runs, lots of hard contact and a swinging strike rate of 8.6 percent. Two difficult matchups, so don’t trust him yet.
Carson Fulmer (White Sox) vs. TB, @MIN
Kyle Gibson (Twins) vs. HOU, vs. CWS
Gibson has a 0.87 ERA, but a 5.23 BB/9. The matchup against the Astros is a concern.
Miguel Gonzalez (White Sox) vs. TB, @MIN
Francisco Liriano (Tigers) @CLE, vs. NYY
Liriano was good in his first start, going 6.2 innings, allowing four hits, two walks, one earned run and struck out three, but he has a poor offense behind him and two tough lineups.
Joey Lucchesi (Padres) @COL, vs. SF
He has a unique delivery that could make it difficult for batters to pick up. He has a 2.79 ERA in 9.2 innings, and the Rockies faced him in his last start. He’s a solid add, but the start in Coors Field makes me shy away.
Miles Mikolas (Cardinals) vs. MIL, @CIN
Mikolas allowed three home runs in 5.2 innings in his first start and allowed a lot of hard contact.
Ivan Nova (Pirates) @CHC, @MIA
Nova allows too much contact. The Marlins matchup is favorable, but the Cubs will explode at some point.
Cody Reed (Reds) @PHI, vs. STL
Clayton Richard (Padres) @COL, vs. SF
Eric Skoglund (Royals) vs. SEA, @LAA
Mike Tomlin (Indians) vs. DET, vs. TOR
Tomlin has stretches in which he’s good because of his control, but he’s prone to blow-up starts.
