It’s been a busy week for your owner of Stilo Sekhukhile. A significant amount of baking has been involved, appropriately enough. So we’re going to skip the presentation this week and get straight to what you came for.
The following are our guesses at the time of writing as to who will start the two games this week, but the weather, injuries, and secret team management mean they are just that: guesses. To stay as up-to-date as possible, consult Rudy Gamble’s invaluable Streamonator.
Chocolate Chip Cookies (A Must-Start)
They are the kings of the cookie world for a reason. A warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookie makes you feel good. Kind of like setting your plans you know you’re getting a double this week from these guys.
| It’s a jar | The beginning of the beginning | The Second Beginning |
|---|---|---|
| Garrett Crochet, ChW | LAD | COL |
| Tarik Skubal, Det | PHI | @LAA |
| Joe Ryan, Min | @ARI | @SEA |
| Aaron Nola, Ph | @DET | MIA |
| Taj Bradley, TB | THE SEA | WSH |
| Reynaldo Lopez, Atl | @STL | @PIT |
| Nick Lodolo, Cin | The PIT | @STL |
| Hunter Greene, Cin | The PIT | @STL |
| Cole Ragans, KC | MIA | CLE |
| Justin Steele, ChC | @SF | @MIL |
| Ranger Suarez, Ph | @DET | MIA |
| Freddy Peralta, Mil | TEX | CHC |
- I don’t know if Lopez will make two starts. We think he will play on Tuesday, so in theory he is scheduled for double duty. However, Atlanta likes to bring in guys to make starts and ruin my plans. You’re going to start him anyway, just be aware that it might be a one-off.
- The Streamonator has Peralta as the second option this week. Rangers’ recent struggles and consistency leave me a little pessimistic. It’s still a Chocolate Chip cookie, maybe it’s just not fresh in the jar.
Sugar Cookies (Must Start)
They went well. You could certainly do a lot worse than having these guys on your list, but don’t expect it to be spectacular.
| It’s a jar | The beginning of the beginning | The Second Beginning |
|---|---|---|
| Bryan Woo, Sea | @TB | MIN |
| Tanner Houck, Bos | TOR | SD |
| Gerrit Cole, NYY | @NYM | @TOR |
| Kevin Gausman, Tor | @BOS | NYY |
| Tanner Bibee, Cle | @BAL | @KC |
| Seth Lugo, KC | MIA | CLE |
| Matt Waldron, SD | WSH | @BOS |
| Chris Bassitt, Tor | @BOS | NYY |
- Woo could make two starts this week. Maybe his arm fell off in the middle of the first one. I am willing to take the risk.
- Speaking of injury concerns, I wish I could hope that Cole wouldn’t have any hiccups. But until you use him.
- The last time Matt Waldron had two starts he was an Oatmeal Rasin cookie, but it’s worth taking a chance after four straight quality outings. It’s now eight good starts in a row. Being a knuckleballer will always mean some risk, but you’ve got a bump to the top.
- I like Chris Bassitt a lot. I hate matchups. Streamonator hates them even more, for what it’s worth.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (Can Start)
This is not for everyone. These are the jars that can be a happy surprise, or they can ruin your church. Step slowly.
| It’s a jar | The beginning of the beginning | The Second Beginning |
|---|---|---|
| Kyle Gibson, StL | ATL | CIN |
| Brandon Pfadt, Ari | MIN | OAK |
| Spencer Schwellenbach, Atl | @STL | The PIT |
| Griffin Canning, LAA | OAK | DET |
| Cade Povich, Bal | CLE | TEX |
| Tyler Anderson, LAA | OAK | DET |
| James Paxton, LAD | @CHW | @SF |
| Cole Irvin, Bal | CLE | TEX |
- If Schwellenbach does indeed start Monday, it’s safe to assume he’ll start twice.
- I don’t care how good Tyler Anderson’s results have been so far. I refuse to believe it is legal. Even if he continues to pitch well, if his xERA is still two runs higher than his actual ERA the next time he has two starts, he will be at this level. We all have things we are stubborn about. You are one of me.
Fortune Cookies (Don’t Start)
Yes, technically cookies. Hold on, what does that little piece of paper say? “Bad times pass.” Oh. Oh well.
| It’s a jar | The beginning of the beginning | The Second Beginning |
|---|---|---|
| Lance Lynn, StL | ATL | CIN |
| Andrew Heaney, Tex | @MIL | @BAL |
| Michael Lorenzen, Tex | @MIL | @BAL |
| Casey Mize, Det | PHI | @LAA |
| Logan Allen, Cle | @BAL | @KC |
| Kyle Hendricks, ChC | @SF | @MIL |
| Bailey Falter, Pit | @CIN | @ATL |
| Chris Flexen, ChW | LAD | COL |
| Patrick Corbin, Wsh | @SD | @TB |
| Luis Medina, Oak | @LAA | @ARI |
| Rodery Munoz, Mia | @KC | @PHI |
| Yonny Chirinos, Mia | @KC | @PHI |
| Spencer Howard, SF | CHC | LAD |
| Erik Miller, SF | CHC | LAD |
- Lorenzen probably deserves to be on the higher team based on his form so far. However, he has a total of 6 Ks in his last 17 IP, bad matchups, and Streamonator hates him this week. Sorry, Michael.
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