We are back! Apologies to any of you who came out of the All-Star break looking for help with 10-day hitting times, but this column goes live on Sundays. As for next week, we have a pretty good idea of what most of the rotation will look like, but there are a few situations where teams are playing coy. As best as I can, I have those noted below.
One situation I do not The catch this time is the Tigers. Kenta Maeda was originally thought to earn a spot on our roster, but his appearance on Saturday after Reese Olson left with a shoulder injury ruled him out. Looking at the current Tigers depth chart, my best guess is that they end up going with the bullpen at least once this week. They are simply riddled with injuries at both the major and minor league levels. I think they could call someone like Ty Madden up for a look, but looking at his numbers so far this year makes me sad.
The following are our guesses at the time of writing as to who will start 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. It’s kind of like setting your rosters you know you’re getting two this week from these guys.
| It’s a jar | The beginning of the beginning | The Second Beginning |
|---|---|---|
| Logan Gilbert, Sea | LAA | @CHW |
| Tarik Skubal, Det | @CLE | MIN |
| Garrett Crochet, ChW | @TEX | THE SEA |
| Zack Wheeler, Phi | @MIN | CLE |
| Max Fried, Atl | CIN | @NYM |
| Hunter Greene, Cin | @ATL | @TB |
| Blake Snell, SF | @LAD | COL |
| Cole Ragans, KC | ARI | CHC |
- At least one source thinks Gilbert won’t go until Tuesday, with Bryce Miller taking the mound on Monday instead. It’s possible, but I’d be surprised. Obviously you’re using Gilbert no matter what, just be aware that it might just be for self-exclusion. If that happens, those matchups mean Miller could be at the top of the Oatmeal Cookies, if not the Sugar Cookies.
- At the time of writing, Fried had not been officially named as the likely starter for the Braves on Monday. Chris Sale or Reynaldo Lopez might get that spot instead. Admitting that, you start them all whether they have one or two initials.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tanner Houck, Bos | @COL | NYY |
| Jose Berrios, Tor | TB | TEX |
| Mitch Keller, Pit | STL | @ARI |
| Jose Soriano, LAA | @SEA | OAK |
| Ryan Pepiot, TB | @TOR | CIN |
- Why isn’t Houck in the above category? Location, one start. And opposition, to another. Streamonator actually has one much lower than this, but I disagree.
- Soriano is a more versatile pitcher than I usually like to put at this level, but Streamonator likes the matchups and so do I.
- Speaking of flexibility, here’s Ryan Pepiot! Call me stupid, but he’s a guy I still think could be a solid contributor.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Erick Fedde, ChW | @TEX | THE SEA |
| Jameson Taillon, ChC | The MIL | @KC |
| Bailey Ober, Min | PHI | @DET |
| Carlos Rodon, NYY | TB | @BOS |
| Yilber Diaz, Ari | @KC | The PIT |
| Tobias Myers, Mil | @CHC | MIA |
| Albert Suarez, Bal | @MIA | SD |
| Hayden Birdsong, SF | @LAD | COL |
| Spencer Arrighetti, Hou | @OK | LAD |
| Zack Littell, TB | @NYY | CIN |
| Tyler Anderson, LAA | @SEA | OAK |
| David Peterson, NYM | @MIA | ATL |
- Streamonator actually had Chris Paddack penciled in for Ober. However, he was placed on IL with a shoulder issue Saturday afternoon. I think the towering righty takes that spot in the rotation.
- As I write this, several places have Javier Assad scheduled to lead the church of the lambs. I’m inclined to believe what we’ve come up with without a formal name comes from lambs.
- Do I really trust Tyler Anderson? Not even a little bit. And in two of his last three he’s shown why. The fact that he had that in between, along with other great matchups, saved him from being low-ranked.
Fortune Cookies (Don’t Start)
Yes, they are 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 |
|---|---|---|
| John Gray, Tex | CHW | @TOR |
| Jose Quintana, NYM | @NYY | ATL |
| German Marquez, Col | The BOS | @SF |
| Landon Knack, LAD | SF | @HOU |
| Michael Lorenzen, Tex | CHW | @TOR |
| Carlos Carrasco, Cle | DET | @PHI |
| Spencer Howard, Cle | DET | @PHI |
| Randy Vasquez, SD | @WSH | @BAL |
| Patrick Corbin, Wsh | SD | @STL |
| Bryan Hoeing, Mia | BAL | @MIL |
| Hogan Harris, Oak | HOU | @LAA |
| Osvaldo Bido, Oak | HOU | @LAA |
| Yonny Chirinos, Mia | @NYM | @MIL |
- That White Sox matchup might be enough to convince you to take a chance on Gray this week. I can’t stop you from doing it, and while I understand the reasoning, I don’t agree with it.
- There is talk, or at least hope, that Max Meyer will be called up by Miami to do this. If that happens, you are probably a class above this. Let’s hope he does. You are very lovely.
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