There are many words listed below this week. Unfortunately, most of them are either back-to-back starters, guys who have fallen on hard times recently, guys with bad matchups, or a combination of the three. Some of the guys in the Oatmeal Cookie category may have found themselves among the sugar cookies at the beginning of the year, but I (most) fared pretty well this week. If you’re really chasing Wins or Ks, you may need to be a little more aggressive with who you’re using, but the time is getting shorter to reverse the burn damage of your ratings twice.
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. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Luis Gil, NYY | CLE | COL |
| Michael King, SD | MIN | NYM |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Gausman, Tor | CIN | LAA |
| Bryan Woo, Sea | LAD | SF |
| Brandon Pfadt, Ari | @MIA | @BOS |
| Seth Lugo, KC | LAA | PHI |
| Taj Bradley, TB | @OK | @LAD |
- Four of Sethi’s last six starts have been roughand I don’t like the Phillies matchup at all. But you need to start someone, and the Angels are not a formidable enemy.
- Similarly, after looking like an ace for most of June and July, Bradley has burned his managers in his last three outings. He’s still moving at this level, but he’s not dangerous.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jose Berrios, Tor | CIN | LAA |
| Ronel Blanco, Hou | The BOS | @BAL |
| Kyle Harrison, SF | CHW | @SEA |
| Mitch Keller, Pit | @TEX | CIN |
| Yusei Kikuchi, Hou | The BOS | @BAL |
| Tyler Anderson, LAA | @KC | @TEX |
| DJ Herz, Wsh | COL | @ATL |
| Tanner Houck, Bos | @HOU | ARI |
| Erick Fedde, StL | The MIL | @MIN |
| Frankie Montas, Mil | @STL | @OK |
| Shane Baz, TB | @OK | @LAD |
| Gavin Stone, LAD | THE SEA | TB |
- Berrios almost found himself in the above category. However, he’s also wildly inconsistent and is only a few starts removed from a terrible spot. That makes him perfect at this level. From here down to Littel, we see a collection of hitters who have been great at times this season. But, in the latter case, it is difficult to really trust them. In some cases the matchups make taking the gamble less desirable. I probably start any of them that I have, but I wouldn’t blame you for choosing not to. It’s like choosing an oatmeal raisin cookie.
- Here begins the true wildcard section of this level. Would I be shocked if one of these guys came out and spun a gem, or at least a few complete starters? Not at all. I would be surprised if there were many last 3 innings or less? No!
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Boyd, Cle | @NYY | TEX |
| Zebby Matthews, Min | @SD | STL |
| Joes Estes, Oak | TB | The MIL |
| Javier Assad, ChC | DET | @MIA |
| Carson Spiers, Cin | @TOR | @PIT |
| Dean Kremer, Bal | @NYM | HOU |
| Jonathan Cannon, ChW | @SF | DET |
| David Peterson, NYM | BAL | @SD |
| Jose Quintana, NYM | BAL | @SD |
| Martin Perez, SD | MIN | NYM |
| Joe Boyle, Oak | TB | The MIL |
| Luis Ortiz, Pit | @TEX | CIN |
| Adam Mazur, Mia | ARI | CHC |
| Jakob Junis, Cin | @TOR | @PIT |
| Carson Fulmer, LAA | @KC | @TOR |
| Austin Gomber, Col | @WSH | @NYY |
| Trevor Rogers, Bal | @NYM | HOU |
| Jose Urena, Tex | The PIT | @CLE |
| Alex Faedo, Det | @CHC | @CHW |
- Faedo was working as an opener for Bryan Sammons. So, you are here technically. Sammons, if you’re curious, would fit somewhere in this tier. I wish a more interesting pitcher was on the lineup for those matchups.
- There’s a chance this is Edward Cabrera, where he’s the Oatmeal Cookie wild card. There’s actually no starter announced for Miami on Monday at the time of writing, so keep your eyes peeled.
- Junis is also speculation after the news Saturday evening that Hunter Greene was arrested in IL. Talk about being let down.
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