Last week I commented on how good the selection of quality options is at the top. However, this week goes even deeper. In fact, I would feel fine using any of these guys up to at least Charlie Morton in Oatmeal Cookies. Even after him, I would feel better about using any of that section than other churches. Shoot, there are even a few guys down in the Fortune Cookies that I might be swayed to use if you really pushed me. It is a indeed great week for the first two options! Which means we have to be ready for baseballs to start flying over the fence in season-high numbers and ruin all of our ratios.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Sale, Atl | SD | @PIT |
| Corbin Burnes, Bal | @STL | @CHW |
| Pablo Lopez, Min | @WSH | TEX |
| Yusei Kikuchi, Tor | CHW | @DET |
| Framber Valdez, Hou | LAA | @OK |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dylan Cease, SD | @ATL | NYY |
| Logan Gilbert, Sea | @NYY | @WSH |
| Logan Webb, SF | @PIT | @NYM |
| Ranger Suarez, Ph | TEX | @COL |
| Sonny Gray, Stl | BAL | CHC |
| Garrett Crochet, CHW | @TOR | BAL |
| Jose Berrios, Tor | CHW | @DET |
| Tanner Houck, Bos | @TB | The MIL |
| Taj Bradley, TB | The BOS | KC |
| Kyle Bradish, Bal | @STL | @CHW |
- Obviously you’re not benching Cease, but the matchups are bad enough to knock him out of the top division this week.
- Streamonator has Suarez down among the guys you don’t want to use. I don’t get it. He’s been amazing this season any way you look at it. I know, Texas is a tough game and anything can happen in Colorado. But if you’re in the mood to bench him this week, congratulations on your bravery.
- Last week, after playing the first two games, Crochet was coming off badly and it seemed that caution was necessary. Since then he has decided to make me look like a fool by cutting five good starts in a row. Let’s not do the opposite now, okay, Garrett?
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Reese Olson, Det | @KC | TOR |
| John Gray, Tex | @PHI | @MIN |
| Clarke Schmidt, NYY | THE SEA | @SD |
| Erick Fedde, CHW | @TOR | BAL |
| Javier Assad, CHC | ATL | @STL |
| Michael Wacha, KC | DET | @TB |
| Bryan Woo, Sea | @NYY | @WSH |
| Charlie Morton, Atl | @CHC | @PIT |
| Michael King, SD | @CIN | NYY |
| Gavin Stone, LAD | ARI | @CIN |
| Marcus Stroman, NYY | THE SEA | @SD |
| Casey Mize, Det | @KC | TOR |
| Andrew Abbott, Cin | SD | LAD |
- The metrics say Javier Assad shouldn’t be this good. Streamonator has him as even worse two start the pot this coming week. Meanwhile, as you may have noticed, he has an MLB-leading 1.94 ERA through June 27, 2023. That’s crazy! Do I expect him to shut out the Braves over 6 innings the way he did last time? No, I don’t, that’s why it’s in this section and not the one above. But do I think he’s the worst starting option available this week? Not at all. Just wait until you see other names appear. Anyway, I’ll be starting Assad in a few places with him, so we’ll all be mad at me if he gets burned by a crisp this week.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Reid Detmers, LAA | @HOU | CLE |
| Joe Ross, Mil | @MIA | @BOS |
| Ben Lively, Cle | NYM | @LAA |
| Ryan Weathers, Mia | The MIL | @ARI |
| Aaron Brooks, Oak | COL | HOU |
| Cal Quantrill, Col | @OK | PHI |
| Taylor Megill, NYM | @CLE | SF |
| Martin Perez, Pit | SF | ATL |
| Mitchell Parker, Wsh | MIN | THE SEA |
| Slade Cecconi, Ari | @LAD | MIA |
- Detmers is the opposite of Suarez and Assad. He earned his 5.19 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, yet the computer will have him among the sugar cookies. I don’t buy what it’s selling. Obviously you can take the risk if you want, but I don’t bite.
- Every time I see Brooks’ name, I think of the former Saints quarterback. Then a basketball player who went to Oregon and spent 10 years in the NBA. I don’t think Aaron Brooks will ever challenge them for a place in my mind. I don’t know anything about this fantasy baseball related blur. It’s like he shouldn’t have anything to do with your plan.
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