At a key time in the fantasy baseball calendar, we are unfortunately saddled with possibly the worst two-start pitcher group of the season. In fact, once we get past the top option, every other hurler may be best left for those in deep formats. On the hitting side, managers should load up on Rockies for the first half of the week.
Zac Thornton, Mets, 20% (vs. MIL, vs. HOU): Thornton continues to establish himself as a reliable major league rotation member and now sits at 3-4 with a 3.04 ERA and 1.13 WHIP after nine starts. The rookie struck out seven Padres in his most recent outing, which is a great sign from someone whose only weakness thus far has been an inability to accumulate whiffs. He unfortunately has a pair of matchups against top-10 teams in OPS versus righties, but at least both starts will take place at his pitcher-friendly home park.
Andrew Alvarez, Nationals, 7% (vs. COL, vs. MIA): Although Alvarez has enjoyed his best stretch of the season during August (2.42 ERA, 0.90 WHIP), the advanced stats (16:8 K:BB ratio, .169 BABIP) don't back up his success. In fact, the left-hander's strikeout rate this month (6.5 K/9) is notably lower than his season-long mark (8.3). Alvarez deserves credit for consistency, as he has allowed more than three earned runs in just one of his 19 appearances. However, most of his outings last less than five innings. He has reasonable matchups and the two-start options are poor this week, which makes him worth consideration as a low-floor, low-ceiling option in deeper formats.
Max Scherzer, Blue Jays, 6% (vs. KC, vs. SEA): After enjoying three consecutive strong starts, Scherzer faltered (4 IP, 7 ER) last time out. The outing wasn't quite as bad as the stat line indicates, as a pair of misplayed fly ***** by Jesús Sánchez ruined the right-hander's chances. Scherzer wouldn't normally rank as a viable two-start option, but he has had enough success of late to warrant consideration for two home starts against teams that rank 22nd (Royals) and 30th (Mariners) in runs scored.
Seth Lugo, Royals, 24% (@ TOR, @ CLE): Lugo opened the second half by posting a 2.37 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over three starts, but his 10:6 K:BB ratio in those outings showed that he hadn't truly turned around a poor season. Sure enough, the 36-year-old came crashing back to earth with a 7.48 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in his past four outings. Lugo has favorable matchups this week, as the Blue Jays (28th) and Guardians (26th) sit near the bottom of baseball in runs scored. That's the only reason to select him over those who trail him on this list.
#alvarez #start
Zac Thornton, Mets, 20% (vs. MIL, vs. HOU): Thornton continues to establish himself as a reliable major league rotation member and now sits at 3-4 with a 3.04 ERA and 1.13 WHIP after nine starts. The rookie struck out seven Padres in his most recent outing, which is a great sign from someone whose only weakness thus far has been an inability to accumulate whiffs. He unfortunately has a pair of matchups against top-10 teams in OPS versus righties, but at least both starts will take place at his pitcher-friendly home park.
Andrew Alvarez, Nationals, 7% (vs. COL, vs. MIA): Although Alvarez has enjoyed his best stretch of the season during August (2.42 ERA, 0.90 WHIP), the advanced stats (16:8 K:BB ratio, .169 BABIP) don't back up his success. In fact, the left-hander's strikeout rate this month (6.5 K/9) is notably lower than his season-long mark (8.3). Alvarez deserves credit for consistency, as he has allowed more than three earned runs in just one of his 19 appearances. However, most of his outings last less than five innings. He has reasonable matchups and the two-start options are poor this week, which makes him worth consideration as a low-floor, low-ceiling option in deeper formats.
Max Scherzer, Blue Jays, 6% (vs. KC, vs. SEA): After enjoying three consecutive strong starts, Scherzer faltered (4 IP, 7 ER) last time out. The outing wasn't quite as bad as the stat line indicates, as a pair of misplayed fly ***** by Jesús Sánchez ruined the right-hander's chances. Scherzer wouldn't normally rank as a viable two-start option, but he has had enough success of late to warrant consideration for two home starts against teams that rank 22nd (Royals) and 30th (Mariners) in runs scored.
Seth Lugo, Royals, 24% (@ TOR, @ CLE): Lugo opened the second half by posting a 2.37 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over three starts, but his 10:6 K:BB ratio in those outings showed that he hadn't truly turned around a poor season. Sure enough, the 36-year-old came crashing back to earth with a 7.48 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in his past four outings. Lugo has favorable matchups this week, as the Blue Jays (28th) and Guardians (26th) sit near the bottom of baseball in runs scored. That's the only reason to select him over those who trail him on this list.
#alvarez #start
2 months ago
