The week of June 11 to June 17 is an important one in fantasy. For many leagues, it is the half-way point and could determine whether your team will coast into the playoffs or is in need of a big trade or acquisition. Dynasty leagues particularly should pay close attention this week as it could determine whether or not teams will be buyers or sellers at the deadline. As always, I’ll be breaking down the two-start pitchers you can trust and you should stay away from.
For more help setting this week’s lineups check Eric Cross’ Waiver Wire Pickups.
Two-Start Pitchers for Week of June 11
*As always, keep in mind that these are the probable two-start pitchers as of Sunday, June 10 and are subject to change.
No-Brainer Two-Start Pitchers
It’s simple. These are the two-start pitchers you should slot into your roster and not worry about them. These are the guys that have a pair of favorable matchups, are hot of late, or are just plain studs.
- Chris Sale – 6/12 @ BAL, 6/17 @ SEA
- Aaron Nola – 6/12 vs. COL, 6/17 @ MIL
- Carlos Carrasco – 6/11 @ CHW, 6/16 vs. MIN
- Lance McCullers – 6/12 @ OAK, 6/17 @ KC
- Patrick Corbin – 6/11 vs. PIT, 6/16 vs. NYM
- Mike Foltynewicz – 6/12 vs. NYM, 6/17 vs. SD
Foltynewicz has been on the fringe of being a no-brainer for a few weeks now. This week though, you shouldn’t hesitate to send the righty out for two starts. In his last four starts, he’s failed to make it through the sixth just once and has allowed a combined four runs in those starts. That has helped bring his ERA down to 2.31 and his WHIP to 1.19 on the season.
There’s really no explanation needed for the other five two-start pitchers. You’ve seen them on this list before and with good reason. None have overly difficult matchups and are all coming off of impressive starts their last time out. You can rely on them to lead your staff this upcoming week.
Safe Bets
There’s no doubt that these guys could go out there and keep opposing hitters at bay. They’re the kind of guys that you can lean on to give you six quality innings. They’re solid, safe bets and should be relied on to put forth respectable outings.
- Eduardo Rodriguez – 6/11 @ BAL, 6/16 @ SEA – Rodriguez has fallen one out shy of a quality start three times in his last four starts. While that will undoubtedly make fantasy owners furious, Rodriguez has been solid over that stretch. He owns a respectable 3.68 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in that span and it helps to have the Red Sox’s powerhouse offense behind him, as he sits at 7-1 on the season.
- Jose Quintana – 6/11 @ MIL, 6/17 @ STL – A lot is working in Quintana’s favor heading into this two-start week. He’s coming off two very solid outings against the Phillies and Mets and pulls the Brewers and Cardinals this week. Both St. Louis and Milwaukee have struggled against lefties this season, ranking 21st and 27th respectively in batting average versus southpaws. On top of that, he faces both of them on the road, where he’s performed much better than at Wrigley.
- Madison Bumgarner – 6/11 vs. MIA, 6/16 @ LAD – Don’t expect to see Bumgarner anywhere except the No-Brainers list for very long. In his first start since breaking his hand in Spring Training, Bumgarner went six innings, allowed two runs, and struck out three. There definitely appeared to be some rust, but Bumgarner still managed to make it through six innings, as a bonafide ace should be trusted to do. He’ll have a great chance to get his feel back against the Marlins before he faces the Dodgers, a team he’s 15-9 with a 2.53 ERA against in his career.
- Jon Gray – 6/12 @ PHI, 6/17 @ TEX – Not one but two road starts for Gray this week? I’m in. Gray’s had an up and down season thus far, but has shown his potential ceiling at times. Gray gets the Phillies and Rangers this week, two teams that have struggled offensively.
Survive and Thrive
Two-start pitchers have two chances to put up big numbers, however, pitchers aren’t always fortunate enough to match up against two weak teams in a week. A lot of times, pitchers will be faced with one easier matchup and one tougher one. If they can so much as survive the tougher one, they have a chance to thrive on the weaker matchup and really help a fantasy team.
- Dylan Bundy – 6/11 vs. BOS, 6/17 vs. MIA – Bundy is the definition of a survive and thrive candidate entering the week. In his first start, he faces the Red Sox who rank in the top five in nearly every offensive category. His second start comes against the Marlins who inversely rank in the bottom five of nearly every category. That includes ranking dead last in OBP and SLG. If his 1.90 HR/9 can survive the Red Sox, his 10.47 K/9 should be apparent against the Marlins.
- Jack Flaherty – 6/11 vs. SD, 6/17 vs. CHC – Try and forget that Flaherty was lit-up by the Marlins in his last outing. Even after allowing seven runs in his last two starts, Flaherty’s season ERA sits at a very nice 3.20. He’s never been flashy, but he’s getting the job done for the Cardinals this year. Before facing the red-hot Cubs in his second start, he gets to take on the Padres who are batting just .233 off of righties.
- Tanner Roark – 6/12 @ NYY, 6/17 @ TOR
- Chris Stratton – 6/12 @ MIA, 6/17 @ LAD
- Sam Gaviglio – 6/11 @ TB, 6/17 vs. WAS
Check Starlin Castro’s reaction to this Jack Flaherty slider: pic.twitter.com/WsbfVU7yK2
— stlCupofJoe (@stlCupofJoe) June 7, 2018
Proceed With Caution
It’s never a sure thing what you’re going to get from these guys. Their matchups aren’t overly challenging, which could allow them to turn in some really solid numbers. There’s always risk with these guys, though, so don’t expect too much.
- Daniel Mengden – 6/12 vs. HOU, 6/17 vs. LAA – Mengden has managed to impress this year without really doing anything spectacular. He’s made it through eight innings twice, threw a complete game against the Diamondbacks, and has had seven quality starts in 13 attempts. For fantasy purposes though, Mengden is not striking out nearly as many batters to really help your staff. His K/9 sits at an underwhelming 5.86 on the season. With two tough matchups against Houston and Los Angeles, sending Mengden out there would be a risky move.
- Jake Odorizzi – 6/12 @ DET, 6/17 @ CLE – Jake “Risky” Odorizzi. There’s nothing special that sticks out with Odorizzi. He’ll throw the occasional six-inning quality start, but leaves much to be desired most starts. If you’re a risk taker or need any help you can get, throw Odorizzi out there, but do not expect much.
- CC Sabathia – 6/12 vs. WAS, 6/17 vs. TB
- Andrew Heaney – 6/11 @ SEA, 6/17 @ OAK
- Trevor Williams – 6/11 @ ARI, 6/17 vs. CIN
- Clay Bucholz – 6/12 vs. PIT, 6/17 vs. NYM
- Chase Williams – 6/11 vs. CHC, 6/17 vs. PHI
Nothing To See Here
Stay away from these two-start pitchers. I know the thought of two starts in a week is tempting, but it’s more likely these guys put you in the negative than help you.
- Hector Santiago
- Elieser Hernandez
- Wei-Yin Chen
- Blaine Hardy
- Jason Vargas
- Lucas Giolito
- Wade LeBlanc
- Jordan Lyles
- Mike Leake