When streaming starting pitching in fantasy baseball, especially in leagues with moves limits, knowing who the two-start pitchers are is valuable information to have. Each week we will give you the rundown on who is in line for a big week and give you one option which is poised to make for a great streaming option for the week.
I am just going to go ahead and warn you; Week 14 is going to be unpredictable. 22 teams are playing seven games, bringing us a massive number of possible double starts. However, with the All-Star break starting on July 11, teams may do quite a bit of shuffling of their rotations this week. They may send pitchers to the minors to keep them on regularly scheduled rest. Clubs could give others extra time off by either skipping starts or place them on the DL. Either way, expect to see a lot of one-offs and fill-in starters this week. Our spotlight pitcher is not one of them.
James Shields (NYY, ATL)
Throughout his 11-year career, Shields has been as consistent as they come. Holding a career 3.74 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 7.8 K/9 rate entering this season the 34-year-old seemed like a safe bet in fantasy. He was a workhorse, 200 plus IP for nine straight years, and won double-digit games every year since 2007. He even started 2016 in typical fashion, posting a 3.06 ERA and 7.9 K/9 through his first 10 starts. Then came possibly the worst four-game stretch of his career.
Starting on May 31 by allowing 10 runs in 2.2 IP versus Seattle, Shields imploded. He followed up that bomb with three more games allowing six or more ER. From May 31 to June 18, Shields' ERA was 24.62. That's no typo; he allowed 31 runs in only 11.1 IP. Granted he was traded from the Padres to the White Sox during that stretch, but his blow ups were mind boggling.
The veteran righty has appeared to settle down his past two starts, allowing only four total runs in 11.2 IP against Boston and Minnesota. Due to his horrific two-plus week stretch, Shields is still available in more than half of all fantasy leagues. With two trainwreck offenses coming to town this week, the Yankees and Braves respectively rank 23rd and 30th in MLB in runs scored so far this year; the usually, steady Shields should see his ownership percentages rise again in Week 14.
Aces
Carlos Carrasco (DET, NYY)
Max Scherzer (MIL, @NYM)
Since returning from the disabled list on June 2, Carrasco has been sharp posting a 2.65 ERA. Over his last two starts, he has taken his game to another level. The fireballer followed up his four-hit shutout of the Tigers on June 25 by firing 14 Ks in 7.1 IP against the Blue Jays on June 30...In four straight outings and five his past six starts, Scherzer has had double-digit strikeouts. He even leads the NL with 120 Ks on the year. The Nationals' workhorse is still only the 7th best pitcher in all of fantasy in 2016 due to his propensity to give up the long ball. He leads the NL there as well with 20 HRs allowed.
Lineup Locks
Matt Harvey (MIA, WAS)
Kenta Maeda (BAL, SD)
Carlos Martinez (PIT, @MIL)
David Price (TEX, TB)
Danny Salazar (DET, NYY)
Masahiro Tanaka (@CWS, @CLE)
In the first three months of Maeda's career, he has alternated good and bad months. April he had a 1.51 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 3-1 record. In his five May starts, the rookie threw one quality start and held a 5.04 ERA, In June he has gotten back into a groove tossing 35.2 innings of 2.54 ERA ball with 38 Ks...After winning 18 games and posting an AL-leading 2.45 ERA last season, Price has been a disappointment in Boston. While he has tossed the occasional gem, his last two starts have been atrocious. He allowed 10 ER and 21 hits in only 8.2 IP to the Rangers and Rays. He gets to face the pair again this week, but at Fenway, where has been a tick better so far.
Solid Starts
Kyle Hendricks (CIN, @PIT)
Steven Matz (MIA, WAS)
Lance McCullers (SEA, OAK)
Matt Moore (LAA, @BOS)
Jake Odorizzi (LAA, @BOS)
Rick Porcello (TEX, TB)
Aaron Sanchez (KC, DET)
Taijuan Walker (@HOU, @KC)
Despite a 6-6 record, Hendricks has quietly been the third-best starter on the Cubs, behind aces Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester. His 2.76 ERA and 1.05 WHIP both rank 10th in the NL. Not the most overpowering pitcher, the 26-year-old still strikes out over 8.0 batters per nine innings, good for top 25 status in the senior circuit...At 105.1 IP so far this season, Sanchez is already at a career high. With the Blue Jays in the thick of the Wild Card chase and the 24-year-old being an integral piece of their rotation, don't be surprised if Toronto skips one of his starts this week as they try to reduce the innings hit this year.
Not a Sure Thing
Tyler Chatwood (@SF, PHI)
Jerad Eickhoff (ATL, @COL)
Gio Gonzalez (MIL, @NYM)
Kendall Graveman (@MIN, @HOU)
Dallas Keuchel (SEA, OAK)
Mike Leake (PIT, @MIL)
Jake Peavy (COL, ARI)
CC Sabathia (@CWS, @CLE)
Jameson Taillon (@STL, CHC)
Jordan Zimmermann (@CLE, @TOR)
The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, Keuchel has imploded this year as his ERA has more than doubled, from 2.48 in 2015 to 5.12 through 17 starts. Even as he has thrown three consecutive quality starts, the Astros' southpaw has seen his strikeouts dimish as he has only 12 Ks in his last 19.1 IP...Holding a 6.41 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP in his first 12 starts; Peavy has been rightfully ignored in all fantasy formats. However, over the past three weeks, the 35-year-old vet has shown signs of life. Peavy has a 2.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and .238 BA against in his last four starts. However, with two stacked NL West offenses coming to town this week, the Giants starter may not be the best option to roll the dice on.
Shot in the Dark
Tyler Anderson (@SF, PHI)
Archie Bradley (SD, @SF)
Mike Foltynewicz (@PHI, @CWS)
A.J. Griffin (@BOS, MIN)
Junior Guerra (@WAS, STL)
Sean Manaea (@MIN, @HOU)
Daniel Norris (@CLE, @TOR)
With Zack Greinke missing a start due to an oblique injury, Bradley will move up and take two turns this week. Over his last three starts, including one trip to Coors Field, the 23-ear-old has a 2.12 ERA, a .246 BA against, and two quality starts. If he can continue to cut down the walks, 4.3 BB/9, the big righty could be a reliable fantasy option in the second half...Guerra is coming off his best start of the year, an 8.0 inning, two-hit, seven K, shutout of the Dodgers. In fact, the 31-year-old rookie has been one of the most pleasant surprises this year as has a 3.25 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 7.8 K/9 rate in 11 starts this year.
No Thank You
Joel De La Cruz (@PHI, @CWS)
RA Dickey (KC, DET)
Zach Eflin (ATL, @COL)
Yovani Gallardo (@LAD, LAA)
Tom Koehler (@NYM, CIN)
Erik Johnson (@ARI, @LAD)
Tim Lincecum (@TB, @BAL)
Nick Martinez (@BOS, MIN)
Wade Miley (@HOU, @KC)
Tommy Milone (OAK, @TEX)
Jonathon Niese (@STL, CHC)
Ricky Nolasco (OAK, @TEX)
Luis Perdomo (@ARI, @LAD)
Cody Reed (@CHC, @MIA)
Brock Stewart (BAL, SD)
Edinson Volquez (@TOR, SEA)
Jered Weaver (@TB, @BAL)
Chris Young (@TOR, SEA)