Each week, about 25 starting pitchers get two starts. They pitch at the beginning of the week, and even if their team has a day off, they get a second start on Sunday to end the week.
Strategic pitching decisions can make or break your fantasy baseball team. While most starting pitchers are already claimed, a select few may be available on the waiver wire. This raises the age-old question: is it better to have a reliable starter for one game or take a risk on a less consistent pitcher who can start twice?
I always prefer the one-start week to picking up a lousy starter to give me two starts. If you snag the extra start each week with lousy starters, you may pick up about 100 innings from starters with ERAs north of 5.00 and lousy WHIPs. In approximately 25 additional starts, you may only pick up an extra few wins. The additional wins and Ks will more than offset the lousy ERA and WHIP numbers.
For this reason, I am extremely cautious when suggesting a two-start pitcher. I only suggest pitchers with low ownership numbers who may actually be available for you to pick up. I will only suggest pitchers who are pitching well this year. The goal is to replace a subpar starter, making one start with a two-start pitcher who’s pitching well.
I’ve found four pitchers this week who fit the bill:
Simeon Woods Richardson, Minnesota Twins:
He’s made three starts, and He has a slightly inflated 1.36 WHIP but a really solid 2.45 ERA, and he’s struck out nearly a batter per inning. The Twins have won all three of his starts. He’s facing Seattle and Toronto next week and should be available to you, with him still only rostered in about 20% of leagues.
Tyler Anderson, Los Angeles Angels:
Anderson is one of the few bright spots for the Angels this season. Although he currently has a losing record, sitting at 2-3, his numbers are solid. He has an excellent 2.23 ERA and a really solid 1.07 WHIP. He’s only given up 24 hits in 36.1 innings. And he has two decent matchups this week, going up against Pittsburgh and Kansas City.
Roddy Munoz, Miami Marlins:
Munoz has only two starts this season and has won one. In 11 innings, he’s struck out 14 batters and given up only five hits. Because of this, his WHIP is a minuscule 0.73, and his ERA is 2.45. Be cautious, though. He’s facing the Dodgers and Phillies next week.
Colin Rea, Milwaukee Brewers:
Rea is a perfect 3-0 in this young season. Next week, he faces Kansas City and St. Louis in two decent matchups. Of his six starts, the Brewers are 5-1, so Rea keeps them in every game he’s started. He has a solid 1.22 WHIP and 2.67 ERA.