Due to the number of games and length of time throughout the baseball season, there are inevitable peaks and valleys. Some players have weeks where the ball looks as small as a golf ball, and other weeks, it can look as big as a cantaloupe. Players just have to ride out the lulls.
The same is true for fantasy players. Some weeks, it’s chicken salad, and some weeks, it’s chicken ****. Some weeks you feel like you’ll never get a win again or hit over the Mendoza Line…but trust me, you will.
Even if you left your draft with a sound strategy, you may find it blowing up a quarter into the season. For instance, you might target Bo Bichette in your keeper league because you know Bobby Witt Jr. will be overdrafted and cost too much. And then, you might parlay fellow Blue Jay George Springer…only to see them each struggling mightily, completely killing your offense.
I won’t mention who did that; I’ll say I see him in the mirror every morning. But then I hear the words of Terry Francona…by the end of the year, turn over their baseball card, and their numbers will be there. I hope he’s right, or I’m toast.
When it comes to pitching, some weeks, it’s nearly impossible to find two-start pitchers, at least viable two-start pitchers. Other weeks, like the one coming up, there is a veritable cornucopia of options.
This week, five pitchers are making two starts who should be available to you in your leagues:
Chris Flexon, Chicago White Sox:
The soft-throwing righty is now 29 years old and with his fourth team. Flexon finds himself on one of the league’s worst teams this season: the Chicago White Sox. But he has been pitching surprisingly well. He won’t give you great strikeout numbers, but his ratios are decent this year. He has a serviceable 4.29 ERA and a solid 1.21 WHIP. His matchup on Monday against the Washington Nationals is easier than his opponent at the end of the week, facing the New York Yankees.
Jose Soriano, Los Angeles Angels:
In six starts, Soriano is only sporting a 1-4 record for another dreadful team, the L.A. Angels. But he’s striking out nearly a batter per inning, and he’s had quality starts in two of his last four outings. He has a slightly elevated 1.35 WHIP to go along with a decent 4.32 ERA.
Trevor Williams, Washington Nationals:
This start for Williams has come completely out of nowhere. The 32-year-old has had an ERA of over 5.00 in three of the last five seasons. But so far this year, he’s been nearly unhittable. He’s 4-0 in seven starts, and the Nationals are 6-1 this year when he takes the bump to start the game. His ERA is under 2.00, and his WHIP is sitting at 1.06. Ride the hot hand as long as you can.
Colin Rea, Milwaukee Brewers:
Rea’s numbers aren’t quite as gaudy as Williams, but he is also undefeated so far. In his seven starts, Rea is 3-0. His Brewers have the same 6-1 record as Williams’ Nationals when Rea starts. His two starts this week will be against the Pirates and the underperforming Astros. He enters these starts with a 3.29 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.
Graham Ashcroft, Cincinnati Reds:
In Ashcroft’s seven starts, he has a 3-2 record. Entering his third season, the big righty has been a .500 pitcher. He went from 19 starts in his rookie year to 26 starts last season. He’s progressing nicely in the Reds system, and we could see the beginning of a breakout campaign. He has shaved nearly an entire run off his ERA and has considerably increased his strikeout rate. His WHIP is also down this season. He does have two tough road matchups, though, as he faces the Diamondbacks and Dodgers.
