Ten-Team Leagues

Andrew Heaney (LAA) – Heaney’s been roughed up his last few starts to the tune of nine earned runs over his last eleven innings of work, but he’s a two-start pitchers on the road next week in San Diego and then again in Texas. Heaney’s been tremendously worse on the road than at home this year, so if there’s some trepidation with the second start then don’t throw him out there in your lineup. But you could take a wait & see approach and use his first start against San Diego as a litmus test of sorts. With Wil Myers still on the DL for the Friars this is an even more enticing matchup for the southpaw as the Padres roll out one of the worst offenses in baseball on a nightly basis.

Tanner Roark (WSH) – While the Nationals are trying to right the ship in time to make the playoffs, Roark has done his part over his last three starts. He’s gone at least seven innings in each of those three trips to the bump and he has 20 strikeouts over those 22 innings of work while surrendering just one home run and one walk. Next week he’ll face off against the Cardinals in Busch Stadium. While St. Louis hits .247 as a team at home they tout just a .690 OPS in their own ballpark, which is fifth-worst in all of Major League Baseball and they average just 4.09 runs per game at home as well.

Anibal Sánchez (ATL) – Sanchez left his last start after just two innings of work with a bruised calf, but the injury doesn’t sound serious and he’s slated for two starts next week. Both will come at home in Sun Trust Park against the Marlins and Rockies. While the second start is mildly concerning, the first start is all the more alluring with the report that Miami just shipped Justin Bour to Philadelphia. It’s difficult to tell how much the injury may linger so if you aren’t comfortable starting him, I’ll add a couple other pitchers to this section for consideration. You can probably avoid him for the second start against the boys from Coors Field. If you’re desperate you can use him as Colorado boasts a sub-par .689 OPS as a team on the road.

Danny Duffy (KC) – This is entirely dependent on which Danny Duffy actually shows up. Since July 3rd, over his last seven starts, he’s been nothing short of a roller coaster. Over that span he’s had four starts giving up one earned run or less, but he’s had three starts giving up six earned runs or more. It’s been difficult to get a read on, but his 4.15 ERA over that span may be misleading because he does have a 3.32 FIP. The low FIP is likely due to the fact that Duffy has still done a good job keeping the ball in the park with a 0.62 HR/9 since the start of July. Next week he’ll face Toronto at home. This is risky because while Kaufmann Stadium is traditionally a pitcher’s ballpark, Duffy has struggled at home.

Lance Lynn (NYY) – Lynn’s been a very effective pitcher so far since joining the Yankees rotation. It’s a small sample size, but in 16.2 innings of work he’s allowed just one earned run and he’s struck out 22 while walking four. Next week Lynn toes the rubber against Tampa Bay at home. While Tampa has given the Yankees fits this year and kept New York from gaining ground in the division on Boston you have to like Lynn’s potential in this matchup. The Rays have struck out the 11th-most in baseball this year and Lynn is inducting a respectable 11.7% swinging strike rate since joining the Yankees.

 

12-Team Leagues

Kevin Gausman (ATL) – Over Gausman’s final seven starts with Baltimore, he was fortunate to have a 4.32 ERA evidenced by his gaudy 5.17 FIP. He was averaging barely five strikeouts per nine innings and he surrendered a home run in seven straight starts. A change of scenery, and escaping the AL East, has done him a lot of good. In two starts (13 innings) with Atlanta he’s allowed four earned runs, 12 hits, two walks, and he’s also struck out ten. Next week he gets the great fortune of facing the Marlins at home so this is a fantastic time to ride the Gas Can bandwagon.

Nick Pivetta (PHI) – No stranger to the streamer’s article, Pivetta gets two starts next week at home against the Red Sox and then the Mets. Obviously you don’t want to use him against Boston. That team can casually hang seven runs on anybody on a given night. However, the matchup to wrap up next week against the Mets is the game you should target. Pivetta’s not as bad as his 4.51 ERA suggests because his FIP is around 3.47, and his xFIP is at 3.18. He still has an 11.06 K/9 ratio and generates swinging strikes at a 12.0% rate. He’s had a few bad outings and the start against Boston is very dangerous. But you should definitely grab him to finish the week strong against the lowly Mets.

Shane Bieber (CLE) – I’ve documented the Biebs’ bounce back since he was pretty awful throughout most of July. His ERA sits at 4.10, but his FIP sits at a nice 3.02 on the season. Over his last three starts (18.2 innings) he has a 2.41 ERA (1.60 FIP), with 22 strikeouts and he’s allowed just five walks. He faces the Reds in Cincinnati next week. What makes Great American Small Park so friendly to hitters is that it’s one of the best ballparks for home runs due to its size. To Bieber’s credit he does a good enough job limiting damage via the long ball. Hopefully he doesn’t fall victim to Cincy’s small dimensions and can roll out another strong outing next week.

 

Deeper League Options

German Marquez (COL) – Marquez gets two starts next week and the matchups might shock you against Houston and Atlanta. The good news is the starts come on the road for Marquez who boasts a 3.09 road ERA compared to a horrendous 6.42 home ERA. Over his last four starts he’s inducing an amazing 15.0% swinging strike rate and it’s no coincidence he has 33 strikeouts over those 25.2 innings of work. He’s still prone to letting runs cross the plate, but if you need strikeouts this is a guy to target especially when he’s performing on the road.

Ryan Borucki (TOR) – Borucki is a two-start pitcher next with two road starts in Kansas City and then in the Bronx to face the Yankees. He doesn’t have a ton of strikeout upside, but he’s given up just one home run in 48 innings of work so he can limit damage via the long ball. He’s not a sexy name, but he has logged a quality start in six of his eight trips to the mound since the end of June. Obviously he’s a candidate to stream against Kansas City. The matchup against New York is worrisome, but he did last seven innings against the Pinstripes earlier this year giving up just one earned run on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

James Shields (CHW) – It’s painful including Shields in this article. He’s awful, everyone knows this. But if you want to chase some strikeouts then you can do so with Shields next Friday at home against the Royals. Over his last six starts  (36.1 innings) he has 42 strikeouts. However, he’s given up eight home runs over that span and 15 walks. He’s far from the player he used to be and if you can start anybody else mentioned in this piece over him then go ahead and do so. But if you’re already behind in ERA and WHIP and can afford to chase some strikeouts, go ahead and use Shields.