Just a little warning, the shallow league options feature some guys mentioned in last week’s piece. That’s probably because they were so stellar last week that they follow up this coming week with even more awesome matchups. But I digress, read on FA subscribers!
Ten-Team Leagues
Michael Kopech (CHW) – I feel bad about recommending Kopech because for the second time in three starts he’s been dealt a rain delay. And yes while he was recommended last week despite the rough matchup, he’s performed well in three innings against the Red Sox. Don't read into his nine strikeouts in 11 innings too much. He still has strikeout upside and he’s only allowed one walk so far on the year. Next week he gets to face off against the Detroit Tigers at home. In his last start against Los Tigres he tossed six innings of one-run ball. It turned into a win last time and it’s completely reasonable he earns a win in his second start against Detroit.
German Marquez (COL) – Marquez was recommended in last week’s piece and he was a STUD! He struck out 13 hitters in eight innings of work while surrendering just two earned runs on two hits and a walk. He was damn good last week. And he’s in play next week against a Giants lineup that’ll be without Andrew McCutchen (now with the Yankees) and Buster Posey (out for the year). The home/road splits for Marquez are night and day in favor of the road. However, over his last four home starts he has allowed seven earned runs in 26.2 innings of work with 35 strikeouts and just six walks. Ignore the season long numbers at home because he’s been phenomenal as of late and he has an amazing matchup next week. If anyone dropped him because he pitches in Coors next week go snipe him off waivers because he will certainly help you next week.
Chase Anderson (MIL) – I’m not particularly wild about this matchup. The reasoning is two-fold: A. Anderson has given up nine home runs in his last five starts (26.2 innings of work), and B. He hasn’t been great at home this season. However, like Marquez, Anderson will face a depleted Giants lineup desperate to generate runs. Anderson is the epitome of a streaming option next week and I’m surprised his ownership is over 50% on Yahoo! Since the All Star Break he has a 4.79 ERA with a 5.57 FIP. But the matchup is just so tempting. If Kopech and/or Marquez are unavailable give Anderson a shot. He may only go five or six innings (if you’re lucky), but a win is in play with this matchup.
12-Team Leagues
Joey Lucchesi (SD) – So for now it looks like he’s somewhat returning to form. He has at least six strikeouts in each of his last five starts and to be fair, August was a decent month for him. He’s a two-start pitcher on the road next week against Arizona and then against Cincinnati to finish the week out. Both matchups are somewhat concerning whether it’s the opposing offense in Arizona or the fact he has to pitch in Great American Smallpark to finish out the week. But Lucchesi’s road ERA (2.89) is over a full run lower than his home ERA (3.97). In the month of August, Lucchesi had a 3.18 ERA (2.94 FIP), with an 11.44 K/9 in five starts. It might be time to start buying in much like people did earlier in the year.
Lucas Giolito (CHW) – Giolito is no longer a punch line joke amongst the fantasy baseball community. After a period where the Nationals seemed to give up on him by trading him to Chicago and a rough start to his big league career, Giolito has finally come into his own. Over his last four starts dating back to August 14th, Giolito has a 2.84 ERA (2.88 FIP), with 27 strikeouts and six walks in 25.1 innings of work. Sure, two of the matchups have come against the Tigers, but in his last start against the Red Sox he struck out eight hitters in 6.1 innings of work while giving up two hits and walking two batters before the bullpen ruined his magnificent start. Giolito gets another start against Detroit next week who he’s done very well against recently. If Giolito owns Detroit against next week you can probably hang on to him for his next two starts the following week in your fantasy baseball playoffs where he has two amazing road starts against the Royals and Orioles.
Deeper League Options
Mike Leake (SEA) – Prior to Friday night’s start, in Leake’s previous two starts, he had collected six strikeouts in each appearance. On top of that, Leake is an innings eater. He had lasted six innings or more in seven straight starts, recording a quality start in six of those starts. However, Friday night’s start was rough as he failed to get out of the fifth inning. It was, however, against Oakland who has made one hell of a postseason push over the past couple months. On the season, the strikeout total won’t wow you, but he has limited damage. He has a 1.74 BB/9 on the year and he’s surrendered just five home runs in his last seven starts. Leake may actually be available in 12-team leagues (he’s right on the 25-30% cusp), but he can be started in any format based on the quality start potential.
Tyler Glasnow (TB) – This guy gets ZERO respect. Since Glasnow joined Tampa Bay a month ago he’s been really good and nobody has noticed. In 30.2 innings of work this past month, Glasnow allowed 11 total earned runs with 38 strikeouts. The knock on Mr. Glass is that he’s had minimal run support so he hasn’t logged a win with Tampa yet. That could change next week on the road against the Blue Jays who have scored just 15 runs in their last five games. Don’t lose faith in Glasnow, he’s done everything he can to impress the Rays organization.
Brian Johnson (BOS) – The key to hitting pay dirt with Johnson is getting him to pitch at least five innings. Boston has actually won each of his last five starts, but Johnson has failed to get out of the fifth inning in his last two appearances. He has mild strikeout upside, but he’s allowed three or fewer walks in each of his last seven starts. Everyone knows about Boston’s offensive upside and they always seem to show up when Johnson pitches. If he can just go five innings he could get you a win. He figures to stay in the rotation a little longer since Chris Sale is about a week away from returning and David Price might need to skip a start. He’s definitely in play as a streamer against the White Sox this weekend and you could also use him next week at home against Houston. Yes they’re the defending World Series champions, but they’ve also lost six of their last nine games.