This week presents a much fuller slate of dual-start options for a fantasy owner to select from when setting up their Week 12 rotation. Eight SP's populating the top-tier, with a bounty of an additional dozen sitting there for your perusal in the middle group. Plenty of arms in the bottom set to avoid sabotaging your fantasy efforts by employing their services, except for limited single start opportunities.

Please realize that these articles feature most recent rotation information available when the article is written, but that circumstances do change due to weather conditions, injuries and general craziness with managers. If a pitcher listed here as having two starts ends up with one (or perhaps none) in the upcoming week, apologies but this article is meant to provide analysis, it is up to the manager to set the lineups or rotations.

Without further ado, here are this week’s two start pitchers:

 Start 'em If You Own 'em 
Starting Pitcher1st Start/Opponent/Date2nd Start/Opponent/Date
Max Scherzervs. PIT vs. NYM 
 WASMitch KellerTaijuan Walker
 Tue, 6/15, 7:05 PM Sun, 6/20, 1:05 PM 
Lance Lynnvs. TB @ HOU 
 CHWTyler GlasnowFramber Valdez
 Mon, 6/14, 8:10 PM Sat, 6/19, 7:15 PM 
Alex Woodvs. ARI vs. PHI 
 SFMatt PeacockAaron Nola
 Mon, 6/14, 9:45 PM Sat, 6/19, 4:05 PM 
Freddy Peraltavs. CIN @ COL 
 MILLuis CastilloChi Chi Gonzalez
 Tue, 6/15, 8:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 3:10 PM 
Trevor Rogers@ STL @ CHC 
 MIATBDJake Arrieta
 Tue, 6/15, 8:15 PMSun, 6/20, 2:20 PM 
Hyun-Jin Ryuvs. NYY @ BAL 
 TORJordan MontgomeryMatt Harvey
 Tue, 6/15, 7:07 PM Sun, 6/20, 1:05 PM 
Sean Manaeavs. LAA @ NYY 
 OAKDylan BundyJordan Montgomery
 Mon, 6/14, 9:40 PM Sun, 6/20, 1:05 PM 
Taijuan Walkervs. CHC @ WAS 
 NYMJake ArrietaMax Scherzer
 Tue, 6/15, 7:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 1:05 PM 

Although we only have one more entry in the top tier this week, one is a SP that was scheduled for a two-start effort in Week 11 that has been shifted to this week, namely, Alex Wood of the Giants, who has the benefit of two home starts with the Week 12 dual appearance rescheduling. Walker makes the upper echelon due to nice matchup potential, getting the Cubs away from Wrigley and then heading to our nation’s capital for a contest against the last-place Nationals. The balance of these hurlers are those you should start no matter the opponent or venue, as per usual.

 Maybe Yes, Maybe No 
Starting Pitcher1st Start/Opponent/Date2nd Start/Opponent/Date
Casey Mize@ KC @ LAA 
 DETBrad KellerPatrick Sandoval
 Mon, 6/14, 8:10 PM Sat, 6/19, 10:07 PM 
Nathan Eovaldivs. TOR @ KC 
 BOSAlek ManoahBrad Keller
 Mon, 6/14, 7:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 2:10 PM 
Tony Gonsolinvs. PHI @ ARI 
 LADAaron NolaTBD
 Mon, 6/14, 10:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 4:10 PM
Tucker Davidsonvs. BOS vs. STL 
 ATLEduardo RodriguezTBD
 Tue, 6/15, 7:20 PM Sun, 6/20, 7:08 PM
Zach Davies@ NYM vs. MIA 
 CHCDavid PetersonPablo Lopez
 Mon, 6/14, 7:10 PM Sat, 6/19, 2:20 PM 
Jordan Montgomery@ TOR vs. OAK 
 NYYHyun-Jin RyuSean Manaea
 Tue, 6/15, 7:07 PM Sun, 6/20, 1:05 PM 
Adam Wainwrightvs. MIA @ ATL 
 STLTBDDrew Smyly
 Mon, 6/14, 8:15 PMSat, 6/19, 7:15 PM 
Austin Gombervs. SD vs. MIL 
 COLRyan WeathersBrett Anderson
 Mon, 6/14, 8:40 PM Sat, 6/19, 9:10 PM 
Alek Manoah@ BOS @ BAL 
 TORNathan EovaldiBruce Zimmermann
 Mon, 6/14, 7:10 PM Sat, 6/19, 4:05 PM 
Vladimir Gutierrez@ MIL @ SD 
 CINBrett AndersonChris Paddack
 Mon, 6/14, 8:10 PM Sat, 6/19, 7:15 PM 
Tyler Anderson@ WAS vs. CLE 
 PITPatrick CorbinSam Hentges
 Mon, 6/14, 7:05 PM Sun, 6/20, 1:05 PM 
Luis Castillo@ MIL @ SD 
 CINFreddy PeraltaRyan Weathers
 Tue, 6/15, 8:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 4:10 PM 

Mize is beginning to show the promise he was expected to possess when he was drafted in the first round in 2018 by Detroit. Over his last eight starts, he sports a useful 2.70 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 8.1 K.0 rate through those 50.0 IP. An aberrant plus is that both these upcoming trips to the bump are on the road where he has been a better performer in his short MLB career.

Eovaldi had not suffered a loss until the Astros bats roughed him up to the tune of five earned runs over 5.2 IP in his last outing. He has had his up and downs this season, and his ERA now sits over four at 4.11, familiar territory for the veteran righthander. He is good for Ks with an 8.7 K/9 rate this season, and he has good control (2.1 BB/9 over 72.1 IP), plus he keeps the ball in the yard for the most part as evidenced by his 0.4 HR/9 ratio demonstrates. Taking on a pair of near .500 teams makes him a favorable dual start option in Week 12.

Gonsolin is going to be on a limited pitch count for the short term, as he comes back from his shoulder issues, but he is going to head to the mound for two scheduled starts this coming week. He is backed by a strong offense, The tougher of his two opponents, the Phillies, he gets to face at home, so his matchup potentials are good, presuming he can pitch effectively and deeper into his games.

Davidson, a 25-year-old southpaw, is working on a consecutive pair of scoreless outings for the Braves, and has a pair of home contests on tap in the coming week, with the Red Sox and Cardinals coming to visit in Week 12. A small sample size perhaps overemphasizes the five walks he allowed to the Nats in his second start this season, so a determination as to his control (or lack thereof) is withheld at present, although a glance at his minor league numbers does not indicate great concern.

Davies allowed just one hit and a couple of free passes to his former team over six complete innings in his last start, a road victory at San Diego. He has not been a consistent starter this season by any standard, but when he is on, his results are quite useful for his fantasy owners. Picking out those games in not an exact science, unfortunately, and his low K rate impacts his value negatively. His first start, on the road against the NL East leading Mets, might be a good time to sit him, although the Marlins at home is smart time to employ his services.

Montgomery has held opponents to three or fewer earned runs in eight of his last nine games, so there is consistency in his approach on the hill. He offers a K per inning production through his 65.1 IP and demonstrates good control, as well (2.1 BB/9 through 12 starts). Given his home/road splits over the past three seasons, the second trip to toe the rubber against the visiting A’s is the start you most want to use him this coming week.

Wainwright gets to face Miami in his home park, a good thing so far this season for pitchers taking on the Marlins. The second appearance this coming week, against Atlanta on the road, is not exactly a matchup to cause extreme caution, though, either. The Marlins are a fine source of potential Ks, although the Braves are not shy about swinging their bats, either. 

Gomber has been pitching superbly while taking the hill at Coors Field, and this week sees him take the ball for starts against the Padres and then the Brewers. Both those teams have winning records on the road, the Brewers more so, so not easy matchups in store for the lefthander. Look to him for continued K production based on his 9.4 K/9 through 68.1 IP.

Manoah has suffered one bad start out of his three MLB trips to the hill in his young career in the majors, bouncing back nicely to limit the potent White Sox lineup to one earned tally over 5.0 IP. His ERA and WHIP sit at 3.14 and 1.19 respectively, and his K rate is an impressive 10.0 K/9 (small sample size, granted). Most likely, he is due for some negative regression but he was also a top round draft selection in 2019 for a reason.

Gutierrez will stick in the rotation for a time, due to injuries in the Reds’ starting staff, and if he continues to show an uptick in Ks, he will become a useful waiver wire pickup for fantasy managers. Better control as he has shown in the minors will also be beneficial to his time as a Cincy starter. He gets to pitch away from his home park for both these Week 12 appearances, although given his ground ball inducing tendencies, not tremendously helpful for the 25-year-old righty.

Anderson has been recovering from the nine earned run drubbing he took against the Braves on May 21, allowing a reasonable seven earned tallies over his last 16.1 IP. His ERA over those three contests is a useful 3.86 with a palatable 1.16 WHIP. He is a below average source of Ks with a 8.1 K/9 rate over his 67.2 IP in 2021, although his control is fine with 2.53 BB/9 ratio to date.  The first scheduled appearance against the Nationals is the best bet for using the southpaw’s skill set in your fantasy rotation. 

Castillo has been slowly rebuilding some trust in his skill set among those who drafted him before the season began, although a 6.47 ERA and 1.58 WHIP may have sent him packing for many rosters by this point in the season. He has been providing some K production, with 15 strikeouts over his last 16.2 IP. He does have two road games this scoring period, so unless you really believe in the 28-year-old right-hander, it may be wise to let him sit these games out on the fantasy bench.

 Not On My Roster 
Starting Pitcher1st Start/Opponent/Date2nd Start/Opponent/Date
Dallas Keuchelvs. TB @ HOU 
 CHWShane McClanahanJake Odorizzi
 Tue, 6/15, 8:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 2:10 PM 
Tyler Alexander@ KC @ LAA 
 DETMike MinorDylan Bundy
 Tue, 6/15, 8:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 4:07 PM 
Bruce Zimmermann@ CLE vs. TOR 
 BALJean-Carlos MejiaAlek Manoah
 Mon, 6/14, 7:10 PM Sat, 6/19, 4:05 PM 
Jake Odorizzivs. TEX vs. CHW 
 HOUJordan LylesDallas Keuchel
 Tue, 6/15, 8:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 2:10 PM 
Patrick Corbinvs. PIT vs. NYM 
 WASTyler AndersonDavid Peterson
 Mon, 6/14, 7:05 PM Sat, 6/19, 1:05 PM 
Matt Harvey@ CLE vs. TOR 
 BALSam HentgesHyun-Jin Ryu
 Tue, 6/15, 7:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 1:05 PM 
Matt Peacock@ SF vs. LAD 
 ARITBDWalker Buehler
 Mon, 6/14, 9:45 PMSat, 6/19, 10:10 PM 
Randy Dobnak@ SEA @ TEX 
 MINMarco GonzalesDane Dunning
 Mon, 6/14, 10:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 2:35 PM 
Sam Hentgesvs. BAL @ PIT 
 CLEMatt HarveyTyler Anderson
 Tue, 6/15, 7:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 1:05 PM 
Chi Chi Gonzalezvs. SD vs. MIL 
 COLDinelson LametFreddy Peralta
 Tue, 6/15, 8:40 PM Sun, 6/20, 3:10 PM 
Jean-Carlos Mejiavs. BAL @ PIT 
 CLEBruce ZimmermannJ.T. Brubaker
 Mon, 6/14, 7:10 PM Sat, 6/19, 4:05 PM 
Brett Andersonvs. CIN @ COL 
 MILVladimir GutierrezAustin Gomber
 Mon, 6/14, 8:10 PM Sat, 6/19, 9:10 PM 
Dylan Bundy@ OAK vs. DET 
 LAASean ManaeaTyler Alexander
 Mon, 6/14, 9:40 PM Sun, 6/20, 4:07 PM 
Jake Arrieta@ NYM vs. MIA 
 CHCTaijuan WalkerTrevor Rogers
 Tue, 6/15, 7:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 2:20 PM 
Brad Kellervs. DET vs. BOS 
 KCCasey MizeNathan Eovaldi
 Mon, 6/14, 8:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 2:10 PM 
Ryan Weathers@ COL vs. CIN 
 SDAustin GomberLuis Castillo
 Mon, 6/14, 8:40 PM Sun, 6/20, 4:10 PM 
Marco Gonzalesvs. MIN vs. TB 
 SEARandy DobnakShane McClanahan
 Mon, 6/14, 10:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 4:10 PM 
Shane McClanahan@ CHW @ SEA 
 TBDallas KeuchelMarco Gonzales
 Tue, 6/15, 8:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 4:10 PM 
David Petersonvs. CHC @ WAS 
 NYMZach DaviesJon Lester
 Mon, 6/14, 7:10 PM Sat, 6/19, 1:05 PM 
Zack Littelvs. ARI vs. PHI 
 SFTBDAaron Nola
 Tue, 6/15, 9:45 PMSun, 6/20, 4:05 PM 
Spencer Howard@ LAD @ SF 
 PHITony GonsolinTBD
 Mon, 6/14, 10:10 PM Sun, 6/20, 4:05 PM

There are exceptions to the avoid at all costs general status of the bottom tier SPs, but only for streaming potential. Odorizzi at home against the Rangers, and the Cleveland tandem of Hentges and Mejia at home against the Orioles have some value potentially. The rest of these pitchers are best avoided despite the allure of two trips to toe the rubber in the scoring period.

Potential Streaming Options for Week 

There is no promise that each game day will provide a streaming option. First of all, the pitcher must be available in at least 50% of leagues to be a viable candidate to snag off the wire. Then, the pitchers discussed above are not included as they have a different sort of value, even though some might be available as free agents in your league. Plus, some days the matchups and/or venues just do not figure as positive enough factors to favor plugging the arm into your rotation, even for one start. That all being said, here are this week’s best streaming candidates:

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Chris Flexen SEA vs MIN J.A. Happ

Flexen is not a stable arm to rely upon, but this is an excellent matchup, facing the AL Central last place squad. Taking them on at home, in a pitcher-oriented park, adds to the appeal. You will not reap a bushel of Ks, given his mediocre 5.4 K/9 rate, but he has good control (1.8 BB/9) and generates a fair number of groundballs from opposing hitters.

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Caleb Smith ARI @ SF Kevin Gausman

Smith has been stingy with runs, allowing just three earned tallies since rejoining the rotation. In his past two starts, he has allowed a homer in each contest, though pitching at Oracle Park should minimize that trend. It is a small sample size, admittedly, but he has also been averaging a K per inning over the two most recent starts.

Friday, June 18, 2021

Alex Cobb LAA vs DET Matthew Boyd

Cobb was not sharp in his most recent appearance for the Angels, allowing five earned runs to the visiting Mariners on just three hits and one walk, so it seems fair that he came away with the win. Facing the Tigers when Detroit is playing away from Comerica Park has been a frequent source of success for pitchers this season, so this is a good matchup to see if Cobb can rack up his fourth consecutive victory. Also, there should be significant Ks credited to Cobb given the free swinging ways of the Tiger hitters.

Saturday, June 19, 2021

Logan Gilbert SEA vs TB Tyler Glasnow

The Mariner rookie righthander has been working to drive down his inflated ratio stats, and has been also ramping up his swings and misses by opposing hitters. Not the greatest matchup to face the Rays, but getting them at home helps a bit given his home park’s scoring factors 

Patrick Sandoval LAA vs DET Casey Mize

Taking on the Detroit offense can frequently help a pitcher’s stat line, especially when the Tigers are on the road. The 24-year-old lefty is coming off a quality start (QS) against the visiting Mariners, another struggling offense, where he collected 10 whiffs and allowed just a single free pass. Although Mize is not the ideal matchup, this is a worthy streaming option based on the venue and opponent. 

Feel free also to send any starting pitching or other fantasy baseball questions to ia@fantasyalarm.com for a private response to your specific issue. The more detail you can provide about your team and league, including settings (H2H vs roto, points or categories, weekly or daily moves, roster size, league size, etc.) the better the response will be suited to your individual situation. As ever, good luck and Godspeed in all your fantasy endeavors.