Welcome to Mounds of Decisions, a new daily series where I’ll be dishing out starting pitching advice for owners in leagues that allow daily transactions. Not sure whether to start or bench a certain pitcher? Well, you’ve come to the right place. The format is simple. Each probable starting pitcher will be placed into one of four groups:
-Start in 12-team mixed leagues
-Start in deeper mixed leagues (13-15 teams)
-Start in very deep mixed leagues (16+ teams) and mono leagues
-Do not start in any league
Note that these articles will be posted a day in advance so that you can check your league’s waiver wire to see if any of the recommended plays are available.
SUNDAY, APRIL 15
Start in 12-team mixed leagues
Clayton Kershaw (vs. ARI)
Chris Sale (vs. BAL)
Noah Syndergaard (vs. MIL)
Stephen Strasburg (vs. COL)
Justin Verlander (vs. TEX)
Luis Severino (@DET)
Shohei Ohtani (#KC)
Carlos Martinez (@CIN)
Zack Godley (@LAD)
Dylan Bundy (@BOS) – Bundy is matchup-proof right now.
Sean Manaea (@SEA) – He’s been outstanding thus far yet is somehow still available in nearly 30% of ESPN leagues and 25% of Yahoo leagues.
J.A. Happ (@CLE)
Joey Lucchesi (vs. SF) – Coming off an impressive performance at Coors, Lucchesi should take full advantage of a home matchup versus a Giants team that ranks in the bottom third of the majors in both runs scored and OPS.
Lance Lynn (vs. CHW) – Control has been an issue so far but the matchup is favorable.
Blake Snell (vs. PHI) – He’s a little risky though.
Start in deeper mixed leagues
Julio Teheran (@CHC) – Coming off his best outing of the young season, but the walk rate is still high.
Felix Hernandez (vs. OAK)
Jose Urena (vs. PIT) – I’ll go ahead and start him in deeper formats, though the overall ceiling is limited.
Ivan Nova (@MIA) – Deserves consideration in favorable matchup.
Tyler Chatwood (vs. ATL) – Strictly a deep-league option for the time being.
Homer Bailey (vs. STL) – Two quality starts in three tries so far but very risky.
Start in very deep mixed leagues and mono leagues
Jhoulys Chacin (@NYM) – Disappointing start to the season for Chacin. He’s a desperation play.
Ben Lively (@TB) – Appealing matchup makes Lively at least worth a look.
Do not start in any league
Josh Tomlin (vs. TOR)
Miguel Gonzalez (@MIN)
Eric Skoglund (vs. LAA)
Francisco Liriano (vs. NYY)
Tyler Beede (@SD)
Tyler Anderson (@WAS)
Matt Boyd (vs. NYY)
Luis Cessa (@DET)
Bartolo Colon (@HOU) – Disaster alert!
MONDAY, APRIL 16
Start in 12-team mixed leagues
Jacob deGrom (vs. WAS)
Aaron Nola (@ATL)
Masahiro Tanaka (vs. MIA)
Dallas Keuchel (@SEA)
James Paxton (vs. HOU)
Hyun-Jin Ryu (@SD) – Great matchup coming off dominant performance.
Jon Lester (vs. STL)
Aaron Sanchez (vs. KC)
Danny Duffy (@TOR) – Stick with him.
Luis Castillo (@MIL) – Seems to be figuring things out.
Mike Foltynewicz (vs. PHI) – I’m OK with taking a chance on Folty here.
Start in deeper mixed leagues
Brent Suter (vs. CIN)
Steven Brault (vs. COL) – Far from a safe play though.
Start in very deep mixed leagues and mono leagues
Adam Wainwright (@CHC) – Will he regain standard mixed-league relevance? Maybe, but not yet.
Daniel Mengden (vs. CHW) – I’m intrigued.
Andrew Cashner (@BOS) – Aren’t we all just waiting for the regression to set in?
Brian Johnson (vs. BAL)
Do not start in any league
Carson Fulmer (@OAK) – He’s a borderline mono-league option.
A.J. Cole (@NYM)
Caleb Smith (@NYY)
German Marquez (@PIT)
Martin Perez (@TB)
Luis Perdomo (vs. LAD)
TBD Starters: Rays
Thank you for reading
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