Though it is easy to insert two-start pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Johnny Cueto or Madison Bumgarner, despite his second-half struggles (4-5, 3.87 ERA, 1.200 WHIP), into your playoff rotation, it is not as easy to figure out others worth using as you enter what is likely your semifinal week.
When it comes to playing the matchups, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find a team that has an easier schedule than the Mets. After this weekend’s series against the Twins, they play the Braves, the Marlins and the Phillies (seven times).
That is why you should trust Noah Syndergaard, Bartolo Colon, Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo (4-0 with a 1.80 ERA and .211 opponent average in four starts before taking the mound Saturday).
Syndergaard is Roto Files top two-start option this week. Not only is he 4-1 with a 1.36 ERA, 42 strikeouts and a .175 opponent average over his past six starts, but he faces Atlanta (0-0, 2.37 ERA, 11 Ks in two career starts) and Philadelphia (4-0, 1.37 ERA, 30 strikeouts in four career starts). With the Mets in the wild-card hunt and playing their final homestand, Thor will demolish all who stand before him.
Gsellman, who has been pitching with a labrum tear in his non-pitching arm, has not had success against either the Phillies or Braves, but should, at the very least, be able to give you a two quality starts in front of the Citi Field crowd. His matchup against Julio Teheran (6-3, 2.44 ERA in 14 appearances against the Mets) is less attractive than facing Jake Thompson and the Phillies later in the week.
Here’s a look at some pitchers who can help and some who may hurt you this week:
- Should you take a shot on Rockies pitcher Tyler Anderson at Coors Field against the Cardinals (against Carlos Martinez, who is 8-1 with a 2.31 ERA on the road this season) and on the road against the Dodgers? Yes! Why? He is 5-1 with a 3.04 ERA at home and has never faced the Cardinals (Roto Files is a big proponent of starting rookie pitchers against a team he has yet to face — even at Coors Field).
- Though he is 0-4 with a 5.10 ERA on the road, Anderson is 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers this year. He is available in about 80 percent of all leagues.
- Taijuan Walker is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA and .196 opponent average over his past two starts, and is facing Toronto (eighth worst batting average in the league and the seventh most strikeouts) in Seattle, and the lowly Twins (sixth most strikeouts in the league). He is available in more than 75 percent of ESPN leagues.
- Baltimore’s Kevin Gausman is 5-0 with a 1.59 ERA over his past six starts, including a four-hit gem over Boston (his opponent Monday) on Wednesday. He is 1-2 with a 5.82 ERA against the Red Sox this year, but is hot and should remain in your rotation at all times. He has a prettier matchup against Arizona later in the week.
- Others to consider for both starts: Michael Pineda (0-0, 2.84 ERA, 16 strikeouts over his past three starts), Carlos Rodon, Rick Porcello (14-2, 2.99 ERA and 118 strikeouts since May 22) and pretty much who ever pitches against the Padres.
- Houston’s Brad Peacock (0-0, 1.86 ERA, .222 opponent average over two starts) has a solid matchup against the light-hitting Athletics, but Roto Files doesn’t love his matchup against the Angels later in the week. The same can be said for Joe Musgrove, who shut the A’s down for 5 1/3 scoreless innings and seven strikeouts on Aug. 29.
- Matt Boyd is 2-1 with a 5.74 ERA against the Twins this season, but his ERA is only that high after Minnesota blasted him for seven runs on Tuesday (hey, even the Twins get lucky once in a while). Boyd will bounce back against the Twins, but Roto Files recommends forgetting his name against the Royals later in the week.
- Pittsburgh’s Steven Brault may be facing the Brewers, the team that has struck out the most in the majors with the fourth-lowest batting average, but the lowly Phillies destroyed him on Wednesday. Don’t take the chance.
- Atlanta’s Matt Wisler has the occasional good start (usually against a team as bad as the Braves), but if you consider starting him against Syndergaard or Jose Fernandez, your strategy is severely flawed.
- If you consider starting Minnesota’s Tyler Duffey, it’s time to take up knitting.
- Kyle Hendricks has suffered one loss since June 13, going 11-1 with a 1.27 ERA, .193 opponent average and a 91:24 strikeout:walk ratio. He has allowed two earned runs or more just four times in his past 16 appearances.
- Ivan Nova is 5-0 with a 2.41 ERA, .236 opponent batting average, 43 strikeouts (including 11 his last time out against the pathetic Phillies) and just three walks in eight starts since joining the Pirates. Just be mindful of his upcoming schedule: Though his next start is Sunday against Cincinnati, the real challenge comes in his final two starts versus the Nats and Cubs. He is hot and has a great pitching coach, but this is still a pitcher with a career 4.27 ERA.
- Yangervis Solarte is red-hot, raising his average from .271 to .284 in his first 14 games this month. In that span, he went 29-for-56 (.357) with two homers, 15 RBIs and a .892 OPS. He is available in more than 65 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
- In 15 games since Aug. 29, Brandon Moss was hitting .059 with just three hits (in 51 at-bats), one homer, two RBIs and a really ugly .276 OPS. If you own him, bench him and consider these team names: Rather No Moss or Horrible Moss (that’s a play off the movie “Horrible Boss,” if you needed an explanation).
One-for-two
Not even for one
Big hits
Kevin Kiermaier OF, Rays
The outfielder continues to swing a hot bat, going 20-for-56 with five homers, 10 RBIs, a 10:7 strikeout:walk ratio, a 1.116 OPS and ..438 on-base percentage in 14 games this month.
Brandon Drury 2B/3B/OF, D’backs
The versatile 24-year-old was 18-for-41 (.439) with four homers, 12 RBIs, .511 OBP, .805 slugging percentage and a 1.316 OPS over his first 11 games this month.
Yulieski Gurriel 3B, Astros
Has looked as good as advertised over his first 22 games, hitting .329 with three homers, 10 RBIs, one stolen base and a .850 OPS.
Ryon Healy 3B, Athletics
The 24-year-old, who is owned in just 18 percent of ESPN leagues, went 20-for-45 (.444) with four homers, 12 RBIs and a 1.312 OPS over his last 11 games before Saturday night.
Big whiffs
Michael Saunders OF, Blue Jays
The 29-year-old has had a terrible month, going 5-for-35 (.143) with no homers, no RBIs, two runs scored and 12 strikeouts in 11 games. After a terrific first half (.298, 16 HR, 42 RBI, .923 OPS), he has been a disaster in the second half (.183, 7 HR, 12 RBI, .653 OPS).
Jose Berrios SP, Twins
In his past seven starts, the 22-year-old has allowed 28 earned runs while going 0-6 with a 9.11 ERA, an ugly 21:19 strikeout:walk ratio and a .342 opponent average.
Wade Miley SP, Orioles
He is 1-5 with a 8.41 ERA and .351 opponent average in eight starts since joining the Orioles. Over his past three starts (13 1/3 innings), he is 0-3 with an 8.78 ERA.
Adrian Gonzalez 1B, Dodgers
After hitting a home run on Sept. 5, the 34-year-old has gone 6-for-34 (.176) with no homers, one RBIs, nine strikeouts, one run scored and a .428 OPS in his past 10 games.
Quick hits
Team name of the week
What’s in the Box(berger)?