Week 9 of the fantasy baseball season brings a fresh wave of two-start opportunities, and the latest edition of the FantasyPros starter guide breaks down the arms that can give managers a decisive edge.
Must-Start Pitchers
Kyle Bradish continues to shine, his upcoming starts against Tampa Bay and Toronto offering a rare combination of favorable lineups and pitcher-friendly parks. Likewise, Ranger Suarez is set to face Atlanta and Cleveland, a pair of matchups that should let his sinker dominate and generate the strikeouts managers crave.
High-Risk, High-Reward Options
Landen Roupp has been a strikeout machine this year, posting a 3.27 ERA and 61 punchouts, but the thin air of Colorado introduces a layer of uncertainty that could temper his upside. In contrast, Bryce Miller’s return has been nothing short of spectacular, a 1.64 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 11 innings suggesting he can handle the rigors of back-to-back starts. Tanner Bibee, meanwhile, offers a safe floor with a 2.59 ERA and 34 strikeouts over his last seven outings, making him a reliable plug-in for any roster.
Sleeper and Desperate Measures
The depth of the market also includes Cam Schlittler, Trey Yesavage, Joe Ryan, Chris Sale, Nolan McLean, Jesus Luzardo, Chase Burns, Jacob Misiorowski, Jack Kochanowicz, Kumar Rocker, Janson Junk, Zack Littell, Carmen Mlodzinski, Merrill Kelly, Kyle Freeland, Griffin Canning, Matthew Liberatore and Edward Cabrera, each offering a unique blend of risk and reward. Ben Brown has emerged as a surprise in the Cubs rotation, a 2.08 ERA and 16 strikeouts hinting at a breakout, while Michael Wacha, though a safe floor option, draws a tough assignment that limits his strikeout ceiling. Spencer Miles, fresh off a 2.17 ERA and 29 strikeouts, is still working toward the five-inning mark, and Keider Montero’s recent performances have been decent but reliant on luck against power-laden opponents. Sean Burke’s recent struggles, despite attractive matchups, caution managers against over-reliance, and Zebby Matthews’ reduced velocity against teams that thrive on power makes him a gamble. Veterans such as Aaron Civale and Tatsuya Imai, along with other arms like those listed above, fall into the desperate-measures bucket, offering upside only if the stars align.
Navigating this tiered landscape requires a blend of matchup analysis, recent form and an honest appraisal of risk, but the data supplied by the FantasyPros guide equips managers with the insight needed to lock in the right starters and sideline the rest.