Al Melchior's Week 2 pitching advice

Best two-start pitchers for Week 2

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Last week, DH Victor Martinez seemed like an obvious sit because of the Tigers' opening two-game series at Miami. So of course, he already has two home runs.

This week, the Tigers play two more games in an NL park (Pittsburgh), but they're playing seven games overall. In other words, Martinez figures to get close to a full week of at-bats, especially since, as we've clearly seen, the Tigers like to use him as a pinch hitter when he doesn't start. So if you've been itching to get him in your lineup with the positive buzz about the health of his knee, the wait is over.

The Orioles are in line to face an abundance of left-handers this week, so Pedro Alvarez might not make for the best source of cheap power. Ditto the Dodgers and Carl Crawford's speed. Joc Pederson is probably a no-go as well unless he plays out of his mind this weekend. His competent start to the season has concealed an ever-worrisome strikeout rate.

And with that, on to the matchups ...

Best hitting matchups for Week 2

1. Royals @HOU4, @OAK3
2. Giants @COL3, @LAD3
3. Pirates @DET2, DET2, MIL3
4. Cubs CIN3, COL3
5. Cardinals MIL3, CIN3

  • It's Sonny Gray, Collin McHugh and a bunch of garbage on tap for the Royals, so whoever hasn't gotten going yet has a good chance to in Week 2. That includes Kendrys Morales -- who's criminally under-owned at 76 percent, by the way -- and Mike Moustakas, who should also like facing six right-handers even though he did manage to even up the splits last year. You wouldn't sit a stud third baseman for him, of course, but he's not a bad choice for your utility or corner infield slot.
  • As hot as the Giants have been so far, you probably don't need me to tell you to start them with a three-game series at Coors Field coming up, but apart from Hunter Pence, Matt Duffy and of course Buster Posey, their start percentages have some room to improve still. Joe Panik, Denard Span and Brandon Belt are the ones I'd be trying to squeeze into my lineup, and it's worth noting that Belt has historically hit for more power on the road, where the Giants will be all week.
  • Nothing but right-handers on the slate for the Pirates, which, along with those two games in an AL park, should mean plenty of leadoff at-bats for John Jaso. Most mixed-league owners couldn't justify playing a non-power hitter like him at first base, but he's a sneaky deeper-league play. The shallower-league owners can get excited about Gregory Polanco, who has so far laid off the pitches he can't hit and scalded the ones he can and should also benefit from the righty-heavy schedule.
  • I would love Jorge Soler as a sleeper this week if we knew he'd be a regular beneficiary of Kyle Schwarber's absence, but the Cubs have depth and a manager who likes to tinker. It's a risk for sure. The safer power-hitting outfielder would be the Cardinals' Randal Grichuk, who has started in just 66 percent of leagues for some reason.

Worst hitting matchups for Week 2

1. Rays CLE3, CHW3
2. Indians @TB3, NYM3
3. Reds @CHC3, @STL3
4. Diamondbacks @LAD3, @SD3
5. Yankees @TOR3, SEA3

  • The Rays face nothing but legitimately high-end starters this week, and the three White Sox all throw left-handed, which pretty much eliminates Corey Dickerson from mixed-league consideration. The real questionable is Steven Souza, who has been one of the shining stars off the waiver wire with a massive power display in the first half-week. I'd never blame anyone for playing the hot hand, but in a three-outfielder league, knowing Souza's downside with all the strikeouts, I don't think I could. I also don't think Evan Longoria should be as widely started as he is, but that goes for every week.
  • Making actual recommendations for the Indians and Reds knowing their matchups is difficult because neither Ohio team has many of what I'd consider to be fringy mixed-league options. They're all too high- or low-end, and I'm including Carlos Santana in that group since he's off to a good start. Maybe you could sit Jason Kipnis if you're overloaded at second base, which is a distinct possibility this year. Maybe you could sit Eugenio Suarez and Jay Bruce since they're basically home run or bust. And if you can afford to roster two catchers, Devin Mesoraco might not be a bad choice to sit until he gets going.
  • The Diamondbacks have a lineup full of extremes like the Indians and Reds, but one player you can consider sitting for them is David Peralta, who has been great to begin the year, no doubt. The Diamondbacks play all six of their games on the road, though, where he hit about 50 points lower than at home, so at least in a three-outfielder league, you'll want to weigh your options. Jean Segura is even harder to justify since most likely any shortstop you can trust to produce is already owned. I think I'd ride this streak as long as it lasts.
  • I could say the same for Starlin Castro as I did for Segura, so I'm not going to let the Yankees matchups steer me away from him. I also think you have to get whatever you can out of Mark Teixeira while he's healthy. I'm less confident in Alex Rodriguez repeating his power from a year ago, and Brett Gardner, at least in Head-to-Head points leagues, is kind of fringy. Even Jacoby Ellsbury in a points league, where steals aren't as vital as in categories leagues, isn't beyond sitting for a Denard Span or Dexter Fowler type.