Daily Starters – Tuesday, September 18th

It’s a slate of studs with several aces going, but there are still a host of useful starters to run out there in your playoff or roto chase to the top.

(I’ll be citing the FantasyPros roster rates)

Joey Lucchesi – SD v. SF (26%)

Lucchesi is a slam dunk spot start thanks to the easiest matchup a lefty can get in the second half. The Giants are 30th in wOBA against lefties since the break at .262. Meanwhile, it’s not just the matchup that is appealing here as Lucchesi’s had a useful 4.13 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 48 innings.

Chase Anderson – MIL v. CIN (51%)

Anderson had a 2.86 ERA in April, but then saw it spike to 4.54 on June 17th and probably hit a good number of waiver wires. He’s been on fire since then, though, with a 3.16 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 77 IP across 15 starts. He also has a nice 69 strikeouts during the run. He has allowed just four hits in his last 12 innings against the Reds, too.

Anibal Sanchez – ATL v. STL (46%)

How is Sanchez still this widely available? He’s carried a sub-3.00 ERA for most of the season and currently sits just over at 3.01 in 119.7 innings. Sanchez is keeping the ball in the yard and has a very competent 16% K-BB rate. The Cardinals sit just 21st in wOBA against righties over the last month with a 25% K rate making it a pretty decent matchup, too.

Joshua James – HOU v. SEA (4%)

In one start and a pair of extended relief appearances, James has fanned 17 of the 42 batters he’s faced (41%) and after three walks in his 5-inning debut, he’s walked just 1 in the 5.7 relief innings. Seattle has a meager .308 wOBA against righties in the second half, good for 23rd in the league.

Derek Holland – SF at SD (37%)

Holland has quietly put together a 2.35 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 57.3 second half innings, along with a quality 23% K rate. The Padres offense has actually been pretty solid in the second half (16th in wOBA against lefties), but I’m still not worried about streaming against them with someone like Holland.

Jake Odorizzi – MIN at DET (28%)

A brilliant outing his last time out (1 hit in 7.3 IP v. NYY) has Odorizzi back on the radar, especially against a poor Tigers lineup that sits just 28th in wOBA against righties since the break (.290). If he limits the free passes, he shouldn’t have any issues here.

Steven Matz – NYM at PHI (31%)

Matz was wobbly in his first start after returning from the DL (2 IP/6 R) against the Phillies he faces today, but has then reeled off five starts of a 2.67 ERA and 0.76 WHIP in 30.3 IP. This includes a solid 5 IP/2 ER outing against Philly with eight strikeouts. The Phillies are 26th in wOBA against lefties with a  .277 mark and a 26% K rate that is 6th-highest.

Mike Leake – SEA at HOU

Leake has just two bum starts during the second half with quality starts in seven of his nine, including two against Houston (5 ER in 12 IP). It’s a risky go against the Astros, but Leake has been solid more often than not this year.

Aaron Sanchez – TOR at BAL (24%)

Back-to-back quality starts, including one at Boston, has me considering Sanchez as a spot starter today. He’s been so up and down that I understand anyone’s trepidation. Baltimore’s offense is ice cold as they are 29th in wOBA against righties over the last month (.278) with a league worst 5% BB rate. Walks are Sanchez’s biggest issue, but this O’s offense isn’t well equipped to take advantage.

Sandy Alcantara – MIA v. WAS (18%)

Have you seen what Alcantara is doing this month? He’s dropped two 7-inning gems that you might not have noticed because he’s on the wretched Marlins. He has 12 strikeouts and five walks, while also allowing just five hits in the 14 innings of work. The Nats aren’t an easy matchup, but Alcantara is throwing really well and is definitely worth some consideration.

Mike Montgomery – CHC at ARI (8%)

Monty has made it five innings in any of his last three outings and doesn’t have good enough skills to want a 4-5 inning start even against a sputtering Arizona offense (.272 wOBA v. LHP in the last 30).

Austin Gomber – STL at ATL (23%)

He was kinda living on the wire and the Dodgers took care of that regression in one fell swoop with a 3 IP/7 ER nightmare his last time out. He’s probably low-to-mid 4.00s ERA true talent with that 9% K-BB and 1.43 WHIP so let’s be careful and just pass.

Tyler Skaggs – LAA at OAK (31%)

Too scary. Hard pass.

Dylan Bundy – BAL v. TOR (35%)

I just can’t see trusting him in my playoffs.





Paul is the Editor of Rotographs and Content Director for OOTP Perfect Team. Follow Paul on Twitter @sporer and on Twitch at sporer.

5 Comments
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North 44
5 years ago

You guys should post these one day in advance. A lot of league formats don’t allow same day pickups in order to put the good analysis to work.

Ryan DCmember
5 years ago
Reply to  North 44

Came here to say the same thing. Day-of stuff is totally useless in many leagues. Appreciate the work though! Just wish I could actually use it