Glasnow has two tough games

Baseball is back and so is our weekly Pitching Primer column. Each week, we’ll highlight some projected two-start pitchers and discuss what their matchups could mean for their fantasy value. Let’s kick things off with five pitchers projected to start twice each during Week 2.

Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks: at NYY, at WAS

The Orioles lost their ace with Burnes departing for the Diamondbacks in free agency. Since becoming a full-time starter in 2021, Burnes has produced four straight seasons with a WHIP of 1.10 or lower. He also hasn’t had an xFIP above 3.80. If there has been any concern with his production, it’s that his strikeout rate has decreased every season. Last season, he posted just a 23.1% strikeout rate.

Even with his strikeouts dwindling, Burnes is an extremely valuable fantasy option. Him getting two starts right off the bat is a boost to fantasy managers who drafted him. Playing at Yankee Stadium isn’t easy, but the Yankees lineup isn’t as fearsome with Juan Soto no longer on the team. The Nationals had the sixth-lowest OPS in the league last season, and while they have some promising young hitters in James Wood and Dylan Crews, their lineup is far from being fearsome.

Tyler Glasnow, Los Angeles Dodgers: vs. ATL, at PHI

Injuries were once again a factor for Glasnow last season, limiting him to 22 starts. While that might be underwhelming for most, his 134 innings were actually the highest mark of his career. He dominated, posting a 2.68 xFIP that was even better than his 3.49 ERA. He also recorded a 32.2% strikeout rate to go along with his 0.95 WHIP.

Glasnow will start this season with a matchup against a Braves team that tied for the seventh-most strikeouts in baseball last season. Their lineup is dangerous, but it’s compromised a bit with Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) still out. The Phillies won’t be an easy matchup, either. Regardless of his matchups, Glasnow’s strikeout upside is off the charts for a two-start week.

Brady Singer, Cincinnati Reds: vs. TEX, at MIL

The Reds acquired Singer in a deal that sent Jonathan India to the Royals. After a disappointing 2023 campaign, Singer bounced back to record a 3.71 ERA and 3.62 xFIP last season. He gave up just 0.5 HR/9, which was the best mark of his career. Also helping his cause was his 28.0% strikeout rate, which was six percentage points higher than his career mark. The one red flag was his 1.42 WHIP, which can be partially attributed to his 9.3% walk rate.

Now a member of the Reds, Singer will start the reason with a difficult matchup against the Rangers. After an injury-plagued 2024 season, the Rangers bolstered their roster with the addition of two power hitters in Joc Pederson and Jake Burger. His second matchup against the Brewers is more favorable, especially after they lost Willy Adames this winter. However, the trio of Jackson Chourio, William Contreras and Christian Yelich all enter the season healthy, so the Brewers can be dangerous. Those in deep leagues should probably still start Singer, but those in 10 and 12-team formats might be better off avoiding him.

Casey Mize, Detroit Tigers: at SEA, vs. CWS

There wasn’t a lot to like about Mize’s stats in 2024. He pitched 102 1/3 innings, registering a 4.49 ERA and a 4.04 xFIP. His WHIP finished at 1.47 and he had just a 17.3% strikeout rate. His lack of strikeouts is nothing new, given his career 18.2% strikeout rate. As underwhelming as he was, Alex Cobb (hip) being out to begin the season helped Mize make the Tigers starting rotation.

More often than not, Mize is someone to avoid in fantasy. However, he’s a viable streamer for Week 2 based on these matchups. The Mariners struck out the most times in baseball last season and they made no significant upgrades to their lineup. The White Sox had the worst lineup in baseball last season, scoring the fewest runs and recording the lowest OPS. Like the Mariners, they also didn’t make any significant upgrades this winter. If ever there was a week to feel good about starting Mize, this is it.

Ben Brown, Chicago Cubs: at ATH, vs. SD

Brown made a relief appearance for Cubs during the Tokyo Series against the Dodgers. It did not go well with him allowing three runs (two earned) over 2 2/3 innings. He was wild with three walks, but he also had five strikeouts. Both of those stats shouldn’t come as a surprise. Over 55 1/3 innings for the Cubs last season, Brown had a 28.8% strikeout rate and an 8.6% walk rate. In 2023, he had a 32.6% strikeout rate and a 14.3% walk rate over 72 2/3 innings at Triple-A.

Javier Assad (oblique) is out to begin the season, paving the way for Brown to be the Cubs fifth starter. The Athletics will play in a less pitcher-friendly home park this season, but they still struck out the fifth-most times in baseball last season. Although the Padres don’t have the easiest of lineups to navigate, Brown’s strikeout upside makes him a viable streamer for his two-start week.

Mike Barner has been covering fantasy sports since 2007. His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, SportsLine and RotoWire. Mike was also a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.