Rodriguez is setup for big week

As far as big names go, we don’t have many of them projected to start two games each in Week 15. However, that doesn’t mean there still aren’t useful options. Let’s highlight five projected two-start pitchers and what to expect from them based on their respective matchups.

Grayson Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles: at SEA, at OAK

After getting shelled by the Astros, Rodriguez rebounded to limit the Guardians to two runs over seven innings in his last outing. He did give up two more home runs, marking the fifth time over his last six starts that he has given up at least one home run. He has been able to limit the damage, though, because he has lowered his WHIP from 1.34 last season to 1.24 this year.

As far as favorable matchups go, it doesn’t get much better than what Rodriguez is facing in Week 15. First up will be the Mariners, who have scored the sixth-fewest runs and struck out the most times in baseball. Then he will face the Athletics, who have scored the third-fewest runs and struck out the second-most times. Rodriguez has the potential to be a difference maker for fantasy managers.

Kutter Crawford, Boston Red Sox: at MIA, at NYY

After a great start to the season, Crawford has hit a rough patch. Over his last six outings, he has a 5.97 ERA. His 1.15 WHIP during that span is right in line with his overall mark for the season, and he struck out 39 batters over 34 2/3 innings. The problem was that he allowed 10 home runs during that span. Prior to that, he had given up just three home runs all season.

Home runs might not be an issue for Crawford in his first start against the Marlins, who have hit the fewest home runs in baseball. The Yankees are much more dangerous in that department with Aaron Judge and Juan Soto leading the way, but the bottom half of their lineup looks ugly after they lost a couple of key players because of injuries. Even with a start against the Yankees on the horizon, Crawford is worth deploying in most fantasy leagues.

Hunter Brown, Houston Astros: at TOR, at MIN

A look at Brown’s 4.37 ERA and 4.19 FIP doesn’t exactly make him an exciting fantasy option. His 1.37 WHIP also leaves plenty to be desired. However, most of his struggles came early in the season. He has logged at least six innings and allowed one or no runs in each of his last four starts. Across his last seven outings, he has a 1.47 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.

Part of the reason why Brown has provided improved production is that he has faced some weak lineups lately. Another one awaits him in the Blue Jays, who have scored the fourth-fewest runs in baseball. The Twins are much more dangerous, but Brown did limit them to three runs over six innings earlier this season. There’s no reason to shy away from starting Brown based on these two matchups.

Ryne Nelson, Arizona Diamondbacks: at LAD, at SD

Nelson’s ERA doesn’t reflect it, but he has shown some improvement, lowering his FIP from 5.07 last year to 4.45 this season. After giving up 1.5 HR/9 in 2023, he has allowed 1.2 HR/9 this year. Over his last five outings, he allowed two or fewer runs three times. The problem is, he gave up six runs in both of the other two starts.

When Nelson is bad, he tends to be really bad. In his last outing, the Twins scored six runs against him over 3 2/3 innings, despite not hitting a single home run. Over 68 innings this season, Nelson has allowed 89 hits. The Dodgers and Padres are both dealing with some key injuries to their lineups, but Nelson still isn’t a viable streaming option.

Simeon Woods Richardson, Minnesota Twins: vs. DET, vs. HOU

Woods Richardson does a good job of limiting home runs. Over 66 innings, he has only been taken deep six times. That has helped him produce a 3.41 ERA that is supported by a 3.64 FIP. The downside is that he doesn’t miss many bats, generating just a 20.5 percent strikeout rate.

While he doesn’t come with much strikeout upside, Woods Richardson is still a viable streaming option for Week 15. His first start is a great matchup against the Tigers, who he held to one run over six innings earlier this season. In total, the Tigers have scored the eighth-fewest runs in baseball. Facing the Astros in Minnesota could also work in Woods Richardson’s favor. While the Astros have a .799 OPS in Houston, they only have a .679 OPS on the road.

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.