(Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire)

Every Friday I look at every projected two-start pitcher for the week ahead and detail my thoughts about rolling with them on your roster. There are four tiers: Definitely, Probably, Questionable, Bench. Definitely Start features starters that are no doubters for the week ahead followed by Probably Start with pitchers that look like good plays but may create a hesitation or two. Players labeled as Questionable are for deeper leagues or have one-of-two outings that should be skipped. Pitchers under Bench should be avoided despite their two starts in the week ahead.

Note: This article was written Friday morning, estimating probable starters through the week. These are subject to change.

Definitely Start

Patrick Corbin (SFG, SDP)

David Price (@LAA, @OAK)

Aaron Nola (@ATL, PIT)

Masahiro Tanaka (MIA, TOR)

Lance McCullers (@SEA, @CHW)

Sonny Gray (MIA, TOR)

Jacob Degrom (WSH, @ATL)

Dallas Keuchel (@SEA, @CHW)

James Paxton (HOU, @TEX)

There are more question marks than ideal in the top tier, but you should still be starting all of these arms

Even with Masahiro Tanaka and Sonny Gray putting up clunkers against the Sawx, you should feel confident in rebounds against the Marlins that would carry them into a start against Toronto.

and putting up clunkers against the Sawx, you should feel confident in rebounds against the Marlins that would carry them into a start against Toronto. Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers have looked shaky lately, though they are still plenty talented and should be able to take advantage of a start against the ChiSox while staving off a Mariners offense.

and have looked shaky lately, though they are still plenty talented and should be able to take advantage of a start against the ChiSox while staving off a Mariners offense. Despite facing the tough Astros offense, feel confident in rolling with James Paxton after he was his elite self against the Twins last time out

after he was his elite self against the Twins last time out David Price‘s early exit in Wednesday night’s game had many scared, though he’s on track for his Tuesday start that will give him two games against a pair of west coast teams. It seems scary, but it’s still worth it to slot him in for the week.

Probably Start

Rick Porcello (@LAA, @OAK)

Nick Pivetta (@ATL, PIT)

Luis Castillo (@MIL, @STL)

Danny Duffy (@TOR, @DET)

Nick Pivetta and Rick Porcello have looked excellent in their first three outings, making them good choices facing somewhat average teams. I’d see if either on your wire in a 12-teamer.

and have looked excellent in their first three outings, making them good choices facing somewhat average teams. I’d see if either on your wire in a 12-teamer. Yes, Luis Castillo has not been dominating like expected out of the gate. Still, the Brewers and Cardinals are not enough for me to turn down two starts from a pitcher that can rack up 7+ strikeouts easily.

has not been dominating like expected out of the gate. Still, the Brewers and Cardinals are not enough for me to turn down two starts from a pitcher that can rack up 7+ strikeouts easily. Danny Duffy has the benefit of facing two below average offenses and while he’s not showcasing the Top 25 upside we’ve seen in years past, it’s a pretty safe play for the week.

Questionable

Johnny Cueto (@ARI, @LAA)

Kevin Gausman (@DET, CLE)

Aaron Sanchez (KCR, @NYY)

Marco Estrada (KCR, @NYY)

Trevor Williams (COL, @PHI)

Mike Foltynewicz (PHI, NYM)

Brandon McCarthy (PHI, NYM)

Ian Kennedy (@TOR, @DET)

Jon Lester (STL, @COL)

German Marquez (@PIT, CHC)

Hosting Rockies in Pittsburgh and heading to Philly makes Trevor Williams a risky option but someone to consider for next week when chasing starts.

a risky option but someone to consider for next week when chasing starts. I’m not a fan of German Marquez either, but these matchups could render an overall beneficial week if you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel.

either, but these matchups could render an overall beneficial week if you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel. It’s odd seeing Jon Lester out of the first two tiers, but given his slow start ot the season and a date in Coors, you have to tread lightly.

out of the first two tiers, but given his slow start ot the season and a date in Coors, you have to tread lightly. Johnny Cueto looks to be rejoining the Giants on Tuesday, setting him up for a two-start week. I can’t say I’m a fan of heading to Chase Field even with the humidor, and while this isn’t a straightforward DLH situation, there is a still a little extra risk added.

looks to be rejoining the Giants on Tuesday, setting him up for a two-start week. I can’t say I’m a fan of heading to Chase Field even with the humidor, and while this isn’t a straightforward situation, there is a still a little extra risk added. I’m worried about teammates Aaron Sanchez and Marco Estrada for their start in the Bronx, but facing the Royals should return rewards for invested owners.

and for their start in the Bronx, but facing the Royals should return rewards for invested owners. Kevin Gausman is teetering between tiers 2 and 3 as I’m all for starting him against the Tigers, but I have plenty of hesitation against the Indians. Plan accordingly.

Bench

Jordan Zimmermann (BAL, KCR)

Steven Brault (COL, @PHI)

Daniel Mengden (CHW, BOS)

Hyun-Jin Ryu (@SDP, WSH)

Brent Suter (CIN, MIA)

Andrew Cashner (@BOS, CLE)

Adam Wainwright (@CHC, CIN)

Martin Perez (@TBR, SEA)

Kyle Gibson (CLE, @TBR)

Caleb Smith (@NYY, @MIL)

Luis Perdomo (LAD, @ARI)

A.J. Cole (@NYM, @LAD)

James Shields (@OAK, HOU)