#2xSP: 6.6-6.12

We’re a little late this week but here we are. It’s been a little bit of a rough go of late, but I think we can get back on track with this upcoming slate. Here’s what we’ve done so far.

19-12 record
3.72 ERA
1.33 WHIP
8.0 K/9
2.9 BB/9
27 quality starts

Here’s who we’re looking at this week (with team wRC+ in parentheses):

RHP Matt Shoemaker – 19.9% ESPN – @NYY (82), v. CLE (101)

You could look at Shoemaker’s season line and not be all that psyched about throwing him into your lineups here. He’s got a 5.50 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, but through it all on the positive side he’s got a 3.58 FIP and has fanned 53 batters in 52.1 innings. But after a rough month of April (9.15 ERA), he’s been markedly better in the five starts since: 3.13 ERA, .597 OPS against and 37-3 K/BB ratio. In fact, over his last three starts he’s fanned 31 batters and hasn’t walked anyone.

LHP Danny Duffy – 6.9% ESPN – @BAL (107), @CWS (88)

Since moving back into the rotation in mid May, Duffy has a 3.86 ERA, .703 OPS against and perhaps most importantly, a solid 19-2 K/BB ratio over that 18.2 inning stretch. It came down to recommending him or Michael Fulmer (v. TOR, @NYY). But with Fulmer owned in nearly 40 percent of all leagues, that didn’t feel quite right as a recommendation. It’ll be interesting to see how his velocity ebbs and flows as he’s in the rotation. Brooks has him sustaining an average velocity of 95-96 mph even now in his starts. He was around 97-98 in relief, but at 95-96 as a starter he can be a real asset.

LHP Adam Conley – 16.4% ESPN – @MIN (88), @ARI (98)

After a strong month of April (3.67 ERA, more than a strikeout per inning), Conley came back down to earth a bit in May with a 4.68 ERA and just a 20-12 K/BB ratio in 25 innings. His first June start was a pretty solid one — six shutout innings with just two hits and nine strikeouts against the Pirates — so hopefully he’s amping up for another solid run here. The matchups seem to suggest so, as I’ll get a front-row — well, press box — seat to see him work on Tuesday night at Target Field. The slider (21.4% whiff rate) and changeup (14.6%) have both been very good for him this season, so as long as he can locate — an issue this year with 4.2 BB/9 — he can be successful. His fastball has been hit pretty hard though (.788 OPS).