Fantasy Baseball 2012: Top 10 Two-Start Pitchers (April 16-22)

The following slideshow is a top 10 ranking of two-start pitchers for the week of April 16-22.

The listing does not necessarily account for a pitcher's season-long prospects, nor does it promise sustained dominance from this point forward. It's merely an educated guess of which starters will shine the brightest over the next seven days.

For a full listing of two-start pitchers, click here.

Enjoy the show!

10: Wandy Rodriguez, Houston Astros

At first blush, Rodriguez (0-1, 2.38 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 7/3 K-BB ratio in 11.1 innings) should struggle against division leaders Washington and Los Angeles, but his knack for being remarkably consistent against all comers—minus the very rare clunker—fuels the confidence here.

Targets: One win, 14 strikeouts and 3.85 ERA.

9: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants

If it wasn't for Miami's Josh Johnson, Lincecum (12.91 ERA, 2.22 WHIP, 10/3 K-BB ratio) would be grabbing all the headlines for his poor start to the season.

But are you really worried about this kid? At some point this spring/summer, Lincecum will post four straight starts of 10-12 strikeouts, sub-2.00 ERA and sub-1.00 WHIP. And this wretched April stretch will be nothing but a distant memory.

Targets against the Phillies and Mets: One win, 16 strikeouts, 3.95 ERA.

8: C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees

Sabathia (6.75 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 15/5 K-BB) has an inversely proportional week to Rays ace James Shields, drawing the Twins and Red Sox over the next seven days. Therefore, it may be a judgment call on whether Sabathia will immediately rebound from so-so start.

But roto and weekly owners shouldn't lament the details too much here. Sabathia is a top-10 pitcher and a lock for 220 strikeouts and 18 wins by season's end. He's a viable threat for big-time production with every mound appearance.

7: Ricky Romero, Toronto Blue Jays

Romero (1-0, 3.38 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, .136 opponents' BA) would have scored a higher ranking in any other week, given his track record of success...and opponents for Week 3 (Rays, Royals).

But for now, we're taking a relatively conservative tone on a pitcher who needs three or four quasi-dominant starts together before joining the likes of Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver and Roy Halladay.

Things are looking good for a big week, though.

6: Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles Dodgers

You wouldn't believe the star power that missed this week's cut—from James Shields and Johnny Cueto to Gio Gonzalez and Ian Kennedy.

Billingsley is partially to blame for the omissions.

To label Billingsley's hot start (2-0, 0.63 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, 15/1 K-BB) as "superb" would be a gross understatement. Billingsley has managed to obscure his Cy Young teammate Clayton Kershaw (2.35 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 13/4 K-BB). Furthermore, he's two more great outings away from stealing some of Matt Kemp's fantasy spotlight.

This ranking isn't confirmation that Billingsley will ride a tidal wave of dominance all season. It's merely an endorsement for the good times still rolling against the Brewers and Astros this week (both roadies).

5: Dan Haren, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

This is a classic case of opportunity and opponent trumping recent track record.

Haren (6.97 ERA, 2.13 WHIP, 20 hits allowed in 10.1 innings) has been a scourge to fantasy owners in his first two starts, but the 12/2 K-BB ratio indicates that a reversal of fortune is very much on the horizon.

Here's another telltale sign of imminent success: Haren draws the A's and Orioles at home this week.

Targets: One win, 17 strikeouts, 2.95 ERA.

4: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals

Forget about the Nationals' alleged pitch/innings count for every start.

In his current state, Strasburg (1-0, 0.69 ERA, 0.85 ERA, 14/4 K-BB) is a virtual lock for seven strikeouts and two or fewer runs allowed for every outing—regardless of opponent. Bottom line: He's a top-10 dynamo up to and including the seventh inning.

Targets against the Astros and Marlins: Two wins, 17 strikeouts and 2.25 ERA.

3: Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies

So much for all the fretting over Halladay's diminished velocity during spring training. And so much for the 34-year-old righty dipping in the Phillies' pitching pecking order.

After two starts, Halladay (2-0, 0.60 ERA, 0.53 WHIP) has once again secured his place among fantasy's elite arms. With two roadies against the Giants and Padres this week, I'll be surprised if his cumulative ERA raises above 1.75 in that time frame.

Strikeouts could be a little higher...but that's the only thing I have which vaguely resembles a criticism.

Targets: One win, 17 strikeouts, 2.00 ERA.

2: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

Verlander's dominant, but equally hard-luck start (zero wins, despite a pair of 2-0 leads heading into the ninth inning) is a classic reason why no one should assume "wins" on draft day. It's an impossible figure to predict or control from year to year.

Victories aside, Verlander (2.20 ERA, 0.55 WHIP, .109 opponents' BA) has fostered a stellar start to the 2012 campaign. Attaining back-to-back Cy Young awards doesn't seem like such a pipe dream.

Verlander draws the Royals and Rangers this week. Mark him down for 18 total strikeouts.

1: Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Weaver warrants the countdown's top spot for two simple reasons:

1. Just like teammate Dan Haren, Weaver draws the A's and Orioles at home this week.

2. Weaver's production in ERA (3.21), WHIP (0.86) and K-BB ratio (17/1) is exactly what fantasy owners clamor for this early in the season (and yes, we're ignoring last week's late hiccup against the Twins).

Targets: Two wins, 19 strikeouts, 1.90 ERA.