Fantasy Baseball 2012: Top 10 Two-Start Pitchers for April 23-29

The following slideshow is a top-10 ranking of two-start pitchers for the week of April 23-29.

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: Brandon Morrow, Toronto Blue Jays

Morrow (0-1, 4.50 ERA) earned this ranking over Josh Beckett, Ervin Santana, Mat Latos and Jeff Samardzija on the basis of four reasons:

1. Of the five pitchers, Morrow has the lowest WHIP (1.10) and opponents' batting average (.214).

2. Morrow likely has the greatest capacity for 10 strikeouts every time he takes the hill.

3. He has a track record of bouncing back after a clunker start.

4. Morrow draws matchups with the Royals (away) and Mariners (home) this week—American League bottom-feeders in runs, homers and RBI.

9: Bartolo Colon, Oakland A's

I'm not the biggest fantasy fan of Colon at this stage of his career...but who among us can deny his amazing start after four outings?

It also helps that Colon (3-1, 2.63 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 19/2 K-BB ratio) has the White Sox (home) and Orioles (away) this week. The opponent may not even matter, though, when the 38-year-old Dominican is riding a wave of positive mojo in the bigs.

Maybe this is Colon's last stand as a viable fantasy commodity.

Targets: One win, 12 strikeouts, 2.90 ERA.

8: Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants

In real-world circles, the 22-year-old Bumgarner (2-1, 3.63 ERA) is acquitting himself nicely in the Giants rotation. But his fantasy start has just been OK—not bad, but certainly not great.

If Bumgarner (1.33 WHIP, 7/5 K-BB) is going to fulfill his top-25 potential in fantasyland, he'll need to step it up with strikeouts and exhibit more restraint with home runs allowed. Last year, for example, Bumgarner surrendered 0.5 homers per nine innings; this year, the figure sits at 1.6.

Critique aside, I still have immense faith in Bumgarner's long-term potential. I also have confidence that he'll control the Mets and Padres' bats this week.

Targets: One win, 13 strikeouts, 3.30 ERA.

7: Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox

I understand the risks of endorsing any Red Sox pitcher at this point, but Lester (0-2, 5.83 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 12/9 K-BB) has earned the right to prove that last week's seven-run meltdown against Texas was an aberration.

He's also earned the right to prove he can pull Boston out of its most recent funk.

After all, it's not like Lester has to face the red-hot Rangers again this week; we're talking night-and-day scenarios between the reigning American League champs...and the Twins and White Sox (Lester's opponents).

Targets: One win, 14 strikeouts, 3.00 ERA.

6: David Price, Tampa Bay Rays

It may be ambitious to slot Price (2-1, 4.20 ERA. 1.73 WHIP) at No. 6 with the Angels and Rangers on the docket.

He hasn't dissected this year's batters with 2011 aplomb. Additionally, his K/BB ratio (11/9) and opponents' batting average (.293) are nothing close to his usual standards.

However, it usually pays to take a leap of faith on a top-15 asset pitching in back-to-back marquee games. After all, Price didn't warrant such a high ranking in my preseason top 40 based on appearances against the Mariners, Orioles, Royals or Twins.

Targets: One win, 14 strikeouts, 2.90 ERA.

5: Matt Garza, Chicago Cubs

Make no mistake, there's a big gap between fourth and fifth slots this week...so much so that one could make a plausible argument for Garza owning the top spot.

But we'll keep him at No. 4 for the time being, even though Garza (1-1, 3.66 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 21/6 K-BB) has been an ace for the Cubs and a true anchor in fantasy circles. The positive mojo should carry over to meetings with the Cardinals and Phillies this week.

Targets: One win, 16 strikeouts, 2.65 ERA.

4: Jake Peavy, Chicago White Sox

The powerful Peavy (2-0, 2.75 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 21/2 K-BB) has the good fortune of performing at the Athletics' pitcher-friendly park and against the slumping Red Sox at home this week.

The venues notwithstanding, a fully healthy Peavy would still warrant a spot in the countdown. The 30-year-old righty has the stuff and mental makeup to flummox the opposition.

He also has the goods to remain the White Sox ace for the rest of the season.

Targets: Two wins, 15 strikeouts, 2.90 ERA.

3: Zack Greinke, Milwaukee Brewers

Forget about Greinke's seasonal ERA (5.09) and just focus on the numbers that portend fantasy success for the coming week—19/3 K-BB ratio and 9.7 K/9 rate.

Bottom line: It may be too early to completely erase the stench of his eight-run, nine-hit clunker against the Cubs on April 12, but it's also good to know that Greinke's peripheral stats remain strong after an uneven beginning.

Prediction: Fantasy owners should expect a run of dominance over Greinke's next four or five starts.

Targets: One win, 17 strikeouts, 2.85 ERA.

2: Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals

Head-to-head league owners caught a break when Gonzalez's start was bumped from Sunday to Tuesday, due to the Nationals-Marlins rainout. It also means that, weather permitting, he'll log two starts this week (Dodgers and Padres).

Subsequently, teammate Jordan Zimmermann will start only one game (Wednesday).

Gonzalez (2.04 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) has been electric in his last two outings, tallying one win, 15 strikeouts and only four hits allowed over 15 innings. Bottom line: Gonzo's an excellent choice for owners in need of a No. 1 or 2 starter.

Targets: Two wins, 16 strikeouts, 2.60 ERA.

1: Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants

It's important to reiterate that my Early-Season All-Star Team was published hours before Cain stifled the Phillies on April 18 and upped his scoreless streak to 18 innings, a fact lost on some of my faithful readers.

Do you think I would honestly deny Cain (1-0, 1.88 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 19/3 K-BB) an All-Star spot after back-to-back faultless outings? Do you think I'd pass on the opportunity to subtly gloat about listing Cain 11th in my preseason top 40—quite possibly the highest ranking of any fantasy guru?

It goes without saying: If you have the opportunity to start or trade for Cain in daily or weekly leagues, he's an automatic starter—regardless of opponent or weather. He's easily one of the best arms in baseball.