MLB Two-Start Options: Week Three

It’s time to look at the potential two-start options for the upcoming fantasy week. If I have someone rated as a three, four or five-star option, they are someone I would definitely use. 

A two-star option is someone who is borderline, but I’d strongly lean against it unless I have no other options. The one-star options are an absolutely not scenario.

So, with that said, let’s take a look at the players available to you this week:

Five-Star Options

• Roy Halladay - Toronto Blue Jays - vs. Tex, @ CWS

Four-Star Options

• Derek Lowe - Atlanta Braves - @ Was, @ Cin
• Rich Harden - Chicago Cubs - vs. Cin, @ Stl
• Clayton Kershaw - Los Angeles Dodgers - @ Hou, @ Col
• Cole Hamels - Philadelphia Phillies - vs. Mil, @ Fla

Three-Star Options

• Jered Weaver - Los Angeles Angels - vs. Det, vs. Sea
• Andy Pettitte - New York Yankees - vs. Oak, @ Bos
• Armando Galarraga - Detroit Tigers - @ LAA, @ KC
• Oliver Perez - New York Mets - @ Stl, vs. Was
• Tim Wakefield - Boston Red Sox - vs. Bal, vs. NYY

Two-Star Options

• Joe Blanton - Philadelphia Phillies - vs. Mil, @ Fla
• Manny Parra - Milwaukee Brewers - @ Phi, @ Hou
• Bronson Arroyo - Cincinnati Reds - @ Hou, vs. Atl
• Any Sonnanstine - Tampa Bay Rays - @ Sea, @ Oak
• Jarrod Washburn - Seattle Mariners - vs. TB, @ LAA
• Jon Garland - Arizona Diamondbacks - vs. Col, vs. SF
• Mike Hampton - Houston Astros - vs. Cin, vs. Mil
• Jason Marquis - Colorado Rockies - @ Ari, vs. LAD

One-Star Options

• Dana Eveland - Oakland Athletics - @ NYY, vs. TB
• Brandon McCarthy - Texas Rangers - @ Tor, @ Bal
• Andrew Miller - Florida Marlins - @ Pit, vs. Phi
• Micah Owings - Cincinnati Reds - @ CHC, vs. Atl
• Jordan Zimmerman - Washington Nationals - vs. Atl, @ NYM
• Ross Ohlendorf - Pittsburgh Pirates - vs. Fla, @ SD
• Jose Contreras - Chicago White Sox - @ Bal, vs. Tor
• Mark Hendrickson - Baltimore Orioles - @ Bos, vs. Tex
• Kevin Correia - San Diego Padres - @ Phi, vs. Pit
• Russ Ortiz - Houston Astros - vs. LAD, vs .Mil
• Sidney Ponson - Kansas City Royals - @ Cle, vs. Det
• Joel Pineiro - St. Louis Cardinals - vs. NYM, vs .CHC

Scheduling Notes

• With Alfredo Simon headed to the DL, it is unknown at this point who will take the start on Tuesday against the White Sox. Whoever it is will not be usable with his second start coming against the Rangers on Sunday.
• The Cleveland Indians are set to have Aaron Laffey go against the Royals and Twins, but it is possible that he is skipped and Cliff Lee assumes that position. If it’s Laffey, he’s a one-star option. If it’s Lee, coming off a solid start against the Yankees, I’d consider him a three-star option.

Thoughts

• I know it’s early, but with 13 Ks in 11 IP Mike Hampton has at least made himself an intriguing option in a two-start week.  I’m not about to suggest using him, but if you are desperate he’s worth considering.
• While Andy Sonnanstine’s match-ups make him extremely interesting, I have reservations.  Yes he pitched well against the Yankees, but he was bad against the Orioles in his first start of the season.  He also has a career ERA over five, so proceed cautiously.
• Clayton Kershaw has quickly entrenched himself as one of the top starters in the game.  Even with two starts on the road he is one of the best two-start options next week.
• Jon Garland is coming off a terrible start, but he has two lighter hitting line-ups this week. Still, with just 2 Ks in 10.2 innings, is he worth using? It’s a risk, and one that I wouldn’t recommend using unless you are desperate.

So what do you think?  Which options would you use?  Which would you avoid?

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