Fantasy Baseball 2013: Full List of This Week's 2-Start Pitchers

One of the most important questions for every fantasy week is: who are the two-start pitchers? That's a very prevalent question for this week, since some of baseball's best aces are looking at a multiple-start week.

From Justin Verlander to Philip Humber, we're covering the best and worst of this weeks two-start pitchers.

Two-start status and probable matchups are from CBS Sports

Format: The first four slides cover batches of players that are considered fringe fantasy contributors. After that I covered individual pitchers.

The Bottom Barrel

These are the guys you have to avoid this week, even with their two starts. Unless you're really desperate, make sure to stay away.

Mike Pelfrey, Minnesota: 4/29 @Detroit, 5/5 @Cleveland

Pelfrey has been awful to start the season, and he is not worth the risk with two tough starts on the road coming up this week.

Philip Humber, Houston: 4/30 @New York Yankees, 5/5 vs. Detroit

Humber has been awful, and only in Houston would he be considered a starter.

Joe Saunders, Seattle: 4/29 vs. Baltimore, 5/5 @Toronto

Saunders has been hit for 15 earned runs in 9.2 innings across his last two starts. He has two tough road matches against heavy hitting AL East teams this week.

The "Are They for Reals"

These starters have all been off to pretty solid starts to the 2013 season, but their long-term value remains a mystery. Starting them could leave you looking like a genius or a fool.

Kevin Slowey, Miami: 4/30 vs. New York Mets, 5/5 @Philadelphia

Finally healthy, Slowey has enjoyed a nice start to the season due to great command of his pitches. But he is 0-2 due to Miami's struggles, and a blowup could be just around the corner.

Ted Lilly, Los Angeles Dodgers: 4/29 vs. Colorado, 5/5 @San Francisco

Lilly enjoyed a strong first start of the season, giving up one run in five innings while striking out seven. The veteran starter is usually a safe bet in fantasy, but since he just came off the DL there's still some risk to consider.

Jorge De La Rosa, Colorado: 4/30 @Los Angeles Dodgers, 5/5 vs. Tampa Bay

De La Rosa has flashed brilliance before, but he's never looked this good. The only dark spots are a 1.64 K/BB and 3.5 BB/9, which could catch up to him this week.

Lucas Harrell, Houston: 4/29 @New York Yankees, 5/4 vs. Detroit

Harrell has strung together three solid starts, but I'm not yet sold on him. He has two tough matchups this week, which makes him a high-risk option outside of AL-only leagues.

High Risk, High Reward

This next batch of pitchers are guys who are hit-and-miss with their starts. They could come up huge for your team or implode on the mound. Play them at your own risk.

Clayton Richard, San Diego: 4/29 @Chicago Cubs, 5/4 vs. Arizona

Richard's string of solid starts was broken up this week against Milwaukee, where he gave up six earned runs in 1.2 innings. He's the epitome of high risk/reward.

Ubaldo Jimenez, Cleveland: 4/29 @Kansas City, 5/4 vs. Minnesota

Jimenez remains a fantasy albatross, and it's probably safe to say he's never going to return to ace-form. He's still capable of a great start here and there, and Minnesota at home is a good matchup.

Edinson Volquez, San Diego: 4/30 @Chicago Cubs, 5/5 vs. Arizona

Volquez has strung together two very good starts, but when he struggles there's no one wilder in baseball. The matchups make this a tough call.

Edwin Jackson, Chicago Cubs: 4/30 vs. San Diego, 5/5 vs. Cincinnati

Jackson's strikeouts have been up this season, but so have his walks. As long as Cincinnati's lineup is struggling this could be a big week for him.

Wade Davis, Kansas City: 4/29 vs. Cleveland, 5/5 vs. Chicago White Sox

Wade Davis has been off to a hot start this season, but his pitch count remains a problem. He only gave up three runs in his last start, but it came across just 3.2 innings of work.

Young Guns

Ah, the youngsters of the mound. Upside makes them fringe fantasy contributors, but their inexperience is always considered a risk.

Julio Teheran, Atlanta: 4/29 vs. Washington, 5/4 vs. New York Mets

Teheran finally showed some promise in his last start against Colorado, giving up one run and no walks against seven innings of work. He faces some tough lineups this week, but both will come at home.

Garrett Richards, Los Angeles Angels: 4/30 @Oakland, 5/5 vs. Baltimore

Richards has had one really good start, but it's sandwiched between two pretty bad ones. Both his starts come at good pitching parks this week, so it wouldn't hurt to keep him in the back of your mind.

Jose Fernandez, Miami: 4/29 vs. New York Mets, 5/4 @Philadelphia

Fernandez started the year off well, but has coughed up nine earned over his last two starts. He's already dominated New York and Philadelphia this year, but who knows how well they'll adjust the second time around.

Brett Anderson, Oakland

4/29 vs. Los Angeles Angels, 5/5 @New York Yankees

Brett Anderson can be a fantasy ace when healthy, but he's really struggled across his last three starts. The long-term upside is there, but until he starts turning things around it's best to keep him on the bench.

Matt Cain, San Francisco

4/29 @Arizona, 5/5 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Cain's peripherals have been strong to start the season, but his ERA remains bloated due to ugly starts against St. Louis (nine earned) and Milwaukee (seven). 

Two of Cain's three best starts this season have come against the Diamondbacks and Dodgers, so the matchups remain favorable. Despite his two blowups—and 0-2 record—Cain remains a must-start in fantasy.

Alex Cobb, Tampa Bay

4/30 @Kansas City, 5/5 @Colorado

Cobb has enjoyed a great start to the season, but was lights out in his last start against New York. The Ray's youngster went 8.1 scoreless innings, striking out seven.

The only risk to consider this week is that Cobb's two starts come on the road, one of which is at offense-heavy Colorado. Even then, you could do far worse.

He hasn't earned "must-start" status just yet, but you'd still be foolish to bench the 25-year-old this week.

Yu Darvish, Texas

4/30 vs. Chicago White Sox, 5/5 vs. Boston

Yu Darvish has been untouchable this season, registering 49 strikeouts and a 0.79 WHIP. He has double-digit strikeouts in each of his last two starts, and has allowed more than three hits in only one of his starts this season.

The only danger Darvish faces this week is his matchups, as both Chicago and Boston are fairly hot.

But when you have an ace this good those things become less and less a factor, so Darvish remains a must-start.

Marco Estrada, Milwaukee

4/30 vs. Pittsburgh, 5/5 vs. St. Louis

Estrada has kicked off 2013 right where he left off 2012. He may not be a fantasy ace, but you can expect him to mitigate his damage while racking up a lot of Ks.

If you've got him, start him.

Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee

4/29 vs. Pittsburgh, 5/4 vs. St. Louis

Gallardo has been inconsistent to start the year, and his stuff hasn't been nearly as electric as it has in the past. He was shellacked in his last start against St. Louis, putting a red flag on his second start this week.

If you have anyone better, it might be smart to let Gallardo ride this week out on your bench. Still a must-start in NL-only leagues.

Jamie Garcia, St. Louis

4/30 vs Cincinnati, 5/5 @Milwaukee

Garcia has struggled at times this year, but overall he's been a solid starter.

The biggest concern is his command. Take out his 10 K game against Cincinnati and he only has 15 across four starts. Not to mention he's walking a lot of guys and has a 1.42 WHIP.

Overall, Garcia should be a safe bet, but keep in mind he's prone to blowup game here and there.

Gio Gonzalez, Washington

4/30 @Atlanta, 5/5 @Pittsburgh

Gonzalez bounced back from a string of lackluster starts last week, allowing one hit in eight innings while striking out seven.

He won't have the easiest starts this week, with both games coming on the road. But the Braves have been cooling down, while Pittsburgh is still Pittsburgh.

If his last start was a sign of things to come, then Gonzalez has seemed to turn the corner on his slow start. He should be considered a must-start for this week.

Roy Halladay, Philadelphia

4/30 @Cleveland, 5/5 vs. Miami

Roy Halladay has strung together three really good starts after starting the season off with two really bad ones. But those three good starts came against teams that were struggling.

With that said, Halladay is well worth the risk this week. Cleveland on the road isn't that daunting, and he gets Miami at home.

He's far from must-start status, but for now consider him a solid option for your rotation.

Jason Hammel, Baltimore

4/30 @Seattle, 5/5 @Los Angeles Angels

I don't how he does it, but Hammel continues to find ways to win games. Baltimore's ace is 3-1 to start the season, with a 3.81 ERA and at least six innings pitched in each of his five starts.

Despite two road starts, he gets the luxury of both coming at pitchers' parks. Unless you have anyone better, Hammel's a safe start this week.

Tommy Hanson, Los Angeles Angels

4/29 @Oakland, 5/4 vs. Baltimore

Hanson used to have so much promise, and it doesn't look like the move to a new team has done much to help him regain that upside.

Even though the 26-year-old has only had one bad start, he's only struck out eight batters on the season with a 1.52 WHIP.

Don't let the 2-1 record fool you. Hanson still has a long way to go before he can be considered a safe start in fantasy again. Consider him an AL-only option this week.

Matt Harvey, New York Mets

4/29 @Miami, 5/5 @Atlanta

Harvey's five-game winning streak came to an end in his last start, but it didn't stop the 24-year-old from striking out seven across six innings while gaining a no-decision.

Even though the "Harvey's better than Strasburg" talk is a little overblown at this point in his career, the Mets' young ace remains a dominant option in fantasy.

Until he shows any signs of slowing down, consider Harvey a must-start every week, especially when he has two starts.

Tim Hudson, Atlanta

4/30 vs. Washington, 5/5 vs. New York Mets

After struggling against Pittsburgh, Hudson bounced back in his last start against Colorado. The veteran went six innings strong, allowing just three earned on six hits.

Hudson may not be a fantasy ace, but he's still a solid option. He's already beaten Washington once this season and will enjoy double home starts this week.

His numbers may not look like it, but consider Hudson a must-start for the upcoming week.

Ian Kennedy, Arizona

4/29 vs. San Francisco, 5/5 @San Diego

I want to believe in Ian Kennedy again, but the Diamondbacks ace makes it so hard. Some starts he looks great, others he looks awful.

He beat San Francisco in his most recent start, and will enjoy his second start of the week at spacious Petco Park.

Kennedy ranks somewhere between a must-start and NL-only option, so consider him a somewhat safe bet in the upcoming week.

Mat Latos, Cincinnati

4/29 @St. Louis, 5/5 @Chicago Cubs

Latos has been lights-out to start the season, having yet to give up more than three earned runs or pitch fewer than six innings in any of his five starts.

Even though he's only 1-0 on the year, the quality of his starts far outweighs his record. Consider Latos a must-start for the upcoming week.

Jon Lester, Boston

4/30 @Toronto, 5/5 @Texas

After a great start to the season Lester finally hit a speed bump in his last start against Oakland, coughing up three earned runs on six hits and six walks.

Most of the damage was done in one inning, and it doesn't erase how good he's been to start the year.

The big concern this week are his matchups. Lester has already beaten Toronto on the road this season, but he has an ugly track record in Arlington.

Consider Lester a must-start this week, but just know there's certainly some risk surrounding both his starts.

Brandon Morrow, Toronto

4/30 vs. Boston, 5/5 vs. Seattle

Morrow has had some good starts this year, but most of them have been ugly to start the year. His Ks are way down from where they should be, and he's yet to win a game.

He gets two home starts this week, but neither will be easy. First he gets a hot Boston team, then he gets the Mariners, who usually hit well on the road.

Honestly, until Morrow can string together a solid series of starts he's nothing more than an AL-only option.

Andy Pettitte, New York Yankees

4/29 vs. Houston, 5/5 vs. Oakland

Some pitchers just get better with age, and Andy Pettitte is certainly proving that. The 40-year-old has yet to give up more than three earned runs in a start, and has pitched seven innings in all but one of them.

Pettitte gets two home starts this week, one of which comes against Houston. Consider him a must-start.

Jose Quintana, Chicago White Sox

4/30 @Texas, 5/5 @Kansas City

Quintana has started 2013 off right where he left off last season. He's 2-0 to start the year with a 2.78 ERA.

Still, Ks and innings remain an issue for the 24-year-old since he can't seem to compile many of either. He stares down two road starts this week, one of which comes against Texas.

Quintana may be a risky start this week, but should at least be considered a must-start in AL-only leagues.

Wandy Rodriguez, Pittsburgh

4/29 @Milwaukee, 5/5 vs. Washington

Rodriguez has some of the strangest stats amongst 2013 starters. He's 2-0 with a 1.66 ERA, but has only 21.7 innings pitched and 16 strikeouts in four starts.

With that said, his last two starts have been solid. Keep in mind, while Rodriguez usually turns in strong stats, he's a good pitcher on a bad team—meaning wins are rare.

His matchups aren't great this week, but at least he faces Washington at home. Rodriguez is a must start in NL-only leagues, and a solid option in all other league types.

Jeff Samardzija, Chicago Cubs

4/29 vs. San Diego, 5/4 vs. Cincinnati

Samardzija has enjoyed a great start to the season, striking out 39 batters across 32.7 innings of work with a 3.03 ERA.

And yet he plays for the Cubs, so his record sits at a putrid 1-4.

The 28-year-old reportedly suffered a cut to his pitching hand in his last start (h/t The Chicago Tribune), but should be fully expected to start his next game.

Even though he doesn't win games, it doesn't stop Samardzija from pitching like an ace. Consider him a must-start in the coming week.

Max Scherzer, Detroit

4/29 vs. Minnesota, 5/4 @Houston

Scherzer was beat up a bit in his last start against Kansas City (5.0 IP, 5 ER), but it didn't stop him from getting the win.

Overall the right-hander is enjoying a strong start to 2013, going 2-0 with 36 Ks in four starts.

With favorable matchups in the coming week, consider Scherzer a must-start.

Stephen Strasburg, Washington

4/29 @Atlanta, 5/4 @Pittsburgh

A lot has been made of Strasburg's 1-4 record to start the year, but that's not a true indicator of how he's pitched. He's only had one bad start, and his peripherals are as strong as ever.

Washington will eventually start providing its ace with run support, and until then Strasburg is going to continue to pitch well. He has to be considered a must-start on any fantasy team.

Justin Verlander, Detroit

4/30 vs. Minnesota, 5/5 @Houston

Verlander is suffering from a blister on his pitching hand, but as reported by ESPN it's very likely he makes his next start. 

Despite the 2-2 record, the Tiger's ace has been as good as ever. His ERA is well under the 2.00 range, and he already has 33 strikeouts across 32.1 innings. 

This one should be easy. Keep Verlander in your rotation.

Adam Wainwright, St. Louis

4/29 vs. Cincinnati, 5/4 @Milwaukee

Wainwright has returned to a high level of play, starting the year off 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA. It took him five starts and 34.2 innings before he issued his first walk of the year, which is a crazy stat.

St. Louis' ace has been on a great run, and there's no reason to think it will come to an end this week. Wainwright's obviously a must-start this week.