Two-Start Pitchers: Week Seven

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

• Dan Haren - Arizona Diamondbacks - @ Fla, @ Oak

Four-Star Options

• CC Sabathia - New York Yankees - vs. Bal, vs. Phi
• Josh Johnson - Florida Marlins - vs. Ari, vs. TB
• Felix Hernandez - Seattle Mariners - vs. LAA, vs. SF
• Cole Hamels - Philadelphia Phillies - @ Cin, @ NYY
• James Shields - Tampa Bay Rays - vs. Oak, @ Fla
• Ted Lilly - Chicago Cubs - @ Stl, @ SD
• Cliff Lee - Cleveland Indians - @ KC, @ Cin

Three-Star Options

• Mark Buehrle - Chicago White Sox - vs. Min, vs. Pit
• Jair Jurrjens - Atlanta Braves - vs. Col, vs. Tor
• Andy Pettitte - New York Yankees - vs. Min, vs. Phi
• Randy Wolf - Los Angeles Dodgers - vs. NYM, vs. LAA
• Ervin Santana - Los Angeles Angels - @ Sea, @ LAD
• Shairon Martis - Washington Nationals - vs. Pit, vs. Bal
• Jarrod Washburn - Seattle Mariners - vs. LAA, vs. SF
• Barry Zito - San Francisco Giants - @ SD, @ Sea

Two-Star Options

• Chris Young - San Diego Padres - vs. SF, vs. CHC
• Ricky Nolasco - Florida Marlins - vs. Ari, vs. TB
• Scott Baker - Minnesota Twins - @ CWS, vs. Mil
• Tim Wakefield - Boston Red Sox - vs. Tor, vs. NYM
• Scott Richmond - Toronto Blue Jays - vs. CWS, @ Atl
• Brian Bannister - Kansas City Royals - vs. Cle, @ Stl
• Joel Pineiro - St. Louis Cardinals - vs. CHC, vs. KC
• Glen Perkins - Minnesota Twins - @ NYY, vs. Mil
• Matt Palmer - Los Angeles Angels - @ Sea, @ LAD
• Jordan Zimmerman - Washington Nationals - vs. Pit, vs. Bal
• Micah Owings - Cincinnati Reds - vs. Phi, vs. Cle
• Ross Ohlendorf - Pittsburgh Pirates - @ Was, @ CWS

One-Star Options

• Jason Marquis - Colorado Rockies - @ Atl, @ Det
• Brian Tallet - Toronto Blue Jays - @ Bos, @ Atl
• Braden Looper - Milwaukee Brewers - @ Hou, @ Min
• Brandon McCarthy - Texas Rangers - @ Det, @ Hou
• Dontrelle Willis - Detroit Tigers - vs. Tex, vs. Col
• Mike Hampton - Houston Astros - vs. Mil, vs. Tex
• Jeff Niemann - Tampa Bay Rays - vs. Oak, @ Fla
• Bryan Augenstein - Arizona Diamondbacks - @ Fla, @ Oak
• Brad Bergensen - Baltimore Orioles - @ NYY, @ Was
• Josh Outman - Oakland Athletics - @ TB, vs. Ari
• Jeff Karstens - Pittsburgh Pirates - @ Was, @ CWS
• Tim Redding - New York Mets - @ LAD, @ Bos
• Jo-Jo Reyes - Atlanta Braves - vs. Col, vs. Tor
• Jason Hammel - Colorado Rockies - @ Atl, @ Det
• Clayton Richard - Chicago White Sox - @ Tor, vs. Pit

Scheduling Notes

• Who will be the second A’s pitcher to get two starts?  There are a few options, but none of them are very good.

Thoughts

• Chris Young, Ricky Nolasco and Scott Baker all fall into the same category.  Normally they would be at worst three-star options, but they have struggled so mightily this season that it’s impossible to do so.  Could they re-emerge as must use pitchers?  Of course, but in order to use them you have got to be prepared to stomach the potential bad.
• With Ervin Santana back, he instantly slots in as a three-star option despite struggling in his season debut yesterday.  That first match-up in Seattle seems like a very good one for him.
• I know Matt Palmer has pitched well, posting a 3.38 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, but that start against the Dodgers really worries me.  Remember, he was sporting an 11.74 ERA at Triple-A prior to being recalled.
• Jordan Zimmerman has quality match-ups, but he’s given up 16 earned runs over his last 17.2 innings.  That makes him a very big risk.
• Barry Zito as a three-star option?  I never thought I’d say that again, but with the way he’s been pitching and a start in San Diego I just couldn’t resist.

Which two-start pitchers do you like for next week?  Which ones are you trying to avoid?

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