Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers: Week 13

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

• Johan Santana - New York Mets - @ Mil, @ Phi
• Chris Carpenter - St. Louis Cardinals - vs. SF, @ Cin
• Dan Haren - Arizona Diamondbacks - @ Cin, @ Col
• Tim Lincecum - San Francisco Giants - @ Stl, vs. Hou
• Roy Halladay - Toronto Blue Jays - vs. TB, @ NYY

Four-Star Options

• Jon Lester - Boston Red Sox - @ Bal, vs. Sea
• Roy Oswalt - Houston Astros - @ SD, @ SF
• Matt Garza - Minnesota Twins - @ Tor, @ Tex

Three-Star Options

• Ted Lilly - Chicago Cubs - @ Pit, vs. Mil
• Joba Chamberlain - New York Yankees - vs. Sea, vs. Tor
• Gavin Floyd - Chicago White Sox - @ Cle, @ KC
• Joe Saunders - Los Angeles Angels - @ Tex, vs. Bal
• Ricky Nolasco - Florida Marlins - vs. Was, vs. Pit
• Zach Duke - Pittsburgh Pirates - vs. CHC, @ Fla
• Rick Porcello - Detroit Tigers - @ Oak, @ Min
• Nick Blackburn - Minnesota Twins - @ KC, vs. Det
• Randy Johnson - San Francisco Giants - @ Stl, vs. Hou

Two-Star Options

• Ubaldo Jimenez - Colorado Rockies - @ LAD, @ Ari
• Rich Harden - Chicago Cubs - @ Pit, vs. Mil
• Randy Wolf - Los Angeles Dodgers - vs. Col, @ SD
• Bronson Arroyo - Cincinnati Reds - vs. Ari, vs. Stl
• Joe Blanton - Philadelphia Phillies - @ Atl, vs. NYM
• Kenshin Kawakami - Atlanta Braves - vs. Phi, @ Was
• Fernando Nieve - New York Mets - @ Mil, @ Phi
• Vicente Padilla - Texas Rangers - vs. LAA, vs. TB
• Brian Bannister - Kansas City Royals - vs. Min, vs. CWS
• Vin Mazzaro - Oakland Athletics - vs. Det, @ Cle

One-Star Options

• Brandon Morrow - Seattle Mariners - @ NYY, @ Bos
• Carl Pavano - Cleveland Indians - vs. CWS, vs. Oak
• Ross Ohlendorf - Pittsburgh Pirates - vs. CHC, @ Fla
• Clayton Richard - Chicago White Sox - @ Cle, @ KC
• Braden Looper - Milwaukee Brewers - vs. NYM, @ CHC
• Luke Hochevar - Kansas City Royals - vs. Min, vs. CWS
• Rich Hill - Baltimore Orioles - vs. Bos, @ LAA
• Brad Thompson - St. Louis Cardinals - vs. SF, @ Cin
• Brian Moehler - Houston Astros - @ SD, @ SF
• Josh Geer - San Diego Padres - vs. Hou, vs. LAD
• Mike Burns - Milwaukee Brewers - vs. NYM, @ CHC
• Jason Berken - Baltimore Orioles - vs. Bos, @ LAA
• Sean O’Sullivan - Los Angeles Angels - @ Tex, vs. Bal
• Craig Stammen - Washington Nationals - @ Fla, vs. Atl
• Wade LeBlanc - San Diego Padres - vs. Hou, vs. LAD

Thoughts

• Roy Halladay is not a lock to go on Monday, but all signs are pointing to it.  I know most of the time I recommend not starting a pitcher in his first start off the DL, but this is clearly a special exception.  Under any circumstance he is a must start option, even in his first start back.
• Ubaldo Jimenez is an extremely inconsistent option.  We all know that, and it costs him from being a must start option in my book.  That’s not to say not to use him, but he’s allowed four earned runs in three of his last six starts and hasn’t been an overwhelming strikeout artist this season.  He’s usable, but I would have my reservations, especially with the Dodgers on the schedule.
• We’re going to learn this week a little bit about Brandon Morrow’s chances of transitioning back into a useful starting pitcher.  It’s impossible to use him considering he faces the Red Sox and Yankees, but he should be watched closely.  If he is successful, he’s going to re-emerge.  If he struggles, you’re going to have to keep your distance for now.
• Is Fernando Nieve a flash in the pan?  It’s possible, but it’s not like he’s been doing it against weaker teams.  You would like to see him last a little bit deeper into games, so keep that in mind.
• Ricky Nolasco has been solid since returning from the minor leagues, allowing just five earned runs over 25 innings.  He gets to face the Nationals & Pirates this week and prior to the season, with matchups like that, he clearly would have been a must use.  He’s someone I would use now as well.

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

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