Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers: Week 18

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 players I absolutely wouldn't start.

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

Five-Star Option

• Johan Santana,New York Mets—vs. Ari, @ SD
• Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers—vs. Bal, vs. Min
• Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals—@ TB, vs. Oak
• Dan Haren, Arizona Diamondbacks—@ NYM, @ Was

Four-Star Option

• Javier Vazquez, Atlanta Braves—@ SD, @ LAD
• Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants—@ Hou, vs. Cin
• Josh Johnson, Florida Marlins—@ Was, @ Phi
• John Lackey, Los Angeles Angels—@ CWS, vs. Tex
• Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers—vs. Mil, vs. Atl

Three-Star Option

• Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees—@ Tor, vs. Bos
• Zach Duke, Pittsburgh Pirates—vs. Ari, vs. Stl
• Randy Wells, Chicago Cubs—@ Cin, @ Col

Two-Star Option

• J.A. Happ, Philadelphia Phillies—vs. Col, vs. Fla
• Aaron Harang, Cincinnati Reds—vs. CHC, @ SF
• Scott Baker, Minnesota Twins—@ Cle, @ Det
• Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay Rays—vs. KC, @ Sea
• Hiroki Kuroda, Los Angeles Dodgers—vs. Mil, vs. Atl
• Scott Feldman, Texas Rangers—@ Oak, @ LAA
• Luke Hochevar, Kansas City Royals—vs. Sea, vs. Oak
• Brett Anderson, Oakland Athletics—vs. Tex, @ KC
• Mat Latos, San Diego Padres—vs. Atl, vs. NYM
• Kenshin Kawakami, Atlanta Braves—@ SD, @ LAD
• Jonathan Niese, New York Mets—vs. Stl, @ SD

One-Star Option

• Brad Bergesen, Baltimore Orioles—@ DET, @ TOR
• Brad Penny, Boston Red Sox—@ TB, @ NYY
• Manny Parra, Milwaukee Brewers—@ LAD, @ Hou
• Jason Hammel, Colorado Rockies—@ Phi, vs. CHC
• Chris Tillman, Baltimore Orioles—@ Det, @ Tor
• Jose Cotnreras, Chicago White Sox—vs. LAA, vs. Cle
• Mike Hampton, Houston Astros—vs. SF, vs. Mil
• Ryan Rowland-Smith, Seattle Mariners—@ KC, vs. TB
• Tim Stauffer, San Diego Padres—vs. Atl, vs. NYM
• Charlie Morton, Pittsburgh Pirates—vs. Was, vs. Stl
• Luke French, Detroit Tigers—vs. Bal, vs. Min
• Gio Gonzalez, Oakland Athletics—vs. Tex, @ KC
• David Huff, Cleveland Indians—vs. Min, @ CWS
• Yusmeiro Petit, Arizona Diamondbacks—@ Pit, @ Was
• Garrett Mock, Washington Nationals—@ Pit, vs. Ari
• J.D. Martin, Washington Nationals—vs. Fla, vs. Ari
• Derek Holland, Texas Rangers—@ Oak, @ LAA

Thoughts

• Mat Latos is a rookie pitcher, which we all know means that he’s likely to be inconsistent an untrustworthy. He’s been tremendous in his first three starts, however, posting a 2.70 ERA and 0.78 WHIP, and is giving us reason to highly consider using him. He’s among the bright young pitchers in baseball, and with two starts in the cavernous Petco Park he’s worth considering in all deeper formats, depending on your other options.
  
• I have Aaron Harang listed as a two-star option, but with the way he’s been pitching it’s very easy to see him being benched in all formats. Forget about the fact that he hasn’t won since May 25, because that can partially be chalked up to some poor luck. It’s his inconsistency, having allowed four or more runs in four of his last seven starts, that’s the problem. His ERA is up to 4.50 now and he really hasn’t showed the signs of getting things back in order. Use him only if you have no other options available.
  
• Did Derek Holland’s last start against the Mariners do enough to make him a potentially usable option? Considering his 4.50 ERA against the Athletics and 9.64 ERA against the Angels, it’s tough to imagine. He has the potential to be a solid option, but one start just isn’t enough to convince me.
  
• Scott Kazmir has two favorable matchups and is coming off a solid start against the New York Yankees. Given his overall struggles, it’s impossible to move him up from a two-star option, as he hasn’t shown the ability to string together three consecutive strong starts. However, depending on your other options, I certainly would roll the dice on him.
  

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

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