Potential Fantasy Two-Start Pitcher Options: Week 20

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It’s time to take a look at the potential two-start options for the forthcoming fantasy week.  It’s my first shot at the two-start column, so we’ll see how my judgment compare to the Professor’s! 

As per his criteria: “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 in mind, let’s take a look at the pitchers who will make two starts this week:

5-Star Options

Chris Carpenter—St. Louis Cardinals—@ LAD, @ SD
Felix Hernandez—Seattle Mariners—@ Det, @ Cle
Josh Beckett—Boston Red Sox—@ Tor, vs. NYY
Tim Lincecum—San Francisco Giants—@ Cin, @ Col

4-Star Options

Matt Garza—Tampa Bay Rays—vs. Tor, vs. Tex
A.J. Burnett—New York Yankees—@ Oak, @ Bos
Mark Buehrle—Chicago White Sox—vs. KC, vs. Bal
Chad Billingsley—Los Angeles Dodgers—vs. Stl, vs. CHC
Ubaldo Jimenez—Colorado Rockies—@ Was, vs. SF
Derek Lowe—Atlanta Braves—@ NYM, vs. Fla

3-Star Options

Ted Lilly—Chicago Cubs—@ SD, @ LAD
Max Scherzer—Arizona Diamondbacks—@ Atl, @ Hou
Tommy Hanson—Atlanta Braves—vs. Ari, vs. Fla
Ricky Nolasco—Florida Marlins—@ Hou, @ Atl
Pedro Martinez—Philadelphia Phillies—vs Ari, @ NYM
Ryan Dempster—Chicago Cubs—@ SD, @ LAD
Rick Porcello—Detroit Tigers—vs. Sea, @ Oak

2-Star Options

Ervin Santana—Los Angeles Angels—@ Bal, @ Tor
David Hernandez—Baltimore Orioles—vs. LAA, @ CWS
Francisco Liriano—Minnesota Twins—@ Tex, @ KC
Tommy Hunter—Texas Rangers—vs. Min, @ TB
Carlos Villanueva—Milwaukee Brewers—@ Pit, @ Was
Kevin Correia—San Diego Padres—vs. CHC, vs. STL
Fausto Carmona—Cleveland Indians—vs. LAA, vs. Sea
David Price—Tampa Bay Rays—vs. Bal, @ Tex
Bud Norris—Houston Astros—vs. Fla, vs Ari
Jon Garland—Arizona Diamondbacks—@ Phi, @ Hou
Oliver Perez—New York Mets—vs. Atl, vs Phi
Carl Pavano—Minnesota Twins—@ Tex, @ KC
Scott Feldman—Texas Rangers—vs. Min, @ TB

1-Star Options

Trevor Cahill—Oakland A’s—vs. CWS, vs. Det
Brian Bannister—Kansas City Royals—@ CWS, vs. Min
Kevin Hart—Pittsburgh Pirates—@ Mil, vs. Cin
Joe Martinez—San Francisco Giants—@ NYM, @ Col
Livan Hernandez—New York Mets—vs. SF, @ Phi
Craig Stammen—Washington Nationals—vs. Col, vs. Mil
Trevor Bell—Los Angeles Angels—@ Cle, @ Tor
Jason Berken—Baltimore Orioles—@ TB, @ CWS
Scott Richmond—Toronto Blue Jays—vs. Bos, vs. LAA
Homer Bailey—Cincinnati Reds—vs. SF, @ Pit
Cesar Carrillo—San Diego Padres—vs. CHC, vs Stl
Mitchell Boggs—St. Louis Cardinals—@ LAD, @ SD
Jeff Weaver—Los Angeles Dodgers—vs. Stl, vs CHC

Scheduling Notes

Not that it even matters, but Livan Hernandez may be pitching for his job on Monday.  If he doesn’t pitch well, the Mets will most likely replace him.  No replacement would be worth starting in fantasy leagues, however.

Ted Lilly will also be making his return to the rotation on Monday.  This is his first start since July 20.  Lilly’s first start is a tasty match-up against the Padres, but his next comes against the Dodgers.  I still think he’ll be worth using next week.

Rick Porcello is an intriguing play this week, with match-ups against the Mariners and A’s.  His suspension has allowed him to start this Tuesday and next Sunday.  He’s been pitching very well lately, albeit in two starts against the Orioles and Indians, but I still love him this week.  The fact he faces King Felix and struggled against the A’s in June could work against him though.

Thoughts

At this time of year there is no room to “try out” a pitcher.  You just can’t waste innings if you’re in a tight race.  You need to go with the sure options.

I tend to declare a pitcher a 5-star option only if they’re one of the best in the game—and there are a slew of them this week—Carpenter, Hernandez, Beckett, Lincecum.  You can’t do any wrong if you have one of those aces on your team.

Ubaldo Jimenez has vaulted himself into conversations with the league’s elite and with starts against the light-hitting Nationals and Giants, Jimenez could put together another two starts like he over the past seven days: 14.2 innings, seven hits allowed, one earned run and 12 strikeouts. I almost want to slot him in the 5-star group because over the three weeks he’s had a minuscule 1.82 ERA and 0.98 WHIP.  Jimenez walks a bit too many, 3.58 BB/9, to make me feel comfortable with him as a 5-star option.

I really do see Pedro Martinez as a usable option this week, especially with starts against the D-Backs and Mets.  Those are the perfect teams for a pitcher to gain some traction at the major league level. We know Pedro’s capable, but he’s still somewhat of an unknown at this week.  Still, I’d take the gamble in using him.

Who has the best chance of putting together a good week out of the 2-star starters?  Hunter doesn’t come with the flashiest stuff, but he’s put together a good season: 2.26 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, so he could surprise.

I really like Liriano solely based on his last start, even though it was against the Royals.  A seven inning, one-run affair, with eight strikeouts is just too good to disregard.  And I can’t help but think of how good he can be when he’s on. Maybe this is the confidence booster he’ll need to put together a good week!

I’d also keep an eye on Bud Norris.  He’s still young and rather unproven, so I couldn’t move him up to a 3-star starter, but with a 3.00 ERA in his three starts and some strikeout potential, Norris could become a more dependable option with a good week.

Out of the 1-start starters, I don’t envision any real “movers” out of the group.  This is really that scrap heap when you look at it.  I wouldn’t expect any of these guys to warrant starting for the rest of the season.

Which 2-start pitchers do you like for next week?  Which ones are you staying away from?