Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers: Week 24

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

• Justin Verlander—Detroit Tigers—vs. Tor, @ Min
• Tim Lincecum—San Francisco Giants—vs. Col, @ LAD

Four-Star Options

• Cliff Lee—Philadelphia Phillies—vs. Was, @ Atl
• Jered Weaver—Los Angeles Angels—@ NYY, @ Tex
• John Lackey—Los Angeles Angels—@ Bos, @ Tex
• Wandy Rodriguez—Houston Astros—@ Cin, @ Mil

Three-Star Options

• Ricky Nolasco—Florida Marlins—@ Stl, @ Cin
• Ryan Dempster—Chicago Cubs—vs. Mil, @ Stl
• Carlos Zambrano—Chicago Cubs—vs. Mil, @ Stl
• Tommy Hanson—Atlanta Braves—vs. NYM, vs. Phi
• Yovani Gallardo—Milwaukee Brewers—@ CHC, vs. Hou
• Scott Feldman—Texas Rangers—vs. Oak, vs. LAA
• Jeff Niemann—Tampa Bay Rays—@ Bal, vs. Tor

Two-Star Options

• David Price—Tampa Bay Rays—@ Bal, vs. Tor
• Bronson Arroyo—Cincinnati Reds—vs. Hou, vs. Fla
• Jarrod Washburn—Detroit Tigers—vs. KC, @ Min
• Jon Garland—Los Angeles Angels—vs. Pit, vs. SF
• Carl Pavano—Minnesota Twins—vs. Cle, vs. Det
• Kevin Correia—San Diego Padres—vs. Ari, @ Pit

One-Star Options

• Jason Hammel—Colorado Rockies—vs. Cle, vs. Det
• Chad Gaudin—New York Yankees—vs. LAA, @ Sea
• Ian Snell—Seattle Mariners—vs. CWS, vs. NYY
• Sean West—Florida Marlins—@ Stl, @ Cin
• Jeff Suppan—Milwaukee Brewers—@ CHC, vs. Hou
• Jeremy Sowers—Cleveland Indians—@ Min, @ Oak
• Fausto Carmona—Cleveland Indians—@ Min, @ Oak
• Garrett Mock—Washington Nationals—@ Phi, @ NYM
• Pat Misch—New York Mets—@ Atl, vs. Was
• Paul Byrd—Boston Red Sox—vs. LAA, @ Bal
• Brett Tomko—Oakland Athletics—@ Tex, vs. Cle
• Carlos Torres—Chicago White Sox—@ Sea, vs. KC
• David Hernandez—Baltimore Orioles—vs. TB, vs. Bos
• Jason Berken—Baltimore Orioles—vs. TB, vs. Bos
• David Purcey—Toronto Blue Jays—@ Det, @ TB
• Kip Wells—Cincinnati Reds—vs. Hou, vs. Fla
• Robinson Tejada—Kansas City Royals—@ Det, @ CWS
• Billy Buckner—Arizona Diamondbacks—@ SD, vs. Col

Scheduling Notes

• John Smoltz had been scheduled to make two starts for the Cardinals, but tendonitis in his shoulder is forcing him out of Monday’s start.  He may return for the second start, meaning the Cardinals will be without a two-start option this week.  If he is forced out for both starts, any potential replacement (likely Todd Wellemeyer) isn’t worth the gamble.
• As of right now John Garland is set to be a two-start pitcher for the Dodgers, but if Clayton Kershaw is healthy and returns to the rotation that isn’t going to happen.  If that’s the only reason you plan on using Garland, don’t bother.
• Will Tim Lincecum prove healthy enough to take the mound on Monday?  If he doesn’t, it’ll be Madison Bumgarner taking the mound and he would come in as a two-star option if he got two starts.  Watch the news closely with Lincecum, as he’s too good to miss out on.

Thoughts

• Generally, Yovani Gallardo is an easy four-star option, but he has struggled in his last two outings (six earned runs in 11 innings) and had his last start skipped as a way to conserve his arm.  That’s going to drop him down to a three-star option for this week.  He’s a must use pitcher, I just can’t include him among the elite.
• Jeff Niemann has been on a roll, despite not getting wins.  He’s allowed four earned runs in his last three starts (21.2 innings) and has allowed two earned runs or less in four of his last five starts.  That makes him a better start than teammate David Price, who has been inconsistent and a disaster on the road (6.31 ERA in nine starts).  Price could be used in deeper formats, but that’s about it.
• Did anyone think Jarrod Washburn would really be able to continue to pitch the way he had been earlier in the season?  He’s been terrible of late, including a 5.87 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over the past 30 days.  There is just no way to trust him if you have more palatable options.

What are your thoughts?  Which pitcher are you willing to gamble on?  Who are you trying to avoid?

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