Fantasy Baseball Two-Star Options: Week 11 (June 14-20)

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 also someone I’d lean against If I had no other options. The one-star options are an absolute "NO's".

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

Five-Star Options:

• Roy Halladay - Philadelphia Phillies - @ NYY, vs. Min

Four-Star Options:

• Clay Buchholz - Boston Red Sox - vs. Ari, vs. LAD
• Josh Johnson - Florida Marlins - vs. Tex, vs. TB
• David Price - Tampa Bay Rays - @ Atl, @ Fla
• CC Sabathia - New York Yankees - vs. Phi, vs. NYM
• Johan Santana - New York Mets - @ Cle, @ NYY
• Adam Wainwright - St. Louis Cardinals - vs. Sea, vs. Oak

Three-Star Options:

• Jon Garland - San Diego Padres - vs. Tor, vs. Bal
• Aaron Harang - Cincinnati Reds - vs. LAD, @ Sea
• Hiroki Kuroda - Los Angeles Dodgers - @ Cin, @ Bos
• Shaun Marcum - Toronto Blue Jays - @ SD, vs. SF
• Jonathan Sanchez - San Francisco Giants - vs. Bal, @ Tor

Two-Star Options:

• Dallas Braden - Oakland Athletics - @ CHC, @ Stl
• Freddy Garcia - Chicago White Sox - @ Pit, @ Was
• Ian Kennedy - Arizona Diamondbacks - @ Bos, @ Det
• Justin Masterson - Cleveland Indians - vs. NYM, @ Pit
• Felipe Paulino - Houston Astros - @ KC, vs. Tex
• Carl Pavano - Minnesota Twins - vs. Col, @ Phi
• Joe Saunders - Los Angeles Angels - vs. Mil, @ CHC
• C.J. Wilson - Texas Rangers - @ Fla, @ Hou
• Randy Wolf - Milwaukee Brewers - @ LAA, @ Col
• Carlos Zambrano - Chicago Cubs - vs. Oak, vs. LAA

One-Star Options:

• Aaron Cook - Colorado Rockies - @ Min, vs. Mil
• Kyle Davies - Kansas City Royals - vs. Hou, @ Atl
• Luke French - Seattle Mariners - @ Stl, vs. Cin
• Kenshin Kawakami - Atlanta Braves - vs. TB, vs. KC
• John Lannan - Washington Nationals - @ Det, vs. CWS
• Brad Lincoln - Pittsburgh Pirates - vs. CWS, vs. Cle
• Rick Porcello - Detroit Tigers - vs. Was, vs. Ari
• Chris Tillman - Baltimore Orioles - @ SF, @ SD

Thoughts:

• Aaron Harang has been pitching better as of late (3-0 in his last four starts with a 3.36 ERA).  Yes, he has a tough matchup against the Dodgers and had one sub par start during his recent hot streak (2 ER on 8 H and 1 BB over 4 IP), but he has an extremely appealing matchup against the Mariners to finish the week. In shallower formats I could see not using him, but in deeper ones I would consider him a solid play unless you have significantly better options.

• Justin Masterson has plenty of upside. He also has finally won this season, in fact posting back-to-back victories.  Still, one of those wins came despite 6 BBs, so it’s not like he has been “great” in any start but his last one against the Red Sox (9.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 K).  Let’s be honest, he had a lot to prove in that one. While the start against the Pirates is nice, the Mets are one of the hotter teams in the league right now. He’s worth considering, but he’s too much of a risk to call a must use.

• Joe Saunders has allowed just 2 ER over his last 15 innings, but that was against the Mariners and A’s.  Do you have faith in him against the Brewers and Cubs?  If I had no other options, sure, but he’s a borderline option at best given his potential for a blowup (four starts allowing 5 ER or more).

• Heading into the season I would have had a hard time believing in Jonathan Sanchez.  He’s still struggled with control from time-to-time, but for the most part he has been solid with a 2.82 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.  The game against the Blue Jays will be tough, but that start vs. Baltimore more then makes up for it.

• Has C.J. Wilson recovered from his recent struggles (17 ER over a 16 inning span)?  He has gone 2-0 allowing 5 ER over 12 IP in his last two starts. Still, he’ll go head-to-head with Josh Johnson in his first start of the week.  Plus, in the hitter’s haven that is Houston, who knows what could happen. He’s not an advisable option, but usable if need be.

What are your thoughts?  Who have I ranked too high?  Who do you think will outperform my rankings?

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