Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Options: Week 19 (August 9-15)

Eric Stashin

Aug 8, 2010

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:

Ubaldo Jimenez - Colorado Rockies - @ NYM, vs. Mil
David Price - Tampa Bay Rays - @ Det, vs. Bal

Four-Star Options:

Chris Carpenter - St. Louis Cardinals - @ Cin, vs. CHC
Phil Hughes - New York Yankees - @ Tex, @ KC
Jon Lester - Boston Red Sox - @ NYY, @ Tex
Tim Lincecum - San Francisco Giants - vs. CHC, vs. SD

Three-Star Options:

Scott Baker - Minnesota Twins - @ CWS, vs. Oak
Madison Bumgarner - San Francisco Giants - vs. CHC, vs. SD
Ryan Dempster - Chicago Cubs - @ SF, @ Stl
Edwin Jackson - Chicago White Sox - @ Bal, vs. Det
Daisuke Matsuzaka - Boston Red Sox - @ Tor, @ Tex
Ricky Romero - Toronto Blue Jays - vs. Bos, @ LAA
Ervin Santana - Los Angeles Angels - vs. KC, vs. Tor
Stephen Strasburg - Washington Nationals - vs. Fla, vs. Ari

Two-Star Options:

Barry Enright - Arizona Diamondbacks - @ Mil, @ Was
Freddy Garcia - Chicago White Sox - vs. Min, vs. Det
Ian Kennedy - Arizona Diamondbacks - @ Mil, @ Was
Mike Leake - Cincinnati Reds - vs. Stl, vs. Fla
Wade Leblanc - San Diego Padres - vs. Pit, @ SF
Vin Mazzaro - Oakland Athletics - @ Sea, @ Min
Vicente Padilla - Los Angeles Dodgers - @ Phi, @ Atl
Mike Pelfrey - New York Mets - vs. Col, vs. Phi
Anibal Sanchez - Florida Marlins - @ Was, @ Cin
Carlos Zambrano - Chicago Cubs - @ SF, @ Stl

One-Star Options:

Jake Arrieta - Baltimore Orioles - @ Cle, @ TB
Bryan Bullington - Kansas City Royals - @ LAA, vs. NYY
Doug Fister - Seattle Mariners - vs. Oak, @ Cle
Armando Galarraga - Detroit Tigers - vs. TB, @ CWS
Jeff Karstens - Pittsburgh Pirates - @ SD, @ Hou
Kyle Kendrick - Philadelphia Phillies - vs. LAD, @ NYM
Justin Masterson - Cleveland Indians - vs. Bal, vs. Sea
Brian Matusz - Baltimore Orioles - vs. CWS, @ TB
Mike Minor - Atlanta Braves - @ Hou, vs. LAD
Dustin Moseley - New York Yankees - vs. Bos, @ KC
Chris Narveson - Milwaukee Brewers - vs. Ari, @ Col
Bud Norris - Houston Astros - vs. Atl, vs. Pit
Sean O’Sullivan - Kansas City Royals - @ LAA, vs. NYY
Manny Parra - Milwaukee Brewers - vs. Ari, @ Col

Thoughts:

I know that Jon Lester has struggled as of late, as well as having a pair of tough matchups. It doesn’t matter, however. He’s one of those pitchers you stick with, through thick and thin. Sooner or later he’s going to rebound, and you want to enjoy that.
Freddy Garcia has allowed 3 ER or less in seven of his last eight starts, going at least 6 innings in all of those starts. Does that make him trustworthy? He’s a pitcher that I never would’ve trusted heading into the season, but he’s easily exceeded all expectations. Still, the strikeout potential isn’t there, hurting his potential value, as well as the fear that he could blow up at any time.
While Mike Minor may be considered a top prospect, he is making his Major League debut. It’s impossible for me to trust him under those circumstances, especially since I have concerns with him to begin with (click here for my thoughts). He may develop into a usable option, in time, but not yet, not even close.
Carlos Zambrano returns to the rotation, getting the Giants and Cardinals in a two-start week. The enigmatic pitcher is a huge gamble, but could bring huge rewards. He has strikeout potential and could post a couple of gems. On the other hand, we’ve seen how out of control he could be. Big risk, big reward… He’s not a must start but, depending on your other options, you could easily roll the dice with him.
Vicente Padilla has been great, there’s no questioning that. Still, he has two tougher starts on the road this week. Also, considering he hasn’t posted an ERA under 4.60 since 2003, do you really trust him? I just can’t consider him a must use option.
Coming off an injury, Stephen Strasburg is a three-star option. That’s only because generally, I’m in favor of sitting a pitcher his first start back. This is likely the only time you’ll see him below a four or five star ranking for a while.

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

Make sure to check out our extremely early 2011 rankings:

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