Rotoprofessor’s 2-Start Pitchers: Week 13
Submitted by lester’s legends sports blog
Written by Eric Stashin the Rotoprofessor
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:
5-Star Options:
Johan Santana – New York Mets – @ Mil, @ Phi
Chris Carpenter – St. Louis Cardinals – vs. SF, @ Cin
Dan Haren – Arizona Diamondbacks – @ Cin, @ Col
Tim Lincecum – San Francisco Giants – @ Stl, vs. Hou
Roy Halladay – Toronto Blue Jays – vs. TB, @ NYY
4-Star Options:
Jon Lester – Boston Red Sox – @ Bal, vs. Sea
Roy Oswalt – Houston Astros – @ SD, @ SF
Matt Garza – Minnesota Twins – @ Tor, @ Tex
3-Star Options:
Ted Lilly – Chicago Cubs – @ Pit, vs. Mil
Joba Chamberlain – New York Yankees – vs. Sea, vs. Tor
Gavin Floyd – Chicago White Sox – @ Cle, @ KC
Joe Saunders – Los Angeles Angels – @ Tex, vs. Bal
Ricky Nolasco – Florida Marlins – vs. Was, vs. Pit
Zach Duke – Pittsburgh Pirates – vs. CHC, @ Fla
Rick Porcello – Detroit Tigers – @ Oak, @ Min
Nick Blackburn – Minnesota Twins – @ KC, vs. Det
Randy Johnson – San Francisco Giants – @ Stl, vs. Hou
2-Star Options:
Ubaldo Jimenez – Colorado Rockies – @ LAD, @ Ari
Rich Harden – Chicago Cubs – @ Pit, vs. Mil
Randy Wolf – Los Angeles Dodgers – vs. Col, @ SD
Bronson Arroyo – Cincinnati Reds – vs. Ari, vs. Stl
Joe Blanton – Philadelphia Phillies – @ Atl, vs. NYM
Kenshin Kawakami – Atlanta Braves – vs. Phi, @ Was
Fernando Nieve – New York Mets – @ Mil, @ Phi
Vicente Padilla – Texas Rangers – vs. LAA, vs. TB
Brian Bannister – Kansas City Royals – vs. Min, vs. CWS
Vin Mazzaro – Oakland Athletics – vs. Det, @ Cle
1-Star Options:
Brandon Morrow – Seattle Mariners – @ NYY, @ Bos
Carl Pavano – Cleveland Indians – vs. CWS, vs. Oak
Ross Ohlendorf – Pittsburgh Pirates – vs. CHC, @ Fla
Clayton Richard – Chicago White Sox – @ Cle, @ KC
Braden Looper – Milwaukee Brewers – vs. NYM, @ CHC
Luke Hochevar – Kansas City Royals – vs. Min, vs. CWS
Rich Hill – Baltimore Orioles – vs. Bos, @ LAA
Brad Thompson – St. Louis Cardinals – vs. SF, @ Cin
Brian Moehler – Houston Astros – @ SD, @ SF
Josh Geer – San Diego Padres – vs. Hou, vs. LAD
Mike Burns – Milwaukee Brewers – vs. NYM, @ CHC
Jason Berken – Baltimore Orioles – vs. Bos, @ LAA
Sean O’Sullivan – Los Angeles Angels – @ Tex, vs. Bal
Craig Stammen – Washington Nationals – @ Fla, vs. Atl
Wade LeBlanc – San Diego Padres – vs. Hou, vs. LAD
Thoughts:
Roy Halladay is not a lock to go on Monday, but all signs are pointing to it. I know most of the time I recommend not starting a pitcher in his first start off the DL, but this is clearly a special exception. Under any circumstance he is a must start option, even in his first start back.
Ubaldo Jimenez is an extremely inconsistent option. We all know that and it costs him from being a must start option in my book. That’s not to say not to use him, but he’s allowed 4 earned runs in three of his last six starts and hasn’t been an overwhelming strikeout artist this season. He’s usable, but I would have my reservations, especially with the Dodgers on the schedule.
We’re going to learn this week a little bit about Brandon Morrow’s chances of transitioning back into a useful starting pitcher. It’s impossible to use him considering he faces the Red Sox & Yankees, but he should be watched closely. If he is successful, he’s going to re-emerge. If he struggles, you’re going to have to keep your distance for now.
Is Fernando Nieve a flash in the pan? It’s possible, but it’s not like he’s been doing it against weaker teams. You would like to see him last a little bit deeper into games, so keep that in mind.
Ricky Nolasco has been solid since returning from the minor leagues, allowing just 5 earned runs over 25 innings. He gets to face the Nationals & Pirates this week and prior to the season, with match-ups like that, he clearly would have been a must use. He’s someone I would use now as well.
Which 2-start pitchers do you like for next week? Which ones are you trying to avoid?
