Rotoprofessor’s Two-Start Pitchers: Week 7

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:

• Dan Haren – Arizona Diamondbacks – @ Fla, @ Oak

4-Star Options:

• CC Sabathia – New York Yankees – vs. Bal, vs. Phi
• Josh Johnson – Florida Marlins – vs. Ari, vs. TB
• Felix Hernandez – Seattle Mariners – vs. LAA, vs. SF
• Cole Hamels – Philadelphia Phillies – @ Cin, @ NYY
• James Shields – Tampa Bay Rays – vs. Oak, @ Fla
• Ted Lilly – Chicago Cubs – @ Stl, @ SD
• Cliff Lee – Cleveland Indians – @ KC, @ Cin

3-Star Options:

• Mark Buehrle – Chicago White Sox – vs. Min, vs. Pit
• Jair Jurrjens – Atlanta Braves – vs. Col, vs. Tor
• Andy Pettitte – New York Yankees – vs. Min, vs. Phi
• Randy Wolf – Los Angeles Dodgers – vs. NYM, vs. LAA
• Ervin Santana – Los Angeles Angels – @ Sea, @ LAD
• Shairon Martis – Washington Nationals – vs. Pit, vs. Bal
• Jarrod Washburn – Seattle Mariners – vs. LAA, vs. SF
• Barry Zito – San Francisco Giants – @ SD, @ Sea

2-Star Options:

• Chris Young – San Diego Padres – vs. SF, vs. CHC
• Ricky Nolasco – Florida Marlins – vs. Ari, vs. TB
• Scott Baker – Minnesota Twins – @ CWS, vs. Mil
• Tim Wakefield – Boston Red Sox – vs. Tor, vs. NYM
• Scott Richmond – Toronto Blue Jays – vs. CWS, @ Atl
• Brian Bannister – Kansas City Royals – vs. Cle, @ Stl
• Joel Pineiro – St. Louis Cardinals – vs. CHC, vs. KC
• Glen Perkins – Minnesota Twins – @ NYY, vs. Mil
• Matt Palmer – Los Angeles Angels – @ Sea, @ LAD
• Jordan Zimmerman – Washington Nationals – vs. Pit, vs. Bal
• Micah Owings – Cincinnati Reds – vs. Phi, vs. Cle
• Ross Ohlendorf – Pittsburgh Pirates – @ Was, @ CWS

1-Star Options:

• Jason Marquis – Colorado Rockies – @ Atl, @ Det
• Brian Tallet – Toronto Blue Jays – @ Bos, @ Atl
• Braden Looper – Milwaukee Brewers – @ Hou, @ Min
• Brandon McCarthy – Texas Rangers – @ Det, @ Hou
• Dontrelle Willis – Detroit Tigers – vs. Tex, vs. Col
• Mike Hampton – Houston Astros – vs. Mil, vs. Tex
• Jeff Niemann – Tampa Bay Rays – vs. Oak, @ Fla
• Bryan Augenstein – Arizona Diamondbacks – @ Fla, @ Oak
• Brad Bergensen – Baltimore Orioles – @ NYY, @ Was
• Josh Outman – Oakland Athletics – @ TB, vs. Ari
• Jeff Karstens – Pittsburgh Pirates – @ Was, @ CWS
• Tim Redding – New York Mets – @ LAD, @ Bos
• Jo-Jo Reyes – Atlanta Braves – vs. Col, vs. Tor
• Jason Hammel – Colorado Rockies – @ Atl, @ Det
• Clayton Richard – Chicago White Sox – @ Tor, vs. Pit

Scheduling Notes:

• Who will be the second A’s pitcher to get two starts?  There are a few options, but none of them are very good.

Thoughts:

• Chris Young, Ricky Nolasco and Scott Baker all fall into the same category.  Normally they would be at worst three-star options, but they have struggled so mightily this season that it’s impossible to do so.  Could they re-emerge as must use pitchers?  Of course, but in order to use them you have got to be prepared to stomach the potential bad.
• With Ervin Santana back, he instantly slots in as a three-star option despite struggling in his season debut yesterday.  That first match-up in Seattle seems like a very good one for him.
• I know Matt Palmer has pitched well, posting a 3.38 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, but that start against the Dodgers really worries me.  Remember, he was sporting an 11.74 ERA at Triple-A prior to being recalled.
• Jordan Zimmerman has quality match-ups, but he’s given up 16 earned runs over his last 17.2 innings.  That makes him a very big risk.
• Barry Zito as a three-star option?  I never thought I’d say that again, but with the way he’s been pitching and a start in San Diego I just couldn’t resist.

Which 2-start pitchers do you like for next week?  Which ones are you trying to avoid?