Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Options: Week 12 (June 21-27)

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

• None

Four-Star Options

• John Danks, Chicago White Sox—vs. Atl, vs. CHC
• Tommy Hanson, Atlanta Braves— @ CWS, vs. Det
• Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers— @ LAA, vs. NYY
• Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox— @ Col, @ SF
• Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants— @ Hou, vs. Bos
• Roy Oswalt, Houston Astros— vs. SF, @ Tex
• Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers— @ NYM, @ Atl

Three-Star Options

• Scott Baker, Minnesota Twins— @ Mil, @ NYM
• A.J. Burnett, New York Yankees— @ Ari, @ LAD
• Ryan Dempster, Chicago Cubs— @ Sea, @ CWS
• Jaime Garcia, St. Louis Cardinals— @ Tor, @ KC
• Mat Latos, San Diego Padres— @ TB, @ Fla
• Mike Leake, Cincinnati Reds— @ Oak, vs. Cle
• Anibal Sanchez, Florida Marlins— @ Bal, vs. SD

Two-Star Options

• Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays— vs. Stl, @ Phi
• Wade Davis, Tampa Bay Rays— vs. SD, vs. Ari
• Gio Gonzalez, Oakland Athletics— vs. Cin, vs. Pit
• Livan Hernandez, Washington Nationals— vs. KC, @ Bal
• Jamie Moyer, Philadelphia Phillies— vs. Cle, vs. Tor
• Jonathan Niese, New York Mets— vs. Det, vs. Min
• Ervin Santana, Los Angeles Angels— vs. LAD, vs. Col

One-Star Options

• Jhoulys Chacin, Colorado Rockies— vs. Bos, @ LAA
• Bruce Chen, Kansas City Royals— @ Was, vs. Stl
• Zach Duke, Pittsburgh Pirates— @ Tex, @ Oak
• Jeremy Guthrie, Baltimore Orioles— vs. Fla, vs. Was
• Tommy Hunter, Texas Rangers— vs. Pit, vs. Hou
• Rodrigo Lopez, Arizona Diamondbacks— vs. NYY, @ TB
• Chris Narveson, Milwaukee Brewers— vs. Min, vs. Sea
• Mitch Talbot, Cleveland Indians— @ Phi, @ Cin
• Jason Vargas, Seattle Mariners— vs. CHC, @ Mil

Thoughts

• Ervin Santana’s overall numbers are solid, but he hasn’t been so good of late.  He’s allowed 10 ER over his last 10 innings, getting beat up by the A’s and Brewers. Throw into that a less then stellar WHIP (1.36) and is he really a must use option against the Dodgers and Rockies?  It wouldn’t be shocking to see his struggles continue for another week.
• Brett Cecil has really made a name for himself of late.  I like him as much as anyone, but these are two extremely tough starts, especially getting a Phillies lineup that is heating up.  I know he’s pitched well against the Yankees and Rays of late, but still.  That beating he took to the Padres has to weigh into the discussion.
• Struggles have started to plague Mike Leake, allowing 5 ER in each of his last two starts.  Still, with two favorable match-ups ahead, I would certainly still use him this week.
• Jamie Moyer can throw as many good starts as he wants, I’m still never going to trust him.  Yeah, he was tremendous against the Yankees his last time out, but the start before that he got trashed by the Red Sox.  His 4.76 overall ERA speaks volumes for me and shows why he’s just not trustworthy unless you are desperate.
• Who thought we would see the day where Tim Lincecum was not a five-star option?  Even in victory his last time out, he allowed 12 base runners over six innings against the Orioles.  With the Red Sox looming late in the week, it’s possible his struggles continue.
• Jonathan Niese has been pitching exceptionally well since returning from the DL, but he draws difficult match-ups both in the lineup and on the mound.  First he draws the Tigers and Justin Verlander followed by the Twins and Scott Baker.  Is he usable?  Absolutely, but he’s not a must use, either.  (For more on Niese, view my recent Scouting Report on him by clicking here.
• Anibal Sanchez, who is extremely similar to Niese, is a three-start option because of the significantly better match-ups.  The Orioles and Padres are two of the weaker offenses in the league, giving him a good chance to produce.

What are your thoughts? 

Who have I ranked too high? 

Who do you think will outperform my rankings?

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