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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