MLB Fantasy: Week Two’s Top Two-Start Pitchers
MLB Fantasy: Week Two’s Top Two-Start Pitchers
While there are many starting pitchers that are making two starts for their respective MLB ball clubs next week, there are slim pickings of pitchers with favorable matchups for both of their starts for your MLB Fantasy team.
There were many terrific performances by aces in Week One, who make this list as top two-start pitchers for Week Two, but also a couple of pitchers likely available on the waiver wire in your league.
Be sure to keep an eye out for more two-start pitchers, even the ones who didn’t make this list, to help bolster your team in strikeouts and wins for your head-to-head categories.
Here are your top-10 two-start pitchers for Week Two of the MLB Fantasy baseball season…
No. 10: Brandon Finnegan, CIN
While Finnegan impressed in his season debut, tossing 7.0 innings of one-hit, shutout ball against the Phillies, Week Two could present a bigger challenge. He will take on the Pirates in Pittsburgh for his first start of the week on Monday, and will follow it up with a home start against the Brewers on Saturday.
No. 9: James Paxton, SEA
Paxton picked up a great deal of preseason buzz as a late-round sleeper with ace potential, and he showed glimpses of being an ace in his season debut against the Astros last week. In the game against Houston he pitched 6.0 shutout innings, while striking out five batters and allowing just three base runners.
Paxton will face the same Astros team on Monday, but this time at Safeco Field, and will make his second start of the week at home on Sunday against the Rangers.
No. 8: James Shields, CHW
Shields’ first start of the season came against the Tigers, and he struck out five batters, while only allowing one earned run over 5.1 innings. Although Shields either went in a very late round of your fantasy draft, or went un-drafted, he is a solid two-start pitcher in the upcoming week.
He will start the week with an average matchup against the Indians, but will finish with a very favorable matchup against the Twins at Target Field.
No. 7: Carlos Carrasco, CLE
While Carrasco’s first start of the year was only above average, but nothing special, he could very well right the ship to being an ace with his two matchups this week. He will take on the White Sox at home on Tuesday, before facing another American League Central rival at home in the Tigers on Sunday.
No. 6: Jeff Samardzija, SFG
Samardzija did not get off to the start he was hoping for, as he gave up six earned runs in 5.1 innings against the Diamondbacks. The fly-ball pitcher is not well equipped to pitch at the hitter-friendly Chase Field, but he has all the tools to be an effective pitcher at his own home ballpark in San Francisco.
He will make two starts this week against the Diamondbacks and Rockies at AT&T Park and could provide terrific numbers for your fantasy team.
No. 5: Matt Harvey, NYM
Of the top-five starting pitchers on this list, Harvey was the only one to come away with a victory in his first start. He earned the victory against the Braves, as he pitched 6.2 innings and gave up just two earned runs on three base hits.
Harvey has two extremely favorable matchups this week with road games against the Phillies and Marlins.
No. 4: Jacob deGrom, NYM
Although pitching 6.0 shutout innings in his 2017 debut, deGrom did not come away with a decision against the Braves last week. He goes together with Harvey on this list for the same purpose — road contests against the Phillies and the Marlins.
These matchups should be money in the bank for both of the Mets starting pitchers.
No. 3: Jon Lester, CHC
Lester looked terrific against the Cardinals to kick off his season, as he pitched 5.0 innings of one-run baseball. Adrenaline should be pumping early in his home start against the Dodgers on Monday, as the Cubs will be receiving their World Series rings and raising their World Series banner in a pre-game ceremony at Wrigley Field.
Lester has an easier matchup later in the week in another home game, but this time against the Pirates.
No. 2: Cole Hamels, TEX
Hamels was charged for three earned runs over 6.0 innings of his debut last week against the Indians, but he will look to lower his 4.50 ERA in week two with two intra-division games. The first game of the week for Hamels will be a game at Angel Stadium against, you guessed it, the Angels.
The Angels currently rank third in the MLB in runs (35), and have raced out to a surprising 5-2 start to their 2017 campaign.
Hamels could very well slow their roll in his first start of the week. In his second start of the week, the Rangers will take on the Mariners at Safeco Field. The 1-6 Mariners are reeling, and Hamels could very well add an extra tally to their loss column on Sunday.
No. 1: Chris Sale, BOS
My number one two-start pitcher for Week Two is none other but Sale. He showed why he is a top-tier starting pitcher in his first start of the season as he pitched 7.0 scoreless innings against the Pirates. Sale didn’t get any run support in that start, as he left the game with the score still tied 0-0.
He will look to get some more run support in his first start of Week Two against the Tigers, in Detroit, on Monday. His second start will be a home start against the Rays on Saturday.
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