Pitching Report: Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers for Week 17

Even amongst all the great names available, I'm still going in this direction for my Start of the Week

     The fantasy baseball two start pitchers this week are an interesting bunch.  There are plenty of big names that are getting two starts this week, and despite some of the mediocre matchups some of them face, it’s not like you’re going to bench them.  Sometimes you have to just leave your lineup alone and let them do their thing, regardless of what some of the numbers say.  But what makes it difficult, in a week laden with big name stars, is that your lower end two start options are much fewer, thus limiting your chances of grabbing a sleeper off your free agent waiver wire and sneak in a pair of really great starts from virtually nowhere.  Such is life in the baseball fantasy world, I suppose.  In any event, here’s how I see this week looking for starting pitchers.

News & Notes

As always, we’ll see how I fared in last week’s choices…

     Not too shabby, if I may say so myself.  Despite the talk of an upcoming suspension for intentionally throwing at Aaron Rowand, Clayton Kershaw had an outstanding effort in his second start today and continues to make a case for himself as a top fantasy starting pitching option while Ben Sheets, who may have pitched nicely in his first start, was held out of his second and placed on the DL with an elbow problem.  As for my sleepers, well, they were both fantastic calls right up until Daniel Hudson’s start today against Oakland.  Madison Bumgarner pitched like a champ this week and, if you used him, helped numerous owners in both rotisserie and head to head leagues.  Hudson was on his way, but 5 earned runs in 5 innings isn’t going to help anyone.  As for this week….

     As I said in the intro, there are plenty of big names from which to choose, so for my Starter of the Week, I’ll deviate from using a star and instead tell you to ride this strikeout wave while you can.  Marlins starter, Ricky Nolasco, has finally been living up to all the hype that was based on his second half last year and his F.I.P. numbers that we’ve already discussed.  Historically, his matchups against both the Giants (1-2, 2.05) and the Padres (2-2, 3.94) have been positive and with the way he’s pitched lately, it’s hard to pass up these starts in seriously pitching friendly parks.  In his last 6 starts, Nolasco has 5 wins, a 3.70 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and has notched 6 or more Ks in each outing.  Only once in that time, did he fail to go a minimum of 7 innings.

    My Bust of the Week is for all of you that sweated Matt Garza’s struggles in June and got a little taste of some good work in July.  Guess what?  He could be back to his June woes agains.  His last start against the Orioles was absolutely atrocious, and with upcoming matchups against two stron goffensive lineups in Detroit and the Yankees, it coul dbe more of the same troubles for the young righty.  He’s not walking too many guys, like you see in many struggling strikeout pitchers.  He’s just leaving the ball out over the plate too much and veteran hitters are taking advantage.  I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not trust that this is the week that he contains the likes of Miguel Cabrera and Alex Rodriguez.

     As for my sleepers, I’ve got one that I’ve loved all year and one that I’m taking a big chance with by recommending him.  First there’s Jorge De La Rosa.  I was all over this guy in Spring Training and was convinced he was goin got put up a high caliber season.  But the finger injury derailed him and now he’s still working hi sway back into form.  With fairly easy matchups against impatient clubs like the young Pirates and the frustrated Cubs, not only do I think he’ll excel, but he’s going to produce some killer strikeout numbers as well.

     My other sleeper is veteran Randy Wolf.  Not having the greatest year, by any means, and his last outing where he got tagged for 12 earned runs in less tan 6 innings of work is enough to scare the bejeezes out of anyone, but historically, he matches up well against both the Reds and the Astros.  He might not be lights out, but if he can grab atleast one win and keep his ratios in check, there are plenty of other guys who could do you worse.

     And the last note I have before I am forced into the backyard to tear up a bunch of weeds, is that apparently Dan Haren was traded to the Angels while I was doing my work here.  I have him listed in the Green Light section, but I’m not sure how the Halos have their rotation planned out now, so he might only gt one start this week.  Same goes for Joe Saunders in Arizona.  He may just slot into Haren’s spot, but nothing has been set yet.

     For the best in free fantasy baseball advice, tips, strategies, free agent waiver wire suggestions, and analysis, stick with The Fantasy Baseball Buzz and I’ll have you at the top of your standings in no time.  And, as always, for all questions, thoughts and/or comments related to the baseball fantasy world or not, you can reach me through the comments section below or at rotobuzzguy@gmail.com.

Good luck and I’ll see you all in the money this year!

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