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Two Start Pitchers :: Week 17
by Scott Mickels
Published: July 24, 2010, 9:35 am
 For Week 17 I've got an Injury Watch and an email to get to. First, let's discuss the Injury Watch. For this we head to Baltimore where Orioles starter Kevin Millwood has been recovering from a strained right forearm. He's thrown a couple of successful bullpen sessions and the Orioles seem to be so confident in what they've seen that he's scheduled to pitch Thursday against the Twins. Millwood was struggling mightily before this stint on the DL, so he's definitely not someone you'd want to risk putting in your lineup. In fact, consider him a Try to Avoid option in all leagues until he turns it around - if he turns it around.
The email this week comes to us from Neal R.
Neal writes: Scott, I just got offered Greinke for Latos. The 2009 Cy Young winner is finally picking it up lately but I'm thinking of just sticking with Latos. Need some input. Thanks!
Thanks for the email, Neal! Tough call. I'd likely give the slight nod to Zack Greinke only for one reason: the Padres have made it clear they will limit Latos' innings this season. They've gone so far as stating they will push him back in the rotation to give him extra days off and even an occasional skipped start. This is Latos' first season to pitch over 100 major league innings, whereas Greinke has throw over 200 the last two seasons straight. Greinke has been pitching great lately going 5-1 in his last 7 starts lowering his ERA to 3.59. He eased some worries about his shoulder by beating the Blue Jays on Wednesday, but it's still something to keep in mind going forward. I guess what it boils down to is quality versus quantity. Latos is bound give you more consistent, quality starts each time out pitching for the contending Padres. However, despite pitching for the lowly Royals, Greinke will likely get 13 more starts to Latos' 8, provided the Padres stick to the 150 inning-limit with Latos they've been talking about since Spring Training. Greinke will pitch well enough from here on out that fantasy points-wise he'll be the slightly (oh-so slightly) better option for the rest of the season. I hope that helps, Neal! Good luck!
Now, on to what we all came here for, the Two-Start Pitchers!
Of course, if you have any pitching questions, or now any fantasy football questions, don't hesitate to email me with them at scottmickels@fantasyplaymakers.com.
NOTE: These starts are not set in stone. They can change for any variety of reasons; managerial moves, injuries, rain-outs, etc. Please keep in mind they are probable.
AMERICAN LEAGUE NO-BRAINERSZack Greinke, KC: vs. MIN, vs. BAL
Felix Hernandez, SEA: @ CHW, @ MIN
C. C. Sabathia, NYY: @ CLE, @ TB
Justin Verlander, DET: @ TB, @ BOS
ADVISABLE OPTIONSClay Buchholz, BOS: @ ANA, vs. DET
John Danks, CHW: vs. SEA, vs. OAK
Gavin Floyd, CHW: vs. SEA, vs. OAK
Colby Lewis, TEX: vs. OAK, @ ANA
Francisco Liriano, MIN: @ KC, vs. SEA
Joel Pineiro, ANA: vs. BOS, vs. TEX
Max Scherzer, DET: @ TB, @ BOS
Javier Vazquez, NYY: @ CLE, @ TB
OTHERS TO KEEP IN MINDDallas Braden, OAK: @ TEX, @ CHW
Bruce Chen, KC: vs. MIN, vs. BAL
Matt Garza, TB: vs. DET, vs. NYY
Brandon Morrow, TOR: vs. BAL, vs. CLE
James Shields, TB: vs. DET, vs. NYY
TRY TO AVOIDBrad Bergesen, BAL: @ TOR, @ KC
Justin Masterson, CLE: vs. NYY, vs. TOR
Ryan Rowland-Smith, SEA: @ CHW, @ MIN
Jake Westbrook, CLE: vs. NYY, @ TOR
INJURY WATCH
Kevin Millwood, BAL: @ TOR, @ KC
NATIONAL LEAGUE NO-BRAINERSJaime Garcia, STL: @ NYM, vs. PIT
Dan Haren, ARI: @ PHI, @ NYM
Josh Johnson, FLA: @ SF, @ SD
Stephen Strasburg, WAS: vs. ATL, vs. PHI
ADVISABLE OPTIONSMatt Cain, SF: vs. FLA, vs. LA
Ryan Dempster, CHC: @ HOU, @ COL
Tommy Hanson, ATL: @ WAS, @ CIN
Jonathon Niese, NYM: vs. STL, vs. ARI
Ricky Nolasco, FLA: @ SF, @ SD
Barry Zito, SF: vs. FLA, vs. LA
OTHERS TO KEEP IN MINDBronson Arroyo, CIN: @ MIL, vs. ATL
Chad Billingsley, LA: @ SD, @ SF
Jon Garland, SD: vs. LA, vs. FLA
Jason Hammel, COL: @ PHI, vs. CHC
TRY TO AVOID Joe Blanton, PHI: vs. COL, @ WAS
Jorge De La Rosa, COL: vs. PIT, vs. CHC
Zach Duke, PIT: @ COL, @ STL
Wesley Wright, HOU: vs. CHC, vs. MIL
Randy Wolf, MIL: vs. CIN, @ HOU
INJURY WATCHNone
 Scott Mickels, FPM Staff Writer/Editor, Member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association
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