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Two Start Pitchers :: Week 18
by Scott Mickels
Published: August 12, 2012, 9:13 am
 Since there are no Injury Watch's this week, I wanted to talk about a guy that has done a complete 180 this season, and that's the Atlanta Braves' Mike Minor. It has been a roller-coaster ride with Minor this season, but he seems to have finally figured it out. He has rediscovered his command and has thrown a quality start in 5 of his last 6 outings. It would've likely been 6 straight quality starts if not for a rain delay on August 2 that forced him from the game. After the first 3 months of the season, he stood with an atrocious 6.20 ERA, but thanks to a fantastic July (1.98 ERA) and half of August (2.53 ERA), he has lowered it to 4.95 to go along with a 1.29 WHIP. Unfortunately, due to lack of run support, he's only 2-2 in his last 6 starts. The one consistency with Minor though is his strikeouts. He has pretty much averaged just under a strikeout an inning all season. (.84 to be exact) Despite how well he's pitched lately, the fact that 4 of those last 6 starts have come at home can't be overlooked. Minor has a career ERA at home that is essentially a full two runs less (3.92) than on the road (5.91). Not to mention, hitters are hitting .208 against him at home compared to .282 on the road. Wouldn't you know it just so happens that Minor has two starts this week? And not just two starts, but two starts at home. And not just two start at home, but two starts at home with favorable pitching matchups. And not just... OK, I'm done.
With all of those things working in his favor this week, Minor makes a low-end advisable option in most standard leagues. Just remember to be weary of him when he pitches away from the friendly confines of Turner Field.
Good luck to your fantasy teams! Now, on to what we all came here for, the Two-Start Pitchers!
Of course, if you have any pitching questions, don’t hesitate to email me with them at scottmickels@fantasyplaymakers.com. Also, don’t forget to check out Mick’s Fantasy Podcast! It goes hand-in-hand with this article!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 LEAGUENO-BRAINERSJake Peavy, CHW: @ TOR, @ KC
ADVISABLE OPTIONSWei-Yin Chen, BAL: vs. BOS, @ DET
Ryan Dempster, TEX: @ NYY, @ TOR
Zack Greinke, ANA: vs. CLE, vs. TB
Matt Moore, TB: @ SEA, @ ANA
C. J. Wilson, ANA: vs. Cle, vs. TB
OTHERS TO KEEP IN MINDBlake Beavan, SEA: vs. TB, vs. MIN
Alex Cobb, TB: @ SEA, @ ANA
Samuel Deduno, MIN: vs. DET, @ SEA
Matt Harrison, TEX: @ NYY, @ TOR
Justin Masterson, CLE: @ ANA, @ OAK
Jarrod Parker, OAK: @ KC, vs. CLE
Jose Qunitana, CHW: @ TOR, @ KC
Anibal Sanchez, DET: @ MIN, vs. BAL
Carlos Villanueva, TOR: vs. CHW, vs. TEX
TRY TO AVOIDHenderson Alvarez, TOR: vs. CHW, vs. TEX
Jeremy Guthrie, KC: vs. OAK, vs. CHW
INJURY WATCHNone
NATIONAL LEAGUENO-BRAINERSCole Hamels, PHI: @ MIA, @ MIL
Ryan Vogelsong, SF: vs. WAS, @ SD
ADVISABLE OPTIONSMike Fiers, MIL: @ COL, vs. PHI
Gio Gonzalez, WAS: @ SF, vs. NYM
Tim Hudson, ATL: vs. SD, vs. LA
Josh Johnson, MIA: vs. PHI, @ COL
Ian Kennedy, ARI: @ STL, @ HOU
Mat Latos, CIN: vs. NYM, vs. CHC
OTHERS TO KEEP IN MINDChad Billingsley, LA: @ PIT, @ ATL
Aaron Harang, LA: @ PIT, @ ATL
Jeff Karstens, PIT: vs. LA, @ STL
Joe Kelly, STL: vs. ARI, vs. PIT
Mike Minor, ATL: vs. SD, vs. LA
Clayton Richard, SD: @ ATL, vs. SF
Wandy Rodriguez, PIT: vs. LA, @ STL
Jeff Samardzija, CHC: vs. HOU, @ CIN
Chris Young, NYM: @ CIN, @ WAS
TRY TO AVOIDTyler Chatwood, COL: vs. MIL, vs. MIA
Nate Eovaldi, MIA: vs. PHI, @ COL
Jeff Francis, COL: vs. MIL, vs. MIA
Armando Galarraga, HOU: @ CHC, vs. ARI
Kyle Kendrick, PHI: @ MIA, @ MIL
Ross Ohlendorf, SD: @ ATL, vs. SF
Drew Pomeranz, COL: vs. MIL, vs. MIA
Chris Volstad, CHC: vs. HOU, @ CIN
Randy Wolf, MIL: @ COL, vs. PHI
INJURY WATCHNone
* = this pitcher's two-start status is questionable. Want to see which pitcher is more valuable? Try Fantasy Playmaker's IntelliStats!
 Scott Mickels, FPM Staff Writer/Editor, Member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, All-Around Nice Guy
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