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Two Start Pitchers :: Week 4
by Scott Mickels
Published: April 29, 2012, 7:15 pm
 Leading things off this week I wanted to talk about the hot start of Baltimore's Jason Hammel. Hammel is having a great season so far. Through 4 starts, he's 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. Not to mention, he's recorded 25 strikeouts in 26 innings of work. This has definitely put him on fantasy owners' radars. If you've already picked him up and plan to ride the hot hand, I recommend using caution. You
must know it's incredibly unlikely he'll be able to keep up this pace. Hammel has a career ERA of 4.88 and a career WHIP of 1.45. So, needless to say, it seems only inevitable he's bound to come back down to Earth, especially considering he pitches in the AL East. Another interesting note is that 4 of the 5 earned runs he's given up have come on the road. Beware as he does have two starts next week, but they're both on the road. (at New York and at Boston) Those are two tough matchups that will show us if Hammel is the real deal or not. If you're in a deeper league, I'd be more compelled to roll with him this week. But to those of you in standard leagues, I'd recommend playing it safe and waiting one more week to see how he fares.
We also have one Injury Watch this week. For this we head to the city of angels to talk about the Dodgers' Aaron Harang. Harang is dealing with a bone bruise after he fouled a ball off his left foot during his last start on Tuesday. He threw a bullpen session on Friday without any setbacks and is slated to make his next scheduled start on Monday at Colorado. He's currently 1-1 with a 5.16 ERA and during his career has had mixed results against the Rockies at best. Unless you're in a NL-only or really deep league, chances are Harang is still on your waiver wire. And frankly, that's where he should stay. Avoid Harang for a more reliable option.
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-BRAINERS Felix Hernandez, SEA: @ TB, vs. MIN
C.J. Wilson, ANA: vs. MIN, vs. TOR
ADVISABLE OPTIONS Yu Darvish, TEX: @ TOR, @ CLE
Jeremy Hellickson, TB: vs. SEA, vs. OAK
Matt Moore, TB: vs. SEA, vs. OAK
Chris Sale, CHW: vs. CLE, @ DET
OTHERS TO KEEP IN MIND Jason Hammel, BAL: @ NYY, @ BOS
Ubaldo Jimenez, CLE: @ CHW, vs. TEX
Hiroki Kuroda, NYY: vs. BAL, @ KC
Tommy Milone, OAK: @ BOS, @ TB
Jerome Williams, ANA: vs. MIN, vs. TOR
TRY TO AVOID Clay Buchholz, BOS: vs. OAK, vs. BAL
Drew Hutchison, TOR: vs. Tex, @ ANA
Liam Hendriks, MIN: @ ANA, @ SEA
Luke Hochevar, KC: @ DET, vs. NYY
Phil Hughes, NYY: vs. BAL, @ KC
Luis Mendoza, KC: @ DET, vs. NYY
Hector Noesi, SEA: @ TB, vs. MIN
INJURY WATCH None
NATIONAL LEAGUE NO-BRAINERS Brandon Beachy, ATL: vs. PHI, @ COL
Matt Cain, SF: vs. MIA, vs. MIL
Cole Hamels, PHI: @ ATL, @ WAS
Jordan Zimmerman, WAS: vs. ARI, vs. PHI
ADVISABLE OPTIONS Mike Minor, ATL: vs. PIT, @ COL
Ricky Nolasco, MIA: @ SF, @ SD
Vance Worley, PHI: vs. CHC, @ WAS
OTHERS TO KEEP IN MIND Bronson Arroyo, CIN: vs. CHC, @ PIT
Mark Buehrle, MIA: vs. ARI, @ SD
Trevor Cahill, ARI: @ WAS, @ NYM
R.A. Dickey, NYM: @ HOU, vs. ARI
James McDonald, PIT: @ ATL, vs. CIN
Charlie Morton, PIT: @ STL, vs. CIN
Juan Nicasio, COL: vs. LA, vs. ATL
Jeff Samardzija, CHC: @ PHI, vs. LA
Adam Wainwright, STL: vs. PIT, @ HOU
TRY TO AVOID Josh Collmenter, ARI: @ MIA, @ NYM
J. A. Happ, HOU: vs. NYM, vs. STL
Chris Volstad, CHC: @ CIN, vs. LA
Joe Wieland, SD: vs. MIL, vs. MIA
Randy Wolf, MIL: @ SD, @ SF
INJURY WATCH Aaron Harang, LA: @ COL, @ CHC
* = 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
Support FPM! You can send your questions and comments to Scott at scottmickels@fantasyplaymakers.com
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