MLB -- 2-Start Pitchers (July 25)

By Matt Schauf

The intro to this week’s two-start pitcher rankings should be really easy to write: Stephen Strasburg will take the hill twice in the coming week. Everyone else will stand and watch.

Done.

OK, even though the kid has flown a bit closer to Earth lately, he still has yet to allow more than three earned runs in a big-league outing. Of course, we do have to use some other pitchers this week as well.

Jaime Garcia has been overshadowed by his aforementioned fellow rookie, but it’s impossible not to like him this week with matchups against the Mets and Pirates. Garcia has allowed more than two earned runs just twice all year, and only one of those included more than three earned. Combine that with the matchups and he looks even safer than Strasburg. Another youngster, the Mets’ Jonathon Niese, falls just behind his brethren, mostly because he’ll face Garcia and the harder-hitting Cards in his first turn.

Max Scherzer is another baby-faced upside play for the week, as he has allowed one or no runs in five of his past six starts. Matchups with Tampa and Boston do add a bit of risk, though. Similarly, Bronson Arroyo won five of six starts before his last outing (allowing two runs or fewer in each), but the flaky Reds righty got shelled by the Nationals of all teams when last we saw him. Starting him requires one to avoid watching the game and opting for finger-crossing and/or prayer instead.

Risk is more of a regular accompaniment for Jason Hammel and Brandon Morrow, and the Rockies’ hurler sees his level increased by facing the Phillies on Monday. Sure, Milt Thompson can tell you exactly how quiet the Phils’ bats have been for too long, but they remain dangerous -- especially at home. Hammel is coming off consecutive losses as well, although one included 10 strikeouts and just three earned runs. Morrow, meanwhile, has the pleasure of facing Baltimore and Cleveland, making him a stronger bet for the week. That said, the only two of his past 10 outings in which Morrow allowed more than three runs occurred within his past three starts.

Tommy Hanson, with just one win among his past six tries, probably looks riskier than he is. The Braves’ ace has allowed three runs or fewer in four consecutive games. Matt Garza, on the other hand, is an absolute boom-or-bust proposition. He won a promising three of four games before his last time out, then got beat up for 10 hits and seven earned runs … by the Orioles. I’m wishing I had spent May trying to sell Garza in my draft leagues instead of basking in my smart selection.

Finally this week, we have a few seven-game teams presenting a pair of useful starters. The Giants duo of Barry Zito and Matt Cain are always worth a look, with Zito offering more safety (four of past five opponents scored two runs or fewer) and Cain more upside (six or more strikeouts in four of five turns). Yankees apologists (er, fans) can opt for Javier Vazquez or C.C. Sabathia for sizable salary-cap dollars, with Sabathia the much stronger (and more expensive) option. If you’re looking for better value, I’d suggest Gavin Floyd at home against the Mariners and A’s. White Sox teammate John Danks stands as a solid option as well, if a bit less safe.

Oh, and one final final note: The Indians don’t have a rapper named “TBD” starting this week (at least not officially yet). As I write this, Tuesday’s probable starter has yet to be announced. I might add his name once it does come out, but they don’t have anyone worth waiting on right now anyway.

Jaime Garcia (Cardinals) -- @NYM, PIT

Stephen Strasburg (Nationals) -- ATL, PHI

Josh Johnson (Marlins) -- @SF, @SD

Cliff Lee (Rangers) -- OAK, @LAA

Cole Hamels (Phillies) -- COL, @WAS

Francisco Liriano (Twins) -- @KC, SEA

Gavin Floyd (White Sox) -- SEA, OAK

Ricky Nolasco (Marlins) -- @SF, @SD

Barry Zito (Giants) -- FLA, LAD

Jonathon Niese (Mets) -- STL, ARI

Matt Cain (Giants) -- FLA, LAD

Felix Hernandez (Mariners) -- @CWS, @MIN

C.C. Sabathia (Yankees) -- @CLE, @TB

Clay Buchholz (Red Sox) -- @LAA, DET

Zack Greinke (Royals) -- MIN, BAL

John Danks (White Sox) -- SEA, OAK

Max Scherzer (Tigers) -- @TB, @BOS

Brandon Morrow (Blue Jays) -- BAL, CLE

Justin Verlander (Tigers) -- @TB, @BOS

Javier Vazquez (Yankees) -- @CLE, @TB

Tommy Hanson (Braves) -- @WAS, @CIN

Chad Billingsley (Dodgers) -- @SD, @SF

Dan Haren (Diamondbacks) -- @PHI, @NYM

Bronson Arroyo (Reds) -- @MIL, ATL

Jason Hammel (Rockies) -- @PHI, CHC

Jon Garland (Padres) -- LAD, FLA

Joel Pineiro (Angels) -- BOS, TEX

Matt Garza (Rays) -- DET, NYY

Gio Gonzalez (Athletics) -- @TEX, @CWS

Jorge de la Rosa (Rockies) -- PIT, CHC

Carlos Silva (Cubs) -- @HOU, @COL

Joe Blanton (Phillies) -- COL, @WAS

James Shields (Rays) -- DET, NYY

Randy Wolf (Brewers) -- CIN, @HOU

Bruce Chen (Royals) -- MIN, BAL

Brad Bergesen (Orioles) -- @TOR, @KC

Kevin Millwood (Orioles) -- @TOR, @KC

Jake Westbrook (Indians) -- NYY, @TOR

TBD (Indians) -- NYY, @TOR

Zach Duke (Pirates) -- @COL, @STL

Ryan Rowland-Smith (Mariners) -- @CWS, @MIN

Wesley Wright (Astros) -- CHC, MIL

7-game teams

Baltimore

Chicago White Sox

Cleveland

Colorado

Detroit

Florida

Kansas City

N.Y. Yankees

Philadelphia

San Francisco

Seattle

Tampa Bay

Matt Schauf is the director of content for World Fantasy Games, though he usually tries to leave the baseball stuff to the baseball folks. E-mail him at matt.schauf@worldfantasygames.com to tell him what he got wrong. Follow him on Twitter (@mschauf63). Catch him Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. ET on the Fantasy Lunch on BTR’s Fantasy Sports Channel.

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