This week’s AL two-start hurlers feature a pair of lefty aces, a handful of decent options and not much else.

Here are the AL two-start pitchers and other favorable matchups for Week 12:

Two-Start Pitchers

No-Brainers

C.C. Sabathia:  6/18 vs ATL; 6/24 @ NYM – His numbers aren’t as strong as last year, but still one of the best in the AL

David Price: 6/19 @ WAS; 6/24 @ PHI – gave up 7 ER in just 5 IP last time out, but still a must start

Results

Week 10 -4 GS, 2 QS, 2 W, 22.1 IP, 35 H+BB, 12 K’s, 12 ER, 4.84 ERA, 1.57 whip

YTD – 56 GS, 36 QS, 30 W, 365.2 IP, 468 H+BB, 302 K’s, 141 ER, 3.47 ERA, 1.28 whip

Not Too Shabby

Clay Buchholz: 6/19 vs MIA; 6/24 vs ATL – seems to be rolling with 4 straight starts of 7+ IP and 2 or fewer ER

Matt Harrison: 6/18 @ SD; 6/24 vs COL – 4-0 with a 1.42 ERA in last 5 starts and gets two favorable matchups to boot

Jake Peavy: 6/18 vs CHC; 6/24 vs MIL – has given up more than 3 ER only twice in his 13 starts

Tommy Milone: 6/19 vs LAD; 6/24 vs SF – a couple rough outings hasn’t scared me off, yet

Jerome Williams: 6/18 vs SF; 6/24 vs LAD – 3.84 ERA as a starter this year (11 starts)

Scott Diamond: 6/19 @ PIT; 6/24 @ CIN – has an excellent 29/6 K/BB ratio to go along with 2.13 ERA

Results

Week 10 – 17 GS, 5 QS, 5 W, 93.0 IP, 145 H+BB, 89 K’s, 66 ER, 6.39 ERA, 1.56 whip

YTD – 166 GS, 91 QS, 69 W, 1006.0 IP, 1353 H+BB, 771 K’s, 473 ER, 4.23 ERA, 1.34 whip

Risky at Best

Rick Porcello: 6/19 vs STL; 6/24 @ PIT – has a 5.18 ERA and won’t give you wins (just 4) or K’s (only 44)

Jonathan Sanchez: 6/18 @ HOU; 6/24 vs STL – occasional flashes of brilliance are overshadowed by poor outings

Jake Arrieta: 6/18 @ NYM; 6/24 vs WAS – could be good someday, just not there yet

Hector Noesi: 6/18 vs ARI; 6/24 @ SD – maybe Petco can help him keep the ball in the park (15 HR’s allowed), but I wouldn’t bet on it

Results

Week 10 – 6 GS, 2 QS, 2 W, 32.2 IP, 47 H+BB, 25 K’s, 21 ER, 5.79 ERA, 1.44 whip

YTD – 81 GS, 32 QS, 22 W, 438.1 IP, 659 H+BB, 300 K’s, 268 ER, 5.50 ERA, 1.50 whip

Other Favorable Matchups (<50% owned)

Vin Mazzaro (3% owned):  6/20 @ HOU

Has a 1.80 ERA in last 3 starts (2.57 on the season) and faces the Astros and Jordan Lyles

Kevin Millwood (18% owned): 6/21 @ SD

Has a 1.98 ERA on the season and gets to pitch in Petco

Jose Quintana (6% owned): 6/22 vs MIL

Also has a 1.98 ERA on the season and a strong minor league track record

Results

Week 10 -4 GS, 0 QS, 0 W, 20.2 IP, 38 H+BB, 14 K’s, 23 ER, 10.02 ERA, 1.84 whip

YTD -30 GS, 13 QS, 7 W, 188.2 IP, 258 H+BB, 149 K’s, 96 ER, 4.58 ERA, 1.37 whip

See ya next week.

Here are the NL two-start pitchers and other favorable matchups for Week 12:

Two-Start Pitchers

No-Brainers

Matt Cain:  6/18 @ LAA; 6/24 @ OAK – although Philip Humber hasn’t fared well after his perfect game, you have to feel Cain can keep pitching well, as he has a better track record.

R.A. Dickey: 6/18 vs BAL; 6/24 vs NYY – one questionable call away from a no-no last time out

Cole Hamels: 6/19 vs COL; 6/24 vs TB – should bounce back after poor start last time out

Lance Lynn: 6/19 @ DET; 6/24 @ KC – has proven to be one of the more reliable pitchers in the NL

Results

Week 10 -4 GS, 3 QS, 1 W, 27.2 IP, 30 H+BB, 37 K’s, 12 ER, 3.90 ERA, 1.08 whip

YTD – 60 GS, 40 QS, 24 W, 388.1 IP, 436 H+BB, 385 K’s, 134 ER, 3.11 ERA, 1.12 whip

Not Too Shabby

Matt Garza: 6/18 @ CHW; 6/24 @ ARI – a little shaky last time out.  Are the trade rumors distracting him?

Mark Buehrle: 6/19 vs MIA; 6/24 vs TOR – has only given up more than 4 runs in one start

Mike Minor: 6/18 @ NYY; 6/24 @ BOS – two straight strong starts has solidified his position in rotation, for now

Aaron Harang: 6/19 @ OAK; 6/24 @ LAA – does not pitch well on the road (4.37 ERA vs 2.51 at Home), but the A’s could help change that

Wade Miley: 6/18 vs SEA; 6/24 vs CHC – putting up great number in rookie year and faces a couple weak teams

Mat Latos: 6/18 @ CLE; 6/24 vs MIN – still trying to string together some quality starts

Results

Week 10 – 24 GS, 14 QS, 7 W, 149.2 IP, 192 H+BB, 115 K’s, 71 ER, 4.27 ERA, 1.28 whip

YTD – 204 GS, 120 QS, 76 W, 1265.1 IP, 1584 H+ BB, 999 K’s, 520 ER, 3.70 ERA, 1.25 whip

Risky at Best

Randy Wolf:  6/18 vs TOR; 6/24 @ CHW – Wolf was decent last year, but not so much this year.  Best to avoid.

J.A. Happ:  6/18 vs KC; 6/24 vs CLE – its hard to get excited about Astros pitchers, especially those with 5.33 ERA’s

Kevin Correia: 6/19 vs MIN; 6/24 vs DET – A 25/21 K/BB ratio to go with 4.43 ERA and poor offensive support

Josh Outman: 6/19 @ PHI; 6/24 @ TEX – 8.44 ERA, including 7.94 ERA is 3 starts, does not bode well

Jason Marquis: 6/18 vs TEX; 6/24 vs SEA – might benefit from pitching in Petco, but was released by Twins for a reason

Chien-Ming Wang: 6/19 vs TB; 6/24 @ BAL – Nats should have kept Ross Detwiler in the rotation

Results

Week 10 – 9 GS, 7 QS, 6 W, 54.2 IP, 65 H+BB, 41 K’s, 27 ER, 4.45 ERA, 1.19 whip

YTD – 74 GS, 41 QS, 23 W, 446.0 IP, 587 H+BB, 307 K’s, 223 ER, 4.50 ERA, 1.32 whip

Other Favorable Matchups (<50% owned)

Nathan Eovaldi (16% owned): 6/20 @ OAK

Favorable matchup for young pitcher who is throwing well

Dillon Gee (41% owned): 6/20 vs BAL

3.05 ERA over his last 3 starts, could be a good time to take a chance on him

Joe Kelly (5% owned): 6/22 @ KC

Young sinkerballer will square off against a Royals offense that’s 28th in the majors in runs scored

Clayton Richard (16% owned):  6/23 vs SEA

Has a 2.79 ERA in last 3 starts and 1.97 career ERA against the Mariners

Results

Week 10 – 2 GS, 0 QS, 0 W, 12.2 IP, 17 H+BB, 6 K’s, 8 ER, 5.68 ERA, 1.34 whip

YTD – 28 GS, 14 QS, 14 W, 175.2 IP, 231 H+BB, 156 K’s, 81 ER, 4.15 ERA, 1.31 whip

Be sure to check out the AL Pitching Planner and see ya next week.

Here are the two-start pitchers and other favorable matchups for Week 11 for the AL:

Two-Start Pitchers

No-Brainers

Brandon Morrow:  6/11 vs WAS; 6/17 vs PHI – any pitcher with a sub-3.00 ERA in the AL is a must-start

Colby Lewis: 6/12 vs ARI; 6/17 vs HOU – only 4-5, despite a 3.38 ERA and the league’s best offense behind him

Wei-Yin Chen:  6/12 vs PIT; 6/17 @ ATL – a 3.49 ERA and a match up vs the majors worst offense make him a no-brainer

Results

Week 9 – 3 GS, 0 QS, 0 W, 17.1 IP, 38 H+BB, 13 K’s, 14 ER, 7.27 ERA, 2.19 whip

YTD – 52 GS, 34 QS, 28 W, 343.1 IP, 433 H+BB, 290 K’s, 129 ER, 3.38 ERA, 1.26 whip

Not Too Shabby

Josh Beckett: 6/11 @ MIA; 6/17 @ CHC – don’t look now, but he has a 2.21 ERA over his last 5 starts

Ivan Nova: 6/11 @ ATL; 6/17 @ WAS – has struggled this year, but threw 8 innings of one run ball last time out

Bartolo Colon:  6/12 @ COL; 6/17 vs SD – pitched well in his only previous start at Coors

Felipe Paulino: 6/12 vs MIL; 6/17 @ STL – Is this his breakout year? 1.67 ERA so far this year.

Jeanmar Gomez: 6/12 @ CIN; 6/17 vs PIT – 4.97 ERA makes him a risk, but start against Pirates lessens that some

Alex Cobb: 6/12 vs NYM; 6/17 vs MIA – has posted a 3.64 ERA in 13 career major league starts

Garrett Richards: 6/11 @ LAD; 6/17 vs ARI – was spectacular last time out (1 ER in 7 IP)

Results

Week 9 – 18 GS, 11 QS, 10 W, 109.0 IP, 136 H+BB, 98 K’s, 48 ER, 3.96 ERA, 1.25 whip

YTD – 149 GS, 86 QS, 64 W, 913.0 IP, 1208 H+BB, 682 K’s, 407 ER, 4.01 ERA, 1.32 whip

Risky at Best

Max Scherzer: 6/12 @ CHC; 6/17 vs COL – 80 K’s in 64.1 IP, but 13 HR’s allowed have been his undoing

Nick Blackburn: 6/12 vs PHI; 6/17 vs MIL – nothing to see here, please move on

Results

Week 9 – 7 GS, 2 QS, 3 W, 32.1 IP, 51 H+BB, 24 K’s, 20 ER, 5.57 ERA, 1.58 whip

YTD – 75 GS, 30 QS, 20 W, 405.2 IP, 612 H+BB, 275 K’s, 247 ER, 5.48 ERA, 1.51 whip

Other Favorable Matchups (<50% owned)

Brian Matusz (36% owned): 6/13 vs PIT

Matusz has never faced the Pirates before, but the Pirates are last in the majors in runs scored, so he’s worth a shot

Kevin Millwood (17% owned): 6/14 vs SD

He just threw 6 no-hit innings and he is 8-2 with a 3.27 ERA against the Padres, but make sure he’s healthy

Josh Tomlin (10% owned): 6/14 @ CIN

Won his only game against the Reds, allowing one run on just 3 hits in 7 IP

Drew Hutchison (26% owned): 6/15 vs PHI

Has a 3.50 ERA with a 17/4 K/BB ratio over his last 3 starts

Results

Week 9 – 5 GS, 1 QS, 1 W, 28.2 IP, 48 H+BB, 15 K’s, 20 ER, 6.28 ERA, 1.67 whip

YTD – 26 GS, 13 QS, 7 W, 168.0 IP, 220 H+BB, 136 K’s, 73 ER, 3.91 ERA, 1.31 whip

See ya next week.

In the NL, there’s not a lot of quality up top, but there’s not a lot of crap at the bottom either, so most of your two-start pitchers are fairly safe bets.

Here are the Week 11 two-start pitchers and other favorable matchups for you NL pitchers:

Two-Start Pitchers

No-Brainers

Zack Greinke: 6/12 @ KC; 6/17 @ MIN – Greinke gets to face his former team for the first time this week

Johnny Cueto: 6/12 vs CLE; 6/17 @ NYM – 15-8 with a 2.42 ERA over his last 36 starts

Madison Bumgarner: 6/12 vs HOU; 6/17 @ SEA – 3.13 career ERA, but only 27-23 (if only the Giants could score)

Results

Week 9 – 7 GS, 3 QS, 4 W, 45.0 IP, 53 H+BB, 43 K’s, 22 ER, 4.40 ERA, 1.18 whip

YTD – 56 GS, 37 QS, 23 W, 360.2 IP, 406 H+BB, 348 K’s, 122 ER, 3.04 ERA, 1.13 whip

Not Too Shabby

Josh Johnson: 6/11 vs BOS; 6/17 @ TB – has not given up more than 3 ER in any of his last 6 starts

Adam Wainwright: 6/12 vs CHW; 6/17 vs KC – still not 100% back, but getting better (4.05 ERA in last 8 starts)

Ian Kennedy: 6/12 @ TEX; 6/17 @ LAA – Diamondbacks ace has only allowed one run in last two starts

Bud Norris: 6/12 @ SF; 6/17 @ TEX – the Giants are 20th in the majors in runs scored, the Rangers are first

Edwin Jackson: 6/1 @ TOR; 6/17 vs NYY – has pitched well this year, but these are tough matchups

Chris Capuano: 6/11 vs LAA; 6/17 vs CHW – 8-2 with a 2.82 ERA nearly earns him the no-brainer label

Clayton Richard: 6/12 @ SEA; 6/17 @ OAK – below average pitcher, but gets to face light hitting A’s

Randall Delgado: 6/11 vs NYY; 6/17 vs BAL – should stick in rotation thanks to strong performance of late

Chris Young: 6/12 @ TB; 6/17 vs CIN- cannot throw over 85 mph, but can still get guys out

Results

Week 9 – 18 GS, 8 QS, 8 W, 104.1 IP, 144 H+BB, 96 K’s, 47 ER, 4.05 ERA, 1.38 whip

YTD – 180 GS, 106 QS, 69 W, 1115.2 IP, 1392 H+BB, 884 K’s, 449 ER, 3.62 ERA, 1.25 whip

Risky at Best

Jeremy Guthrie:  6/12 vs OAK; 6/17 @ DET – two straight shellackings has raised talk of removal from rotation

Paul Maholm:  6/12 vs DET; 6/17 vs BOS – has given up 4 or more runs in 4 of last 5 starts

Kyle Kendrick: 6/12 @ MIN; 6/17 @ TOR – just does not have the stuff to consistently succeed

Brad Lincoln: 6/12 @ BAL; 6/17 @ CLE – 5 ER allowed in last start (4 IP) and career 4.97 ERA has me wary

Results

Week 9 – 5 GS, 3 QS, 2 W, 32.1 IP, 35 H+BB, 21 K’s, 15 ER, 4.18 ERA, 1.08 whip

YTD – 65 GS, 34 QS, 17 W, 391.1 IP, 522 H+BB, 266 K’s, 196 ER, 4.51 ERA, 1.33 whip

Other Favorable Matchups (< 50% owned)

Jason Marquis (1% owned): 6/13 @ SEA

Not for the faint of heart, but Marquis does own a 1.95 career ERA against the Mariners

Travis Wood (6% owned): 6/14 vs DET

Has never faced the Tigers, which could work in his advantage

Michael Fiers (5% owned): 6/15 @ MIN

Has pitched well in first two major league starts and faces a light hitting Twins team.

Anthony Bass (39% owned): 6/16 @ OAK

Has been surprisingly good this year and faces a weak hitting A’s team

Results

Week 9 – 3 GS, 0 QS, 1 W, 17.1 IP, 35 H+BB, 9 K’s, 18 ER, 9.35 ERA, 2.02 whip

YTD – 26 GS, 14 QS, 14 W, 163.0 IP, 214 H+BB, 150 K’s, 73 ER, 4.03 ERA, 1.31 whip

Up next is the AL.

Here are the NL two-start pitchers and other favorable matchups for week 10:

Two-Start Pitchers

No-Brainers

Clayton Kershaw:  6/4 @ PHI; 6/9 @ SEA – the reigning Cy Young winner is always a must start

Cliff Lee:  6/5 vs LAD; 6/10 @ BAL – tough matchup against Kershaw in first start

Results

Week 8 – 10 GS, 4 QS, 5 W, 62.0 IP, 72 H+BB, 63 K’s, 25 ER, 3.63 ERA, 1.16 whip

YTD – 49 GS, 34 QS, 19 W, 315.2 IP, 353 H+BB, 305 K’s, 100 ER, 2.85 ERA, 1.12 whip

Not Too Shabby

Tim Lincecum: 6/5 @ SD; 6/10 vs TEX – control is a concern, but should be able to hold the Padres in check

Yovani Gallardo: 6/5 vs CHC; 6/10 vs SD – gets to face a couple weak hitting teams

Anibal Sanchez: 6/5 vs ATL; 6/10 vs TB – if he would get more wins, he’d be a no-brainer

Jordan Zimmermann: 6/5 vs NYM; 6/10 @ BOS – has to face a hot Mets team and the hard-hitting Red Sox

Ryan Dempster: 6/5 @ MIL; 6/10 @ MIN – Brewers are banged up and Twins can’t score

Kyle Lohse: 6/4 @ NYM; 6/9 vs CLE – keeps finding ways to win with less than dominant stuff

Jeff Samardzija: 6/4 @ SF; 6/9 @ MIN – a couple weak hitting opponents for the “Shark”

Homer Bailey: 6/5 vs PIT; 6/10 vs DET – 4 straight quality starts has pushed ERA under 4.00

Ryan Vogelsong: 6/4 vs CHC; 6/9 vs TEX – continues to prove that last year was not a fluke

Dillon Gee: 6/5 @ WAS; 6/10 @ NYY – 3 straight quality starts has dropped ERA nearly a full run

Joe Saunders: 6/4 vs COL; 6/10 vs OAK – Rockies don’t hit outside Coors, A’s just don’t hit

Jake Westbrook: 6/5 @ HOU; 6/10 vs CLE – has had a rough go of it last 4 starts, so tread carefully

Results

Week 8 – 26 GS, 15 QS, 13 W, 167.0 IP, 186 H+BB, 141 K’s, 65 ER, 3.50 ERA, 1.11 whip

YTD – 162 GS, 98 QS, 61 W, 1011.1 IP, 1248 H+BB, 788 K’s, 402 ER, 3.58 ERA, 1.23 whip

Risky at Best

Chad Billingsley: 6/5 @ PHI; 6/10 @ SEA – 5.52 ERA in May

Lucas Harrell: 6/5 vs STL; 6/10 @ CHW – followed up one of his better starts (7.1 IP, 1 ER), with worst (5 IP, 9 ER)

Randall Delgado: 6/5 @ MIA; 6/10 vs TOR – either he or Mike Minor will lose their spot to Kris Medlen

Christian Friedrich: 6/4 @ ARI; 6/10 vs LAA – don’t trust rookies

Jeremy Hefner: 6/4 vs STL; 6/9 @ NYY – see above

Brad Lincoln: 6/5 @ CIN; 6/10 vs KC – great season so far, but still has a career ERA of 4.77

Results

Week 8 – 11 GS, 4 QS, 2 W, 65.1 IP, 91 H+BB, 40 K’s, 34 ER, 4.68 ERA, 1.39 whip

YTD – 60 GS, 31 QS, 15 W, 359.0 IP, 487 H+BB, 245 K’s, 181 ER, 4.54 ERA, 1.36 whip

Other Favorable Matchups

Here are pitchers owned less than 50% in CBS leagues, with favorable matchups for Week 10

Anthony Bass (45% owned): 6/6 vs SF

What’s it gonna take for this guy to get some love?  Owns career 1.10 ERA against the Giants

Mike Leake (20% owned): 6/7 vs PIT

2.84 career ERA against the Pirates, despite a 1-3 record

Clayton Richard (12% owned) 6/7 vs SF

Should come as no surprise considering the Giants’ weak off the last few years, but is 5-3 with 3.35 ERA against them

Results

Week 8 – 3 GS, 1 QS, 1 W, 19.1 IP, 27 H+BB, 17 K’s, 13 ER, 6.05 ERA, 1.40 whip

YTD – 23 GS, 14 QS, 13 W, 145.2 IP, 179 H+BB, 141 K’s, 55 ER, 3.40 ERA, 1.23 whip

AL is up next

Here are the Two-start pitchers and other favorable matchups for Week 10 in the AL:

Two-Start Pitchers

No-Brainers

James Shields: 6/5 @ NYY; 6/10 @ MIA

Ricky Romero: 6/5 @ CHW; 6/10 @ ATL

I’m not sure either of these guys are “no-brainers”, but I needed to put someone in this category

Results

Week 8 – 6 GS, 3 QS, 4 W, 37.0 IP, 46 H+BB, 34 K’s, 14 ER, 3.41 ERA, 1.24 whip

YTD – 49 GS, 34 QS, 28 W, 326.0 IP, 395 H+BB, 277 K’s, 115 ER, 3.18 ERA, 1.21 whip

Not Too Shabby

Jon Lester: 6/5 vs BAL; 6/10 vs WAS – not pitching up to previous years’ standards, but still a pretty safe bet

Ervin Santana: 6/4 vs SEA; 6/10 @ COL – 15 HR’s allowed in 11 starts and has to go to Coors, be careful

Derek Holland: 6/5 @ OAK; 6/10 @ SF – Giants and A’s can help struggling pitchers get back on track

Jason Vargas: 6/4 @ LAA; 6/10 vs LAD – maybe this guy is your no-brainer, if only he had more K’s

Philip Humber: 6/5 vs TOR; 6/10 vs HOU – has been maddeningly inconsistent

Jarrod Parker: 6/4 vs TEX; 6/9 @ ARI – shows a lot of promise for a rookie

Andy Pettitte: 6/5 vs TB; 6/10 vs NYM – he’s back

Drew Smyly: 6/5 vs CLE; 6/10 @ CIN – pitches well but gets little run support

Scott Feldman: 6/4 @ OAK; 6/9 @ SF – will eventually lost job to Roy Oswalt, but has some nice matchups this week

Results

Week 8 – 16 GS, 10 QS, 6 W, 95.2 IP, 148 H+BB, 62 K’s, 49 ER, 4.61 ERA, 1.55 whip

YTD – 131 GS, 75 QS, 54 W, 804.0 IP, 1072 H+BB, 584 K’s, 359 ER, 4.02 ERA, 1.33 whip

Risky at Best

Ubaldo Jimenez: 6/5 @ DET; 6/10 @ STL – leads the league in walks allowed

Will Smith: 6/4 vs MIN; 6/10 @ PIT – has allowed 3 HR’s in first two major league starts

Travis Blackley: 6/5 vs TEX; 6/10 @ ARI – don’t be fooled by one good start…

Cole De Vries: 6/4 @ KC; 6/10 vs CHC – …or two good starts

Results

Week 8 – 7 GS, 4 QS, 1 W, 44.1 IP, 62 H+BB, 23 K’s, 28 ER, 5.68 ERA, 1.40 whip

YTD – 68 GS, 28 QS, 17 W, 373.1 IP, 561 H+BB, 251 K’s, 227 ER, 5.47 ERA, 1.50 whip

Other Favorable Matchups

Again, the focus here is on pitchers less than 50% owned in CBS leagues, with favorable matchups for the week

Blake Beavan (7% owned): 6/5 @ LAA

Surprisingly owns a career 1-0 record and 2.86 ERA against the Angles

Jerome Williams (42% owned): 6/6 vs SEA

3-0 with a 3.43 ERA against the Mariners in his career

Derek Lowe (50% owned): 6/7 @ DET

Right on the threshold, but owns a career 7-2 mark against the Tigers with a 1.87 ERA

P.J. Walters (14% owned): 6/8 vs CHC

3.72 career ERA against the Cubs and helped by a weaker 2012 version of them

Results

Week 8 – 2 GS, 2 QS, 0 W, 13.2 IP, 14 H+BB, 9 K’s, 5 ER, 3.29 ERA, 1.02 whip

YTD – 21 GS, 12 QS, 6 W, 139.1 IP, 172 H+BB, 120 K’s, 53 ER, 3.42 ERA, 1.23 whip

Good luck and see ya next week

So let’s get right to it, here are the NL two-start pitchers and favorable matchups for Week 9:

Two-Start Pitchers

No-Brainers

Tommy Hanson:  5/28 vs STL; 6/3 @ WAS – he has fared well against STL (2.25 ERA) and the Nats (3.48 ERA)

Cole Hamels: 5/28 @ NYM; 6/3 vs MIA – 7-1 with a 2.17 ERA, what more do you need?

Jordan Zimmermann: 5/28 @ MIA; 6/3 vs ATL – for the Nats, pitching is not a problem

James McDonald: 5/28 vs CIN; 6/3 @ MIL – he has made a believer out of me.  Can the Pirates score any runs though?

Results

Week 6 – 10 GS, 6 QS, 6 W, 64.2 IP, 75 H+BB, 59 K’s, 19 ER, 2.64 ERA, 1.16 whip

YTD – 39 GS, 30 QS, 14 W, 263.2 IP, 281 H+BB, 242 K’s, 75 ER, 2.66 ERA, 1.11 whip

Not Too Shabby

Lance Lynn: 5/28 @ ATL; 6/3 @ NYM -  3 straight starts giving up 3 runs or more

Wandy Rodriguez: 5/28 @ COL; 6/2 vs CIN – Coors has not been kind to pitchers this year

Trevor Cahill: 5/28 @ SF; 6/3 @ SD – Cahill owns the Giants (2.16 career ERA) and the Padres can’t hit

Shaun Marcum: 5/28 @ LAD; 6/2 vs PIT – the Pirates are the only team worse than the Padres

Jonathon Niese: 5/28 vs PHI; 6/3 vs STL – has fared well against the Phillies (3.58 ERA) and Cards (2.63 ERA)

Carlos Zambrano: 5/28 vs WAS; 6/3 @ PHI – comeback kid had first poor start of season against Rockies last time out

Juan Nicasio: 5/28 vs HOU; 6/2 vs LAD – strikeout rate is up, but so is hit rate and walk rate

Aaron Harang: 5/28 vs MIL; 6/2 @ COL – Coors makes me nervous, so tread carefully

Bronson Arroyo: 5/28 @ PIT; 6/3 @ HOU – a couple favorable matchups for the Reds righty

Results

Week 6 – 33 GS, 17 QS, 7 W, 200.0 IP, 278 H+BB, 151 K’s, 102 ER, 4.59 ERA, 1.39 whip

YTD – 136 GS, 83 QS, 48 W, 844.1 IP, 1062 H+BB, 647 K’s, 337 ER, 3.59 ERA, 1.26 whip

Risky at Best

Barry Zito: 5/28 vs ARI; 6/3 vs CHC – after strong April, the wheels are starting to fall off

Jeff Suppan: 5/28 @ CHC; 6/3 vs ARI – you have to be really desperate to consider using this guy

Travis Wood: 5/28 vs SD; 6/3 @ SF – Chris Volstad‘s replacement is only marginally better

Results

Week 6 – 12 GS, 7 QS, 3 W, 66.2 IP, 96 H+BB, 50 K’s, 31 ER, 4.18 ERA, 1.44 whip

YTD – 49 GS, 27 QS, 13 @, 293.2 IP, 396 H+BB, 205 K’s, 147 ER, 4.51 ERA, 1.35 whip

Other Favorable Matchups

Going forward, I will be focusing here on pitchers who are less than 50% owned in CBS leagues (and therefore likely available on your waiver wire).

Homer Bailey (25% owned): 5/29 @ PIT

He owns a 5-0 record and 1.94 career ERA against the Pirates

Lucas Harrell (8% owned): 5/30 @ COL

Risky, I know, but Harrell shut out the Rockies over 7 innings in his first start of the year

Jeremy Guthrie (10% owned): 5/31 vs HOU

1-0 with a 2.40 ERA against Astros in his career, albeit in a small sample size (15.0 IP)

Paul Maholm (15% owned): 6/1 @ SF

2-1 with a 3.10 ERA against the Giants in his career (52.1 IP)

Results

Week 6 – 2 GS, 1 QS, 1 W, 12.0 IP, 17 H+BB, 14 K’s, 6 ER, 4.50 ERA, 1.42 whip

YTD – 20 GS, 13 QS, 12 W, 126.1 IP, 152 H+BB, 124 K’s, 42 ER, 2.99 ERA, 1.20 whip

AL is up next.

Here are the AL two-start pitchers and other favorable matchups for Week 9:

Two-Start Pitchers

No-Brainers

Justin Verlander: 5/29 @ BOS; 6/3 vs NYY – Verlander is a must-start in all leagues, even when facing these guys

Jered Weaver: 5/28 vs NYY; 6/3 vs TEX – had one bad start after his no-hitter and that was against Texas

Doug Fister: 5/28 @ BOS; 6/2 vs NYY – still looking for his first win despite a 1.84 ERA

Results

Week 6 – 6 GS, 4 QS, 2 W, 38.2 IP, 54 H+BB, 36 K’s, 17 ER, 3.96 ERA, 1.40 whip

YTD – 43 GS, 31 QS, 24 W, 289.0 IP, 349 H+BB, 243 K’s, 101 ER, 3.15 ERA, 1.21 whip

Not Too Shabby

Matt Moore: 5/28 vs CHW; 6/3 vs BAL – hasn’t lived up to the hype, but has only given up more than 3 ER twice

Phil Hughes: 5/28 vs LAA; 6/3 @ DET – seems to have turned things around in May (3.45 ERA)

Matt Harrison: 5/28 vs SEA; 6/3 @ LAA – pitched well last time out versus Mariners

Chris Sale: 5/28 @ TB; 6/3 vs SEA – on a roll (1.85 ERA in May) and gets to face the Mariners

Daniel Bard: 5/29 vs DET; 6/3 @ TOR – walks are hurting him lately (5.96 BB/9 in May), so be careful

Felix Doubront: 5/28 vs DET; 6/2 @ TOR – has been pretty consistent so far (4.09 ERA in April, 3.86 in May)

Jake Arrieta: 5/28 @ TOR; 6/3 @ TB – has an excellent 3.31 K/BB ratio, needs to cut down on HR’s allowed

Kevin Millwood: 5/28 @ TEX; 6/3 @ CHW – 3 straight quality starts for the 37 year old

Scott Diamond: 5/28 vs OAK; 6/3 @ CLE – has been a pleasant surprise so far, with a 17/3 K/BB ratio

Results

Week 6 – 36 GS, 18 QS, 15 W, 219.1 IP, 284 H+BB, 169 K’s, 91 ER, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 whip

YTD – 115 GS, 65 QS, 48 W, 708.1 IP, 924 H+BB, 522 K’s, 310 ER, 3.94 ERA, 1.30 whip

Risky at Best

Drew Hutchison: 5/28 vs BAL; 6/3 vs BOS – got knocked around last time out and faces two good hitting teams

Nathan Adcock: 5/28 @ CLE; 6/3 vs OAK – minor league numbers don’t foretell sucess

Josh Tomlin: 5/28 vs KC; 6/3 vs MIN – coming off wrist injury, needs to prove he’s healthy

Graham Godfrey: 5/28 @ MIN; 6/3 @ KC – there haven’t been very many positives so far in his major league career

Results

Week 6 – 5 GS, 3 QS, 1 W, 28.2 IP, 40 H+BB, 20 K’s, 16 ER, 5.02 ERA, 1.40 whip

YTD – 61 GS, 24 QS, 16 W, 329.0 IP, 499 H+BB, 228 K’s, 199 ER, 5.44 ERA, 1.52 whip

Other Favorable Matchups

As with the NL, I am going to be focusing on AL pitchers owned less than 50% in CBS leagues with favorable matchup for the week (for those of you who utilize “streaming”).

Jeanmar Gomez (14% owned): 5/30 vs KC

He’s 2-2 with a 3.81 ERA against the Royals in his career and 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in his last 3.

Blake Beavan (7% owned): 5/30 @ TEX

Beavan has a career 1.71 ERA against his home state team

Henderson Alvarez (49% owned): 6/1 vs BOS

Just under the threshold at 49%, Alvarez has given up only 1 ER in 12 IP against the Red Sox

P.J. Walters (10% owned): 6/1 @ CLE

Has never faced the Indians, which may work to his advantage.  Is a surprising 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA on the season.

Tommy Milone (49% owned): 6/1 @ KC

Milone shut the Royals out over 8 IP the last time he faced them and is 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA on the season.

Results

Week 6 – 2 GS, 0 QS, 0 W, 8.2 IP, 17 H+BB, 9 K’s, 6 ER, 6.23 ERA, 1.96 whip

YTD – 19 GS, 10 QS, 6 W, 125.2 IP, 158 H+BB, 111 K’s, 48 ER, 3.44 ERA, 1.26 whip

See ya next week.

Thus, make sure you choose your pitchers wisely as we head into Week 8:

Two-Start Pitchers

No-Brainers

Yu Darvish:  5/21 @ SEA; 5/27 vs TOR – yes his stuff translates well to English, thank you very much.

Felix Hernandez: 5/21 vs TEX; 5/26 vs LAA – a little bit of a hiccup last time out, but you’ve got to keep riding him

C.J. Wilson: 5/22 @ OAK; 5/27 @ SEA – has struggled of late, but gets to face weak hitting A’s and Mariners

Results

Week 6 -8 GS, 5 QS, 4 W, 46.0 IP, 68 H+BB, 34 K’s, 26 ER, 5.09 ERA, 1.48 whip

YTD -37 GS, 27 QS, 22 W, 250.1 IP, 295 H+BB, 207 K’s, 84 ER, 3.02 ERA, 1.18 whip

Not Too Shabby

Jeremy Hellickson: 5/21 vs TOR; 5/27 @ BOS – not the best of matchups for the youngster

Hiroki Kuroda: 5/21 vs KC; 5/27 @ OAK – has only faced the Royals and A’s once each in his career (6.10 ERA)

Jerome Williams: 5/21 @ OAK; 5/26 @ SEA – pitchers want to face these two teams

Gavin Floyd: 5/22 vs MIN; 5/27 vs CLE – excellent 46/14 K/BB ratio for the 29 year old

Felipe Paulino: 5/21 @ NYY; 5/27 @ BAL – a couple tough matchups, but has pitched well against both

Kyle Drabek: 5/21 @ TB; 5/27 @ TEX – has held his own against these two in his short career

Rick Porcello: 5/22 @ CLE; 5/27 @ MIN – one really bad start (1 IP, 8 ER), but 3.63 ERA in all others

Tommy Milone: 5/21 vs LAA; 5/27 vs NYY – 6-3 with a 3.99 ERA in 76.2 IP for his major league career

Results

Week 6 -16 GS, 9 QS, 5 W, 98.0 IP, 143 H+BB, 71 K’s, 58 ER, 5.33 ERA, 1.46 whip

YTD -79 GS, 47 QS, 33 W, 489.0 IP, 640 H+BB, 353 K’s, 219 ER, 4.03 ERA, 1.31 whip

Risky At Best

Tommy Hunter:  5/21 vs BOS; 5/27 vs KC – 5-5 with a 4.94 ERA since coming over to the Orioles

Hector Noesi: 5/22 vs TEX; 5/27 vs LAA – Albert Pujols is waking up and the Rangers are always dangerous

Ubaldo Jimenez: 5/22 vs DET; 5/27 @ CHW – command issues continue to haunt him

Clay Buchholz: 5/21 @ BAL; 5/27 vs TB – has given up 10 homers in his 8 starts

Results

Week 6 -7 GS, 2 QS, 3 W, 34.0 IP, 56 H+BB, 24 K’s, 24 ER, 6.35 ERA, 1.65 whip

YTD – 56 GS, 21 QS, 15 W, 300.1 IP, 459 H+BB, 208 K’s, 183 ER, 5.48 ERA, 1.53 whip

Other Favorable Matchups

Doug Fister: 5/23 @ CLE

3-2 with a 2.31 ERA in his career against the Indians

Jason Vargas: 5/24 vs LAA

3-3 (no run support) with a 2.39 ERA against the Angels

Vin Mazzaro: 5/26 @ BAL

Going out a bit on a limb here, but Mazzaro is 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA against the Orioles

Results

Week 6 -4 GS, 2 QS, 1 W, 26.2 IP, 35 H+BB, 23 K’s, 3.04 ERA, 1.31 whip

YTD – 17 GS, 10 QS, 6 W, 117.0 IP, 141 H+BB, 102 K’s, 42 ER, 3.23 ERA, 1.21 whip

See ya next week.

Here are the NL two-start pitchers and other favorable matchups for week 8:

Two-Start Pitchers

No-Brainers

Roy Halladay:  5/22 vs WAS; 5/27 @ STL – only one hiccup this year (8 ER in 5.1 IP vs ATL), no more than 3 ER in all other starts

Matt Cain:  5/22 @ MIL; 5/27 @ MIA – the real Giants ace.  If only they could score some runs.

Gio Gonzalez: 5/21 @ PHI; 5/27 @ ATL – rough 1st start of season, but no more than 3 ER allowed in any start since

Brandon Beachy: 5/22 @ CIN; 5/27 vs WAS – has not given up more than 2 ER in ANY start, including shutout last start

Johan Santana: 5/21 @ PIT; 5/26 vs SD – normally not a no-brainer, but gets to face the two worst hitting teams in NL

Results

Week 6 – 6 GS, 4 QS, 1 W, 41.0 IP, 40 H+BB, 40 K’s, 12 ER, 2.63 ERA, 0.98 whip

YTD – 29 GS, 24 QS, 8 W, 189.0 IP, 206 H+BB, 183 K’s, 56 ER, 2.67 ERA, 1.09 whip

Not Too Shabby

Madison Bumgarner: 5/21 @ MIL; 5/26 @ MIA – despite a couple rough starts (4 ER apiece), still reliable

Matt Garza: 5/21 @ HOU; 5/27 @ PIT – a couple nice matchups for the Cubs ace

Chris Capuano: 5/21 @ ARI; 5/27 vs HOU – got roughed up a little by SD, but still a pretty safe bet

Adam Wainwright: 5/22 vs SD; 5/27 vs PHI – you may want to wait until he strings some good starts together

Mat Latos:  5/22 vs ATL; 5/27 vs COL – still a little iffy, but seems to be getting back on track

Jaime Garcia: 5/21 vs SD; 5/26 vs PHI – giving up a few more baserunners than usual, but has limited the damage

Mark Buehrle: 5/21 vs COL; 5/26 vs SF – does not strike out many, but keeps the ball in the park

Edinson Volquez: 5/22 @ STL; 5/27 @ NYM – has not given up more than 3 ER in any of his last 5 starts

Bud Norris: 5/21 vs CHC; 5/27 @ LAD – gets to face Kemp-less Dodgers and a weak Cubs team

Ricky Nolasco: 5/22 vs COL; 5/27 vs SF – got roughed up by Mets last time out, but still pitching well

R.A. Dickey: 5/22 @ PIT; 5/27 vs SD – knuckleballers seem to get better with age

Erik Bedard: 5/21 vs NYM; 5/27 vs CHC – already the subject of trade rumors, maybe he’ll go to a team that can score

Clayton Richard: 5/21 @ STL; 5/26 @ NYM – an iffy pick, but pitched well last time out

Results

Week 6 – 16 GS, 8 QS, 7 W, 96.2 IP, 119 H+BB; 82 K’s, 40 ER, 3.72 ERA, 1.23 whip

YTD – 103 GS, 66 QS, 41 W, 644.1 IP, 784 H+BB, 496 K’s, 235 ER, 3.28 ERA, 1.22 whip

Risky At Best

Kyle Kendrick: 5/21 vs WAS; 5/26 @ STL – filling in for Vance Worley, best to avoid

Mike Minor:  5/21 @ CIN; 5/26 vs WAS – going through a rough patch

Randy Wolf: 5/21 vs SF; 5/27 @ ARI – 6.38 ERA and 1.80 whip on the season, let someone else take a chance

Mike Leake: 5/21 vs ATL; 5/26 vs COL – one good start is not enough to convince me

Patrick Corbin: 5/21 vs LAD; 5/27 vs MIL – only good start came against the light hitting Giants

Jamie Moyer: 5/21 @ MIA; 5/27 @ CIN – despite 4.20 ERA, he’s too hittable for my taste (1.60 whip)

Results

Week 6 – 6 GS, 5 QS, 1 W, 38.2 IP, 49 H+BB, 28 K’s, 18 ER, 4.19 ERA, 1.27 whip

YTD – 37 GS, 20 QS, 10 W, 227.0 IP, 300 H+BB, 155 K’s, 116 ER, 4.60 ERA, 1.32 whip

Other Favorable Matchups

Cole Hamels: 5/23 vs WAS

Hamels is 11-4 with a 2.62 ERA against the Nats

Anibal Sanchez: 5/24 vs SF

Sanchez has gone 2-0 with an 0.75 ERA in 24 IP against the Giants

Tim Hudson: 5/25 vs WAS

14-3 with a 2.03 ERA in his career against the Nats

Yovani Gallardo: 5/25 @ ARI

5-0 with a 1.20 ERA against the Diamondbacks

Results

Week 6 – 4 GS, 4 QS, 2 W, 27.0 IP, 24 H+BB, 36 K’s, 5 ER, 1.67 ERA, 0.89 whip

YTD – 18 GS, 12 QS, 11 W, 114.1 IP, 135 H+BB, 110 K’s, 36 ER, 2.83 ERA, 1.18 whip

Next up is the AL.