I’m not going to sugarcoat things, it’s a rough week for two-start pitchers.
We’re getting to the part of the fantasy baseball season where owners really have to scour the wire to find any value. Good pitching has been tough to unearth in 2019, which makes it even more difficult when it comes to pinpointing guys with not just one, but two favorable starts.
I’m seriously about to suggest Dillon Peters, yes, DILLON PETERS, as my top two-start pitcher under 70% owned in Fantrax leagues for the week of August 12-18. (Please, somebody pinch me.)
Buckle up.
Dillon Peters, The Gawd
The Angels rotation has been decimated by injuries and the untimely death of Tyler Skaggs, so they’ve really had to piece together spare parts to make things work. And by work, I mean just get through nine innings, because nothing else has worked.
Enter Dillon Peters, sacrificial lamb No. 178, who’s sporting a 3.45 ERA thus far through three starts.
Peters, a former Marlins 10th round pick, is not good, as his 5.26 FIP suggests. He’s not even the best pitcher available, however, after scanning potential two-start pitchers this week, he’s the only one with two favorable matchups. Others have one good matchup and then one terrible matchup, which we’ll get to in a bit. Peters, bless his heart, is set to face the Pirates and White Sox, which these days gives him near-ace status.
Peters is coming off two solid outings; 7.2 IP, 8 H, 3 ER vs the Indians, and 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 8 K vs the Red Sox — and that’s some steep competition as well. So he’ll surely dominate the Pirates and Pale Hose, right? Honestly, I have no idea, but he’s worth a shot.
Other Two-Start Pitchers to Consider
Zach Plesac, Indians (63% owned): Plesac really could’ve been the lede in this article, as he’s been the best pitcher by far of anyone under 70% owned and making two starts. But his matchups vs. Boston and NYY are enough to require a run to the store for a case of Tums, which makes me sour on him this week.
Jason Vargas, Phillies (50% owned): Vargas has one good start and one bad start under his belt with his new Philly squad. This week he’ll face the Cubs and Padres, both at Citizens Bank Park. He’s fared much better at home this year (2.92 ERA vs. 5.23 on the road), though that really has no bearing since all his previous home games were at Citi Field. But who cares, home is home! He also shut out the Padres over six innings on July 23.
Eric Fedde, Nationals (14% owned): Fedde has been doing his best Max Scherzer impression while the Nationals ace is on the mend, turning in starts of one run or less in three of his last four (we won’t mention the nine runs he gave up to the Braves in between!). Fedde faces the Reds and Brewers this week, both at home, where the Nats are 31-25 this season.
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