Interesting Week 19 Two-Start Pitchers

Everyone is happy when one of their pitchers is scheduled for two starts in a week. But that is not always a good thing. Here are five pitchers you may be on the fence about (or should be on the fence) putting into your lineup for Week 19.

Nick Blackburn – Earlier this season, I highlighted Blackburn as a guy to sit due to his two road starts. Well, this week he has two home games. In the Metrodome, Blackburn is 5-0 with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.297 WHIP. Make sure he is active for his home games versus Kansas City and Cleveland.

Jorge de la Rosa – He got hammered in his last start in Philadelphia, where he gave up three HR in five innings. But de la Rosa was on fire prior to that, with Quality Starts in his previous six games. Another thing in de la Rosa’s favor this week is that he takes his 8.83 K/9 rate up against two teams in the top half of the league in strikeouts, including the Marlins, who lead the NL with 852 whiffs.

Kyle Lohse – Yes, it is hard to recommend a pitcher who just got roughed up by the Mets but that start was on the road. This week Lohse has two games in Busch Stadium, where he has a 2.98 ERA, a 1.059 WHIP and all four of his wins this season.

Marc Rzepczynski – Usually I hate those nicknames where you take a player’s first initial and then tag on the first few letters of his last name. But in Rzepczynski I think I am willing to make an exception. But keep M-Rzep on the bench this week. Yes, the ERA, K and WHIP all look good so far in his first six starts in the majors. But with road games this week at New York and at Tampa Bay, it is probably wise to get someone else in the lineup this week.

Jonathan Sanchez – Since returning to the rotation the second week of July following two outings in the bullpen, Sanchez has a 3-1 record and a 2.76 ERA in five games. He still has some gopher ball tendencies, but he faces the Dodgers (12th in NL in HR) and Mets (last in NL) this week, two teams not known for their power. Make sure he is active this week.

Other scheduled two-start pitchers in Week 17 are listed below. Please remember that these are projected pitchers and changes can and will happen between now and next week.

Harden, Jackson, Chamberlain, Floyd, Garza, Danks, Happ, Volstad, Cook, Oswalt, Cueto, Pelfrey, Penny, Porcello, Lannan, Davis, Braden, Smoltz, Schmidt, Ohlendorf, Looper, Guthrie, Gaudin, Padilla, VandenHurk, Gorzelanny, Moehler, French, Laffey, Mitre, O’Sullivan, J. Vargas, Davies, Lehr, Boggs.

Check back Sunday for an update of two-start pitchers.

Now, I would like to take a step back and provide some accountability for previous picks. There needs to be a two-week time lag because last week’s pitchers have yet to complete their second start. So here are my selections for Week 17 and how they did.

Garland – Advised to start. W, 3.00 ERA, 4 Ks, 0.93 WHIP (2 starts)
Hunter – Advised to start. W, 3.75 ERA, 11 Ks, 1.42 WHIP (2)
Marquis – Advised to start. 3.46 ERA, 7 Ks, 1.08 WHIP (2)
Saunders – Advised to sit. W, 6.55 ERA, 4 Ks, 2.00 WHIP (2)
Wolf – Advised to start. 3.75 ERA, 11 Ks, 1.67 WHIP (2)