5 two-start pitchers to consider in Week 12
Is your fantasy starting rotation struggling? Or maybe you just need some extra strikeouts? Then consider adding these pitchers, who are all scheduled to make two starts in Week 12.
12-team mixed leagues
Jesse Chavez (@TEX, vs. KC)
Chavez was dominant on Wednesday against the Padres, tossing seven innings of one-run ball with 11 K's to register his sixth quality start in his past seven outings. In 11 starts since being inserted into the A's rotation, the 31-year-old right-hander has posted a 2.75 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and a 7.6 K/9 rate. Both the Rangers and Royals rank in the top half of the Majors in runs, so next week's matchups are far from easy. That said, the Royals' offense has faded, ranking 11th in the American League in runs scored this month. But if you place more importance on recent performance than quality of opponent, don't hesitate to pitch Chavez.
Mike Fiers (vs. NYM, vs. MIN)
A popular breakout candidate heading into this season, Fiers has fallen short of expectations, but don't give up on him just yet. The strikeout rate remains strong (10.0 K/9), and his .370 BABIP suggests that luck has played a significant role in his inflated hit rate (10.6 H/9). The Mets and Twins both rank in the bottom third of the Majors in hits, so there should be fewer opportunities for luck to betray Fiers next week. His elite-level strikeout ability combined with a legitimate chance to improve his overall numbers makes the Brewers righty, who might be on the waiver wire in some 12-team mixed leagues, an especially intriguing two-start option.Video: WSH@MIL: Fiers strikes out eight in seven innings
Deeper mixed leagues
Chase Anderson (@COL, @SD)
Anderson is a risky play thanks to the upcoming start at Coors Field combined with his struggles in his one previous start against the Rockies this season (5 1/3 IP, 5 ER on April 27). With this in mind, consider him only in deeper mixed-league formats. Onto the positives: Anderson has allowed two runs or fewer in eight of his past nine starts and has enjoyed considerable success in his two starts against the Padres this year, pitching to a 2.08 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. If you are in a mixed league with more than 12 teams and Anderson is still on the waiver wire, pick him up immediately.
Jon Niese (@MIL, vs. CIN)
Inconsistency has been the overriding theme of Niese's 2015 season. After registering a 9.00 ERA in his final four starts of May, the Mets southpaw has opened June with three straight quality outings. Owners in 12-team mixed leagues are probably better off looking elsewhere, as Niese's performance has been so hard to predict from one start to the next. But in deeper mixed leagues, he warrants serious consideration, being that at least one of his matchups is extremely favorable. The Brewers rank 14th in the National League in runs scored and last in the Senior Circuit in batting average. As for the Reds, they have been a mid-tier offense this year, ranking 10th in the NL in runs scored and 11th in batting average.Video: NYM@TOR: Niese strikes out six over seven frames
Non-mixed leagues
Tsuyoshi Wada (vs. LAD, @STL)
Coming off his finest outing of the season -- in which he blanked the Indians across seven innings -- Wada will be tested next week. However, that test might not be as tough as it seems at first glance. Although the Dodgers are tied for fourth in the NL in total runs scored, they rank 11th in the Senior Circuit in runs scored on the road. And for years, the Cardinals have had one of the more dangerous lineups in baseball -- but not this year, and especially not this month. In fact, St. Louis has scored the fewest runs in the NL in June. Wada's thin big league track record, which spans only 98 2/3 innings, keeps him off the mixed-league radar for now. Regardless, he's worth a look next week in NL-only formats.