Best two-start pitchers to pick up in Week 17
Does your fantasy starting rotation need a boost? Or maybe you're just looking to gain some ground in strikeouts? Then consider these pitchers, who are scheduled to make two starts each in Week 17.
12-team mixed leagues
Chris Heston (vs. MIL, @ TEX)
By now, the likelihood of Heston being available in your league, regardless of the size, is minimal. But check just in case. Although regression from his current 3.18 ERA and 1.15 WHIP seems inevitable, Heston should be started with confidence next week, despite a pair of challenging matchups. The Brewers' offense has been surging of late, leading the National League in runs, homers and batting average in July. The good news, however, is that Heston gets to face them at AT&T Park, where he boasts a 2.57 ERA through 10 starts this season. Although the road outing against the Rangers will take place in a hitter-friendly park, Texas' offense has surprisingly performed at a far less than elite level in 2015, ranking eighth in the American League in total runs scored and 11th in runs at home.
Video: PHI@SF: Heston fans seven over 6 2/3 frames in win.
Mike Leake (@ STL, vs. PIT)
Leake has been one of the most frustrating pitchers to own this season. He has lacked consistency. Still, aside from a pedestrian strikeout rate, he has solid overall numbers and sits in the midst of a fine stretch that has included four straight quality starts. The Cardinals' lineup is always dangerous, but Leake has been dominant on the road, registering a 2.57 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP through nine starts. As for the opponent, Leake has enjoyed considerable success against the Pirates this season, going 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP in three starts.
Video: BAL@NYY: Nova pitches six strong in win over Orioles
Ivan Nova (@ TEX, @ CWS)
Since making his season debut last month, Nova has allowed three or fewer runs in four of his five starts. Among AL clubs, the Rangers rank in the middle of the pack in most offensive categories. The White Sox rank last in the Majors in runs, 28th in homers and 25th in batting average. There's not a whole lot of downside in pitching Nova next week.
Kyle Hendricks (vs. COL, @MIL)
Don't be scared off by Hendricks' most recent outing, during which he gave up five runs in six innings in a loss to the Reds. After all, the Cubs righty had allowed a one run over his previous four starts, spanning 26 innings. Look for him to get back on track. Despite leading the NL in total runs scored, the Rockies rank next to last in the league in runs on the road. Although the Brewers offense has been hot of late, Hendricks did manage to toss 5 1/3 scoreless innings against Milwaukee earlier this season.
Deeper mixed leagues
Wade Miley (vs. CWS, vs. TB)
After proving to be a useful mixed-league starting option from 2012-13, Miley was mediocre at best last year. This season hasn't been any different, as he holds a 4.33 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP through 20 starts. However, a 3.96 FIP suggests that some degree of poor luck could be involved when it comes to his ERA, and the 28-year-old southpaw has notched six quality starts in his past eight outings. Because his performance level has been so unpredictable from one start to the next, Miley is a risky play. But owners in deeper leagues should think about taking a flier on him as he heads into a week with a pair of favorable matchups. Both the White Sox and Rays rank in the bottom three of the AL in runs and batting average.
Video: BOS@LAA: Miley fans six in dominant outing
Cody Anderson (vs. KC, @OAK)
Anderson is coming off his worst start to date and will be facing a Royals lineup that ranks second in the AL in batting average, which is why I would consider him only in deeper leagues. But in his favor is the fact that the Royals rank 11th in the AL in runs scored on the road. As for the A's, they rank next to last in the Majors in OPS in July.