Johnny Cueto is one of our must-start two start pitchers, with good match ups this week against the Cards and Braves, make sure he is active!

Two Start Pitchers

In leagues with weekly transactions, and head to head formats, there is an advantage to having as many “two start” pitchers active. This list of two start pitchers is broken into three tiers; pitchers you start automatically, pitchers that can be started but carry some risk of posting a poor game, and pitchers not worth risking a start.

The following pitchers should be active in all leagues, without a doubt.

Johan Santana vs. Pirates, @ Diamondbacks

Cole Hamels vs. Padres, vs. Giants

Ben Sheets @ Cubs, @ Astros

Greg Maddux @ Phillies, @ Marlins

Daisuke Matsuzaka vs. Blue Jays, vs. Rays

Fausto Carmona vs. Mariners, vs. Royals

Dan Haren vs. Astros, vs. Mets

Roy Halladay @ Red Sox, vs. White Sox

Johnny Cueto @ Cardinals, @ Braves

The following pitchers could be active for most teams, but there is a shadow of a doubt.

Mark Buehrle vs. Orioles, @ Blue Jays

Tom Glavine @ Nationals, vs. Reds

Jon Garland vs. A’s, vs. Orioles

Joe Saunders vs. A’s, vs. Orioles

Bronson Arroyo @ Cardinals, @ Braves

Franklin Morales @ Giants, vs. Dodgers

Chad Gaudin @ Angels, vs. Rangers

Greg Smith @ Angels, vs. Rangers

Derek Lowe @ Marlins, @ Rockies

Mike Mussina @ Indians, vs. Mariners

Kenny Rogers @ Yankees, @ Twins

Tim Redding vs. Braves, vs. Pirates

Matt Cain vs. Rockies, @ Phillies

Boof Bonser vs. White Sox, vs. Tigers

Todd Wellemeyer vs. Reds, vs. Cubs

If the following pitchers are active for your team, I doubt you will win anything.

Ian Snell @ Mets, @ Nationals

Andrew Miller vs. Dodgers, vs. Padres

Adam Loewen vs. Rays, @ Angels

Chris Sampson @ Diamondbacks, vs. Brewers

Carlos Silva @ Indians, @ Yankees

Philip Hughes vs. Tigers, vs. Mariners

Brett Tomko @ Rangers, @ Indians

Daniel Cabrera @ White Sox, @ Angels

Jason Jennings vs. Royals, @ A’s

Jason Marquis vs. Brewers, @ Cardinals

Aaron Cook @ Giants, vs. Dodgers

Tom Gorzelanny @ Mets, @ Nationals

Maximize those games

If you’re in a head to head league, make sure you’re getting the most at bats by having as many players active from teams that are playing the most games.

The Pirates, Yankees, Orioles, Indians, Angels, and A’s are all playing seven (7) games during Week 5. The rest of the teams are playing six (6), except for the Minnesota Twins, who are playing just five (5) games.

Gotta Hand it to Ya

For those of you in deep leagues, if you are playing with platoon player on your team, the following teams are facing three or more left- handed pitchers during Week 5:Angels (3),

Yankees (4), Nationals (3), Pirates (4), Dodgers (3), and Padres (4).

Parks and Match ups

When deciding between two players with roughly the same abilities, check home/road splits, or park factors to decide between them, which might be more productive.

The Mets play in pitchers parks all week.

The Phillies play all their games at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park this week.

The Nationals play all of their games at home this week.

The Reds are playing in pitchers parks all week.

The Brewers are in hitters’ parks all week.

The Cardinals play in pitcher friendly Busch Stadium all week.

The Diamondbacks play in their hitter friendly home all week.

The Red Sox are in the friendly confines of Fenway Park all week.

The Yankees play all but one of their seven games at home this week

Speedy Gonzales

The following teams have at least one series against teams have historically given up more stolen bases than the average team. Have your base stealers from these teams active this week, as they are more likely to get green lights to steal.

Phillies, Marlins, Mets, Nationals, Pirates, Giants, Dodgers, Cubs, Astros, Red Sox, White Sox, Angels, Rays, Twins, Blue Jays