The fantasy season is quickly coming to a close.  Are you in position to make a push for your title but need a few extra starts?  Let’s take a look at the two-start pitchers for the coming week and determine who may be worth the gamble and who should be ignored:

Must Use Options:

• Gio Gonzalez – Washington Nationals – @ SF, vs. NYM
• Zack Greinke – Los Angeles Angels – vs. Cle, vs. TB
• Cole Hamels – Philadelphia Phillies – @ Mia, @ Mil

Advisable Plays:

• Chad Billingsley – Los Angeles Dodgers – @ Pit, @ Atl
• Tim Hudson – Los Angeles Angels – vs. SD, vs. LAD
• Josh Johnson – Miami Marlins – vs. Phi, @ Col
• Ian Kennedy – Arizona Diamondbacks – @ Stl, @ Hou
• Mat Latos – Cincinnati Reds – vs. NYM, vs. CHC
• Jake Peavy – Chicago White Sox – @ Tor, @ KC
• Ryan Vogelsong – San Francisco Giants – vs. Was, @ SD
• C.J. Wilson – Los Angeles Angels – vs. Cle, vs. TB

Viable Options Depending On Your Situation:
Ryan Dempster – Texas Rangers – @ NYY, @ Tor
We have talked about Dempster before, but it is definitely worth repeating.  I know the overall numbers are impressive, but he also is sporting a .255 BABIP, 80.0% strand rate and 23.1% line drive rate.  He also is now facing much tougher lineups, no longer having a free out against the pitcher.  With a stop at Yankee Stadium on the schedule I would be incredibly cautious with him.

Mike Fiers – Milwaukee Brewers – @ Col, vs. Phi
He has been tremendous, though he also is sporting a 27.3% line drive rate and a likely unsustainable 1.80 BB/9 (which makes you think that a regression could be on the horizon).  Throw in the fact that he has a 0.34 HR/9 and 3.3% HR/FB and you realize that, while he will remain a good option, there could be a few bumps in the road.  Does that mean not to use him?  Of course not, but be prepared.

Hiroki Kuroda – New York Yankees – vs. Tex, vs. Bos
If it wasn’t for the matchups he would be a must use option.  However, pitching in a hitter’s ballpark against these two great offenses?  You have to think twice.  Obviously, unless you have tremendous options he is going to be in your lineup, just don’t be surprised if he has a hiccup.

Jarrod Parker – Oakland Athletics – @ KC, vs. Cle
Earlier in the season, with these matchups, Parker likely would’ve been a no-brainer option.  However, a lot has changed over the past few weeks.  He has allowed 4+ runs in four of his past six starts as a lot of the luck that his early season success was built upon has disappeared.  As it is he is still sporting a 28.1% line drive rate (including 34.1% in August), so it is hard to say that he is a lock to produce strong outings.  Positive matchups or not, it depends on your other options.

• Blake Beaven – Seattle Mariners – vs. TB, vs. Min
• Wei-Yin Chen – Baltimore Orioles – vs. Bos, @ Det
• Alex Cobb – Tampa Bay Rays – @ Sea, @ LAA
• Aaron Harang – Los Angeles Dodgers – @ Pit, @ Atl
• Matt Harrison – Texas Rangers – @ NYY, @ Tor
• Jeff Karstens – Pittsburgh Pirates – vs. LAD, @ Stl
• Joe Kelly – St. Louis Cardinals – vs. Ari, vs. Pit
• Justin Masterson – Cleveland Indians – @ LAA, @ Oak
• Mike Minor – Atlanta Braves – vs. SD, vs. LAD
• Matt Moore – Tampa Bay Rays – @ Sea, @ LAA
• Jose Quintana – Chicago White Sox – @ Tor, @ KC
• Clayton Richard – San Diego Padres – @ Atl, vs. SF
• Wandy Rodriguez – Pittsburgh Pirates – vs. LAD, @ Stl
• Jeff Samardzija – Chicago Cubs – vs. Hou, @ Cin
• Anibal Sanchez – Detroit Tigers – @ Min, vs. Bal
• Carlos Villanueva – Toronto Blue Jays – vs. CWS, vs. Tex
• Randy Wolf – Milwaukee Brewers – @ Col, vs. Phi
• Chris Young – New York Mets – @ Cin, @ Was

Options to Avoid:
Drew Pomeranz – Colorado Rockies – vs. Mil, vs. Mia
It has nothing to do with Pomeranz, his ability or the matchups.  The 75 pitch limit that the Rockies are imposing on their starters, due to going with a four-man rotation, handcuffs them.  Too often, regardless of how well they are pitching, a pitcher is pulled after 4 innings because of the ridiculously low pitch count.  It also means, even if you manage to get through 5 innings, you need an awful lot of help from your bullpen.  It makes it hard to trust any Rockies starter.

• Henderson Alvarez – Toronto Blue Jays – vs. CWS, vs. Tex
• Tyler Chatwood – Colorado Rockies – vs. Mil, vs. Mia
• Aaron Cook – Boston Red Sox – @ Bal, @ NYY
• Samuel Deduna – Minnesota Twins – vs. Det, @ Sea
• Nate Eovaldi – Los Angeles Dodgers – vs. Phi, @ Col
• Jeff Francis – Colorado Rockies – vs. Mil, vs. Mia
• Armando Galarraga – Houston Astros – @ CHC, vs. Ari
• Jeremy Guthrie – Colorado Rockies – vs. Oak, vs. CWS
• Kyle Kendrick – Philadelphia Phillies – @ Mia, @ Mil
• Eric Stults – San Diego Padres – @ Atl, vs. SF
• Chris Volstad – Chicago Cubs – vs. Hou, @ Cin