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There are only three weeks left in the fantasy baseball season. Let that sink in. It's okay to freak out a little, but stave off that existential crisis until you can at least eat some comfort ice cream out of your trophy. And while we all know that football kicks off tomorrow in earnest, all that means is that this is the time of the year where only the truly dedicated will prevail. Or the incredibly lucky, because we all know how that goes.
Here's what you came here for.
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Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Targets
Tom Koehler (MIA, SP) – 32% Owned – Koehler wasn’t his sharpest on Saturday against the Dodgers, but has still posted a quality start in eight of his last 10 trips to the hill alongside a 2.80 ERA over that span. If he can keep the ball in the park, then he should put up strong numbers in a road start against the Phillies on Sept. 16 for his next start. The whole “facing the Phillies” thing is really the crux of the argument here, as they’re 29th in wRC+ (weighted Runs Created Plus) over the last 30 days. This will be a stat we use often here.
Jose De Leon (LAD, SP) – 29% Owned – While he did give up four runs in his Major League debut against the Padres at home on Sept. 4, he also struck out nine across six innings with a 1.00 WHIP as he secured his first victory. He’ll take on a red-hot Yankees team in the Bronx on Sept. 12, but some of you may be feeling frisky here in leagues where he was dropped when his next start was up in the air.
Luke Weaver (STL, SP) – 27% Owned – Weaver only made it four innings in his latest start, when he took on the Pirates, and now has a 3.96 ERA and 11.16 K/9 through his first five Major League outings. A 2.92 xFIP and 3.28 SIERA are bullish on him, likely due to his woes being fueled by a lofty .344 BABIP and outrageous 23.8 HR/FB rate.
Of course, his insanely 36.4% line-drive rate will need to come down first, as that’s way too high to survive. It needs to be cut in half. His 56.1 first-strike rate could also use a boost. He faces those trigger-happy Brewers at home today (Sept. 11) before tangling with the Giants in pitcher-friendly San Francisco next.
Colby Lewis (TEX, SP) – 24% Owned – I hate myself for typing this, but some of you may be unaware that he is returning today (Sept. 11) in a road start against the Angels. Y’all may be a lot more trusting of him than I am. Kool-aid sippers form a line.
Tyler Anderson (COL, SP) – 22% Owned – Anderson continues to single-handedly spit in the face of the Coors Field narrative. He went into the eighth inning against the Giants in his most recent start, allowing only two runs (though he only struck out two) in a no-decision. He’ll face the D-backs (who are 26th in wRC+ in the last 30 days) in Arizona on Sept. 12 next before a home date against the Padres (who are dead last in wRC+ over the past month) on Sept. 18. Not the worst double dip.
Alex Cobb (TB, SP) – 19% Owned – Cobb was a bit of a letdown against the Yankees in his last start, but that squad is on fire. Cobb next toes the rubber in a rematch against the Blue Jays, who he did well against in his 2016 debut with seven Ks across five innings of two-run ball. It is in Toronto this time around, which is never ideal, but those in more dire straits should feel comfortable tapping a guy who has such a high ceiling.
Matt Boyd (DET, SP) – 17% Owned – He got back on the board with a quality start in his rematch against the White Sox on Sept. 6, and will tangle with a Twins team that only ranks 23rd in wRC+ over the last 30 days (despite Brian Dozier’s best efforts) at home on Sept. 13. One could certainly do worse.
Tyler Skaggs (LAA, SP) – 15% Owned – Skaggs has provided quite the roller-coaster ride since coming back onto the scene. First his rehab-start hype kicked in, which led into two scoreless starts to begin his season. Then four poor starts in a row really dissuaded fantasy owners, but he’s now posted three quality starts in a row (two of them scoreless efforts). He’ll face Seattle at home on Sept. 14 next. You must be this bold to get on this ride.
Mike Foltynewicz (ATL, SP) – 13% Owned – Folty is still 4-0 over his last seven starts now, but his most recent effort was an eight-strikeout quality start against a strong Nationals lineup on the road. Again, one cannot rely on Atlanta’s offense to score runs, nor his bullpen to hold a lead, but Folty himself is performing well. He’ll face the Marlins at home next on Sept. 12 before a rematch with the Nationals.
A.J. Cole (WAS, SP) – 12% Owned – Cole may have let down some with his four-run, five-inning outing against the Phillies on Sept. 8, but he still struck out eight and posted a 1.00 WHIP. The main draw here is that he gets to tangle with the Mets at home on Sept. 13 for his next start, which is the only team that he’s recorded a victory against in his four starts thus far.
Sean Manaea (OAK, SP) – 7% Owned – No new stats here, as he’s been out since Aug. 29 with a back injury. The new news however is that he’s slated to return and start against the Royals in Kansas City on Sept. 14. Oakland will reportedly adopt a six-man rotation down the stretch to preserve their young arms, so plan accordingly, but Manaea had looked solid before getting hurt. The Royals also have a blah 95 wRC+ over the last 30 days, good for 25th in the MLB.
Ubaldo Jimenez (BAL, SP) – 7% Owned – I’m not crazy! You’re crazy! Seriously though, Jimenez has posted quality starts in all four of his turns since he stepped into the rotation on Aug. 25. This includes a complete game effort against the Rays on Sept. 5, and as I’m writing this he just wrapped up his second straight victory with a seven-inning, two-run effort against the Tigers.
That ain’t bad at all. While his rotation spot may not be secure with Chris Tillman set to return, his recent performance should earn him another turn against the Rays at home next towards Thursday or Friday. Perhaps Wade Miley or someone else will be bumped for the opportunity.
Matt Garza (MIL, SP) – 4% Owned – Garza has had a nice run, going 4-2 with a 3.22 ERA over his last nine starts, with his last two being quality outings. He’s also struck out 22 over his last 18 1/3 innings (three starts) as he’s destroyed his AL Central rivals (PIT, STL, CHC). He’ll look to complete his dominant sweep of the division with a road start in Cincinnati on Sept. 13. Please note that his 4.34 FIP and 4.23 xFIP behind that 3.22 ERA say to approach with caution, but nothing is perfect towards the bottom of the barrel.
Miguel Gonzalez (CWS, SP) – 2% Owned – Our savior has returned! The lord of the low-owned! After missing nearly a month due to a groin injury, Gonzalez came back and beat the Tigers with 6 1/3 innings of shutout ball. He’s just as I remembered him. While a date with the Indians at home may not be enticing (on Sept. 12, for the record), he then draws the Royals in Kansas City on Sept. 17. Not the worst two-start option, and he’s widely available.
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