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Fantasy Baseball Advice: Week 20 Waiver Wire Pickups

RotoBaller writer Chris Lacey highlights a handful of players on most of your waiver wires to keep track of. You can find many of these players and recommendations, along with many more, in our Daily Updated Waiver Wire Pickups List.

 

STANDARD MIXED-LEAGUE VIABLE PICKUPS

Wil Venable 01Will Venable. Venable is having a good season with a .254 average, but is flashing a very nice power/speed combination with 15 HR and 14 SB, in addition to 15 doubles and six triples on the season. Over his last 20 games, he has a .358/.402/1.044 triple-slash in 81 at-bats with four homers and 29 hits overall. He hits southpaws very well with a .291 average in 55 at-bats.

Danny Salazar. Salazar is pitching very well for Cleveland with 22 strikeouts against just five walks.  He does have a high ERA at 4.08, but the low WHIP of 0.96 indicates that could be an outlier.  Over his 11.2 innings pitched, he has struck out 15 batters, but has allowed seven runs and opposing teams might be starting to figure him out. He is holding left-handers to a .135 average in 37 at-bats, so if you pick your matchups, he can be a valuable contributor in any format.

Rajai Davis. Davis is being very productive for the Blue Jays with a .272 average and 59, including 36 runs scored. He is very adept at stealing bases, with 35 on the year, against just three times caught stealing.  Over his last 19 games, he has stolen 10 bases and has 12 hits in that span. Note that Davis hits better on the road, with a .293 average away from Rogers Centre.

Jhoulys Chacin. Chacin is having a good season for the Rockies with 11 wins and a 3.18 ERA in 150 innings pitched. He has only allowed five HR, while striking out 90 batters. Over his last the 23 innings pitched, he has a 1.57 ERA and has allowed 18 hits in that time frame. He is holding teams to a .249 average, while limiting right-handers to a .233 batting average.  Again, here's a guy who can definitely contribute to your playoff run, as long as you play the matchups right.  Avoid him (and just about all Colorado pitchers) at home.

 

DEEP-LEAGUE PICKUPS

Will Middlebrooks on May 21, 2012Will Middlebrooks. Middlebrooks is struggling this season with an average of just .206, but has still hit nine HR and 15 doubles in 218 at-bats. Over his last four games, he has a .400 batting average with eight total bases. He fares much better against left-handers with a .242 average, and has issues with left-handers, as indicated by his .191 average.

Wily Peralta. Peralta has been pitching better as the season is progressing, with a 4.30 ERA on the season in 144.1 innings pitched. He has struck out 94 batters and has a WHIP of 1.39-- not great, but over his last 14.1 innings, he has a 1.88 ERA with 10 strikeouts and only three runs allowed with one HR surrendered. The last 49 at-bats opposing teams have a .184 batting average against him.

Chia-Jen Lo. Jen-Lo is pitching well for the Astros by allowing just four hits in 6.1 innings, and he has yet to allow a run this season. The last 5.1 innings have been great for him with juts two hits given up and striking out four batters. He pitches well against left-handed batters by holding them to a .091 batting average, and is holding batters to a .182 average overall.  With the recent news that he seems to have an inside track on the closer role, Lo could provide a handful of saves to owners in need over the last six weeks of the season.

Darin Ruf. Ruf is hitting .273 with a .902 OPS in 110 at-bats with seven HR and 12 RBI, including seven doubles. Over the last 23 games, Ruf has a middle-of-the-road plate approach good for a .254 BA and .823 OPS with five HR and nine RBI. He does very well against right-handers with a .302 batting average in 86 at-bats, but definitely bench him against left-handed pitching.

 

CONTINUE SCOUTING

Yan Gomes. Gomes is having a great time of it since getting more regular at bats, with a .313 average, 28 RBI and 21 extra-base hits. He has 55 hits overall with a .892 OPS. The last 13 games have seen him post a .457/.528/1.224 triple-slash in 46 at-bats with eight RBI and 21 hits. He is solid with runners in scoring position, as indicated by a .308 average in this situation.  If you are in a two-catcher league, Gomes is an intriguing candidate.

Jenrry Mejia. Mejia is pitching well for the Mets with a 2.22 ERA in 24.1 innings pitched. He has struck out 22 batters, while only walking three and has allowed just two HR. Over his last 11.1 innings pitched, he has struck out 11 batters and allowed only three earned runs.  He is holding teams to a .111 average with runners in scoring position, though, so he's definitely playing with fire, but in very deep or NL-only leagues, Mejia could be available on the wire and he can provide you with some nice stats in the right matchups.

 

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If you want this article and other high-end fantasy baseball analysis delivered to you on a daily basis, sign up for our daily newsletter. And to stay on top of all the waiver wire info, including prospect call-ups and DL news, be sure to check out the Waiver Wire Pickups List for in-depth analysis on gems that you may be able to find sitting on your waiver wire.  It’s one of the best fantasy baseball features currently on web!

 




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Brice Matthews

Joining Astros
MLB

White Sox-Guardians Postponed on Thursday
Brandon Aiyuk

Likely to Begin Season on PUP List, but Not Ruled Out for Week 1
Jameson Williams

Not in the Team's Long-Term Plans?
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Jalen Thompson

Heading into Last Year With Cardinals?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Najee Harris

Suffers Eye Injury in Fireworks Mishap
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Cal Raleigh

Continues Historic Homer Pace Tuesday
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
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