Wow, the Midseason Classic is approaching with some serious speed now. The halfway point is usually a fantastic time for us all to take stock of our teams, our needs, etc. As always, the SP Waiver Wire guide is here to assist your efforts. We’re hunting those who aren’t owned in many leagues that can turn in some solid numbers, as well as those who are buzzing but might be ticking time bombs.

You know the drill, we’re ignoring the guys who have been dropped due to legitimate struggles and discussing the rest. As usual, we’re going to limbo under the 40% owned bar here. I hope you're feeling flexible.

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Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Targets

Julio Urias (LAD, SP) – 37% Owned – Urias’ last four starts have seen him deliver on that top-prospect moniker of his. Those starts have seen him go 19 1/3 innings with a 28:4 K:BB ratio, posting a 2.33 ERA and 1.53 FIP even with a .378 BABIP. This is what the hype was all about. He now has a nice road start against the Brewers next on June 28 as he seeks his first victory, but he ends up meeting his pitch count rather early thanks to his swing-and-miss stuff.

Blake Snell (TB, SP) – 37% Owned – He’s carrying an 0-2 record with a 2.40 ERA and 1.60 WHIP through 15 innings this season, striking out 12 in that stretch. It should be noted that he’s fanned 90 in 63 Triple-A innings thus far, but his control simply hasn’t all come together yet (his Triple-A WHIP is 1.33, which really is troubling). That said, his ceiling is outrageously high. Snell will take on the Red Sox at home on June 27.

Tim Lincecum (LAA, SP) – 32% Owned – People are going a bit batty over a familiar and buzzy name, but seriously there isn’t much to see here. He had the good fortune of facing the A’s twice right off the bat, but they slapped him around the second time they saw him. He’s only struck out two in each start, meaning his ratios have to stellar to generate fantasy value. There are many names lower on this list that deserves higher ownership as a result. He faces the Astros at home on June 28 next for his first “non-Oakland” test.

Alex Wood (LAD, SP) – 32% Owned – Wood is going to begin throwing soon, and if you somehow still have a DL spot open to play “stash” with…he’s a nice option. Before getting hurt he had put together a great stretch, striking out 50 in 35 1/3 innings with a 2.80 ERA (2.54 FIP, 2.19 xFIP) since making a mechanical adjustment in his windup. Don’t mind the 0-2 record in that stretch, he was on fire and shouldn’t be forgotten about.

Anthony DeSclafani (CIN, SP) – 29% Owned – Those who stuck with him through his first two starts, including a rough one in Atlanta, were rewarded on June 21 when he dominated the Rangers in Texas. He pitched seven innings of two-run ball, walking one and striking out six for his first victory of the season. The Rangers are certainly no rollover, and the one walk is particularly important after he had walked three in each of his first two starts. His improved control as the x-factor that led to his quietly impressive stretch towards the end of last season. He gets the Padres at home on June 26 before an away date with the Nationals on July 1, but after that he’ll face the Cubbies on the road. Prepare accordingly.

Kevin Gausman (BAL, SP) – 27% Owned – Gausman finally got his first win! All it took was throwing 7 2/3 scoreless innings (though there was that time he threw eight scoreless against the Yankees and still got the ND). His last few starts have been rough, but drawing @TOR, @BOS and @TEX starts will do that to a guy. His excellent control is always in play, and he’s usually good for about a strikeout per inning, meaning you can dial him in when he isn’t dealing with a treacherous matchup. Speaking of, his next start comes July 1 at Seattle before an away matchup with the Dodgers. Unfortunately he misses a two-game Petco series, which seems in line with his matchup luck thus far.

Cody Reed (CIN, SP) – 27% Owned – The good news is that Reed has struck out 15 in 12 innings through his first two starts. The bad news is that the big southpaw has also allowed 15 hits (three homers) and five walks in that same span. Some more good news? He’s dealing with a .400 BABIP and holds a 3.45 SIERA behind that 6.75 ERA (yes, very small sample size I know). His upside is worth speculating on in deeper leagues (certainly in keepers), though he faces the Cubs next on June 29 in a tough draw.

Jon Gray (COL, SP) – 26% Owned – Bloody hell. He was getting so close to that 40% owned mark with five straight quality starts before getting hit hard by the Yankees on June 22. He was lifted from that start with “arm fatigue”, which does offer some explanation as to his poor command. Not to make excuses for my obvious man-crush, as arm fatigue in and of itself is a serious issue (and apparently it’s been nagging him in his past few starts), but he’s still a beast when he’s on. Unfortunately, he draws a home start against the Blue Jays on June 27 next before a road series against the Dodgers.

Adam Conley (MIA, SP) – 22% Owned – Conley has a 2.59 ERA in the month of June, with a lovely .198 batting average against and 28 strikeouts through 31 1/3 innings. Some of that is luck of course, but he has still pitched well enough lately to deserve streaming consideration. He didn’t have to deal with the Cubs series, and will face the Tigers on the road on June 28 next.

Jake Peavy (SF, SP) – 21% Owned – Peavy last six starts have seen him post a 3-1 record alongside a 1.91 ERA, 2.34 FIP and 4.45 xFIP. The xFIP jump is due to his having allowed zero homers in that span, which certainly helps with the success he’s been having. He’s walked only seven in those 37 2/3 innings, with 27 strikeouts. His recent run has put him back on fantasy radars, and his next start @OAK on June 29 makes for a beautiful stream.

Archie Bradley (ARI, SP) – 19% Owned – He’s allowed only one earned run in his last two starts (@PHI, @COL), striking out 10 with six walks. The walks are an issue, as they always seem to be, but Arizona is allowing him to work through this at the Major League level. He still makes for a solid deep-league arm because of his strikeout potential, but he can really tank a WHIP if he’s off. His next start is nice though, coming at home against the Phillies on June 29.

Brandon Finnegan (CIN, SP) – 18% Owned – His 3.03 ERA in his last six starts entering Saturday’s outing may have inspired some owners to pick him up, along with the fact that he had a matchup against the Padres at home. His 4.27 FIP and 5.27 xFIP in that same stretch may have tempered the expectations though, but he still posted a quality start with eight strikeouts all the same. The strikeouts shouldn’t be relied on moving forward, and his next start comes against the Nationals on the road on June 30.

Lucas Giolito (WAS, SP) – 15% Owned – He had been doing well recently, but his latest start in June 22 saw him allow five runs on seven hits and four walks with only three whiffs in 4 2/3 innings. It makes for only his second start, out of 14, where he’s surrendered more than two earned runs in an outing, so he will hopefully bounce back in short order.

Daniel Mengden (OAK, SP) – 15% Owned – His 0-3 record speaks more about Oakland rather than Mengden as a pitcher. His 3.00 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 18 innings is a little closer, as his 11.5 percent swinging strike rate is lovely with a solid 3.54 SIERA behind it. He’ll face the Giants on the road next on June 27 before a home date with the Pirates on July 2.

Ervin Santana (MIN, SP) – 13% Owned – Santana made a little tweak in his mechanics and now he actually looks serviceable out there. He’s allowed only three earned runs over his last two starts, and his two walks on Saturday came after he hadn’t walked any in his prior three outings. He isn’t more than an AL-only or very deep mixed option, but his past two outings are intriguing enough. His next start is at home on July 1 against the Rangers, but after that he should draw the A’s at home in a plus matchup.

Tom Koehler (MIA, SP) – 12% Owned – Since May 7, Koehler has gone 4-3 with a 2.92 ERA in 10 starts. That’s pretty snappy, yes? Okay, so some reality is that his 4.82 BB/9 really hurts (though he’s only walked more than two once in his past five starts) and his FIP is 3.65 alongside a 4.34 xFIP in that stretch. Still, Koehler might not even draw a second look from most given his reputation, or lack thereof, as a middling option. He had a tough test against the Cubs on June 24, but now will face the Braves on the road on June 30 in a solid matchup.

Alex Cobb (TB, SP) – 12% Owned – He is ramping up his arm with several bullpen sessions, with his latest coming on Saturday. He hasn’t encountered any setbacks yet (knock on wood) and is poised to reenter the starting rotation in late July. His upside makes for a nice stash, and he could end up being a top-30 starter when he returns.

Jose Berrios (MIN, SP) – 11% Owned – Berrios’ last two starts have seen him strike out 16 in 14 innings, scattering five hits and five walks in the process. Unfortunately, his prior three starts saw him allow 14 runs in 19 2/3 innings (though he did fan 22). His strikeout potential has never been in question, but he still has to clean up some things before he’s back up I imagine. These past two outings are a good start.

Junior Guerra (MIL, SP) – 11% Owned – Pitching against Oakland, in Oakland, is usually a great prescription for pitching stats. He won his first game since May 19 this past week, throwing seven innings of two-run ball with eight strikeouts. He’ll face the Dodgers at home in a bit of a tough matchup, though four of his five home outings this season have resulted in quality outings (vs. SD, CHC, STL and NYM). Proceed with a bit of caution, but he’s a solid deep-league option here.

Tyler Anderson (COL, SP) – 10% Owned – Anderson has a 2.55 ERA, 1.60 FIP, 2.45 xFIP and 2.73 SIERA through his first three starts, striking out 18 in 17 2/3 innings. His 11.4 percent swinging strike rate backs up the whiffs, and he’s able to perform well despite a .346 BABIP thus far. Don’t read too much into his small sample size, but he’s done well in the Minors this season too as he works back from a missed 2015. His next start is a doozy though, at home against Toronto, so be careful. The hype train will be oh so real if he conquers the Blue Jays at Coors though, just letting you know.

Robbie Ray (ARI, SP) – 9% Owned – Ray has struck out 21 in his last 19 innings, posting a 2.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP alongside that (his last start was @TOR, and he did alright). His control is an issue (3.92 BB/9) but his 10.42 K/9 provides enough upside to make good matchups into streaming opportunities, plus he has only walked four in his last three starts. He gets the Phillies at home on June 27, so that’s a decent look after he beat them on June 17.

Matt Garza (MIL, SP) – 8% Owned – Garza looked solid in his first two starts, allowing one earned run over 10 innings with only one walk issued. His start on Saturday wasn’t as impressive (though he did get the win), allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks with only one strikeout in six innings against the Nationals. His 2.81 ERA and 3.07 FIP through three starts is worth noting in deep leagues, though his eight strikeouts in 16 innings illustrate his low ceiling. He’ll face the Cardinals on the road on July 1 before a rematch with the Nationals on July 6, making him a tough sell.

Alex Reyes (STL, SP) – 8% Owned – He continues to do battle with his control demons, as his last start on June 23 saw him allow five runs in five innings with four walks against only three strikeouts. He still has an insane 48 strikeouts in 31 innings, but he’s also walked nine in his last 14 1/3 innings. The Cardinals won’t rush him, but his upside is always worth noting. Boy, if that control ever gets under his belt, look out.

Tyler Wilson (BAL, SP) – 6% Owned – Wilson has looked sharp in his past two outings, notching quality starts in each with 10 strikeouts and two walks over 14 innings (including eight shutout innings against Boston at Fenway). While it’s doubtful this party runs all that long, it’s notable that his FIP through June has been 3.39 thus far, even if tough draws like @BOS and @TOR mixed in. He’ll face the Rays at home on June 26 before an away date with the Mariners on July 2.

Sean Manaea (OAK, SP) – 5% Owned – He’s set to be activated for a start on Wednesday at home against the Giants, making him a decent streamer due to the home park advantage.

Chad Kuhl (PIT, SP) – 3% Owned – Kuhl is more of a pitch-to-contact sinkerballer rather than a guy who will light up the fantasy scoreboard, but he does have a 2.58 ERA and 1.19 WHIP through 14 Triple-A starts this season. He’ll face the Dodgers at home on June 26, and would lineup for a juicy start in Oakland for his next start should he get another.

Bud Norris (ATL, SP) – 3% Owned – In four starts since rejoining the Braves rotation on June 4, he has struck out 21 in 22 1/3 innings with a 2.82 ERA (2.33 FIP, 3.14 xFIP). That’s quite nice, with it also being notable that he hasn’t given up a homer in that stretch. He’s only topped six innings once there, so quality start hunters may want to turn elsewhere, but do note his recent run. He’ll take on a strapped Mets lineup at home on June 26 before a home draw against the Marlins on July 1.

Homer Bailey (CIN, SP) – 2% Owned ­– If you want give this another shot, he’s all set to resume his rehab assignment with a two-inning stint at Triple-A on June 27.

Mike Foltynewicz (ATL, SP) – 2% Owned – He is set to make a rehab start today at Triple-A Gwinnett and will hopefully come out of this feeling good. He had great games in four of his last five starts before getting injured, going 2-1 with three quality starts and allowing four earned runs in 26 2/3 innings in those four starts (as we cough loudly at a five-run, three-inning hiccup against Pittsburgh).

Jorge De La Rosa (COL, SP) – 3% Owned – Since returning to the rotation on June 14, DLR has gone 3-0 with only four earned runs across 17 innings. His last relief appearance before that? He posted four perfect innings against the Pirates at home. His mechanical adjustment where he scrapped a hesitation in his windup appears to be doing him well. He’ll face the Dodgers in LA on July 1 next, making for a tricky but not unbearable matchup.

Miguel Gonzalez (CWS, SP) – 2% Owned – Yes, he got shelled by Toronto. If you started him against Toronto then there are bigger issues at hand. He’s been solid for the South Siders, posting a 3.80 ERA in his prior nine starts, and nothing more should be expected from a guy who was cast off by Baltimore before the season started and signed to a Minor League deal by Chicago. His next start will come on July 1 on the road against the Astros before a home tilt against the Yankees.

John Gant (ATL, SP) – 1% Owned – He does have a 3.24 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 15 strikeouts in his last 16 2/3 innings, but gets a tough draw at home against Cleveland next on June 27.

Brandon McCarthy (LAD, SP) – 1% Owned – Pitched 3 2/3 innings in his most recent rehab start, and could be back in the Majors quite soon (possibly before the AS Break, according to manager Dave Roberts).

Zach Eflin (PHI, SP) – 1% Owned – Low Ks, but he can be a decent deep-league streamer all the same. He’ll travel to Arizona to face the D-backs on June 29 in his next outing, which I would not want to venture towards.

Wade LeBlanc (SEA, SP) – 0% Owned – No, you didn’t hit your head and somehow wake up in 2012. LeBlanc pitched six shutout innings on Friday night, against the Cardinals no less. Seattle’s rotation is pretty dinged up, so he may get another turn here against the Orioles at home, but don’t expect him to stick around for long as Wade Miley, Taijuan Walker and Felix Hernandez are all returning shortly (well, the first two at least).

 

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