Seth Lugo (SP, NYM) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 37% of Fleaflicker Leagues

EXPERT ANALYSIS: Few would have expected Seth Lugo to be an important part of the Mets rotation in September, but he is filling the role Steven Matz was expected to hold at this juncture. Lugo has been more than just a pleasant surprise, posting a 2.38 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over 41.2 IP in his rookie season thus far. His ratios as a starter are comparable to his time as a reliever earlier in the year, but his K/9 has dropped a bit to 5.8. His minor league strikeout rate in five seasons was 8.7 K/9, so the Ks will come in time. Lugo is currently holding hitters to a .248 BABIP, which could see a regression. Then again, if you can get two or three more quality starts out of him that's all you need at this point. Lugo could see the Braves and Twins in the coming week, which sounded like must-start matchups in the first half of the year. Both teams have caught fire offensively in the second half, so tread carefully if you are going to utilize Lugo for head-to-head contests.