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Playing in weekly head-to-head category leagues requires a different strategy than other formats. Depending on your league size, you can tip the balance of your lineup week after week by making shrewd pickups off the waiver wire. In some leagues, a difference of one or two, say, steals can win the category for the week.
Here are some great Week 4 waiver wire targets for weekly head-to-head category leagues. I’ll try to highlight some players that could be available in shallow leagues, and not the obvious guys that are already taken.
Let's get to it.
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Category Pickups for Head-to-Head Leagues
RBI - Domingo Santana (OF, MIL)
The Brewers face two young Cincinnati pitchers (Amir Garrett and Tim Adleman) and Scott Feldman in Milwaukee next week. With human wrecking balls Ryan Braun, Travis Shaw and Eric Thames hitting in front of him, expect Santana to knock in those guys a few times.
Home Runs - Ender Inciarte (OF, ATL)
The Braves visit Miller Park at the back end of the week, and lefties can easily hit balls that leave the yard. Inciarte’s been swinging the hot bat of late. He’s not known for hitting home runs, as evidenced by his three all last season. But this season...he already has four. Bombs away?
SB - Cesar Hernandez (2B, PHI)
Dee Gordon should steal a few against Cameron Rupp (PHI) and Rocco Cervelli (PIT), two of the worst catchers to throw out baserunners. But Gordon is unlikely to be available in your league. So go with Hernandez, who faces Realmuto in Miami to start the week.
OBP - Adam Frazier (UTIL, PIT)
One of the few bright spots of the Pirates season so far has been Frazier, who gets on base because he’s in there every day. Clint Hurdle loves Frazier's positional flexibility. With Starling Marte now gone for half the season, look for Frazier to settle in at the top of the order.
K - Amir Garrett (SP, CIN)
Here’s the flip side to my Santana suggestion from before. Lefty Amir Garrett will face the Brewers, who are one of the biggest K-producing teams this season. He then faces the Cardinals, who don’t strike out as much, but couldn’t muster more than two hits in Garrett’s professional debut. He’s become more confident in his abilities since then and so should you.
QS - Martin Perez (SP, TEX)
It’s hard to find two-start pitchers who won’t already be taken, so let’s go off the beaten path. Let’s pick Perez. He faces the A’s in Oakland (which suppresses runs) in his first start. Then he faces the Twins…who are the Twins. He’s a workhorse who doesn’t get much love. But his lackluster opponents are exactly why you should roll the dice on Perez.
Saves - Justin Wilson (RP, DET)
On the matter of Francisco Rodriguez, the writing was on the wall last year with his diminished velocity (to say nothing about his meltdown earlier this week). Simply put, K-Rod is no longer the feared closer he once was. Look for Justin Wilson to step into the role for the Tigers and hold it until Joe Jimenez is deemed ready.
Holds - Addison Reed (RP, NYM)
Jeurys Familia is back from his domestic violence suspension and will regain his spot as the Mets closer. Reed, who has done an admirable job in his few chances, will slide back into his set-up role. With match-ups against the Braves and Nationals, Reed will likely provide holds when the contests inevitably go down to the wire.
Innings Pitched - Jason Vargas (SP, KC)
You should be picking up Vargas anyway given his results through three starts. Though he's missed years in his career to injuries, he's been nothing but a durable workhorse and K machine for the Royals in 2017. That won't last, but savvy scavenger players should ride him until the wheels fall off.
