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To help you dominate all of your 2017 fantasy baseball leagues, below are some 2017 fantasy baseball starting pitcher (SP) sleepers & waiver wire pickups to consider adding to your fantasy baseball teams.
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2017 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds by MLB Position
ALL - C - 1B - 2B - SS - 3B - OF - SP - RP
Jordan Montgomery (SP, NYY) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 51% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Jordan Montgomery has been consistently effective this season, something unusual for a rookie starter. While he isn't the front-end rotation presence the Yankees need, he can give fantasy owners back-end stability in their rotations. Montgomery has a 3.53 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 8.7 K/9 in 14 starts thus far. Most of his numbers are only slightly better than league average, but he ranks ninth in the AL with a 129 Adjusted ERA+ and 10th with a 3.83...continue reading
Zack Godley (SP, ARI) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 63% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Zack Godley will try to continue his surprising run this season when he takes on the Cardinals on Wednesday. Godley turned in an ugly 2016, posting a 6.39 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 1.57 HR/9. This year he is pitching more like he did in 2015 over a similar sample size. Godley has a 2.53 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in nine starts this season, but many are waiting for the other shoe to drop, due to some suspect peripherals....continue reading
Mike Fiers (SP, HOU) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 41% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Houston Astros pitcher Mike Fiers allowed only one run and three hits in six innings en route to his fifth win of the season Wednesday night. Fiers is 3-0 in his last four starts with a 1.42 ERA and only 17 hits allowed in 25 innings pitched. The biggest key for Fiers has been his ability to cut down on giving up the long-ball. Fiers has not allowed a home run since May 25th, spanning five starts and...continue reading
Dan Straily (SP, MIA) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 58% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Miami Marlins starter Dan Straily continued his impressive season with a solid performance against the Nationals on Wednesday and now has a 3.43 ERA this season. In six innings of work against the fiery Nats, Straily surrendered just one run off three hits while striking out six. Straily has allowed one run or fewer in three of his last five starts, making him Miami's best starter. Opponents are hitting him for a .212 average this year, and his...continue reading
Mike Montgomery (RP/SP, CHC) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 28% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Chicago Cubs starting pitcher/reliever Mike Montgomery has found a spot in the Cubs' rotation for the time being and is putting up some of the best statistics of his career. Montgomery has a 2.26 ERA over 21 games (three starts) this season and has allowed four runs in 15 innings while replacing the injured Kyle Hendricks. While Montgomery only pitched nine innings in his first two starts, he just pitched six scoreeless innings against...continue reading
Brad Peacock (SP, HOU) - Waiver Wire Pickups
Owned in: 40% of Fleaflicker Leagues Baller Move: Add in 12+ Team Leagues Analysis: Before the 2017 season, 29-year old Brad Peacock held a 4.57 ERA and 7.9 K/9 for his five year career. This season, his fifth in Houston, he has exploded for an ERA of 2.82 and K/9 of 13.3, both of which are looking to be the products of legitimate high level performance. Peacock doesn't have the required amount of starts to currently qualify for the leaderboard, but his FIP of 2.21 would currently rank...continue reading
Ariel Miranda (SP, SEA) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 51% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Seattle Mariners pitcher Ariel Miranda broke onto the scene with a 3.54 ERA in 10 starts with the Mariners last season and has been a solid part of Seattle's team this season. His ERA jumped to 4.17 after allowing six runs in four innings against the Twins on June 15, but, prior to that start, he had not allowed more than two runs in a start for six consecutive starts. In fact, in 10 of his 14...continue reading
Jordan Montgomery (SP, NYY) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 41% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: New York Yankees pitcher Jordan Montgomery had allowed two runs or fewer in four consecutive starts coming into June 15 start against the Athletics and, even though he allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings in Oakland, is still a good addition to fantasy rosters. Montgomery has struck out at least five batters in five consecutive starts (striking out 66 in 69 innings this season) and has held batters to a .236 batting average in his rookie...continue reading
Brandon McCarthy (SP, LAD) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 55% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brandon McCarthy has allowed no more than two earned runs in each of his last five starts and is one of the top waiver adds. McCarthy has seen his ERA drop to 3.14 over his hot streak and, even though he has lost each of his last two decisions, he now has a 1.10 WHIP this season. He has also allowed three hits or less in four of his last five starts, seeing his batting average...continue reading
Jimmy Nelson - (SP, MIL) – Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 54% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Jimmy Nelson is on track to post a career best season across nearly every fantasy category, yet has not received much attention from the fantasy community. According to the ESPN Player Rater, he is the 48th best starting pitcher this season, held back by his wins and WHIP. However, given the current pitching landscape, he is a viable streamer in most formats and a must-add in deeper mixed or N.L. only leagues. While Nelson’s velocity has remained similar...continue reading
Brad Peacock (RP/SP, HOU) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 58% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Brad Peacock continues to impress in his return to the rotation this season. What was supposed to be a temporary stay could turn into a permanent one if he keeps up his current ratios. Peacock is posting a 3.15 ERA, supported by a 3.38 SIERA. He's also inducing soft contact 25% of the time and striking out 33.6% of the batters he faces. Thanks to a superior slider that he throws one-third of the time, he is inducing a...continue reading
Chase Anderson (SP, MIL) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 10- and 12-Team Leagues OWNED IN: 53% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: Chase Anderson has spun three consecutive gems, tossing 21.2 scoreless innings with 22 strikeouts over that span. He is inducing weaker contact than ever before, and has posted a 21.8 percent strikeout rate and a 6.4 HR/FB— both career highs. The 29-year-old has been particularly dominant at home (1.69), and his road numbers are inflated by one dreadful performance against the Cubs in May. A 4.31 xFIP indicates there may be some regression in Anderson’s future,...continue reading
Junior Guerra (SP, MIL) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 33% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Junior Guerra has now made two starts since returning from the disabled list and has allowed one run in 11 2/3 innings, seeing his ERA drop to 1.84 for the season. The Brewers' Opening Day starter had a 2.81 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 121 2/3 innings last season, so this hot start is not a shock. He missed a month and a half with a calf injury after allowing two runs in three...continue reading
Dinelson Lamet (SP, SD) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 28% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: San Diego Padres pitcher Dinelson Lamet has won each of his two major league starts, striking out 16 batters over 10 innings against the Mets and Cubs. He has allowed two home runs in his 10 MLB innings, but his 2.70 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, including only three walks, show that he is ready for the big leagues. While it is over a small sample size, 36.4% hard hit ball is not good, but his 13.6%...continue reading
CC Sabathia (SP, NYY) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 27% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia has turned around his season in a big way over his last three starts, firing four quality starts and winning each game. In his last four starts, Sabathia has tossed 24 1/3 innings, pitching to a 1.48 ERA while striking out 28 and walking just six. The performance improves his record to 6-2 while his ERA for the year is down to 4.12. While he is on a hot streak, fantasy...continue reading
J.C. Ramirez (SP, LAA) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 47% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: J.C. Ramirez got roughed up in his most recent outing against the Twins, allowing seven earned runs over 4 1/3 innings. However, prior to that, he had a run of five straight outings in which he pitched six or more innings and allowed two runs or less in four of those starts. As a result, his ERA as a starter is at 4.01 even with a few blowup outings mixed in. Ramirez has a concerning combination in his profile of low...continue reading
Dan Straily (SP, MIA) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 28% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Miami Marlins starter Dan Straily is proving that last year's performance was no fluke. The journeyman earned back-to-back wins this past week and has allowed a total of seven earned runs in his last four starts. Most importantly, he is one of the biggest strikeout risers of the week with 14 punchouts in the last two games. Straily lowered his ERA to 3.38 with a 1.07 WHIP, making him worthy of a rotation spot in mixed...continue reading
Matt Andriese (SP, TB) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 32% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Matt Andriese has a 2.89 ERA over the last 30 days, posting 8.20 strikeouts per nine, and now is a viable fantasy option. Andriese saw his ERA dip to 3.24 for the season after his last start against the Angels, while his WHIP dropped to 1.27. This was the fourth straight decision that Andriese (5-1) has won, and he now has five quality starts in his 10 starts this season. A...continue reading
Sean Manaea (SP, OAK) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 54% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sean Manaea is 3-3 on the year with a 4.35, but his 1.11 WHIP and 45 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings tell another story. Manaea's walk rate was 4.46 per nine coming into Friday's dominant start against the Yankees, showing that his low WHIP is particularly impressive. He has allowed only 13.5% line drives this season his hard hit ball percentage has dipped from 33.6% in 2016 to 32.4% this season. Fantasy owners also...continue reading
Zack Godley (SP, ARI) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 37% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Godley originally made it to the big leagues in late 2015 for a short stretch in which he looked like a pretty good pitcher. He went 5-1 with a 3.19 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through six starts, and it seemed like the jump from Double-A to the bigs might not be too much of a problem for him. He started 2016 in the minors again, bouncing from Double-A to Triple-A in short order. In Triple-A, Godley...continue reading
Drew Pomeranz (SP, BOS) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 49% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: It’s easy to overlook Drew Pomeranz due to his 4.70 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. However, he has already tallied four wins and has struck out 56 batters in just 44 innings, making him worth a deeper look. In order to improve his ratios and become a must-start option, Pomeranz must improve his walk rate and his ability to keep the ball in the park. Control has always been a struggle for him, as he has consistently posted a...continue reading
Matt Shoemaker (SP, LAA) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 55% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: On the surface, Shoemaker is pitching like a replacement-level starter. A 3.97 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 2.39 K/BB and remarkably mediocre. These ratios aren't too off last year either (3.88 ERA, 1.23 WHIP), but the control is not the same (4.77 K/BB). The difference is that Shoemaker is walking 9.8% of batters, more than double last year's total. He's also allowing 1.59 HR/9 with a 38.3% hard contact rate that is the highest of his career. This may be enough to scare...continue reading
Zack Godley (SP, ARI) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 29% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zach Godley has a sharp seasonal line (2.45 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 20 K in 25 2/3 innings) over his first four Major League starts of 2017 to match his 24 innings of work at Triple-A (2.25 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 23 K’s) prior to the promotion. He’s missing bats at an elite rate (15.2 percent) but he’s also riding an unsustainable .186 BABIP while walking a few too many hitters (3.5 BB/9) for anyone’s liking. Godley pitched against the...continue reading
Zack Wheeler (SP, NYM) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12- and 14-Team Leagues OWNED IN: 36% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: Zack Wheeler took a two-season hiatus following 2015 Tommy John surgery, but is finally back on the mound for the Mets, and has actually been one of their more reliable starters. Through eight starts, the 26-year-old righty owns a 3.74 ERA, a 21.7 percent strikeout rate and a 10.9 percent walk rate. He has fallen victim to the long ball a bit (14.7 percent HR/FB), but has limited opposing batters to just a .222 average. Wheelers’s...continue reading
Nate Karns (SP/RP, KC) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 39% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: While Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Nate Karns has yet to break double-digit wins in his career, his 10.71 strikeouts per nine this season (40 1/3 innings) just builds on his high strikeout profile. Karns struck out 9.64 batters per nine in 94 1/3 innings last season for Seattle and has struck out 9.4 / 9 IP in 305 2/3 career MLB innings. With strikeout numbers like that, Karns should be owned in fantasy leagues, but...continue reading
Charlie Morton (SP, HOU) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 56% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: It is rare that a pitcher finds velocity as a 32-year-old, but that is what happened last season for the then-Philadelphia Phillie Charlie Morton and the starting pitcher has brought those gains to the Houston Astros this season. Morton has struck out 10.72 batters per nine in 45 1/3 innings this season, posting a 3.97 ERA and 1.37 WHIP to go along with his 5-2 record. Even better for those looking at Morton, his FIP sits...continue reading
Sean Manaea (SP, OAK) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 56% Yahoo ANALYSIS: At first blush, it may seem strange to recommend a guy with a 5.52 ERA who just returned from the disabled list as an add in all formats. But with approximately three million pitchers injured right now, the wire is pretty thin these days. In any case, there's plenty to like about Sean Manaea. Let's start with the fact that only five starters in MLB have a higher swinging strike rate, while only three starters have induced a higher rate of...continue reading
Nate Karns (SP, KC) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 14% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Look past Nate Karns’ 4.58 ERA and you'll realize that he’s got a 1.22 WHIP with over a strikeout per inning (36 in 35 1/3 IP, including 17 in his last 12 1/3 IP) and gets a rather K-happy team in the Orioles (21.8 percent as a team) next. Karns and his 3.56 SIERA is worth some attention, but just be sure he’s maintaining his solid control. Also, keep an eye on his ground-ball rate...continue reading
Zack Wheeler (SP, NYM) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 25% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: It's fair to be skeptical of any Mets pitcher nowadays, but so far so good for Zack Wheeler this season. Wheeler hadn't pitched in the majors for two whole seasons until coming back in 2017. While it hasn't been perfect, there are some encouraging signs in his return from arm troubles. Wheeler currently sports a 4.18 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across six starts. His strikeout numbers are just league-average while his 3.9% BB% is slightly higher. The...continue reading
Charlie Morton (SP, HOU) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 38% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: A boost in velocity at the end of 2016 has seen Charlie Morton become one of the breakout strikeout pitchers in baseball, posting a 9.98 strikeout per nine mark in 39 2/3 innings. Morton struck out 19 batters in 17 1/3 innings with the Phillies this season, but has been even better this year, adding a 3.63 ERA to those high strikeout totals. He does have an elevated 1.36 WHIP this season, mainly because of his...continue reading
Trevor Cahill (SP, SD) - Waiver Wire Pickups
OWNED IN: 52% Fleaflicker BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ANALYSIS: Fantasy owners have been resistant to buying into Cahill’s hot start as the right-handed starter is just 52% owned despite having very impressive numbers. Cahill has done a very good job of limiting home runs, he has allowed just .51 HR/9 to this point, thanks to a high groundball and strikeout rate. The high groundball rate is nothing new or unexpected as he has a groundball rate at 55% for his career. His strikeout rate is quite different, however, as his 30%...continue reading
Jose Berrios (SP, MIN) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 23% Yahoo ANALYSIS: Fantasy owners are unlikely to have forgotten how poorly Jose Berrios performed as a rookie. The 22-year-old posted ghastly ratios (8.02 ERA, 1.87 WHIP) over 14 starts, in which he averaged just over four innings per. Berrios struggled in all facets of the game; he had serious issues finding the strike zone, and when he did, hitters teed off. As debuts go, there have been few worse. However, Berrios clearly has nothing left to prove in the minors, as he's...continue reading
Patrick Corbin (SP, ARI) – Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 39% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Like many pitchers, Corbin didn’t enjoy his start at Coors Field on Saturday night, which inflated his ERA to 3.89 and WHIP to 1.40. Putting those numbers aside is important, however, as Corbin is currently posting a career-best 11.5% swinging strike rate, leaving upside for Corbin to boost his strikeout numbers as the season wears on. Likewise, his first pitch strike rate is also a career best, meaning he has been able to put the ball where he wants it....continue reading
Zack Wheeler (SP, NYM) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 21% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Zack Wheeler has struck out nearly a batter per inning (25 in 26 1/3 innings), but has yet to register a quality start in his five starts of 2017 and has a 4.78 ERA this season. An issue of late for Wheeler has been walks, he has walked multiple batters in each of his last three starts, but his 64% strand rate shows that he has been a bit unlucky, particularly with a 51% ground ball...continue reading
Brandon McCarthy (SP, LAD) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 59% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Brandon McCarthy has shown up on the waiver wire blog previously, but a poor start against the Phillies where he allowed four runs in five innings could make him less desirable to fantasy owners. While McCarthy has allowed a home run in back-to-back starts and has walked a batter in every start, McCarthy has a strong 3.10 ERA and 1.21 WHIP this season. Those looking to buy McCarthy do need to realize that he only has...continue reading
Week 5 Waiver Wire - Starting Pitchers
What a nutty April, eh? With a month of the 2017 baseball season in the books, we’ve got some real evaluating to do moving ahead. Are you one of those teams just hit with awful luck, skills- and health-wise? Or are you riding unsustainable starts to a hubris-loaded, early-season lead? Either way, staying abreast of the waiver wire is always a good idea, so let’s check out some starting pitchers that can be had in most leagues. For our purposes, we’re going to use Yahoo ownership levels and try to cut...continue reading
Dan Straily (SP, MIA) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 19% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The 2016 season was a huge revival season for Dan Straily. In 2015, he pitched mostly in the minors with the Astros, and knew a change needed to be made. In his first and only season with the Reds he threw 191 1/3 innings over 34 appearances (31 starts), with a 3.92 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. He won 14 games, and notched 20 quality starts which placed him in the top-20 among all starters. He picked up right where he...continue reading
Zack Wheeler (SP, NYM) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 21% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Zack Wheeler continues to be close but not quite there in his return from Tommy John. He faced the Nationals twice in the last eight days, giving up five runs over 11 2/3 innings, a victory with the way the Nats offense is going right now. He did not get a win in either, though, and did not make it out of the fifth in the latter start. He is getting closer though.
Matt Shoemaker (SP, LAA) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 59% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim starting pitcher Matt Shoemaker earned a win Wednesday, his first since his scary head injury last September. He went five innings and gave up two runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts. He was lifted after 100 pitches in just five innings, but otherwise had a very solid night. Shoemaker has given up exactly two earned runs in four of his five starts this year, but has only made it through...continue reading
Brandon McCarthy (SP, LAD) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 60% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Brandon McCarthy has never really put together a full season of excellence. He posted a league-best 2.86 FIP in 2011, making 25 starts, and a 2.89 ERA in 2014, in just 14 starts for the Yankees. So far in 2017, he seems to have put it all together for the Dodgers. McCarthy is 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA in four starts, posting a 47.5% ground ball rate and a very nice 3.26 FIP and 8.25 K/9. While...continue reading
Chase Anderson (SP, MIL) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 58% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Coming into the season with a 4.26 ERA and 24-24 record in 418 2/3 career innings, Chase Anderson was not expected to return any value, in any type of league. He opened the season with four straight starts allowing two runs or fewer. He hit is first hiccup in Friday's start against Atlanta, allowing four runs, walking three and striking out just two. His ERA still sits at 2.10 and he has thrown 64% strikes this season. A...continue reading
Lance Lynn (SP, STL) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 58%of Leagues ANALYSIS: While new flashy players are nice, sometimes you need to revert to a former workhorse to find value; this is where Lance Lynn comes in. Lynn missed the entire 2016 season, but had a 2.87 ERA from 2014-2015 and was famous for high workloads and wins. Lynn has allowed one run or fewer in three consecutive starts, seeing his ERA dip to 2.45 in 29 1/3 innings this season. The Cardinals have struggled a bit to open the season, but...continue reading
Digging Deeper: Week 4 AL Waiver Wire Targets
Welcome back to Digging Deeper! I'll be taking a look at some deeper AL waiver wire options for Week 4 of the fantasy baseball season. As we round up the first month of the season, we are beginning to see which small sample sizes are real, and which players will bounce back from rough starts. Take a look at your waiver wire to see if any of the latter players are available. If your leaguemates cut bait too soon, you can capitalize on a rebound in May and beyond. Along with the normal...continue reading
Digging Deeper: Week 4 NL Waiver Wire Targets
Welcome back to our Week 4 edition of Digging Deeper, our weekly column where we will focus on deep league waiver wire options. My counterpart Tom Bellucco will be handling the American League while I focus on the National League. For those that have played in limited size leagues, you are well aware that at-bats and innings are the precious commodities. You are not going to find a top-100 player on the wire at any point this season. In fact, top-150 is a stretch. And as the year goes on, the options are going to...continue reading
Week 4 Waiver Wire - Starting Pitchers
It’s been quite the wild ride through the first three weeks of the 2017 season. While we don’t want to be overreacting here, it’s never a bad time to check up on the waiver wire and see which under-owned arms might be available to help your squad. For our purposes, we’re going to use Yahoo ownership levels and try to cut things off around 35%. Data accurate as of April 25. Let's get to it. Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Targets Robert Gsellman - (NYM, SP): 26% owned Gsellman will be skipped in...continue reading
Francisco Liriano (SP, TOR) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 47% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: One of the most unpredictable pitchers in the league, Liriano is often feast-or-famine. He had the most forgettable first start of the season among all pitchers when he couldn't last more than one-third of an inning against the Rays while giving up five runs. He then proceeded to whiff 10 Orioles in his next start and blank the Red Sox for 5 1/3 after that. While Liriano's ratios still aren't pretty, his 4.08 xFIP isn't too bad and his 9.7 K/9...continue reading
Chris Devenski (SP/RP, HOU) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 10- and 12-Team Leagues OWNED IN: 60% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: Chris Devenski burst onto the scene last season as a 26-year-old right-hander split between the starting rotation and the bullpen. He posted a 2.16 ERA, a 0.91 WHIP and a 5.20 K/BB rate that was fourth in all of baseball (min. 100 IP), and has somehow improved upon those numbers in 2017— 1.35 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 25.00 K/BB rate. Obviously that stat line will not hold up over the course of a season, but Devenski has...continue reading
Lance Lynn (SP, STL) – Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 41% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Lynn is ramping back up after missing last season due to Tommy John surgery, and while his first few starts weren’t disastrous, he showed clear signs of rust. The good news is that Lynn has improved in his past two starts, pitching deeper into games, striking out more batters, and generating more groundball outs. In his first two starts, Lynn induced 18 swinging strikes and struck out eight batters. In his most recent two starts, he has induced 29 swinging strikes...continue reading
Antonio Senzatela (SP, COL) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team, NL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 14% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: A pair of rookies dispelled the myth last year that you can't start Rockies pitchers at Coors. This season it has been another unexpected rookie who is continuing the trend. Antonio Senzatela was a surprise addition to the rotation late in the spring, having never seen Triple-A ball, but he has been untouchable in his first three starts. He started with five scoreless innings against Milwaukee and then passed his first home test by tossing seven innings...continue reading
Lance Lynn (SP, STL) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 50% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Lance Lynn missed the entire 2016 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he’s a full 18 months removed from the procedure. He certainly didn’t look rusty in his first start this year, pitching 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball against the defending champion Cubs. Lynn owns a career 3.37 ERA and 8.7 K/9, and has averaged 15 wins in his four full MLB seasons as a starter. While he's never been an asset in terms of...continue reading
