Felix Pena (SP, LAA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 12% of leagues ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Felix Pena burned some of you (...us) by getting hit for six runs over four innings in Oakland on the 19th, but he rebounded with a quality start against Texas at home and will get to redeem himself against an A’s squad that may be looking over the Angels at their Wild Card matchup come Sept. 30. He has a 3.49 ERA/3.44 FIP/3.73 xFIP with a 45/11 K/BB ratio over his...continue reading

Zach Davies (MIL - SP) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 15% of leagues ANALYSIS: Some of you simply need wins, and while Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Zach Davies has taken two straight losses at the hands of the Pirates, he and the Brewers take on the Tigers at home on Sept. 28 in their quest for the NL Central title. Davies has maxed out at five innings since returning to action earlier this month but has a 3.32 ERA/1.11 WHIP with 15 strikeouts in those 19 innings. In other words, perfectly...continue reading

Trevor Richards (SP, MIA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 5% of leagues ANALYSIS: Miami Marlins starting pitcher Trevor Richards will face the Mets in New York for his final performance of the 2018 season, and while the Mets have shown more life in the second half, they’re still batting .228 as a team with an above-average 22.8% strikeout rate over the last two weeks. Richards hasn’t been the sharpest with command in September, but his latest trip to the rubber saw him dominate Cincinnati with nine strikeouts over seven shutout...continue reading

Antonio Senzatela (SP, COL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 5% of leagues ANALYSIS: Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela is another doozy for the SP/RP crowd, as the young Rockie will face the Phillies on Sept. 27 as Colorado fights for its playoff life. He’s won his past two starts with two combined runs allowed over 12 innings, though they were both away from Coors Field. However, the Phillies’ collective 23.4% strikeout rate and .218 batting average over the past 14 days are worse than the Mets if you need...continue reading

Cody Reed (CIN, SP/RP) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 16% of leagues ANALYSIS: Those of you who specifically like getting SP/RP eligible starters to shoehorn into your lineup should be all over Cincinnati Reds pitcher Cody Reed, who faces the Royals at home as he looks for his third straight strong outing. Reed struck out 10 Cubs over five shutout innings on Sept. 15 before holding the Marlins scoreless over six frames on the 20th, as the 25-year-old Red may just have figured something out down the stretch.

Thomas Pannone (TOR, SP) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 9% of leagues ANALYSIS: Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Thomas Pannone is now 4-1 with four quality starts in five starts for Toronto in ‘18, with a particularly impressive stretch of limiting the Indians, Yankees and Rays to just two runs each in recent weeks. It’d be nice if he could face someone other than the Rays for his final start considering they’re a top-five offense in the last 14 days. No matter the issues, Pannone has dialed up a spectacular...continue reading

Nathan Eovaldi (SP, BOS) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 30% of leagues ANALYSIS:  Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi shut down the Yankees on Sept. 18 with six scoreless frames and then followed that up with a season-high 10 strikeouts over five innings of one-run ball against the Orioles. Unfortunately, he has to do battle with the Yanks once again in his final start of the regular season on Sept. 30, but at least he’s shown the ability to handle his former team. Plus, 23 strikeouts in 18 September...continue reading

Ryan Borucki (SP, TOR) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 26% of leagues ANALYSIS: Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ryan Borucki now has four consecutive quality starts and has collected a QS in 11 of his 16 Major League outings so far. I'd have preferred he didn't force himself to work around four walks in his latest appearance against Tampa Bay, but he struck out seven for the second straight time and has yielded just four hits apiece in each of his last four times on the bump. It's never ideal...continue reading

Adam Wainwright (SP, STL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 23% of leagues ANALYSIS: St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright will face the Cubs in Wrigley on Sept. 28 for his last start of the regular season. Scoreboard-watchers won’t feel as confidently about him as those who saw his start against the Giants, as he was solid through six innings before a string of four singles bounced him in the seventh and inflated his numbers. He'd walked none and scattered four hits through six frames, so let's hope he either...continue reading

Wade LeBlanc (SP, SEA) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Brady Grove - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 32% of leagues ANALYSIS: In a season that has seemed chock-full of 34-year-old pitchers producing resurgent seasons out of the blue, ten-year MLB veteran Wade LeBlanc has been an extremely pleasant surprise for the Seattle Mariners during the 2018 campaign. In 152 IP this year (25 GS out of 30 appearances) LeBlanc has a 3.49 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, though "Frenchy" has been absolutely infuego over his last four starts with a 1.16 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 23.1 IP. He has...continue reading

Framber Valdez (SP, HOU) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Adam Meyer - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 12% of leagues ANALYSIS: Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez has struck out 14 batters in the past 19 1/3 innings, all while allowing five total earned runs. The young lefty will get two more turns in the Astros rotation to end the regular season.

Both starts are on the road against AL East foes, first facing the Blue Jays and then the Orioles. Baltimore is 30th in team wOBA (.276) against southpaws and Toronto is 22nd in

Matt Harvey (SP, CIN) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Adam Meyer - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 18% of leagues ANALYSIS: Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Matt Harvey hates facing the Brewers. They have been on the schedule twice in the past five outings and each one has ended poorly for Harvey. He has thrown a combined 9 1/3 IP with 12 ER allowed. Thankfully, Milwaukee is not on the menu this week.

Instead, he gets home starts against Kansas City and Pittsburgh to close the 2018 seasons. Both teams are in the bottom 11 in

Austin Gomber (SP, STL) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Adam Meyer - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 21% of leagues ANALYSIS: St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Austin Gomber has been a solid addition to the Cardinals rotation for a majority of the season. Remove one bad game against the Dodgers (3 IP, 7 ER, and 3 K) and you have a solid pitcher. Gomber has allowed two earned runs, or less, in seven of the last 10 appearances and punched out at least five batters in five of the last nine games.

This week, Gomber

Derek Holland (SP, SF) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Adam Meyer - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 31% of leagues ANALYSIS: If you are looking for strikeouts, then San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Derek Holland is your guy. He has struck out about a batter per inning this season and that trend will likely extend through this week.

He will face the Padres and Dodgers in San Francisco this week. This season, he has pitched 19 2/3 innings against the Padres with 19 strikeouts and 18 innings against the Dodgers with 21 strikeouts. However, his 3.57

Jake Odorizzi (SP, MIN) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Adam Meyer - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 40% of leagues ANALYSIS: Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi has been solid as of late and his matchups this week will help fantasy owners. He is a two start pitcher this week, making both of his starts at home.

Odorizzi face the Tigers and White Sox this week. In 2018, Odorizzi is 1-0 with a 4.41 ERA in three outings against Detroit. On the bright side, he has struck out 17 Tigers in 16 1/3 innings of work

Chase Anderson (SP, MIL) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Adam Meyer - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 49% of leagues ANALYSIS: Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Chase Anderson continues to be under-owned in fantasy baseball. Let’s all do this man a favor and make him 100% owned in fantasy leagues for the final week of the season. He’s allowed two earned runs, or less, in six of the last 10 performances.

Anderson has punched out at least five batters in four games during that span and will face the Cardinals in St. Louis and Tigers in Milwaukee. The

Reynaldo Lopez (SP, CHW) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Kyle Bishop - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 43% of leagues ANALYSIS: I've spent most of the year warning fantasy owners against relying on Reynaldo Lopez. His early-season success did not reflect his peripherals and it was clear that a correction was imminent. That correction arrived near the end of the first half, as Lopez allowed at least four runs in seven of 11 starts between June 20 and August 19. Since that stretch, however, Lopez has allowed just four runs total in five starts totaling 32 2/3 innings...continue reading

Ivan Nova (SP, PIT) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Chris Zolli - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 26% of leagues ANALYSIS: Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova has allowed one run or fewer in each of his last three starts and has allowed two or fewer in five of his last six starts as well. While a 4 1/3 inning, like his last start against the Brewers, does not constitute a quality start, Nova was still able to see his seasonal ERA drop to 4.01. Since the All-Star game, Nova is 4-3 with a 3.31 ERA and...continue reading

Steven Matz (SP, NYM) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Chris Zolli - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 32% of leagues ANALYSIS: New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz has allowed two runs or fewer in five of his last six starts, pitching into the seventh inning in three of those six starts. Matz has a 4.03 ERA this season, which is not supported by his 4.68 FIP, but has struck out 140 batters in 145 innings. Over the last month, Matz has struck out 39 batters in 35 1/3 innings. Some disastrous starts after the All-Star break have...continue reading

Jake Junis (SP, KC) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Chris Zolli - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 39% of leagues ANALYSIS: Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jake Junis has allowed five home runs in his last two starts (11 innings), but his second half form has made him a waiver wire darling. A tough outing in his last start against the Twins aside, where he allowed four runs in three innings, Junis had allowed five earned runs in 24 innings in his three previous starts. Since the All-Star break, Junis is 3-2 with a 3.27 ERA in 11 starts, striking...continue reading

Mike Minor (SP/RP, TEX) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Chris Zolli - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 42% of leagues ANALYSIS: Texas Rangers pitcher Mike Minor earned a no-decision in his last start against the Padres, but has now lost just three games since the beginning of June. He is 12-7 this season with a 4.14 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 152 2/3 innings. Since the All-Star break, though, Minor has a 2.72 ERA (but a 4.00 FIP) and has struck out 49 batters in 53 innings. While fantasy owners may be skeptical about his ERA considering his...continue reading

Touki Toussaint (SP, ATL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 13% of leagues ANALYSIS: Apologies to those who left Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Touki Toussaint in their lineups for his unscheduled one-inning relief appearance where he gave up three runs, but he’s still yielded a paltry .495 OPS to opposing batters through three starts (16 ⅓ innings). Some of that is the .200 BABIP, which has helped offset the nine walks given up in those starts (he walked four in the ugly relief inning). However, the 3.15 FIP and 3.76 xFIP...continue reading

Joe Ross (SP/RP, WAS) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 3% of leagues ANALYSIS: Washington Nationals pitcher Joe Ross is getting a late start to the 2018 season, but may be able to make an impact. Ross’ first major league start of 2018 was extremely mundane, as he didn’t strike a single batter out over five innings of two-run ball. He threw 47-of-74 pitches for strikes and it’s worth noting that he struck out 19 hitters across 26 ⅓ rehab innings, so the whiffs are modest but not gone. He draws...continue reading

Ryan Borucki (SP, TOR) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ryan Borucki is a tough player to evaluate. The pessimist in me sees a rookie in the terrifying AL East with a 4.57 xFIP and 4.72 SIERA through his first 84 innings in the bigs. The optimist sees a man who posted six quality starts in his first seven outings before stinking for about five straight starts, but he’s since rattled off a QS in each of his last three starts. Monday...continue reading

Erick Fedde (SP, WAS) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 6% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Nationals don’t have much to be happy about in September, but perhaps Washington Nationals starting pitcher Erick Fedde can put some polish on it with a strong final couple of starts in 2018. He stumbled a bit against the Marlins on Monday night, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks over 4 ⅓ innings. However, he hadn’t allowed a run until the fifth when he opened the frame with two walks that would eventually...continue reading

Wei-Yin Chen (SP, MIA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 10% of leagues ANALYSIS: As everyone is quick to point out, Miami Marlins starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen is a different pitcher in Miami. Over 71 innings at home, Chen has a sweet 1.77 ERA/0.99 WHIP /.545 OPS allowed. Now take all of that goodness, strip out the luck, add some walks and you've got a road ERA of 9.29 with an OPS that has nearly doubled -- up to 1.018 OPS surrendered. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's no good....continue reading

Chris Stratton (SP, SF) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Chris Zolli - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 11% of leagues ANALYSIS: San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Chris Stratton most recently fired off a brilliant complete-game shutout against the Rockies (in San Fran, not at Coors) with seven strikeouts. He scattered two hits and two walks throughout the affair and has now tossed four quality starts in five outings since rejoining the rotation on Aug. 21. The .183 BABIP from that stretch will not last, but the 3.27 FIP/3.68 xFIP underneath are still worth a look compared to the...continue reading

Adam Wainwright (SP, STL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 10% of leagues ANALYSIS: St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright turned back the clock 10 years with his performance on Sunday by striking out nine Dodgers over six innings. It was encouraging to see regarding his fantasy prospects for 2018 after an ugly first start off of the DL on the 10th. He threw 101 pitches in this latest effort and should be ready to set down a punchless Giants team who rank in the bottom-five for team wRC+ with...continue reading

Felix Pena (SP, LAA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 18% of leagues ANALYSIS: Zoom out on Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Felix Pena and just look at the 3.75 ERA/1.25 WHIP with nearly a strikeout per inning (76 in 81 ⅔ IP) and you get a serviceable arm. Not terribly exciting, but not bad either. Zoom in to his last six starts and you get a 2.37 ERA/1.08 WHIP with 36 K’s in 38 frames -- plus, a nifty 21.2% soft-contact rate. Well, that takes him from okay to pretty...continue reading

Tyler Glasnow (SP/RP, TB) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 20% of leagues ANALYSIS: You know the wide range of outcomes you’re getting with Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow, yes? Everyone was quick to point out his horrible outing against Toronto, so I know you know the floor. People aren’t as vocal when someone is just steadily showing improvements, though. The 25-year-old righty’s latest start saw him blank Texas over six frames, yielding two hits and two walks with six strikeouts. Now with a 49/14 K/BB ratio across 44 ⅓...continue reading

Matt Boyd (SP, DET) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 29% of leagues ANALYSIS: I’m willing to bet that Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Matt Boyd will see his ownership mark ebb above 30% due to the streamer tide, especially since he’s set to face the Royals next on the 20th. He only went 5 ⅓ innings in his last start against the Indians, which snapped a streak of six straight starts of at least six innings. Try saying that six times fast! Since the All-Star break, Boyd has posted a 3.09 ERA with...continue reading

Andrew Suarez (SP, SF) - Week 25 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Adam Meyer - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 8% of leagues ANALYSIS: San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Andrew Suarez has been up and down this season. I tried to avoid “boom-or-bust” pitchers, but the pickings are slim when you look below 25% ownership. Suarez has allowed at least five earned runs in three of the last 10 starts and shut out three teams during that same span. The choice to add Suarez is a little safer knowing that San Diego is one of the teams he’ll face this...continue reading

Wade Miley (SP, MIL) - Week 25 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Adam Meyer - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 22% of leagues ANALYSIS: Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Wade Miley has gone under the radar. I have a pitcher with a 2.23 ERA (4-2 record) and 1.19 WHIP in 68.2 innings of work. Interested? You should be. Miley isn’t a sexy name and he hasn’t posted a sub-4.90 ERA since 2015, but he’s doing well for the Brew Crew.

He’s allowed two earned runs, or less, in nine of the last 10 appearances and struck out at least five

Jake Odorizzi (SP, MIN) - Week 25 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Adam Meyer - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 38% of leagues ANALYSIS: Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi has defied the odds to put up some good starts. The Yankees were on the docket the last time Odorizzi was on the hill. Surprisingly, for a streamer, he posted terrific numbers: 7.1 IP, 1 ER, and 5 K.

Let’s hope that wave continues when Odorizzi travels to Detroit and Oakland this week. The Tigers are 29th in team wOBA (.293) against right-handed pitchers and 25th in runs scored (571

Joe Musgrove (SP, PIT) - Week 25 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Adam Meyer - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 28% of leagues ANALYSIS: Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove looks like an amazing add as we move to the end of the season. Are there negatives to choosing Musgrove? Sure. He’s allowed at least four earned runs in three of the past four games.

However, on the bright side, he’s also punched out at least seven batters in four of the last five appearances. This week, the Royals and Brewers are on the menu. Kansas City has scored

Wei-Yin Chen (SP, MIA) - Week 25 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Chris Zolli - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 14% of leagues ANALYSIS: Miami Marlins starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen looks like one of the more impressive midseason bounce backs of the 2018 season. After an ugly 16 starts through the months of May, June, and July in which he produced a 6.26 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 77.2 IP, Chen is 4-3 with a 3.11 ERA in the second half, striking out at least six batters in each of the last three starts. It is tough to imagine that we would...continue reading

Mike Minor (SP/RP, TEX) - Week 25 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Chris Zolli - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 29% of leagues ANALYSIS: Texas Rangers pitcher Mike Minor has now won six of his seven starts, is up to 12-7 on the season, and had struck out seven batters in his previous two starts. Since the All-Star break, Minor has a 2.70 ERA (but a 4.08 FIP) and has struck out 42 batters in 46 2/3 innings. While fantasy owners may be skeptical about his ERA considering his FIP, he has walked no more than two batters in seven of his...continue reading

Derek Holland (SP, SF) - Week 25 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Chris Zolli - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 28% of leagues ANALYSIS: San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Derek Holland has a 7-8 record and 3.46 ERA this season, striking out more than a batter per inning (159 in 158 2/3 innings). He has also struck out seven batters or more in each of his last two starts. Even though Holland has not won any of his last three starts, he also has not lost a start since July 10. One issue for Holland, on top of his lack of wins, are with...continue reading

Jake Junis (SP, KC) - Week 25 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Chris Zolli - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 43% of leagues ANALYSIS: Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jake Junis may only be 8-12 with a 4.28 ERA this season (and a 4.65 FIP), but he could make the difference in a fantasy championship this week. Since the All-Star break, Junis is only 3-2, but is striking out nearly a batter per inning (58 in 60 1/3) and has a 2.83 ERA. He has a 3.21 FIP, but his 1.79 walk rate and 47.6% GB rate show how he is limiting damage. After...continue reading

Reynaldo Lopez (SP, CHW) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 23% of leagues ANALYSIS: Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez is feeling it lately, yielding just four combined earned runs over his last four outings (25 ⅔ IP) with 29 punchouts. The highlight of this stretch was his most recent turn against the Angels, where he took a tough-luck, 1-0 loss despite striking out 10 Halos across six scoreless frames. He gets the face the Orioles in Baltimore next on Sept. 15, which gives him a good chance at securing...continue reading

Steven Matz (SP, NYM) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 29% of leagues ANALYSIS: In four starts since coming off of the DL in mid-August, New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz has struck out 31 hitters against five walks with a 2.25 ERA and 2.51 xFIP in 24 innings. With his next start slated for Thursday against the Marlins, we know several fantasy owners who would pay top dollar for the southpaw’s services. It is wise to be one of those owners, as Matz should be owned in all leagues.

Felix Pena (SP, LAA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 15% of leagues ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Felix Pena has seen his effectiveness rebound alongside his velocity lately, as he’s turned in back-to-back 7-IP starts against the Astros and White Sox with just one and two earned in each respective outing. His sinker-slider mix is gaining some polish as he’s boosted his offerings by nearly 2 MPH since a rough patch in August. He’s delivered a healthy 37/8 K/BB ratio over his last six trips to the hill and...continue reading

Brad Keller (KC, SP/RP) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 15% of leagues ANALYSIS: Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brad Keller is a mixed bag in fantasy circles. Keller’s unsightly overall 87/46 K/BB ratio over 127 ⅓ IP will make you cringe, but the 23-year-old’s been a force over the last month. He held the ChiSox to just one run across seven innings on Tuesday night, which gives him six straight outings with two or fewer earned runs surrendered. With a groundball rate north of 50% and a growing affinity for...continue reading

Mike Minor (SP/RP, TEX) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 29% of leagues ANALYSIS: Texas Rangers pitcher Mike Minor has now won six of his seven starts after holding the Halos to one run across six strong innings on Monday night. He only struck out three, but the 1.96 ERA/0.83 WHIP over the last month is what you’re paying for. Minor is turning in some major ratio relief here and draws a favorable matchup with the Padres at Petco Park in his next scheduled start on Sept. 16. This is enough for...continue reading

Tyler Glasnow (SP/RP, TB) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 20% of leagues ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow has seen his fantasy stock drop a bit. It’s like a guy can’t implode every once in a while without everyone freaking out. The entire fantasy community became a Glasnow expert after Toronto lit him up for seven runs in the first inning, but what about his second stellar effort against the Indians in the last two weeks? After holding Cleveland to just one run over seven innings on Aug. 31,...continue reading

Touki Toussaint (SP, ATL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 20% of leagues ANALYSIS: Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Touki Toussaint has looked amazing in 14 of his 16 major league innings thus far. His six-inning MLB debut against the Marlins was clean from start-to-finish. He held Boston without a hit over four innings before unraveling in the fifth and eventually taking the loss. His latest start on Sept. 9 saw him blank Arizona through five innings before they plated two in the sixth, though he did walk five and was clearly...continue reading

Jose Urena (SP, MIA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 11% of leagues ANALYSIS: Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Urena is a tough player to evaluate. You don’t have to love the guy -- in fact, I’d say it’s best not to -- but Urena has looked sharp ever since that whole fracas with the Braves on Aug. 15. The Marlins’ Opening Day starter held the Mets to one run over 6 ⅓ IP on Tuesday and has now yielded just seven earned in his last 28 ⅓ IP, which includes...continue reading

Joe Ross (SP, WAS) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 3% of leagues ANALYSIS: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Joe Ross was set to make his 2018 debut on Sept. 7 against the Cubs, but that start was rained out. Washington opted to keep everyone else on schedule and push Ross’ turn back a week. So now he due for a home start against the same Cubbies at home on Wednesday, which will be his first MLB appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery 14 months ago. He struck out 19 and walked eight over...continue reading

Jorge Lopez (KC, SP/RP) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Nick Mariano - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 4% of leagues ANALYSIS: Kansas City Royals pitcher Pablo Lopez captivated the baseball world by coming within three outs of perfection on Sept. 8 against the Twins, ultimately settling for the win and one earned run over eight-plus innings. This was his follow-up performance to tossing seven innings of one-run ball against the Orioles on Sept. 2, when he struck out eight Baltimore birdies. He gets a rematch against the Twins next on Sept. 14 as he looks to make right...continue reading

Jose Urena (SP, MIA) - Week 24 Waiver Wire Pickups

Published 4 months ago by Adam Meyer - RotoBaller

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 6% of leagues ANALYSIS:  It has been a rough year for Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Urena. He is 5-12 with a 4.41 ERA and was tossed from a game earlier this season for hitting Ronald Acuna Jr. on the first pitch of an outing.

Nowadays, he has allowed one earned run, or less, in three of the last four performances. In his last contest, Urena struck out seven batters and allowed one earned run (solo homer)