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Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2

Kyle Bishop's fantasy baseball starting pitchers who are potential waiver wire pickups for Week 2. Consider adding and streaming these free agent pitchers.

Being only a week and a half into the season, drastic measures are to be avoided. None of us are happy with Yu Darvish right now, for example, but kicking him to the curb after two starts amounts to fantasy malpractice in most situations.

That doesn't mean you can't tinker on the edges, which is precisely what this column is designed to help you do. Whether you're looking for injury reinforcements in a shallow league or on the hunt for a diamond in the rough in a deeper format, every week in this space we'll discuss some of the best arms on the waiver wire.

As a reminder, this column focuses on players who are below 50% owned in Yahoo leagues, and standard 5x5 scoring. Your mileage may vary, in terms of availability or league settings. Using that cutoff point for ownership rate, however, these are your starting pitcher waiver wire targets and adds for Week 2 of the 2019 fantasy baseball season.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Pickups for Shallow Leagues

Matt Shoemaker (SP, TOR) — 47% Owned

While the Tigers and Orioles aren't exactly the '27 Yankees, a pitcher can only contend with the hitters placed in front of him. Shoemaker won his first two starts of the season decisively, pitching seven innings each time and striking out 15 batters while allowing just seven baserunners (none of whom scored). Next up is a road date with the Red Sox that might be best avoided, but the Cobbler has provided mixed league value in the past when healthy.

Tyler Skaggs (SP, LAA) — 47% Owned

Skaggs bounced back nicely from a middling debut with a gem against the Rangers on Saturday. He twirled 6 1/3 frames of one-run ball, scattering five hits and a walk while striking out five. The 27-year-old looked to be breaking out last season before a late-season elbow issue torpedoed his overall numbers. His next assignment is the Cubs at Wrigley Field. That's a tough opposing lineup, but with Chicago's pitching staff getting gashed in the early going, Skaggs should still have a pretty solid shot at a win.

Steven Matz (SP, NYM) — 44% Owned

Though Matz has yet to get through the sixth inning in a 2019 start, it's not because he isn't pitching well. The southpaw has allowed just one run in his 10 1/3 innings of work. Mickey Callaway had a quick hook in Matz's debut as he was pulled after only 74 pitches. Saturday's start against the Nationals was more to do with inefficiency, as Matz needed 103 pitches to record just 16 outs. Wins and quality starts may prove difficult to come by if that continues, but the Mets' lefty is worthy of mixed-league consideration anyway.

Zach Eflin (SP, PHI) — 41% Owned

Eflin only went five innings in his debut, and he was opposed by Max Scherzer. He still notched a win though, allowing just four batters to reach base (none scored) and recording nine strikeouts. Unless your league allows same-day transactions, it's too late to grab him in time for his start against the Twins today, but he deserves to be more widely owned.

 

Pickups for Deeper Leagues

Aaron Sanchez (SP, TOR) — 22% Owned

Things haven't gone great for Sanchez since leading the American League in ERA back in 2016. Injuries and ineffectiveness made him an afterthought in fantasy drafts this spring, but the 26-year-old has looked good out of the gate, allowing just two runs and striking out 11 hitters across 11 innings in his first two starts. As with his teammate Shoemaker, however, you may not want to roll the dice at Fenway for his next outing.

Michael Pineda (SP, MIN) — 21% Owned

The Twins are being cautious with Pineda because he's barely pitched since July of 2017, which is why he's only logged nine innings in his first two starts of the year. They've been good ones, though, as he's racked up 10 strikeouts against just two walks and allowed only two runs to score. The second start was particularly impressive, coming as it did against the Phillies' newly stacked lineup at Citizens Bank Park. His fastball velocity and the movement on his slider both look like they haven't suffered at all for the lengthy absence.

Yonny Chirinos (SP/RP, TB) — 19 % Owned

Typically used as a "follower" last year, Chirinos got the nod to start against a dangerous Astros squad last weekend and was dominant. He allowed just one run on two hits across seven innings, striking out six without issuing a walk. Chirinos posted a 3.51 ERA across 90 innings last season and could earn his way into regular starts if he can build on that performance against Houston. His next appearance, whether it's a start or a follow, will likely come against the White Sox.

Caleb Smith (SP, MIA) — 10% Owned

Smith's 2019 debut wasn't enough to earn a victory for either himself or his team, but he did pitch well in his first game since last June. The lefty allowed two runs in five innings of work and struck out eight. Perhaps most importantly, he walked just one batter and did not allow a home run. Walks and homers were both occasional issues for Smith last season, and he'll need to address those outcomes in order to take the next step. He'll take on the Braves today.

 

For Your Radar

Trevor Cahill (SP, LAA) — 6% Owned

Skip his next start against the Brewers, but Cahill has looked solid thus far in 2019. As long as he's healthy, he's a worthwhile streaming option in most mixers.

Anthony DeSclafani (SP, CIN) — 5% Owned

Tony Disco impressed in his first start of the year, striking out eight and allowing just one run on three hits (all singles) and three walks against the red-hot Brewers. The key to that success was a heavy dose of curveballs, in addition to his quality slider.

Drew Pomeranz (SP/RP, SF) — 3% Owned

Pomeranz began the process of putting an awful 2018 season behind him with a solid showing against the Dodgers last week. He struck out six in his five innings of work, and cruised through the first four innings before allowing a pair of solo shots in the fifth. But considering how many homers Los Angeles has been hitting, he's hardly alone in that regard.

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

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