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Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 5

Kyle Bishop's fantasy baseball starting pitchers who are potential waiver wire pickups for Week 5. Consider adding and streaming these free agent pitchers.

"It's April" is a common response to many questions at this juncture of the season. This is the last week we can say that, of course, but patience remains a virtue even as we cross the calendar into May.

That doesn't mean you can't tinker on the edges, which is precisely what this column is designed to help you do. Whatever the reason - injury, ineffectiveness, speculation - 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 5 of the 2019 fantasy baseball season.

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

 

Pickups for Shallow Leagues

Matt Strahm (SP, SD) — 49% Owned

Strahm got rocked in his 2019 debut, but he's righted the ship since. The lefty's last four starts have yielded sparkling ratios (1.50 ERA, 0.71 WHIP) and a 19:2 K/BB in 24 innings. With 13 of those strikeouts coming in his last 14 innings, it appears as though Strahm is headed in the right direction.

Yonny Chirinos (SP, TAM) — 45% Owned

Chirinos' overall numbers already look good (3-0, 3.55 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 22 strikeouts against just five walks) before you consider that over half of his runs allowed came in one disastrous relief outing against the Blue Jays. Strip that game out, and the 25-year-old has given up just four runs across 23 innings. He'll draw the Royals for the second straight time in his next appearance after logging a quality start against them last week.

Mike Soroka (SP, ATL) — 37% Owned

While Soroka had some control issues in his first two starts of the season, he's also done a good job missing bats (26.5 K%) and keeping the ball down (55.2 GB%). The 21-year-old has only started 14 games above Double-A (seven each at Triple-A and in the majors) in his career, but he may already be the most talented of the Braves' seemingly inexhaustible supply of young pitchers.

Tyler Skaggs (SP, LAA) — 35% Owned

Skaggs returned from a two-week stint on the injured list on Friday, spinning five scoreless frames in a win over the Royals. In four starts this season, he's 2-2 with a 3.15 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts in 20 innings.  Skaggs looked to be breaking out last year before a late-summer injury derailed things; the former top prospect could prove a sneaky value.

Vince Velasquez (SP, PHI) — 29% Owned

Velasquez finally got in the win column in his last start, pitching five shutout innings and striking out six against the Mets. In four starts and one relief appearance, the 26-year-old has posted a 1.99 ERA and 1.01 WHIP while striking out 22 batters in 22.2 innings. He's also allowed just three home runs and seven walks, potentially a major development as both of those outcomes have been problem areas for him in the past.

 

Pickups for Deeper Leagues

Jeff Samardzija (SP, SF) — 18% Owned

Shark has alternated good and bad starts thus far in 2019, and with the Dodgers next on the docket, that may well continue. The veteran is still worth picking up in plenty of formats, though, as he's 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in five starts.

Griffin Canning (SP, LAA) — 16% Owned

Canning is the latest top prospect to receive a promotion, as the Angels have announced that he'll make his MLB debut against the Blue Jays on Tuesday. His ownership rate has spiked as a result, but he remains available in the vast majority of leagues at the moment. The 22-year-old was the Angels' second-round pick in 2017 and has dominated Triple-A this year, posting miniscule ratios (0.56 ERA, 0.94 WHIP) and striking out 17 batters over 16 innings.

 

For Your Radar

Pablo Lopez (SP, MIA) — 9% Owned

Fantasy owners seem to have cooled on Lopez of late, but there's plenty to recommend here. The 23-year-old has struck out more than a batter per inning while limiting both walks (1.71 BB/9) and home runs (0.68 HR/9). With a SIERA a full run lower than his 4.44 ERA, Lopez offers considerable profit potential to owners willing to be patient. You may want to skip his start on Sunday at Philadelphia, though.

Adam Wainwright (SP, STL) — 9% Owned
Felix Hernandez (SP, SEA) — 7% Owned

What is this, 2011? These former fantasy stalwarts haven't been of much value in recent times, but both have shown they might not be completely cooked yet with a pair of quality starts in their last three outings. They each have tough matchups next time out - Wainwright at Washington, Hernandez versus the Cubs - but are worth monitoring for hints of a late-career renaissance.

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

Saquon Barkley

Scores Touchdown in Low-Yardage Outing
Jalen Hurts

Rushes for Two Touchdowns on Thursday
Javonte Williams

Salvages Inefficient Outing With Two Touchdowns
CeeDee Lamb

110-Yard Game Marred by Four Drops
Will Shipley

Questionable to Return on Thursday Night
Pablo López

Pablo Lopez Expected to Return on Friday
Micah Parsons

Expected to Play in Week 1
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Exits With Knee Contusions
Christian McCaffrey

Listed as Limited With Calf Injury
Justin Jefferson

Not on Week 1 Injury Report
Omarion Hampton

to Start Against Chiefs on Friday
Will Smith

Unlikely to Play This Weekend
Shohei Ohtani

to Pitch on Monday
Najee Harris

Off the Final Injury Report, Will Play in Week 1
Jon Rahm

Looks to Prove His Importance on European Ryder Cup Team
Tommy Fleetwood

Among Leaders of European Ryder Cup Team
Christian Kirk

Expected to be Sidelined in Week 1, Could Miss More Time
Amari Cooper

Informs Raiders of Retirement
Jayden Reed

Returns to Practice
Brandon Sproat

to Start for Mets on Sunday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Close to Triple-Double Versus Serbia
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Fills Box Score Against Turkey
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Shakes Off Minor Injury
E.J. Liddell

Inks Two-Way Deal With Nets
NBA

Ben Simmons Reportedly Considering Retirement
P.J. Washington

Agrees to Four-Year, $90 Million Extension
Mike Trout

Plans to Return on Thursday
Will Smith

X-Rays Negative on Will Smith's Hand
Jauan Jennings

Gets Incentives Added to Contract
Jakobi Meyers

Unsure About Potential Extension
Matthew Stafford

Off Injury Report Ahead of Week 1
Will Smith

Exits With Hand Contusion
Jackson Chourio

in Lineup Wednesday Despite Hamstring Cramps
Sepp Straka

Gets Captain's Pick to Join Team Europe
Christian Yelich

Dealing With Soreness in Lower Back
PGA

Victor Hovland to Make Third Ryder Cup Appearance for Team Europe
J.J. Spaun

Set to Represent Team USA for First Time at Bethpage
Russell Henley

Makes First Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Harris English

Named to Ryder Cup Team for Second Time
Kyle Finnegan

Dealing With Groin Issue
Shohei Ohtani

Will Pitch "Sometime This Weekend"
Jackson Chourio

Absent on Wednesday With Hamstring Cramp
Roman Anthony

Officially Goes on Injured List
Jauan Jennings

Limited on Wednesday, Expected to Play in Week 1
Malik Nabers

Not on Initial Injury Report
Roman Anthony

"High Probability" Roman Anthony Lands on Injured List
Justin Thomas

Making Fourth Ryder Cup Team Appearance at Bethpage
Ben Griffin

Making First Career Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Bryson DeChambeau

Set to be Part of Team USA at Bethpage
Jason Adam

to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Roman Anthony

Will Undergo MRI on Wednesday
Santi Aldama

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Guerschon Yabusele

Erupts for 36 Points Against Poland
Luka Dončić

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Reece Beekman

Joins Magic for Training Camp
Justin Minaya

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Magic
Travis Hunter

Jaguars List Travis Hunter as Starting Wide Receiver, Backup Cornerback
Kyle Tucker

Leaves With Calf Tightness on Tuesday
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Max Scherzer

Blue Jays Confident Max Scherzer Will Make Saturday Start Despite Back Tightness
Roman Anthony

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Dalton Kincaid

Role Not Expected to Grow?
Quinshon Judkins

Zero Chance Quinshon Judkins Plays Against Bengals?
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington

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