RADIO
Welcome to Week 23. Most of you are either in the playoffs at the moment or in the week before playoff action begins so I'll start by saying congratulations for still reading along, because that means you're still in the fight. This week (and hence forth) I'm going to mix it up with my waiver wire material and focus on not only good pitching options, but also good pitching matchups for that particular week. All that matters at this point is getting you production to advance to the next week.
As always, included are options for both shallow and deeper leagues. I also add my list of pitchers discussed previously at the end of the article with ownership levels to boot. Make sure to check them out, and grab any that are still out there.
To read about even more waiver wire options for starting pitchers, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. And don’t forget to check out our Starting Pitcher Matchups & Streaming Tool for expert guidance during the week too, including what pitchers to start/sit for seasonal and DFS leagues.
Starting Pitchers Waiver Wire - Shallow Leagues
Steven Matz (NYM, SP)
OWNED IN: 54% of Fleaflicker Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues
It's likely Steven Matz is already scooped up in your league or was sitting in an owner's DL slot. If, for some reason, he's still out there you need to move fast. His ownership has already spiked 10% in the past 24 hours and I expect that number to grow rapidly.
In case you forgot, Matz is another dominant rookie among the plethora of options at the Mets disposal. A lat injury had him out since late July but he came back strong on Sunday, recording 5.1 innings with two earned runs and a 6/2 K/BB ratio at Miami. That leaves his ERA for the year at a cool 1.89 over 19 innings.
The main benefit to using Matz is his schedule. This week he's lined up for one start at Atlanta, easily the worst team since the All-Star Break with a putrid 2.93 runs per game. The one downside is he left his last outing with a blister, and it has yet to be confirmed if he will make his next start. If he's sitting out there in FA, I'd be willing to take that risk and drop him if the news turns sour. Make the move.
Bartolo Colon (NYM, SP)
OWNED IN: 50% of Fleaflicker Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Stream Material
In case you were curious if I am picking on the Braves, you are right. They have become the new Padres - the team you'd be willing to throw just about any pitcher out there. Good news for us is Bartolo Colon has been doing just fine without the benefit of facing Atlanta.
Colon is fresh off a complete game shutout at Miami and is now working on a 24 inning scoreless streak, although facing the Marlins and the Phillies twice isn't exactly a gauntlet. Since the start of his August he's had a 32/7 K/BB ratio. Colon will work to continue that streak versus Atlanta, a team he owns a career 2.53 ERA and 1.08 WHIP against in nine starts (7-2). I see no reason not to give him a spin in this crucial week. Ride the hot hands!
Derek Holland (TEX, SP)
OWNED IN: 45% of Fleaflicker Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues
The Texas Rangers have clawed their way to the second Wild Card spot and their pitching staff deserves a fair share of the credit, from Cole Hamels to Yovanni Gallardo to Derek Holland. Holland can't seem to stay healthy for full campaigns, but when he pitches he sure is useful.
Holland is fresh off an eight-inning masterpiece at LAA, allowing one run and a 5/2 K/BB ratio. He's now working with a 2.37 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and a 25/3 K/BB ratio over 30.1 innings. He's no stranger to coming up huge near the end of the season. In 2014 he came back for September and recorded a 1.46 ERA and was a huge asset to championship clubs (including my own).
It's troublesome that Holland can't put together a full season, but that's not an issue for us now. Holland gets a road outing at Seattle, a team he's faced this season with success (6.1 IP, W, 2 ER, 6/o K/BB) and who has struggled as a whole versus LHP. Even better news is Holland's 1.65 ERA during day games. Use Holland with confidence.
Starting Pitchers Waiver Wire - Deeper Leagues
Jorge De La Rosa (COL, SP)
OWNED IN: 6% of Fleaflicker Leagues
BALLER MOVE: Stream Material
I know what you're thinking. You want me to trust a Rockie in a win-or-go-home scenario!? Well what if I told you that a) the game is not at Coors and b) the pitcher of interest has a 3.22 ERA and a .227 BAA in 72.2 innings. Throw in the fact that Jorge De La Rosa has been pitching well and we have ourselves an option most leagues can jump on.
De La Rosa has recorded a quality start in six of his past seven outings, posting a 2.62 ERA in that span. That includes his previous two outing at Pittsburgh and versus San Francisco in which he's allowed just one run with a 14/1 K/BB ratio. Even more impressive is the fact that he only allowed one run in his last two Coors outings, illustrating that it's not just been the absence of altitude.
The walks remain an issue for De La Rosa - 4.02 BB/9 - and he was roughed up earlier this year by the Padres at Coors, his opponent for Week 23. Good news for us is he owns a 3.02 ERA at PETCO Park in his career. If you're digging this deep for pitching, he has my vote of confidence for stream material.
Other Pitchers Previously Highlighted to Consider
In Order of Ownership %
Noah Syndergaard (NYM, SP / 85% ; up 1%)
Jaime Garcia (STL, SP / 77% ; up 3%)
Yordano Ventura (KC, SP / 68%)
Taijuan Walker (SEA, SP / 60% ; down 2%)
Mike Leake (CIN, SP / 60% ; up 4%)
Wei-Yin Chen (BAL, SP / 59% ; no change)
Luis Severino (NYY, SP / 56% ; up 4%)
Taylor Jungmann (MIL, SP / 51% ; down 6%)
R.a. Dickey (TOR, SP / 47% ; down 7%)
Yovani Gallardo (TEX, SP / 47% ; up 1%)
Chris Tillman (BAL, SP / 44% ; down 6%)
Carlos Rodon (CHW, SP / 36% ; up 3%)
Erasmo Ramirez (TB, SP / 33% ; down 3%)
Kris Medlen (KC, SP / 32%)
Jon Niese (NYM, SP / 28% ; no change)
Aaron Nola (PHI, SP / 26% ; up 6%)
Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS, SP / 23% ; down 2%)
Kyle Hendricks (CHC, SP / 21% ; down 2%)
Brett Anderson (LAD, SP / 19% ; no change)
Jake Peavy (SF, SP / 10% ; down 2%)
Tom Koehler (MIA, SP / 10% ; no change)
