X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 14 Waiver Wire - Starting Pitchers

Nick Mariano's starting pitcher (SP) fantasy baseball waiver wire targets and adds. Free agent pickups and starting pitcher sleepers for Week 14 of the 2018 MLB season.

We've officially hit July and while you can try to call the All-Star break the real "midseason checkpoint" of the baseball season, the halfway mark per games played is now in the rearview mirror. All of you who are anxiously awaiting a turnaround need to ask yourselves how much longer you can sit on your current roster without shaking things up. I'll try to help you address pitching needs by discussing some different names than earlier weeks, but rest assured I love me some Dereck Rodriguez anyway.

If you want to chat more about additional arms/bats/whatever, you can find me on Twitter @NMariano53 and ask any follow-up questions.

We're using Yahoo ownership levels and cutting things off around 30% this week. Here are my starting pitcher waiver wire targets for Week 14.

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

 

Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Targets

Joey Lucchesi (SD - SP): 28% owned

Lucchesi remains on far too many waiver wires. The rookie didn’t allow a ball to leave the infield during his last start, a five-inning shutdown of the Pirates, as he continued to stretch out his arm. The Padres let him go 70 pitches the start before this 85-pitch showing, with both starts resulting in just one hit surrendered. The command isn’t there yet -- he’s walked seven in those nine innings -- but his stuff is just as nasty as when he first came on the scene. He should be able to twirl 100 pitches on July 6 at Arizona.

Nathan Eovaldi (TB - SP): 24% owned

Eovaldi worked around some soft hits against Miami to turn in his second straight quality start and bring his ERA down to 3.92 through 41 ⅓ innings. Out of 148 starters with at least 40 IP, Eovaldi’s 3.57 SIERA checks in at No. 31, right ahead of Dylan Bundy, Blake Snell and Alex Wood. We know SIERA isn’t everything (cries in Jon Gray) but it’s certainly encouraging given his .211 BABIP. That’ll happen when you sport a 21.4% HR/FB rate, second only to Brandon McCarthy’s 21.7% mark. There’s enough to like here where I’m comfortable using him against lineups that aren’t in the upper tier of power, such as Houston, who popped four homers off of Eovaldi. He faces the Mets next, though, so proceed with optimism.

Tyler Mahle (CIN - SP): 22% owned

When a guy posts double-digit strikeouts, we’re likely to have a chat about him. Mahle rung up 12 Brewers over 5 ⅔ innings on June 30 but continues to give up contact that’s too loud for my liking. His overall 25.1% line-drive rate, 42.4% hard-hit rate and mere 14.1% soft-contact rate each stand as a red flag, and not ones that Cincinnati sells at their team shop. I'd let him go onto some other team and scoop one of these other names.

Zack Wheeler (NYM - SP): 19% owned

Wheeler continues to pick up momentum ahead of the Trade Deadline, with his latest effort resulting in 6 ⅓ innings of two-run ball, allowing three hits with three walks and five strikeouts against Toronto. The 78.3 mph average exit velocity on 16 batted balls was quite impressive. He was set up nicely for his first win since April 29 before the bullpen stomped on his hopes and dreams, something all Mets starters can identify with. Wheeler has now had seven quality starts since then with zero victories to show for it. You’ll risk having your Ws stolen off your plate, but Wheeler’s slider showed strong bite, his fastball averaged 96.8 mph while hitting 99.1 mph and he faces the Rays at home next.

Steven Wright (BOS - SP): 19% owned

Wright received a PRP injection in his injured left knee on Monday and could rejoin the Red Sox rotation after the All-Star break, especially with Drew Pomeranz’s own rehab adventures going poorly. The knuckleballer’s 3.38 ERA has danced around his peripherals thus far (4.43 FIP, 4.61 xFIP, 4.73 SIERA) but that isn’t too unusual for these unorthodox hurlers. Perhaps it has to do with the change in approach by big-league hitters this year too, but Wright’s groundball rate has shot up to 53.2% thus far -- about 10 percentage points higher than the norm. What you’re buying into are the wins that come with pitching for Boston, and hoping for roughly six punchouts per start. Don’t be afraid to bail if the command goes.

Matt Harvey (CIN - SP): 18% owned

Harvey benefits from having a very recognizable brand and has allowed three combined runs over three consecutive victories, with his latest start seeing him hit 97 mph against Milwaukee. It wasn't just the fastball that did its job, but he racked up six swinging strikes on 18 sliders to give him 12 total whiffs on 68 pitches. Just as much as the whiffs illustrate some potency, the low pitch count is tough to stomach. He has worked over 100 pitches in prior starts, though, but without tallying double-digit whiffs in any previous outing. This was pretty much as good as Harvey is going to get right now, but the ceiling remains modest. I'd hope for one more strong start and look to trade him to someone who buys into the name.

Tyler Anderson (COL - SP): 10% owned

You'll notice a trend here, as Anderson is the first of three Colorado pitchers to be named here. This is largely due to their being routinely ignored and undervalued due to Coors Field, but Anderson deserves more love at the moment. He's shown flashes before (usually then ruined by a DL stint) and has a 2.70 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over the last month with nearly a strikeout per inning. His command was as good as I've ever seen it when he took down the Dodgers in LA on June 29 over eight scoreless innings and he's gone at least seven frames in each of his last three road starts. He'll face the Giants at home on July 4 (today!) and then Arizona in another home turn, so just tuck this away for the road.

Brad Keller (KC - SP/RP): 9% owned

Over the last six weeks, Keller appears on the xwOBA leaderboard at No. 16 with a .329 mark, good for a tie with Luis Severino and right ahead of Miles Mikolas and Blake Snell. Most of that comes from Keller’s limiting big hits with a ridiculous 59.4% groundball rate over 56 innings, but the 5.3 K/9 highlights the modest ceiling. The 8.5% swinging-strike rate implies a few more whiffs could come, but it’s nothing actionable. Still, the 3.18 FIP behind the 2.09 ERA makes the 22-year-old righty worth throwing while hot, but don’t be afraid to move along for higher upside.

German Marquez (COL - SP): 6% owned

Marquez was of particular interest to me last season, but wasn’t consistent enough to stay on my roster or truly conquer Coors. That’s a tall order for anyone, let alone an age-23 arm. But  Marquez’s overall 5.14 ERA and 1.44 WHIP are going scare off many a fantasy owner, yet he owns a 2.76 ERA with an 18.9% K-BB% in 49 road innings after owning the Dodgers with eight brilliant innings. Compare that with the 7.93 ERA with a 10.1% K-BB% in 42 home frames. He’ll look to replicate the 99.9 mph fastball he threw in his latest start against the Mariners in Seattle on July 6.

Max Fried (ATL - SP): 6% owned

Fried was on fire this weekend, setting down 11 Cardinals via strikeout over 6 2/3 innings and now has 24 punchouts over 17 2/3 big-league frames this year. That means we pay attention! And don’t bite too hard into the 4.29 ERA/1.37 WHIP from Triple-A in ‘18, as he held a cleaner 3.23 FIP and 3.46 xFIP underneath the hood. With a slot in Atlanta’s rotation that gets to face the weaker teams within the NL East, Fried is worth speculating on in almost all 12-team formats.

Edwin Jackson (OAK - SP): 4% owned

Jackson followed up his impressive 2018 debut against Detroit with a victory over Cleveland on June 30, in which E-Jax yielded just two hits, both solo homers, to the Tribe over 6 ⅔ innings. Perhaps most astounding is how he hasn’t walked a single batter in either of his Major League outings thus far! I don’t think we’re at a place where Jackson can be trusted for a rematch with the Indians, but Oakland boasts a pitcher-friendly park and he should be on streaming radars.

Ryan Borucki (TOR - SP): 3% owned

After a lackluster MLB debut where he walked four and struck out three (admittedly against Houston), Borucki looked to confirm most of my fears about his effectiveness from a fantasy standpoint. In 13 Triple-A starts (77 innings), he had a 3.27 ERA in front of a 4.03 FIP/4.16 xFIP and a mere 9.5% K-BB%. Then he faced a right-hander’s dream, aka Detroit, and allowed two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and zero walks. I respect those chasing the next big thing, but I think he’s nothing but a streamer. If he looks good against the Yankees at home on July 8 then I’ll relent.

Antonio Senzatela (COL - SP): 1% owned

Everyone was (rightfully) going batty over Jon Gray’s demotion that very few stopped to wonder if the arm taking his spot would be worth a pickup. Senzatela likely helped Colorado feel comfortable with the move by tossing 7 ⅔ scoreless frames with just three hits and a walk allowed to San Francisco’s Triple-A affiliate on June 28 to trim his ERA to 2.15 alongside a 1.09 WHIP on the farm in 2018. He then mirrored the effort by blanking the big-league Giants and scattering just three hits over seven innings. Seven innings at Coors, that is.

People may scoff due to the lackluster numbers from his 2017 rookie campaign and the small-sample-size 6.23 ERA/1.67 WHIP in the bigs that he entered Tuesday with, but mind the 3.90 SIERA behind it, which surely came down with the strong effort. He’ll face the Mariners in Seattle next, though he may be out of the rotation if Jon Gray recovers and Chad Bettis’ blister doesn’t linger.

For what it’s worth, Gray pitched on Tuesday as well. He won after allowing two runs on two hits (one homer) and zero walks with six strikeouts, throwing 52-of-80 pitches for strikes. Not bad at all. I highly suggest stashing him if he was dropped.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
Max Scherzer

Cleared to Start on Saturday
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Kodai Senga

Could be "in Play" to Return Before All-Star Break
Ha-Seong Kim

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim From Injured List
Christian Moore

Placed on Injured List With Thumb Sprain
Luis L. Ortiz

the Subject of Gambling Investigation
Jordan Lawlar

to Miss Multiple Weeks With Hamstring Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Receives Encouraging News on his Hand
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Jacob Monk

Sees Plenty of Work With Starters
Avonte Maddox

has Impressed Dan Campbell
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Chicago Bears

Ruben Hyppolite Shows Notable Improvement
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Daron Payne

Commanders Coaches Impressed With Daron Payne
Danny Gray

Makes Impression During Offseason Workouts
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dane Belton

Should Have a Role in 2025
Kaiir Elam

Flashes During Offseason Workouts
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Lands With Charlotte
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Jeff Green

Signs One-Year Deal to Remain in Houston
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF