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 17 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 17 of the 2018 MLB season.

Those of you with trade deadlines that mirror the MLB's better strap up and prepare to hit the phones over the next week, because while eventually we'll get some exciting September call-ups and I do really like some of these names, I know that some need a bigger jump than these guys can give. Except for a healthy Trevor Cahill, who is obviously a god. Let's get right to it and just be sure to monitor any fallout of trades that occur for rotation openings.

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 17.

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

 

Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Targets

Zack Wheeler (NYM - SP): 30% owned

Wheeler threw 65-of-99 pitches for strikes against the Padres, yielding two runs on just four hits and a walk over seven frames. Perhaps Wheeler won’t end up getting dealt at the Trade Deadline, but the “worst-case scenario” of him staying on the Mets means he stays in the Marlins’ division. Even without the run support of a real team (sorry, Mets fans), Wheeler’s rocking a 3.50 ERA over his last 10 outings and his 24.8% soft-contact rate (entering the 7/24 start) was the third-best mark for a qualified SP. This is a difference-maker when healthy.

Dereck Rodriguez (SF - SP): 28% owned

Rodriguez jumpstarted his second half by holding the A’s to one run over 6 1/3 innings in Oakland, yielding three hits and walking none with five strikeouts. His peripherals don’t support this level of success, but clearly, neither do you guys because his ownership level reflects a 4.00 ERAs arm. I don’t care if Pudge’s kid is outperforming his profile because he has the skillset to ride AT&T Park to success, he’s limited opponents to an ice-cold .206/.270/.353 line at home.

Ervin Santana (MIN - SP): 25% owned

Santana will begin his 2018 MLB season on Wednesday against the Blue Jays. He’s yet to show his usual ~93 mph fastball, instead he's working around 90 mph, but still posted a 22-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 29 rehab innings (seven appearances). I’m fine with stashing now and seeing how his stuff plays against big-league hitters, but I worry that the plus control/command that afforded him a 22.4% soft-contact rate last season may require those extra ticks on the radar gun.

Joey Lucchesi (SD - SP): 23% owned

Lucchesi is just on the outside of the top-100 overall leaderboard per Yahoo’s 5x5 scoring format over the last 30 days thanks to his 2.28 ERA/1.06 WHIP with 24 punchouts in 23 ⅔ IP. I understand the dismay over his short starts, but being held back from facing a lineup for the third time has led to strong ratios. He carries a 2.23 ERA the first time through, 3.45 ERA to the second and a 7.00 ERA when hitters get a third look. With a 2.14 FIP in July (3.68 ERA), look for Lucchesi to continue rocking out in concentrated bursts down the stretch.

Nick Kingham (PIT - SP): 19% owned

Kingham heads into his next start against the Mets having won each of his last three starts (all quality starts too). Hopefully, the power-strapped Mets can help Kingham conquer the recent longball problem, as he’s yielded 11 homers in just 57 total innings -- seven of which have come in his last four trips to the hill. But he has the strong control (just 14 walks overall) to seemingly avoid major damage there, and at the very least should be a good add for his next start. If you’re skeptical then perhaps his recent hot stretch will allow you to flip him at your own trade deadline.

Trevor Cahill (OAK - SP/RP): 19% owned

Cahill’s been a Mariano-favorite all year despite the profit window being rather small (damn you, injuries!) and his latest effort against the Giants gives me hope for August and September. He held San Fran to one run on two hits and three walks over 5 ⅔ innings to lower his ERA to 2.95 on the season. Not only that but if we remove the starts right before he hit the DL and his first start back in action then his ERA falls to a beautiful 2.17! He doesn’t need those starts omitted to look great, but that does kick the love up a notch.

Drew Pomeranz (BOS - SP): 26% owned

Pomeranz had been on the DL with biceps tendinitis for nearly two months before returning on Tuesday night against the Orioles. While Pom’s early struggles paint the 4 ⅔ IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, 4 K outing with serious pessimism moving forward, we have to remember the rust rule. Let’s hope he does better than six swings-and-misses on 89 pitches his next time against the Twins (I would not start him until he shows positive signs). The only reason he’s included here is that anyone with a slot in the Astros, Red Sox or Yankees rotations has great odds at winning games (Luis Cessa notwithstanding, moreso because I can't see NYY not trading for someone else shortly). If we’d all moved along to quality starts then this wouldn’t be happening. Be the change you want to see in the game!

Dan Straily (MIA - SP): 5% owned

On the one hand, Straily has tossed four quality starts in his last five outings and is two years removed from a solid 3.76 ERA/1.19 WHIP campaign. On the other hand, he’s struck out only 24 hitters those 32 ⅓ IP against 12 walks with a 4.70 xFIP and pitching for the Marlins isn’t great for wins. While I think any Marlin showing life should be speculated on in deep leagues because they could get moved to a friendlier fantasy environment at the Trade Deadline. Just don’t simply get pulled in by the familiar name and the recent surface results, I’d say he’ll need a change of scene to have a chance at fantasy viability.

Wade Miley (MIL - SP): 4% owned

Somehow, Miley has worked around a poor 11-to-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 17 ⅓ IP this season (4/4 pre-injury, 7/7 post-injury) to post a 1.76 ERA so far. The 3.96 FIP is fine, but the 5.00 xFIP and 5.54 SIERA (in very small samples, of course) are screaming, “Remember who you’re dealing with!” But that’s okay. The southpaw just held down the Dodgers to one unearned run (passed ball) on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Brent Suter requiring season-ending elbow injury has given Miley enhanced job security in the rotation. I’d be much more excited to talk about Corbin Burnes, he'll remain in the ‘pen this year according to manager Craig Counsell.

Yonny Chirinos (TB - SP/RP): 1% owned

Chirinos was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday to toe the rubber against the Yankees in his first MLB appearance since April 28. You’ll recall Chirinos kicked off his major-league career with three scoreless appearances. He had allowed two runs on four hits and no walks with five strikeouts over six innings against the strong Bronx lineup, but then got tagged for another run in the seventh before exiting. His 6 ⅔ IP were easily the most he’s logged in 2018 -- he didn’t even top five frames in the minors over the last two months. I wouldn’t expect him to work that deep into games going forward, but he should get his cracks at starting even once Jake Faria returns.

 

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

Yordan Alvarez

Resumes Swinging -- Return Imminent?
Jake Burger

to Miss an Additional 2-3 Weeks
TreVeyon Henderson

Signs Rookie Contract
Christian Watson

Goes on PUP List
Austin Riley

Hopes to be Activated Next Week
Ketel Marte

Lands on Restricted List After Burglary
Ricky Pearsall

Heads to PUP List
Brandon Aiyuk

Placed on PUP List
Luther Burden III

Signs Rookie Deal
Washington Nationals

Eli Willits Expected to Sign Contract on Saturday
Grayson Rodriguez

Being Shut Down Again - Will We See Him Again This Year?
Ezequiel Tovar

Activated and Back in Lineup on Friday
Max Fried

"Hopeful" to Pitch Next Week - Looks Like He'll Avoid IL Stint
Steven Kwan

Receives Injection in Wrist, Considered Day-to-Day
CJ Abrams

Back to Start Second Half
Alec Bohm

Back From Rib Injury on Friday
Trey Hendrickson

Holdout to Spill into Regular Season?
Jalen McMillan

Bucs Offensive Coordinator Not Forgetting About Jalen McMillan
Levi Onwuzurike

to Miss at Least Four Games
Nick Emmanwori

Seahawks, Nick Emmanwori Reach Agreement on Rookie Deal
Max Holloway

Set For Main Event
Brandon Lowe

Back From 10-Day Injured List
Dustin Poirier

Set For His Final UFC Fight
Roman Kopylov

Set For Co-Main Event
Paulo Costa

Returns At UFC 318
Luis L. Ortiz

to Remain on Leave for Another Month - Will he Pitch Again?
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks For Third Win In A Row
Kevin Holland

Set For His Fourth Fight This Year
Dan Ige

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Patricio Freire Set For His Second UFC Fight
Daniel Zellhuber

Set To Open Up UFC 318 Main Card
Michael Johnson

Looks For Third Consecutive Win
Elijah Arroyo

Signs Rookie Deal
Jaydon Blue

Described as "Borderline Lazy"
T.J. Sanders

Bills Sign T.J. Sanders to Rookie Deal
Christian Wilkins

Raiders Put Christian Wilkins on PUP List
Jabari Small

Lions Add Jabari Small to Backfield
Quinshon Judkins

Remains Unsigned, Won't Report With Rest of Rookies
Mason Taylor

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Jets
Hendon Hooker

Leading Lions QB2 Battle Entering Training Camp
Ozzy Trapilo

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Bears
Tate Ratledge

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Lions
Jack Bech

Signs Rookie Contract with Raiders
Yegor Chinakhov

Requests Trade
Dakota Joshua

Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
Lukas Dostal

Signs Five-Year Extension with Ducks
Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Damian Lillard

Returning to Portland
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF