👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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


Week 22 Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire: Ross, Iglesias, Eovaldi, Happ

Welcome to Week 22. If you've been following along with this series all season, you know the drill. If not, this article is to help you uncover starting pitcher options that may have been overlooked in your league.

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

Joe Ross (WAS, SP)

OWNED IN: 31% of Fleaflicker Leagues

BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues

I'm officially baffled. Yes, the Nationals have indicated Joe Ross will be shut down in the next 2-3 weeks. But why in the world would you not use him until that point? Ross saw his ownership take a dip after a rough West Coast trip (8.2 IP, 9 ER) and perhaps from the looming shutdown. Still, there is no reason he should sitting on your waiver wire.

Ross now owns a 3.24 ERA and 1.01 WHIP to go along with a shiny 65/11 K/BB ratio. He has been excellent in his most recent appearances, firing 13 innings with only one earned run and an 11/2 K/BB split while collecting two wins.

Ross has been magnificent all year for Washington, limiting hitters to a .225 BAA. The team made the right call by inserting Ross over Doug Fister. The Nationals find themselves on the outside looking in despite Ross's run. This is a name to keep an eye on for 2016, as he has the potential to break the top 25 SP. The Nationals deserve kudos for acquiring him and Trea Turner in exchange for Steven Souza.

The downside here is you're only getting two or three more starts, and if you're in a league with a cap on additions I can empathize with letting him float. There's no excuse for the rest of you. He has a road test at St Louis followed by a tasty home outing versus Atlanta. Act accordingly.

 

Raisel Iglesias (CIN, SP)

OWNED IN: 41% of Fleaflicker Leagues

BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues

Raisel Iglesias has been covered plenty here at Rotoballer. How is his ownership still only 41%? Has everyone shifted their focus to football already? We have a month of baseball left people, don't give up now!

He's been on a roll since the All-Star Break, accruing a 2.81 ERA while limiting hitters to a .176 BAA and a .256 wOBA. Iglesias has been fantastic for the Reds recently, compiling six straight quality starts in the month of August. In that span he owns a 2.27 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and a 10.21 K/9 rate.

He is working on consecutive games with 10+ strikeouts. In the past month, his 45 K is behind only Madison Bumgarner, Chris Sale, and Clayton Kershaw. That's what I call some solid company.

He has a road outing on tap versus the Cubs, a team that he limited to two runs with eight strikeouts over 5.2 innings. The Cubs are a formidable opponent at home, but Iglesias is too hot to let him ride the pine. Throw him in your lineups and keep him there for the two-start week (vs PIT, vs STL) in week 23.

 

Nathan Eovaldi (NYY, SP)

OWNED IN: 49% of Fleaflicker Leagues

BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues

Again, another ownership level that makes absolutely no sense. Eovaldi has been of the few pieces keeping the Yankees in playoff contention and has provided New York with that steady #2 presence left by Michael Pineda. How he's available in more than 50% of leagues is beyond me.

While the 4.00 ERA and 1.42 WHIP are unpleasant on the eyes, it's necessary to look beyond the full season numbers here.  Check out his post-ASB numbers.

Nathan Eovaldi Pre and Post ASB Splits (Yahoo)

Nathan Eovaldi Pre and Post ASB Splits (Yahoo)

One of the key factors is hitters have struggled against his fastball. He's limited hitters to a .242 BAA versus the fastball in August, a noticeable improvement from earlier in the year (.450 in April). His upped the speed on his fastball to 96 mph and even though it seems small, it's been important to his success in the second half.

He gets an excellent matchup today versus Atlanta, a team that's lost nine of their last ten, and faces Tampa at home in week 22. Fire him up in all leagues.

 

Starting Pitchers Waiver Wire - Deeper Leagues

J.A. Happ (PIT, SP)

OWNED IN: 18% of Fleaflicker Leagues

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14 + leagues / Stream Worthy

It's always interesting to see how players react after joining a playoff contender. In J.A. Happ's case, he's found a groove that's padding the Pirates lead as the top Wild Card.

Since joining the Pirates from Seattle, Happ has started four games and compiled a 2.08 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 22/6 K/BB ratio. If you remove a rough debut versus the Cubs, Happ has a 0.52 ERA over 17.1 innings.

This is a complete 180 from his disastrous campaign with the Mariners (4.64 ERA, 1.41 WHIP). Perhaps the added incentive of pitching in meaningful games in the dog days of summer has motivated Happ to step up his game. He's limited his walks significantly, and his .265 BAA during his recent run is in line with his season and career numbers.

Do I trust Happ for shallow leagues? Only for streaming purposes. But owners starved for pitching should check and see if Happ is hanging around the wire. Next week he has an outing at St. Louis, a team that finds itself in the latter half of NL clubs vs LHP. I'd stream Happ in shallow leagues and grab a share in 14-teamers or NL-Only.

 

Other Pitchers Previously Highlighted to Consider

Go grab Yordano Ventura and Aaron Nola. Seriously, stop reading and go get them.

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%)
Jonathan 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)

 

MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat

[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jam Miller

Has Sneaky Value if He Can Earn a Roster Spot
Justice Hill

a Dynasty Drop Candidate Wherever He's Still Rostered
J'Mari Taylor

Is J'Mari Taylor Worth a Taxi-Squad Spot in Deep Dynasty Leagues?
Greg Dulcich

Has a Lack of Competition Made Greg Dulcich a Dynasty Sleeper?
Carson Beck

a Worthy Investment in the Later Rounds of Rookie Drafts
Devon Toews

Logs Two Assists In Game 3 Defeat
Brett Howden

Nets 10th Postseason Goal
Mitchell Marner

Delivers Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Mark Stone

Returns With Multi-Point Effort
Valeri Nichushkin

Exits Early Sunday
Nathan MacKinnon

Hurt in Game 3 Loss
Isaiah Hartenstein

Provides Steady Production in Defeat
Chet Holmgren

Has a Quiet Offensive Night on Sunday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Held Under 20 Points in Game 4
Stephon Castle

Hands Out Six Assists in Game 4 Win
Devin Vassell

Tallies 13 Points in Game 4 Win
De'Aaron Fox

Records Double-Double as Spurs Even Series
Victor Wembanyama

Sets Tone Early as Spurs Force a Pivotal Game 5
Isaac Guerendo

Could be a Drop Candidate in Dynasty Leagues in 2026
Jayden Higgins

' Dynasty Arrow is Pointing Up With Clear Path to WR2 Role in Houston
Jakobi Meyers

a Sell-High Candidate in Dynasty Formats?
Drake Maye

to Make a Big Leap in 2026 in Second Season With Josh McDaniels?
Jamal Murray

Earns First Career All-NBA Selection
Kevin Durant

Becomes First Player to Make All-NBA Team With Five Franchises
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Victor Wembanyama Lead All-NBA First Team
Taylor Hall

Enjoying Life in Carolina
Mark Stone

Returns to Action Sunday
Cale Makar

Rejoins Avalanche Lineup Sunday
Cason Wallace

Joins Starting Unit Sunday
De'Aaron Fox

Doesn't "Feel Great" Entering Game 4
Jalen Williams

Won't Play Sunday
Christian Watson

Is Christian Watson on the Verge of a Legitimate Breakout?
Khalil Shakir

Dynasty Value in Decline
Travis Hunter

Still a Risky Buy, Even at his Sunken Dynasty Cost
Gunnar Helm

a Dynasty Sleeper with Room to Grow
Drake Maye

Is Drake Maye Becoming the Most Valuable Player in Superflex Dynasty Leagues?
Dylan Cease

Removed From Sunday's Start With Hamstring Discomfort
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Exits Sunday's Game Early with Elbow Contusion
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Sunday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Place Edward Cabrera on the 15-Day Injured List
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Win at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

on Pole for Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Could Break Out of Slump
Kyle Larson

May have A Solid Day at Charlotte
Ryan Blaney

Is A DFS Risk for Charlotte Lineups
William Byron

Could have A Great DFS Performance at Charlotte
Chase Briscoe

Is A Solid Tournament Option for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Pat Freiermuth

Steelers Restructure Pat Freiermuth's Contract
Ty Gibbs

May not be Worth his Salary for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Chris Buescher

May be a Sneaky Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Has Favorable Upside for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Ross Chastain

Is A Strong Addition for DFS Lineups at Charlotte
Austin Dillon

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Austin Dillon for Charlotte DFS Lineups?
Chase Elliott

Should Be Strong at Charlotte
Carson Hocevar

Confident for Coca-Cola 600
Corey Heim

a Chalk DFS Pick at Charlotte
Michael McDowell

Is Michael McDowell A Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups?
Jordan Mason

a Short-Term Dynasty Depth Piece
Dontayvion Wicks

Can Dontayvion Wicks Stand Out in Another Crowded Offense?
Chuba Hubbard

Dynasty Value Back on the Rise
Juwan Johnson

an Overlooked Buy Candidate for Contending Dynasty Managers
Kimani Vidal

Easily Acquirable as a High-Value Insurance Back
Evan Mobley

Tallies Series-High 24 Points on Saturday
Donovan Mitchell

Struggles at the Line Saturday
Karl-Anthony Towns

Continues Playmaking Surge on Saturday
OG Anunoby

Delivers Clean Shooting Line Saturday
Mikal Bridges

Fills Box Score in Game 3 Win
Jalen Brunson

Pushes Knicks Closer to NBA Finals
Orlando Magic

Magic Interview Jeff Van Gundy for Head-Coaching Position
Phillip Danault

Extends Point Streak to Three Games
Josh Anderson

Nets Two Goals in Painful Loss
Jalen Chatfield

Delivers Two Assists in Crucial Win
Mark Jankowski

Contributes Two Assists in Game 2 Victory
Eric Robinson

Scores in Second Consecutive Game
Nikolaj Ehlers

Tallies Two Goals as Hurricanes Bounce Back Saturday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Magic Reportedly Have Giannis Antetokounmpo on Their Radar
Ja'Tavion Sanders

a Dynasty Dart Throw With Potential Untapped Upside
MLB

Orioles-Tigers Game Postponed on Saturday
MLB

Rays-Yankees Postponed on Saturday
Nazem Kadri

Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort
Ross Colton

Nets Lone Avalanche Goal Friday Night
Rasmus Andersson

Extends Assist Streak to Four Games
Pavel Dorofeyev

Focuses on Playmaking in Friday's Win
Jack Eichel

Enjoys Multi-Point Outing in Game 2 Win Friday
Ivan Barbashev

Amasses Three Points as Golden Knights Grab 2-0 Series Lead
Mickey Moniak

Heads to Injured List With Ankle Sprain
Jackson Merrill

has Sore Ribs, Expected to Avoid Injured List
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Looking to Take Sophomore Leap
CFB

Jadan Baugh Primed to Lead Florida Offense in 2026
CFB

LSU Hires Ed Orgeron As Special Assistant
CFB

North Carolina and South Carolina Cancel Home-And-Home Series
CFB

Confidence High in Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Friday
Trevor Story

has Hernia Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-10 Weeks
Roman Anthony

Dealing With Sprained Ligament in his Finger
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Robby Snelling

Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
CFB

Lincoln Riley Believes USC is Ready for Playoff Run
CFB

Notre Dame-Stanford Rivalry Renewed Through 2028
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Says He's "Back to the Road to Success"
CFB

Texas Tech Graduate Judge Recuses Himself from Brendan Sorsby Case
CFB

UCLA Tackle Jordan Davis Officially Eligible for 2026 Season
CFB

Bret Bielema Supports Significant College Football Playoff Expansion
Michael Thorbjornsen

Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List

Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Tom Kim

Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
PGA

Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
Billy Horschel

Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
Si Woo Kim

Looks To Stay Hot at CJ Cup
Scottie Scheffler

to Defend CJ Cup Byron Nelson Title This Week
Jordan Spieth

Looking For Victory at TPC Craig Ranch
PGA

Matti Schmid Looks to Keep Recent Momentum Going at TPC Craig Ranch
Brooks Koepka

a High-Upside Play at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
Drake Baldwin

Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF