🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
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 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"]

 




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

Jalen Hurts

Eagles Expected to Rest Jalen Hurts, Most Starters in Week 18
George Kittle

49ers Will be "Very Surprised" if George Kittle Doesn't Play on Saturday
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Regular-Season Finale
CFB

Lane Kiffin Interested in Sam Leavitt, Brendan Sorsby at LSU
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Questionable Wednesday
Adam Gaudette

Unavailable Wednesday
Darcy Kuemper

Activated From Injured Reserve
Alex Lyon

Nursing Lower-Body Injury
William Karlsson

to Miss Olympics
Jack Eichel

a Game-Time Decision Wednesday
Jason Dickinson

Hurt Versus Islanders
Mitchell Robinson

Sits Out Wednesday's Game
Grayson Allen

Listed as Doubtful Wednesday
Mason Plumlee

Ryan Kalkbrenner, Mason Plumlee Remain Out Wednesday
Kon Knueppel

Likely to Return Wednesday
Miles Bridges

Listed as Questionable Wednesday
Isaiah Hartenstein

Misses Second Straight Game
Devin Vassell

Ruled Out for Wednesday
Stephon Castle

Iffy for Wednesday
Josh Giddey

Sidelined "at Least a Few Weeks"
Desmond Bane

Might Miss Wednesday's Game in Indiana
Jalen Suggs

on the Injury Report Again for Wednesday Night
Trae Young

Questionable Against Timberwolves
Kristaps Porzingis

Returning Versus Minnesota
Jalen Johnson

Not Listed on the Injury Report for Wednesday
Josh Giddey

Sidelined Wednesday
Coby White

Won't Play on Wednesday
Jock Landale

Set to Suit Up on Tuesday
Joel Embiid

Available on Tuesday
Keyonte George

Active Tuesday
Connor Dewar

Available Tuesday
TOR

Chris Tanev to Miss Time With Lower-Body Injury
Dakota Joshua

Out With Kidney Problem
MON

Samuel Montembeault Returns to Canadiens Crease
Erik Karlsson

Good to Go Tuesday
William Nylander

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Auston Matthews

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Corey Kispert

Will Not Return Wednesday
Kyshawn George

Will Not Play Wednesday Against the Bucks
CFB

Deuce Knight Officially Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Kewan Lacy Expected to Be Full-Go Against Georgia
Stefon Diggs

Facing Strangulation, Assault Charges
CFB

Chip Kelly Named Northwestern Offensive Coordinator
Alex Lyon

Bags Another Victory Monday
Riley Leonard

Will Start Against the Texans
Marcus Johansson

Matches Career High With Four-Point Effort
Steven Stamkos

Shines Monday Night With Three Points
Dylan Strome

Extends Point Streak in Loss
Sam Reinhart

Leads Charge Against Capitals With Three Points
Troy Terry

Enjoys Three-Point Night Against Sharks
Macklin Celebrini

Remains Hot Against Ducks
Bijan Robinson

Explodes for 229 Total Yards, Two Touchdowns on Monday Night
Davante Adams

Officially Out on Monday Night
Drake London

Active Against Rams
Justin Herbert

Won't Face Broncos in Week 18
Marcus Mariota

Considered "a Stretch" to Play in Week 18
Geno Smith

Dealing With Significant Ankle Injury
Dak Prescott

Will Play in Week 18
Lamar Jackson

Week 18 Status "to be Determined"
Joe Mixon

Won't Return This Season
T.J. Watt

a Long Shot to Play in Week 18?
CFB

Penn State Working to Hire D'Anton Lynn as Next Defensive Coordinator
Joe Burrow

Will Play in Week 18 Against the Browns
CFB

Omar Cooper Expected to be Full-Go for Rose Bowl
CFB

Marcus Freeman Staying with Notre Dame for 2026 Season
CFB

Star Wideout Cam Coleman Entering Transfer Portal
Luther Burden III

Set to Undergo Additional Testing on Quad Injury
D'Andre Swift

Finds End Zone Twice in Sunday Night Loss
Luther Burden III

Posts Season-High 138 Yards, Touchdown in Loss
Christian McCaffrey

Racks Up 181 Total Yards, Touchdown in Win Over Bears
Brock Purdy

Delivers Second Straight Five-Touchdown Performance
CFB

Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Michigan Targeting Kyle Whittingham as Next Head Coach
CFB

Texas Leading Rusher Quintrevion Wisner Set to Transfer

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP