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Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy baseball waiver wire pitchers for points leagues in Week 8 - May 13 through May 19. If you're seeking pitchers to strengthen your squad in the upcoming week, you've come to the right place. This article includes pitchers who could help secure a win in head-to-head ("H2H") points leagues. Each recommendation is for May 13 - 19 and is rostered in roughly half the leagues on ESPN and/or Yahoo.
We'll have a weekly points-league roundup here at RotoBaller. In the points format, player values can vary wildly from platform to platform. Therefore, we'll highlight where each player fits best based on the scoring systems from ESPN, Yahoo, CBS, Fantrax, and NFBC, respectively.
Each pitcher on this list is expected to make two starts in Week 8. If you're looking for hitters, be sure to check out our other fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups articles as well. Now, let's get into this week's best options.
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Points League Waiver Wire - Best Choices
Cristopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies
Yahoo: 60%; ESPN 10%
Sanchez has been solid for the Phillies this season (3.22 ERA, 36.1 IP, 34 K). He's thrown 5+ IP with 2 ER or less in four of his first seven starts. He was especially sharp in his most recent outing, posting 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, and 5 K against the Blue Jays. On Monday, he'll toe the slab in New York against the Mets. So far, left-handed pitchers have held the Mets to a .684 OPS. Then, he'll return home to face the Nationals over the weekend, a team with a .642 OPS against lefties.
Sanchez has been noticeably better at Citizens Bank Park, managing a 1.88 ERA over 24 IP with 21 H, 29 K, and 7 BB. On the road, he has a 5.84 ERA in 12 1/3 IP with 12 H, 5 K, and 8 BB. However, his Monday start at Citi Field shouldn't deter you from adding him to your squad. His road numbers are partially skewed by a rough outing in Anaheim, wherein he allowed four runs over 5 IP. The Angels hit lefties much better than righties; the Mets don't. Overall, the fact that Sanchez will have two promising starts makes him a borderline must-start in every H2H points league.
Gavin Stone, Los Angeles Dodgers
Yahoo: 41%; ESPN 15%
Over Stone's last three starts, he's thrown 20 IP with 13 H, 3 R, 3 BB, and 10 K. This week, he has two favorable matchups. First, he'll face the Giants in San Francisco. Not only is Oracle Park one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in MLB, but the Giants also have a .642 OPS at home and a .673 OPS against righties.
Then, over the weekend, he'll face the Reds at home in Dodger Stadium. The Reds have been struggling lately, and only have a .630 OPS on the road and a .645 OPS against righties. When you combine these stats with Stone's hot streak, there's a solid chance he does well this week.
Gavin Stone, Vicious 87mph Changeup. 😤 pic.twitter.com/nDQi3rIiNb
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 8, 2024
Points League Waiver Wire - Next Choices
Aaron Civale, Tampa Bay Rays
Yahoo: 51%; ESPN 24%
After three terrible starts in a row, Civale's ERA jumped from 2.74 to 5.88. However, his last start was a step in the right direction. I anticipate that he'll turn things around this week.
His expected ERA ("xERA") is only 3.97. He's also set to face the Red Sox in Boston and the Blue Jays in Toronto. The Red Sox only have a .705 OPS at home. The Blue Jays have a .650 OPS against righties. With multiple opportunities to rack up points, Civale is a strong candidate for Week 8.
Points League Waiver Wire - Deeper Choices
Colin Rea, Milwaukee Brewers
Yahoo: 14%; ESPN 7%
So far, Rea has been solid but streaky. His 3.29 ERA is certainly appealing, but his 5.76 xERA is alarming. The only reason I'd suggest adding him is because of the matchups. He'll start in Milwaukee against the Pirates, who have the third-worst OPS in MLB. Then, he'll face the Astros in Houston.
While the Astros have a .712 OPS against righties, they have a .792 OPS at Minute Maid Park. Overall, you should only add Rea if you think his performance against the Pirates will outweigh a potential bust against the Astros. It's hard to bet against Houston, no matter how rough they've been so far. However, there is a chance Rea can put up a few good innings against them.
If anyone is going to save us, it’ll be Colin Rea pic.twitter.com/ZtGWkurPIk
— Ryan (@BrewPack8) May 7, 2024
Jose Soriano, Los Angeles Angels
Yahoo: 14%; ESPN 7%
Soriano, like Colin Rea, only has streaming value because of his matchups, even though there's a chance that one is rough. He'll face the Cardinals in Anaheim. On the road, the Cardinals have a .623 OPS.
However, his next matchup is against the Rangers in Arlington. The Rangers' OPS against righties and at home are both around .750. Soriano could do well against the Cardinals, but it's unlikely that his start in Texas will produce much value. That's why he's a desperate choice.
Points League Waiver Wire - More Options
- James Paxton, LAD - 34% rostered
- Kyle Gibson, STL - 32% rostered
- Andrew Heaney, TEX - 15% rostered
- Griffin Canning, LAA - 10% rostered
- Jake Irvin, WAS - 7% rostered
- Austin Gomber, COL - 1% rostered
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