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Can you believe that we are already in July? The All-Star Game is less than a week away! That means most of our H2H leagues are only about 7-8 weeks away from the playoffs, depending on the league size. Now is the time to make moves to get the wins to put you in a position to win your league! Even if you are out of contention, it can be fun to play spoiler to your friends (or enemies).
It's important to know your league's scoring. Points league scoring vastly differs on ESPN, CBS, Yahoo!, and Fantrax. Most leagues also have start limits. Remember those when deciding whether to go after a streamer this week. For example, pitchers gain two points for a win on ESPN but also lose two points for a loss. Yahoo gives eight points for a win, and losses don't count against you at all!
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We're not saying to drop a key piece of your team for these guys, but dropping a bench player for a guy on a heater could be the difference between winning and losing your matchup in a points league. It's okay to be patient in roto and category leagues. Points leagues are a different animal. Roster percentages and positions are taken from ESPN.
Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Erick Fedde, CWS (48.9% Rostered)
You may want to leave Fedde out there on sites where you are penalized heavily for losses compared to the reward for a win (ESPN and CBS). Fedde has one of the worst offenses in baseball backing him up, but he has still gutted out a 5-3 record. As expected, he struggled against the Dodgers last week but gets a chance to bounce back against the Guardians today in Cleveland. Cleveland isn't striking out much against righties, but the 74 wRC leaves a lot to be desired.
Matt Waldron, SD (39.8% Rostered)
I asked you to fix Waldron on this list and his rostered percentage actually dropped. He wasn't at his best against the Red Sox in Boston last week, which is what caused the drop. He has a great chance to bounce back against Arizona on Saturday. He held the Snakes to just one run in six innings about a month ago, also at home.
Taj Bradley, TB (29.4% Rostered)
Taj Bradley's last 5 starts:
29 IP
1.24 ERA (3rd in MLB)
40 Ks (1st)
34.5 K% (5th)
2.88 FIP (16th)
0.7 fWAR (14th)Ace in the making. pic.twitter.com/SqNErHR9DY
— galio (@gaIio__) July 1, 2024
Taj has fooled us before, hasn't he? This time feels different, mostly because he has slashed the walk rate and is piling up strikeouts. Bradley has struck out seven or more batters four times in his last five starts. He has a drool-worthy matchup against a struggling Rangers squad (don't tell Dylan Cease that) on Saturday in Arlington, Texas, that isn't striking out a lot, but they only have a .100 ISO against RHP over the last month.
12-Team Leagues
Sean Manaea, NYM (18.7% Rostered)
We've seen enough out of Manaea to know that he can string together some good starts before inevitably falling back to earth. Don't expect that to happen this week. He draws a Pirates team that is striking out at a nice 23.6% clip on Saturday. The best part? The Pirates have an embarrassingly low 21 wRC against lefties over the last month. Manaea has only allowed five runs in his last four starts with 21 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings. There is a lot of potential here.
Tobias Myers, MIL (18.5% Rostered)
How did Tobias Myers post a 1.44 ERA in June after a 5.40 ERA in April/May? #Brewers
He put everything in the same spot to righties: middle
Whiffs down, but cut his xSLG 200+ pts
Raises interesting questions about fastball+breaker interaction when located close together. pic.twitter.com/vWaVk2oA5N
— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) July 1, 2024
As you can see, some changes in command led to a great month for the rookie. His first July start will come at Coors tomorrow, but don't let that scare you off. The Rockies are striking out at a 24.9% clip against right-handed pitching in the last month with a dismal 75 wRC+. Myers scored at least 16 fantasy points on ESPN in every June game. There's no reason to think he can't keep that up into July.
Deep Leagues
David Peterson, NYM (7.8% Rostered)
Peterson's lack of strikeouts is tough, but he is 3-0 with a 3.51 ERA in six starts this season. Any guy who holds his own against the Dodgers and Yankees has a spot on my team. Peterson racked up the Ks against the Yankees and Rangers. He could rack them up against Pittsburgh as well.
Carson Spiers, CIN (3.5% Rostered)
Spiers misses the Yankees and gets a much more favorable matchup against the Tigers on Friday. The Tigers are striking out at a 24.4% clip against RHP in the last month with a 69 wRC+. That's the third worst in baseball over that span. Spiers won't wow you, but he has back-to-back quality starts heading into a plus matchup. You can do worse in a deep league.
Also consider:
- Jake Irvin, WAS (40.2% Rostered), Thursday vs. NYM
- Lance Lynn, STL (37.2% Rostered), Saturday at WAS
- Luis Severino, NYM (29.8% Rostered), Friday at PIT
- Kyle Gibson, STL (24.3% Rostered), Sunday at WAS
- Mitchell Parker, WAS (13.4% Rostered), Today vs. NYM
- Colin Rea, MIL (11.6% Rostered), Today at COL
- Miles Mikolas, STL (10.4% Rostered), Today at PIT
- Simeon Woods Richardson, MIN (10.3% Rostered), Sunday vs. HOU
- Andrew Heaney, TEX (9.5% Rostered), Saturday vs. TB
- Jose Quintana, NYM (4.9% Rostered), Thursday at WAS
- Jonathan Cannon, CWS (3.1% Rostered), Friday at MIA
Fantasy Baseball Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Logan O'Hoppe, LAA (50.5% Rostered)
We're going to round down on this one because it is utterly ridiculous that a guy hitting .280 on the season with a dozen homers and 38 RBI at the most shallow position in fantasy is available in half of all leagues. What are we even doing here?
12-Team Leagues
Shea Langeliers, OAK (14.4% Rostered)
Hey, even bad offenses have some decent hitters. Langeliers won't do much for your average, so in leagues where outs count against you, be careful. However, he has 15 homers at a shallow position and has hit them at decent intervals.
Deep Leagues
Kyle Higashioka, SD (3.4% Rostered)
The Padres could have an interesting decision to make once Luis Campusano returns from the IL. Higashioka has three homers in the last four games. He is also not leaking points on ESPN since he has only struck out once in his last six games. In this day and age of MLB, that's huge!
Also consider:
- Sean Murphy, ATL (42.8% Rostered)
- Patrick Bailey, SF (11.4% Rostered)
- Bo Naylor, CLE (4.4% Rostered)
- Ben Rice, NYY (3.1% Rostered)
Fantasy Baseball Infield Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Justin Turner, 1B, TOR (36.9% Rostered)
It's fair to wonder how much Turner has left in the tank at 39 years old. That question was at the forefront due to his slow start to the season. Turner is slowly coming around with the rest of the Jays offense. Turner's days of 20+ homers are likely done, but he is adding value with hits in eight of the last 10 games and a 2:3 K:BB ratio.
Jonathan India, 2B, CIN (30% Rostered)
What's the most important thing in points leagues? Points! It's so obvious, but you would be surprised how quickly many managers forget that part. India has scored positive points in 11 consecutive games and hasn't lost points in a game since June 17. India lacks the power many chase, but homers aren't as important in points leagues. Getting on base, not striking out, and scoring runs are just as important. That's where India excels.
12-Team Leagues
Nathaniel Lowe, 1B, TEX (16.9% Rostered)
Yes, the Texas offense has struggled of late. That makes Lowe's current run all the more impressive. Lowe is 7-for-13 with three homers, five runs scored, and eight RBI in the last three games alone. This may not last, but Lowe has four of his six homers on the season in the last week. We knew he was too good to be struggling like he was. This hot streak could continue for a while as Lowe gets closer to his averages.
Have yourself a night, Nathaniel Lowe. 👏
2 home runs on his bobblehead night! pic.twitter.com/ievsreJ2Ym
— MLB (@MLB) July 3, 2024
Andrew Vaughn, 1B, CWS (11.6% Rostered)
The White Sox are a tank and not the good kind. Vaughn is hitting like his future depends on it. It's almost like he wants to be one of the guys dealt by the end of the month. Vaughn has homered in back-to-back games. That runs his hitting streak to five games with six runs scored and five RBI to go with those homers.
Deep Leagues
Zach Neto, SS, LAA (8.5% Rostered)
Neto is starting to show the talent that made him the 13th overall pick in the 2022 draft. After another slow start, Neto posted a .780 OPS in June. That means a lot of points in points leagues. The 11 homers and 11 steals are valuable in any format, but the improved strikeout rate is just as important in his June success.
Nolan Schanuel, 1B, LAA (2.6% Rostered)
Sometimes I do really wonder how many managers are still paying attention. Schanuel is riding a seven-game hitting streak in which he has scored five runs, driven in five runs, and stolen a base. He doesn't have much power, but again, power isn't everything in points leagues. His recent performance is more than enough to roster him in a deep league.
Also consider:
- Jeremy Pena, SS, HOU (49.9% Rostered)
- Brendan Donovan, 2B/OF, STL (44.4% Rostered)
- Willi Castro, 2B/SS/3B/OF, MIN (42.5% Rostered)
- Matt Chapman, 3B, SF (39.7% Rostered)
- Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/OF, BAL (38.4% Rostered)
- Mark Vientos, 3B, NYM (18.6% Rostered)
- Zack Gelof, 2B, OAK (11.9% Rostered)
- Jose Miranda, 3B, MIN (10.1% Rostered)
- Miguel Rojas, 2B/SS, LAD (1.9% Rostered)
- Lenyn Sosa, 2B/3B, CWS (0.2% Rostered)
Fantasy Baseball Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Wyatt Langford, TEX (47.4% Rostered)
Wyatt Langford has officially arrived.pic.twitter.com/iPgQCEs3j2
— Michael Bier (@MichaelJBier) June 22, 2024
Are you all paying attention? Langford's percentage went up less than two points and the kid is still hitting. He is hitting .354 with three of his four homers on the season and 14 RBI in the last two weeks. He has also walked more than he has struck out in that span, which gives you some extra points on all sites. Walks are very important in points leagues.
Jackson Chourio, MIL (27.2% Rostered)
Many bailed on Chourio after a slow start, myself included. I'm a big advocate of not blindly rolling out struggling rookies when there are league-winning veterans on waivers. That said, I also know when to go back out there and get the rookie. Chourio has scored a run in six straight games and nine of the last 10. He has two homers and eight RBI in that span. Even more impressive than that is his plate discipline. Chourio has only struck out once in his last 10 games! He's making great contact and has another game in Coors. Get him while you can!
12-Team Leagues
Brenton Doyle, COL (18.9% Rostered)
There's no place like home...especially when your home is Coors Field and you have a bat in your hands. Doyle has celebrated his return to Denver by going 5-for-7 in the first two games of this series with three homers, four runs, five RBI, and a steal. Pile it on, why don't you! The Rockies play the rest of their week in Denver. Pick up Doyle for the rest of the week.
Jarred Kelenic, ATL (16.1% Rostered)
Kelenic is no Ronald Acuna Jr., but he has been closer to his numbers than you think. Kelenic is hitting .370 with two homers, five RBI, and a steal in the last week. He hit .304 with six homers, 14 RBI, and 11 runs scored in June while swiping three bags. Kelenic has been a nice addition to the top of the Braves order and would make a nice addition to your fantasy team as well.
Deep Leagues
Heston Kjerstad, BAL (6.8% Rostered)
This is another rookie that fantasy managers are slow to come back to after a rough first go-round in the majors this year. Kjerstad is hitting .350 with two homers, eight RBI, and three runs scored in six starts since his return to the majors. We can live with the six strikeouts as long as he keeps hitting like this.
Derek Hill, TEX (0.8% Rostered)
Before his recent call-up, Hill had four homers in 289 career at-bats. He has three in his last 10 at-bats alone! Hill is mashing lefties right now and even drew a start against righty Dylan Cease last night. Texas needs all of the offensive help it can get. Pick up Hill and run him until he cools off.
Also consider:
- Jorge Soler, SF (46.6% Rostered)
- Heliot Ramos, SF (35.6% Rostered)
- Brent Rooker, OAK (32.5% Rostered)
- Alec Burleson, STL (30.8% Rostered)
- Byron Buxton, MIN (25.2% Rostered)
- Michael Conforto, SF (14.3% Rostered)
- Brandon Marsh, PHI (9.5% Rostered)
- Sal Frelick, MIL (6.2% Rostered)
- Harrison Bader, NYM (5.1% Rostered)
- Trevor Larnach, MIN (0.7% Rostered)
- Tyrone Taylor, NYM (0.3% Rostered)
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