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It's the week before the All-Star break, so enjoy the last normal week we will have on waivers for a while. Pitcher streaming will be a lot harder next week with all MLB teams setting up their rotations to start with the ace after the break. We'll have fewer waiver players to choose from as we try to pile on the points at the end of the week. I'll give a reminder next week!
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. These pickups will help you win this week, not necessarily in the future. The tomorrows are getting fewer and fewer with most leagues only six weeks away from the playoffs! Roster percentages and positions are taken from ESPN.
Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Taj Bradley, TB (36.3% Rostered)
Taj Bradley over his last 6 starts:
35 IP
1.28 ERA
45:13 K:BBIf he keeps making adjustments and improving…we are looking at a future ace!
pic.twitter.com/DOnfjFpnnx— Andrew DeCeglie (@Andrew_FBB) July 7, 2024
Another week, another brilliant start from Taj Bradley. He only struck out five Rangers, but we knew Texas wasn't whiffing against right-handed pitchers anyway. He only gave up one run in six innings. That's what we really care about. Cleveland also isn't striking out a lot against RHP and its offensive numbers are solid against them as well. That makes Bradley a little more of a risk this week, but we can't argue with the results he's getting.
Andrew Abbott, CIN (32.8% Rostered)
I usually end up shying away from Abbott since he pitches half of his games at Coors Field East (Great American Small Park). We need to readjust our thinking. Abbott's ERA isn't any higher in his home starts. He gets another cake matchup against the Marlins to take us into the All-Star break. The Fish have been dreadful against lefties over the last month, striking out at a 25.4% clip with a puny .103 ISO and 74 wRC+ (only Pittsburgh's is worse). Abbott hasn't given up more than three runs in a start since May 28. It won't happen on Sunday, either.
Tyler Anderson, LAA (31.3% Rostered)
Anderson struck out 10 Cubbies at Wrigley over the weekend in eight shutout innings. The Mariners haven't been terrible against LHP, but they are still striking out at 28% in the last month against them. Everything else is middle-of-the-pack (much like the Cubs) against lefties. He'll rack up the strikeouts for you tomorrow against the Mariners.
12-Team Leagues
Reese Olson, DET (22.5% Rostered)
Olson starts tonight at home against Cleveland. I mentioned above that the Guardians have solid numbers against RHP, but Olson has been more than solid lately. He has a 1.88 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 24 innings over his last four starts. He turned in a strong performance in his last start against Cleveland on May 8, netting 23 fantasy points on ESPN. There is potential here if you need a mid-week start.
Jameson Taillon, CHC (16.7% Rostered)
Don't look now, but Taillon's ERA has dipped below 3 (2.99) after a strong start against Baltimore last week. Taillon has delivered six consecutive quality starts with only 10 runs allowed in 38 innings while striking out 37 batters. A matchup in St. Louis won't be easy, but Taillon already turned in a quality start against the Cards at Wrigley during his hot streak. He could close out your week with another quality start, which is a nice little bonus on CBS and Fantrax.
Six straight quality starts for Jameson Taillon! pic.twitter.com/VF0PKJnPcj
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 10, 2024
Deep Leagues
Jose Quintana, NYM (7.4% Rostered)
Yes, it's that Jose Quintana. There isn't another one running around in the majors yet. Quintana got back on fantasy radars down the stretch in Pittsburgh last year and it's time to take notice again. Quintana just dominated the Nats in consecutive starts, allowing just five hits and four walks in 14 shutout innings. He closes out the week in a home matchup against the Rockies, a team that is striking out at an alarming 29% against left-handed pitching over the last month. Their offensive numbers against lefties are solid, but the strikeouts should be there to mitigate the damage.
Andre Pallante, STL (2.9% Rostered)
Pallante is expected to start the first game of the twin bill against the Royals today. He has been strong over his last two starts, allowing only one run in 12 1/3 innings while striking out 10. With the potential for a watered-down lineup in the matinee of a twin bill, I like Pallante's chances at another solid start.
Also consider:
- Matt Waldron, SD (32.7% Rostered), Saturday vs. ATL
- Sean Manaea, NYM (26.7% Rostered), Friday vs. COL
- Colin Rea, MIL (21.2% Rostered), Sunday vs. WAS
- Brandon Pfaadt, ARI (20.2% Rostered), Thursday vs. ATL
- Mitchell Parker, WAS (14.1% Rostered), Saturday at MIL
- Tobias Myers, MIL (13.7% Rostered), Today vs. PIT
- Miles Mikolas, STL (12% Rostered), Saturday vs. CHC
- Simeon Woods Richardson, MIN (9% Rostered), Saturday at SF
- Jonathan Cannon, CWS (5.2% Rostered), Saturday at PIT
- Spencer Schwellenbach, ATL (4.6% Rostered), Friday at SD
- Ryne Nelson, ARI (1.5% Rostered), Friday vs. TOR
Fantasy Baseball Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Ben Rice, NYY (28.5% Rostered)
The rookie's rostered percentage is quickly on the rise, but he should have graduated from this list by now. Rice is leading all catcher-eligible players in fantasy points over the last week. That's universal across all sites. The Yankees can't afford to let him waste away on the bench, nor should you let him waste away on waivers.
Ben Rice was born in Cohasset, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. He grew up a Yankees fan despite being around Red Sox fans (including his own family).
Today, he became the 1st rookie in @Yankees history to hit 3 home runs in a game. And he did it against the @RedSox. pic.twitter.com/QSB2EjcT9w
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) July 6, 2024
12-Team Leagues
Shea Langeliers, OAK (14.6% Rostered)
Stay away from Shea on ESPN. He has a staggering 13 strikeouts in the last week, but he also has driven in at least one run in four straight games, homering twice in that span. He's worth the risk on every site but ESPN.
Deep Leagues
Kyle Higashioka, SD (2.9% Rostered)
The Padres could have an interesting decision to make once Luis Campusano returns from the IL. Higashioka has a four-game hitting streak in which he has homered twice and driven in five. If you need short-term help at catcher leading into the break, Higgy is your man!
Also consider:
- Keibert Ruiz, WAS (43.5% Rostered)
- Jonah Heim, TEX (41.3% Rostered)
- Mitch Garver, SEA (10.3% Rostered)
- Tyler Stephenson, CIN (6.2% Rostered)
Fantasy Baseball Infield Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Jose Miranda, 3B, MIN (35.4% Rostered)
Jose Miranda joins Johnny Kling (1902), Pinky Higgins (1938) and Walt Dropo (1952) as the only @MLB players to record a hit in 12 straight at-bats. pic.twitter.com/pw529FQkr4
— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) July 6, 2024
Miranda tied a major league record with a hit in 12 consecutive at-bats last week. He's not going to duplicate that feat this week, but with two games against the lowly White Sox today and a series in San Francisco in which he'll face two lefties, Miranda is still a great add to finish out your first half.
Willi Castro, 2B/3B/OF, MIN (44.3% Rostered)
Yes, I'm telling you to just go to your waiver wire and pick up anyone on the Twins. Castro is leading off for this juggernaut and is still available in more than half of fantasy leagues...all while having the coveted multi-position eligibility. Castro isn't as hot as the rest of the team, but he still has six hits in the last three games.
12-Team Leagues
Luis Garcia Jr., 2B, WAS (17% Rostered)
Garcia had a two-homer game against the Mets last week and picked up two hits in the first game of this series last night. He loves Mets pitching! He also turned in eight hits in the four-game series against the Cardinals, adding another homer and four RBI. Garcia has proven to be a streaky player this year, so pick him up while he's hot! He closes out the week with more games against the Mets and then gets Milwaukee. Both are strong matchups.
Brooks Lee, SS, MIN (14.6% Rostered)
The rookie has burst on the scene with 11 hits in his first 24 major league at-bats. He has scored four times, homered, and driven in eight. The entire Minnesota offense is hot right now except for Trevor Larnach. The RBI opportunities will keep coming for Lee. He's viable beyond this week as well. Don't miss out on your chance to grab one of the better prospects still widely available.
Deep Leagues
Colt Keith, 2B, DET (9.7% Rostered)
The rookie is cooking over the last week, hitting .375 with four homers (he only has eight on the season in 278 at-bats) and seven RBI. He is also riding a seven-game hitting streak. The fact that he is available even in most deep leagues is baffling. Pick him up for this week and beyond!
Rowdy Tellez, 1B, PIT (3.3% Rostered)
How hot is Rowdy? He's even starting against lefties right now! Tellez has five of his eight homers on the season in the last 10 games. He is hitting .314 with those five homers, 10 runs scored, and nine RBI in that span. He closes out the first half with great matchups against the Brewers and White Sox. Ride this hot streak while it lasts!
Also consider:
- Matt Chapman, 3B, SF (46.3% Rostered)
- Rhys Hoskins, 1B, MIL (28.9% Rostered)
- Ceddanne Rafaela, SS/OF, BOS (18.2% Rostered)
- Nolan Gorman, 2B, STL (16.6% Rostered)
- Masyn Winn, SS, STL (14.2% Rostered)
- Zack Gelof, 2B, OAK (12.2% Rostered)
- Eugenio Suarez, 3B, ARI (8% Rostered)
- Lenyn Sosa, 2B/3B, CWS (2.6% Rostered)
- Miguel Vargas, 2B/OF, LAD (1.3% Rostered)
Fantasy Baseball Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Brent Rooker, OAK (39.5% Rostered)
Every player in the Top 15 of OPS made the All-Star team except for Brent Rooker
He needs some more respect on his name pic.twitter.com/TjTci7iMCE
— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) July 7, 2024
Pop quiz: Who is leading all hitters in fantasy points over the last week? Rafael Devers? He's on a heater. Nope. He's fourth. How about Trea Turner, he of the five homers in the last week? Nope. He's still behind Rooker. Rooker is hitting a blistering .522 with three homers, eight RBI, nine runs scored, and two steals in the last week. He's still in a dream park in Fenway and closes out the week in Philly. Both are favorable parks to hit in.
James Wood, WAS (38.5% Rostered)
Your time is running out to pick up the best Washington prospect since Bryce Harper. Wood's first week in the majors was a good one. He is hitting a respectable .273 with a homer, a steal, six RBI, and four runs scored. The fact that he has recorded four walks is just a bonus. He's another guy that is viable beyond the week. Washington has no reason not to play him now that he's up with the big club.
Byron Buxton, MIN (32.5% Rostered)
I still believe in Buxton. I know...I'm a glutton for punishment. For those of you that don't, you may want to believe for the rest of the week. I mentioned earlier that the Twins have a great five games before the break. Buxton is riding a seven-game hit streak and has multiple hits in four consecutive games. He is hitting .478 over the last week. You may as well ride this wave into the break.
12-Team Leagues
Michael Conforto, SF (14.4% Rostered)
The Giants close out the first half with the Jays and the Twins, so Conforto could finish strong. He has a homer and six RBI in the last four games alone. The strikeouts are still an impediment on ESPN, but he's doing a lot more good than harm right now.
Joc Pederson, ARI (11.7% Rostered)
Pederson is seeing the ball well right now. He has two homers in the last five games and has walked as many times as he has struck out. He's still an all-or-nothing player, but he's getting all more often than nothing right now.
Deep Leagues
Rece Hinds, CIN (1.1% Rostered)
Could you believe this?!
Rece Hinds takes one 458 feet as he hits home runs in the first two games of his career! pic.twitter.com/xXVb48CnOX
— MLB (@MLB) July 10, 2024
Do I really need to add anything to that? No? Didn't think so.
Max Schuemann, OAK (0.7% Rostered)
The A's can strike out with the worst of them, but they are still producing some solid fantasy players lately. Schuemann is one of those. He is hitting .350 with two homers, five RBI, and three steals in the last week. Surely, you have room for that in your very deep leagues, right? RIGHT?
Joshua Palacios, PIT (0.2% Rostered)
Palacios is leading off for the Pirates. He has two homers, four RBI, and five walks in the last week...all without striking out. Who does that any more? That gives him extra value on ESPN, who docks a full point for strikeouts. You NL-only players need to jump on Palacios pronto.
Also consider:
- Tyler O'Neill, BOS (48% Rostered)
- Masataka Yoshida, BOS (47.8% Rostered)
- Heliot Ramos, SF (40.3% Rostered)
- Alec Burleson, STL (36.6% Rostered)
- Brenton Doyle, COL (29.9% Rostered)
- Jesse Winker, WAS (20.2% Rostered)
- Max Kepler, MIN (10.4% Rostered)
- Adam Duvall, ATL (1.2% Rostered)
- Jack Suwinski, PIT (1.9% Rostered)
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