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A vast majority of teams haven't revealed their rotations for the rest of the week, so that makes the pitchers' section of this article hard to predict. All teams only have three games for the rest of the week, so the pitcher portion of this piece is going to be lighter than normal. Most of the 90 pitchers pitching the rest of the week are rostered in more than half the leagues.
It's important to know your league's scoring. It's going to be harder to unearth the pitcher that can swing your matchup in the next three days. 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 (47.4% Rostered)
Lowest ERA’s since 6/2 entering today (7/13):
Taj Bradley: 1.07
Paul Skenes: 1.62
Justin Steele: 1.65
Tobias Myers: 1.79
Jose Quintana: 2.13
Garrett Crochet: 2.15
Chris Sale: 2.17
George Kirby: 2.28
Hunter Brown: 2.39
Michael King: 2.40#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/eaqkq8m1hO— Running From The OPS (@OPS_BASEBALL) July 14, 2024
Taj was the hottest pitcher going into the break. I can only assume that his percentage is this low because he will face the Yankees in Yankee Stadium on Saturday for his first start out of the break. While it is true that the Yankees offense is much better than it was a month or so ago, Bradley's numbers speak for themselves. The Yankees are still in the middle of the pack against right-handed pitchers. If you need a start this week, Bradley is still one of the better options.
Sean Manaea, NYM (35.7% Rostered)
In the theme of sticking with pitchers who are confirmed as starters for this weekend, I present Manaea against the Marlins. He has only allowed eight runs in 35 2/3 innings over his last seven starts. The 36 strikeouts in that span keep his value high as does this great matchup and park upgrade in South Florida. The Marlins are striking out 27.2% of the time against lefties over the last month.
12-Team Leagues
Ben Lively, CLE (24.3% Rostered)
Lively has a date with the Padres at home on Sunday. They are striking out at the second-lowest rate against RHP in the last month, but are in the bottom five in wRC, wRC+, and wRAA in that same span. The Padres are making contact, but not good contact. Lively should be good for around six innings and a couple of runs allowed with a handful of strikeouts. If that can help your team, he's worth a look.
Deep Leagues
Drew Thorpe, CWS (9.9% Rostered)
Thorpe has been one of the few bright spots in the Sox rotation this year. He has only allowed five runs over 24 1/3 innings in his last four starts. The 15 strikeouts are lower than we would like in points leagues, but this is a really good matchup against the Royals on Sunday. The Royals have slashed the strikeouts against righties, but they have the third-worst wRC against RHP over the last month.
Kyle Freeland, COL (2% Rostered)
Freeland has a ghastly 6.00 ERA on the season, but he has only allowed five runs in 26 1/3 innings over four starts since returning from the IL. The elbow issue seems to be behind him. Two of those four starts were at home and one was in Cincinnati. That's three starts in the two worst parks for pitchers in the National League and Freeland not only survived but excelled. The Giants are striking out at a 25.8% clip against lefties in the last month. Freeland should start this weekend, but nothing is official yet. If he is confirmed, scoop him up!
Also consider:
- Tyler Anderson, LAA (34.6% Rostered), Sunday* at OAK
- Jameson Taillon, CHC (30.1% Rostered), Sunday* vs. Arizona
- Matt Waldron, SD (25.2% Rostered), Friday at CLE
- Joey Estes, OAK (2% Rostered), vs. LAA*
* - Expected to start
Fantasy Baseball Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Ben Rice, NYY (36.7% Rostered)
Come on guys...what more do you want from Rice? Six homers in the last two weeks with 15 RBI isn't enough? He's still eligible as a catcher, for Yogi Berra's sake! Chances are your starting catcher isn't performing at that level, nor do they face the Rays at home the rest of the week.
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
Tyler Stephenson, CIN (11.9% Rostered)
Stephenson homered four times and drove in eight runs in four games against the Rockies last week. He was more quiet against the Marlins over the weekend but continued to get on base. A series in Washington should allow the hot streak to continue.
Deep Leagues
Carson Kelly, DET (0.6% Rostered)
The Tigers have a few catchers who can play, but only one of them is riding an eight-game hitting streak. Kelly has three homers and 11 RBI in that span and started three of the four games leading into the break. Expect him to see two of the three games behind the plate this weekend.
Also consider:
- Keibert Ruiz, WAS (43.8% Rostered)
- Jonah Heim, TEX (39.9% Rostered)
- Travis d'Arnaud, ATL (10.9% Rostered)
- Austin Wells, NYY (1.9% Rostered)
Fantasy Baseball Infield Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Brendan Donovan, 2B/OF, STL (46.9% Rostered)
Donovan hasn't hit a homer since June 22, but he is hitting .341 over the last fortnight with a steal and more walks than strikeouts. That's a big deal in points leagues, especially the ones that dock you for strikeouts. Donovan is still hitting .352 over the last month. He has staying power beyond this week if your regular 2B is struggling.
Jonathan India, 2B, CIN (32.4% Rostered)
Leading off for an offense like the Reds has a lot of fantasy appeal. India closed the first half with a .375 average, two homers, three RBI, and five runs scored in the last five games. His plate discipline is much improved as well, which really helps in leagues that dock you for strikeouts. India only struck out twice in those five games.
12-Team Leagues
Colt Keith, 2B/3B, DET (23.2% Rostered)
Keith didn't slow down before the break, so he has staying power. He has at least one hit in 10 of his last 11 starts and has scored nine runs in the last six games. He has five homers in the last two weeks with 13 RBI. The Tigers offense is starting to wake up and Keith is right in the middle of it.
Luis Garcia Jr., 2B, WAS (19.1% Rostered)
Garcia closed the first half with a five-game hitting streak and at least one hit in nine of the last 10 games. He smacked two homers and drove in nine runs in that span, all while striking out only three times. He's a gift in ESPN leagues right now and is available in 80% of leagues for free!
Deep Leagues
Eugenio Suarez, ARI (10.1% Rostered)
Eugenio Suarez last 15 games 🔥
.333 BA
4 Home Runs
17 Hits
16 RBIs
12 RunsMay be the hottest player in baseball right now. pic.twitter.com/3leywa0sFr
— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) July 15, 2024
All the talk about Deyvison De Los Santos being called up and supplanting Suarez has lit a fire under him. Suarez is hitting .345 with four homers, 14 RBI, and nine runs scored in the last eight games. The Snakes come back from the break in Wrigley, which is a massive park upgrade. Suarez has a great chance to remain hot.
Michael Toglia, 1B/OF, COL (5.2% Rostered)
The strikeouts curb his appeal in ESPN leagues, but you can't deny the power. Toglia smashed six homers and drove in eight runs in the week before the break. All of those games were on the road. He's worth picking up in deep leagues as the Rockies come out of the break at home against the Giants.
Also consider:
- Josh Smith, SS/3B, TEX (31.5% Rostered)
- Michael Busch, 1B/3B, CHC (27.3% Rostered)
- Ceddanne Rafaela, SS/OF, BOS (21.6% Rostered)
- Masyn Winn, SS, STL (13.6% Rostered)
- Zack Gelof, 2B, OAK (12.5% Rostered)
- Rowdy Tellez, 1B, PIT (4.2% Rostered)
- Jose Iglesias, 2B/SS/3B, NYM (3.6% Rostered)
- Nolan Schanuel, 1B, LAA (3.2% Rostered)
- Ernie Clement, SS/3B, TOR (1.2% Rostered)
Fantasy Baseball Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups - Points Leagues
Shallow Leagues
Brenton Doyle, COL (44% Rostered)
Brent Rooker graduated from this list (as he should have), so we'll highlight another Brent of sorts. Brenton closed the first half with five homers in nine games with 10 RBI. Seven of those were road games! He and the Rockies head home to face the Giants to close the week, so Doyle has a great chance to keep smashing!
Rece Hinds, CIN (39.1% Rostered)
Rece Hinds is the first player in MLB history to have 8 extra-base hits in the first six games of a career:
⚾️4 homers (3x 430 ft+)
⚾️3 doubles
⚾️1 triplePreposterous week for the Reds rookie. pic.twitter.com/DySpnZwCkn
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) July 13, 2024
What's more preposterous? The fact that he can be had free of charge in more than 60% of fantasy leagues.
12-Team Leagues
Michael Conforto, SF (14.3% Rostered)
The strikeouts are still a problem in leagues that dock for those, but Conforto is hitting well enough (and walking enough) to offset those on most sites. Conforto has 10 of his 39 RBI on the season already in July. The walks feel like a precursor to a breakout for Conforto.
Joc Pederson, ARI (10.5% Rostered)
It's hard to tell how good of a pickup Pederson is until the rotations are finalized for teams coming out of the break. We do know that Justin Steele will start one of the games (likely on Friday), so Pederson won't start that game. The other two games look to be righties. If that holds, Joc is worth a look. He has seven homers in 176 career at-bats in Wrigley.
Deep Leagues
Lawrence Butler, OAK (3.5% Rostered)
Lawrence Butler over his last 13 games:
.326 AVG
7 HR
17 RBI
10 Runs
3 SBpic.twitter.com/oDSvO23WxZ— Kirk Snyder (@dynastyinfo411) July 14, 2024
Butler's three-homer afternoon on Sunday was his first trifecta at any level of professional baseball. He may not keep this up for very long, but it doesn't cost us anything to find out. I have added him in every league I play in, even the shallower ones. If Butler smashes the Angels to close the week, he's doing so on my team!
Jesus Sanchez, MIA (1.4% Rostered)
It's hard to believe that Sanchez is still only 26 years old. He debuted with the Marlins in 2020 to much fanfare and little success. Such has been the story with Sanchez for much of his career. He's finally showing that promise. Sanchez went into the break with a five-game hitting streak. Four of his 11 homers on the season have come in July. He's heating up with the weather.
Also consider:
- Masataka Yoshida, BOS (48.4% Rostered)
- Heliot Ramos, SF (44.9% Rostered)
- Byron Buxton, MIN (33.7% Rostered)
- Jesse Winker, WAS (20.1% Rostered)
- Matt Vierling, DET (8.7% Rostered)
- Max Schuemann, OAK (2.4% Rostered)
- Juan Yepez, WAS (1.3% Rostered)
- Joshua Palacios, PIT (0.5% Rostered)
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