Nestor Cortes Jr. (SP, NYY) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 10+ teams

ROSTERED IN: 50% of leagues

ANALYSIS: It's taken several stints in the majors since 2018, but Cortes seems to have figured things out on the mound this season. Over 79 2/3 innings of work this year, Cortes has gone 2-2 with a 2.60 ERA, 1.054 WHIP and 27.3 percent strikeout rate. He's looked good over his last three starts with a 2.00 ERA, 0.944 WHIP and 23 strikeouts over 18 innings — including an 11-strikeout performance his last time out against the Orioles.

He'll open up the week at home, which will be a boost to his value as he's pitched far better in New York this year (1.93 ERA, 0.938 WHIP) than on the road (3.19 ERA, 1.157 WHIP). He'll be facing off against the Rangers, who are averaging 5.0 runs per game and slashing .253/.304/.394 over their last 10 games. While that could make it somewhat of a challenging start for Cortes, he'll be aided by the fact that not only are the Rangers hitting worse against left-handed pitchers this year (.232/.288/.363), they are also hitting worse on the road (.226/.286/.363) than at home (.236/.300/.393).

Afterwards he'll head out on the road to Boston, where he'll face the red-hot Red Sox who are slashing .267/.335/.463 and averaging 5.8 runs per game over their last 10 games. Cortes will not benefit from any home-road splits, because along with pitching worse on the road, the Red Sox are hitting much better at home (.278/.348/.477) than on the road (.242/.305/.417). He'll have a slight benefit though as a left-hander, as Boston is hitting slightly worse against southpaws (.261/.328/.426) than against right-handers (.259/.326/.457).

The outing against Texas should be a solid one for Cortes — especially coming off his stellar performance against the Orioles. The Red Sox matchup will be a tougher one, but Cortes could still provide decent value there. Cortes is likely the top two-start streaming option managers can find this week, and he should be targeted in all formats.

More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups

Joey Ortiz, Connor Norby, Michael Conforto - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

If you need some fantasy baseball sleeper targets or you are looking to avoid busts in your upcoming drafts, then look no further! Joey Ortiz, Connor Norby, and Michael Conforto are all interesting fantasy targets this year, but which of these three are values or busts at their current ADP? Should you draft Ortiz, Norby, […]

RotoBaller 4 days ago

Justin Steele, David Festa, Jesus Luzardo - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

Finding value in fantasy drafts is the most important thing you can do to build a winning fantasy baseball team! Justin Steele, David Festa, and Jesus Luzardo are all interesting fantasy targets this year, but which of these three can be considered "sleepers" at their current ADP? Should you draft Steele, Festa, or Luzardo in […]

RotoBaller 4 days ago

3 Fantasy Baseball Draft Values - Joe Ryan, Jeffrey Springs, Ryan Weathers Outlooks

Looking for some fantasy baseball sleeper targets? Then you've come to the right place! Finding value in fantasy drafts is the most important thing you can do to build a winning fantasy baseball team. Joe Ryan, Jeffrey Springs, and Ryan Weathers are all interesting fantasy targets this year, but which of these three are values […]

RotoBaller 1 week ago

3 Fantasy Baseball Draft Values - Isaac Paredes, Michael Toglia, Parker Meadows Outlooks

If you need some fantasy baseball sleeper targets or you are looking to avoid busts, then you've come to the right place! Finding value in fantasy drafts is the most important thing you can do to build a winning fantasy baseball team. Isaac Paredes, Michael Toglia, and Parker Meadows are all interesting fantasy targets this […]

RotoBaller 1 week ago

Jacob deGrom - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 25)

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 75% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom is on the verge of returning to the major leagues and should be rostered in all formats. The former two-time Cy Young winner underwent Tommy John surgery last summer and began a rehab assignment in late August. Through […]

Andy Smith 6 months ago

Download Our Free Waiver Wire App

Like what you see? You can download our free fantasy baseball mobile app for iPhone and Android which includes more waiver wire recommendations at every position, 24x7 player news, notifications, injury alerts & daily articles.