Tyler Anderson (SP, PIT) - Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Tyler Anderson is a fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup and add heading into Week 7 of the MLB season.

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 21% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Tyler Anderson had his best start of the year so far on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs. Anderson pitched eight innings and allowed four hits, one walk and two earned runs while striking out six. He earned his third win of the year to improve to 3-3 on the season with a 3.05 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.

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Anderson's strong 3.04 ERA this year is mostly backed up by his 3.83 xERA. Hitters have an xBA of just .246 against him.

There have been some small but significant changes to Anderson's pitch mix this year. He's throwing his cutter 27.8% of the time, up from both 2019 (19.4%) and 2020 (18.1%). The pitch has generated a whiff rate of 21.2% and it has averaged 4.2 inches of vertical movement, up from 2.5 inches last year. He's relying less on his four-seamer, which he's throwing 34.8% of the time this year, down from 46.5% in 2019 and 40.7% in 2020. The results of this changed pitch mix have been extremely promising so far.

Anderson is unfortunately supported by one of the league's worst lineups, but that doesn't mean he can't provide fantasy managers with strong ratios and a good amount of quality starts. He's earned quality starts in each of his last three outings. Anderson should be added in all leagues of 12 teams or deeper. He has a favorable matchup at home against the San Francisco Giants coming up on Friday.

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