👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


Week 18 Waiver Wire - Starting Pitchers

The Trade Deadline has come and gone, with the final third of the regular season bringing plenty of prospects and rehabbing arms back into our lives. Of course, it seems like every gift we receive demands a sacrifice of at least two other players at the altar of the 10-day disabled list. Still, we press on because we must. I’m going to dig a bit deeper this week, as we’ve already discussed plenty of the 30-35 percent names like German Marquez, Patrick Corbin, Collin McHugh and Brent Suter before. I like them, in that order. Yes, even after Corbin got slammed by the Cubbies.

For our purposes, we’re going to use Yahoo ownership levels and try to cut things off around 35%.

Here are my starting pitcher waiver wire targets for Week 18.

Featured Promo: Save 50% the regular price with discount code SPRING, for a limited time. Exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizers, betting/prop picks, and exclusive content from Nick Mariano and Eric Cross! GAIN ACCESS NOW

 

Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Targets

Parker Bridwell - (LAA, SP/RP): 26% owned

Fresh off of shutting down 60 percent of the American League (quality starts against Tampa Bay, Boston and Toronto), Bridwell draws the Phillies at home for his next assignment. With five of his last six outings resulting in a QS, fantasy owners can overlook the unassuming 5.67 K/9 and take advantage of the favorable matchup -- even if you hate stomaching the 4.89 FIP/4.84 xFIP.

Hyun-Jin Ryu - (LAD, SP): 24% owned

Ryu just shut down the Giants with seven shutout innings, though he couldn't walk away with the win and remains 1-0 over his last five starts. That five-start stretch hasn't seen him allow more than two runs in any trip to the hill, as his 2.60 ERA (3.37 FIP, 3.38 xFIP) over that span has been mighty helpful for fantasy owners looking to grab a piece of Dodger magic. It doesn't hurt that he's rung up 30 in those 27 2/3 innings either. He'll look to stay hot and hold onto his rotation slot in an Aug. 6 start against the Mets next.

Luis Castillo - (CIN, SP/RP): 23% owned

After surviving a wild run with multiple matchups against the D-backs and Nationals alongside road dates with the Rockies and Yankees to begin his Major League career, Castillo shut down the Marlins with eight innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts. It seems the hype surrounding the 24-year-old went so far as to cause an anti-hype backlash, but I assure that his mixed-league upside is real. His next start comes at home against the Cardinals on Aug. 5 next, in which he’ll look to improve on his 1.19 WHIP and 9.56 K/9.

Tyler Glasnow - (PIT, SP): 19% owned

I realize this has some “broken record” to it, but once again Glasnow looks amazing at Triple-A. His most recent start on July 30 saw him strike out 12 of Boston’s Minor Leaguers while walking just one. He’s averaging one earned run per start and has struck out 85 in 55 2/3 innings, but we all know what figure matters the most. After walking 15 batters over his first three starts back on the farm, he’s walked only nine in his last four. In a “lost season”, Pittsburgh should want to give his arm another bit of seasoning to see if he can finally figure out control at the Major League level.

Anthony DeSclafani - (CIN, SP): 14% owned

The man lovingly known as “Tony Disco” went four scoreless innings and struck out six in his most recent rehab start. DeSclafani could be a difference-maker in late August at the earliest and provide healthy K’s alongside ratios that won’t burn anyone, which could be worth a pretty penny to many a fantasy owner -- especially with a favorable schedule on tap, just as Castillo’s profile calls for.

Kendall Graveman - (OAK, SP): 12% owned

Graveman is all set to rejoin Oakland’s rotation on Thursday, as he draws a start against the Giants. I’m sorry San Francisco fans, but that’s pretty much a continuation of one’s Minor League rehab assignment at this point. While Graveman’s rehab assignment didn’t go so well on the whole (8 ER in 10 IP), his last start saw him allow just one run (a homer) in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked two.

Dinelson Lamet - (SD, SP): 11% owned

Like our friend Luis Castillo (though not as gracefully), Lamet is another young, exciting arm who suffered a bit in tougher matchups. “A bit” is being nice, as he gave up five earned in just four innings against the Indians and Rockies in back-to-back outings, but a road date with the aforementioned Giants set him straight on July 23. He then won his next start against the Pirates, tossing six innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts and only four baserunners allowed. He faces the same Pirates next on Aug. 5.

Reynaldo Lopez - (CWS, SP/RP): 6% owned

Lopez has struck out 10-plus in three of his last six starts -- a stretch that has seen him turn in a 1.96 ERA with only eight walks against his 49 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings. That ain’t shabby, and at this point, we’re really just waiting for the White Sox to feel like they can move along from the Mike Pelfrey experience or throw James Shields on the DL with some back tightness or something.

A.J. Griffin - (TEX, SP): 4% owned

While Griffin faltered in mid-May before hitting the disabled list with an oblique injury, he had allowed just eight earned over his first five starts of the season -- going 4-0 in the process -- much to the delight of waiver-wire scourers everywhere. The righty has been solid in most of his rehab appearances -- including a perfect three-inning start on July 14 -- and could provide fantasy owners with an arm that can strike out nearly a batter per inning in their stretch run.

Lucas Sims - (ATL, SP): 4% owned

Sims’ first Major League start saw him go up against the buzzsaw that is the 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers and come out relatively unscathed. While Atlanta was unable to give him any run support when he was on the hill, he himself handled LA with a quality start in which he walked none. This continues a trend for the rookie with improved control after walking far, far too many in ’14 and ’15. He’ll take on the Marlins at home next in an Aug. 6 start and work on bringing up his elite strikeout potential alongside his control.

Matthew Boyd - (DET, SP): 2% owned

Ever since rejoining Detroit’s rotation in mid-June, Boyd has ripped off three quality starts in three attempts. He also happens to have collected a win in each of those outings with a 16-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 3.62 FIP behind his 4.19 ERA over that span. One out of every three batted balls has checked in as “soft contact” per Fangraphs, so let’s just see if he can keep this rolling against the Orioles on Aug. 3.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds

 

Premium Tools & DFS Research

Get a free trial of our powerful MLB Premium Tools. Our famous DFS Optimizer & Lineup Generator, daily Matchup Ratings, expert DFS Lineups/Cheat Sheets, and more.

Sign Up Now!




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jalen Brunson

Hands Out 14 Assists in Game 2 Win
Seth Jarvis

Needs 33 Seconds to Score in Game 1 Loss
Josh Hart

Erupts for Playoff Career-High 26 Points in Game 2
Jaccob Slavin

Struggles in Game 1 Against Canadiens
Jakub Dobes

Sharp in Game 1 Victory
Cole Caufield

Bags Two Points in Impressive Road Win
Juraj Slafkovsky

Opens Conference Finals With Three-Point Performance
Nick Suzuki

Notches Three Assists in Game 1 Win Over Hurricanes
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Jrue Holiday

Wants to Stay in Portland
Ayo Dosunmu

Timberwolves Hope to Bring Back Ayo Dosunmu
Dylan Harper

Considered Questionable for Friday Night
De'Aaron Fox

Listed as Questionable for Game 3
Jalen Williams

Questionable for Game 3 Against Spurs
Alex Tuch

Hopes to Remain in Buffalo
Sidney Crosby

Wants to Play for "as Many Years as Possible"
Troy Terry

Could Miss Start of Next Season Due to Hip Surgery
Arber Xhekaj

Scratched for Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals
Jakub Dobes

Seeks More Success Against Hurricanes
Frederik Andersen

Looks to Stay Undefeated Thursday
Calvin Ridley

Not Taking Part in OTAs as Value Continues to Plummet
Carnell Tate

Receiving Early Buzz at OTAs
Ashton Jeanty

Bigger Role Could be Coming for Ashton Jeanty in Year 2
Robby Snelling

Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Malik Nabers

' Goal is to be Ready for Start of the Season
De'Von Achane

Dealing With Injury at OTAs?
Dalton Kincaid

Says he Feels "Really Good"
Keenan Allen

Door isn't Closed for Keenan Allen in Los Angeles
Ty Simpson

Does Ty Simpson Have First-Round Appeal in Rookie Drafts?
Fernando Mendoza

Working Behind Other QBs
Cam Ward

is "Perfectly Healthy"
James Cook III

Absent From OTA Practices This Week
Darnell Washington

Is it Time to Drop Darnell Washington in Dynasty Leagues?
Fernando Mendoza

a Top Dynasty Target Even if He Doesn't Start Week 1?
Tyreek Hill

Dynasty Outlook Dependent on Landing Spot
Mack Hollins

Should Managers Trade for Mack Hollins Amid Roster Questions?
Michael Wilson

a Prime Dynasty Sell Candidate
Jake Ferguson

Insurance Upside Makes Him a Borderline TE1 in Dynasty
Brock Bowers

One of the Most Valuable Assets in Dynasty
Devin Vassell

Contributes 22 Points in Wednesday's Loss
Mike Gesicki

Still Provides Some Dynasty Insurance as His Standalone Value Fades
Stephon Castle

Tallies Team-High 25 Points in Game 2 Loss
Victor Wembanyama

Records Eighth Postseason Double-Double
Philadelphia Eagles

Nolan Smith Arrested for Speeding and Reckless Driving
Isaiah Hartenstein

Bounces Back With Double-Double
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads Thunder to Game 2 Victory WIth 30 Points
Dylan Harper

Exits Game 2 Early Due to Right-Leg Injury
Jalen Williams

Suffers Another Hamstring Injury
Valeri Nichushkin

Ends Scoring Slump in Game 1 Loss
Nathan MacKinnon

Extends Point Streak With an Assist
Brett Howden

Pots Another Goal in Game 1 Win Against Avalanche
Tomas Hertl

Extends Point Streak to Four Games
Pavel Dorofeyev

Scores in Fourth Straight Outing
Carter Hart

Records Third Consecutive Win
Timothy Liljegren

Capitals Re-Sign Timothy Liljegren to Two-Year Extension
Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
New York Giants

Giants Offense to be a Run-First Unit?
Chicago Bulls

Jerry Stackhouse Emerges as Bulls Head-Coach Candidate
Cooper Flagg

Kon Knueppel Headline All-Rookie Team
De'Aaron Fox

is Ruled Out for Game 2 on Wednesday
Jiri Kulich

Aims to Return Next Season
Jeremy Lauzon

Not Expected to Play Wednesday
CFB

Lincoln Riley Believes USC is Ready for Playoff Run
CFB

Notre Dame-Stanford Rivalry Renewed Through 2028
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Says He's "Back to the Road to Success"
CFB

Texas Tech Graduate Judge Recuses Himself from Brendan Sorsby Case
CFB

UCLA Tackle Jordan Davis Officially Eligible for 2026 Season
CFB

Bret Bielema Supports Significant College Football Playoff Expansion
Michael Thorbjornsen

Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List

Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Tom Kim

Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
PGA

Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
Billy Horschel

Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
Si Woo Kim

Looks To Stay Hot at CJ Cup
James Harden

Struggles in Eastern Conference Finals Opener
Evan Mobley

Bags Second Consecutive Double-Double
Donovan Mitchell

Produces Top Two-Way Performance in Game 1 Loss
OG Anunoby

Plays Key Role in Comeback Win
Scottie Scheffler

to Defend CJ Cup Byron Nelson Title This Week
Jordan Spieth

Looking For Victory at TPC Craig Ranch
PGA

Matti Schmid Looks to Keep Recent Momentum Going at TPC Craig Ranch
Brooks Koepka

a High-Upside Play at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
Drake Baldwin

Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
CFB

Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
CFB

Mark Bowman a Day 1 Impact Player for USC?
CFB

Bill Belichick Says Relationship with First North Carolina Team "Wasn't Great"
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
Jackson Holliday

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
Jose Altuve

Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Melquizael Costa

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 117
Arnold Allen

Bounces Back
Daniel Santos

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Dohoo Choi Wins His Third Consecutive Fight
Malcolm Wellmaker

Suffers His Second Loss In A Row
Juan Diaz

Scores Second-Round Submission
Christian Edwards

Defeated At UFC Vegas 117
CFB

Transfer Running Back Arnold Barnes Visiting Iowa State on Monday
Modestas Bukauskas

Gets Split-Decision Win
Jhostynxon Garcia

Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday
Colt Emerson

Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Trevor Story

Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF