Fantasy Baseball: Waiver Wire Starting Pitcher Pickups-August 13, 2014
Wednesday is a getaway day for many Major League teams meaning several of the midweek games get started in the afternoon, so you’ll need to make your fantasy baseball moves early and get your roster set by 12:35 with the Reds and Red Sox get a full 15-game slate underway.
If one of the things you need to add is a starting pitcher, there are several options to consider depending on what you need and how much risk you can afford. To help you make the right choice, check out my starting pitching pickups each afternoon here on Fansided (archive and new posts show up here). All my options are always available in at least half of ESPN leagues, but they’ve been producing nicely so far this month. Through Monday’s games, my August selections are 17-7 with a 3.28 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and a 7.88 K/9 rate.
These are the widely available options to check out for Wednesday’s starts:
4. Even in this less-than ideal matchup, Worley is the top option since he’s been so consistent in his 10 games for the Bucs this season. Overall, he is 5-1 with an impressive 2.30 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, but he’s even better when you take a look at his numbers at PNC Park- 3-1with a 2.00 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. In his last four starts, Worley is 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA. While some of those games have been against lesser opposition, the overall numbers make a compelling case for him to be the first name you look for on the wire for Wednesday.. 32.7% owned. vs Detroit Tigers. Vance Worley. 1. player
3. Colon notched his 200th career win in style last week holding the Phils to one run on six hits in eight innings and improving to 11-9 on the season. He got his ERA under 4.00 on the season with that performance as well and has been dramatically better at home (5-5, 3.21 ERA) than on the road (6-4, 4.59 ERA). He’ll look to continue that trend against the Nats who he is 1-1 with a 3.21 against in three starts this season. Colon is an innings eater who usually pitches deep enough into the game to figure into the decision, but he is a risk since he usually stays in the game even when he’s getting hit which can lead to some ugly lines. I don’t think that will happen this start, though, so add Colon if he’s available and Worley has already been grabbed.. 35.4% owned. vs Washington Nationals. Bartolo Colon. 2. player
82. In an up-and-down year, Eovaldi has been an option to consider when the matchup is favorable which it is for his Wednesday start. He’ll take on the struggling Justin Masterson and the Cardinals as he looks to improve to 7-6 on the season. Eovaldi is coming off back-to-back strong outings against Cincinnati as he held them to just seven hits and one run in 15 total innings striking out 12 and walking three. If he can stay in form, he has a good shot at a win as the Fish look to continue Masterson’s struggles.. 13.8% owned. vs St. Louis Cardinals. Nathan Eovaldi. 3. player
17.5% owned. @ Baltimore Orioles. Michael Pineda. 4. player. 43. One of my favorite sleepers from the beginning of the season, Pineda was rolling along (pine tar not withstanding) and was 2-2 with a 1.83 ERA before going on the DL at the end of April. He looked great in rehab and should be ready to step in and contribute down the stretch for New York. There’s always risk starting a player in their first turn back in the rotation, but Pineda has good enough stuff and enough long-term upside to deserve a look even in this situation.