Starting Pitchers to Pick up for April 11-Fantasy Baseball

For Fantasy Baseball owners searching for waiver wire options, check out Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Felix Doubront and three other solid options for Thursday right here. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday is a limited MLB slate with many teams traveling between series, but it does offer eight games most of which are evening games with the Cubs and Tigers hosting the pair of matinees.

There’s some decent options among the pitching probables if your shopping for starting pitching on the waiver wire. Here’s my top four:

UPDATE: Check the comments as two of these four pitchers have been bumped back to Friday.

Pitching Pickups for 4/11

Felix Doubront-Boston Red Sox: (3.0%) Doubront gets the start for the Sox in their season finale with Baltimore on Thursday night. Despite the Sox rotation resurgence, Doubront struggled his first start allowing three runs on nine hits to Toronto while only lasting five innings. One positive sign was his nine strikeouts, and he’s shown he can be effective if he can be more efficient with his pitching. He did have success against the O’s last year though in three starts posting a 2.70 ERA although lack of run support let to an 0-2 record. He’ll be opposed in this one by Christ Tillman who the Twins knocked around in his first start, so he should get some runs in this one. He’s the best pickup if you need a W or some strikeout help although he may not greatly benefit your ERA and WHIP.

Mar 7, 2013; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carlos Villanueva pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning at HoHoKam Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Villanueva-Chicago Cubs: (0.0%) Villanueva is the best option in a very limited NL slate. Villanueva faces the Giants who aren’t an offensive juggernaut in the afternoon game at Wrigley where its sure to be brisk. He pitched excellently in his first outing allowing one run on six hits and two walks while going 6 2/3 against the Braves offense which has been mashing in the early-going this season. He struck out six and is the best option if you aren’t as concerned about getting a win.

A.J. Griffin-Oakland Athletics: (4.4%) Griffin was solid against the Mariners in his first start of the year throwing six innings of two-run, seven-hit baseball with two walks and three strikeouts. He’ll face the  Angels in LA for the final game of their three game series, so the potential for a blow-up is definitely there. However, the Angels lineup is still struggling, and Griffin’s location looked to be in midseason form in his first game. He definitely comes with risk, but also is a solid option if you’re searching the wire.

Zach McAllister-Cleveland Indians: (0.1%) McAllister and the Indians close out their four-game set with New York on Thursday night against Ivan Nova. McAllister was solid against the Rays in his first outing allowing six hits and two earned runs in six innings. He’s a risky start against the Yankees swinging the bats well, but their lineup is still a little injury depleted. It will be McAllister’s first career start against New York, and he should be able to contribute decent numbers.

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