Starting Pitchers for April 15-Two Start Waiver Wire Options

April 10, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Chad Billingsley (58) throws during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

If you made a move to finish last week strong, you now have a great chance to get your week off to a great start and help yourself at the end of the week as well. Pitchers who get the starting nod on Monday will probably have a second game later this week making picking one up even more important to a solid finish in weekly formats.

Whether you’re just in the market for one-day help, need an overall upgrade, or are streaming starters all season long, check out our daily starter spotlight to find pitchers who are mostly un-owned but worth a look on the waiver wire (archive here).

Monday Pickups for 4/15

Chad Billingsley-LA Dodgers: (16.8%) Billingsley and the Dodgers welcome the light-hitting Padres to town who they just played last week. Billingsley looked strong against the Friars last week allowing a run on five hits in six innings and picking up the win in his first start of the season. Billingsley is a solid pickup for the long term as well since he was very productive last year before getting injured.

Mar 1, 2013; Sarasota, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher James McDonald (53) throws against the Baltimore Orioles during the bottom of the first inning of a spring training game at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

James McDonald-Pittsburgh Pirates: (15.6%) McDonald’s line from his last start looks ugly-five innings, four runs-but all the damage was done in the first inning then McDonald battled back and ultimately got the win to move to 1-1. He’ll face the Cardinals Monday and has some solid career numbers against them (4-1, 2.27 ERA). He’ll also be at home where he’s had a track record of success over the past couple years. His second start is a bit less appealing, although it’s at home too, when he’s scheduled to take on the Braves.

Gavin Floyd-Chicago White Sox: (1.0%) Floyd got battered by the Nats his last time out but still managed seven strikeouts. He’ll take the mound tonight in Toronto opposed by Mark Buehrle whose ERA is still over 10. Floyd is the top strikeout option with 12 in 11 1/3 innings this season, but he does carry some risk since he comes in with a 5.56 ERA. Toronto has been hitting well, but Floyd’s second start this week is a more favorable one against the Twins. If you plan on holding him for two starts, Floyd makes sense.

Juan Nicasio-Colorado Rockies: (0.0%) Nicasio is a flier as he takes the hill at Coors Field against the Mets. He’ll be opposed by Jeremy Hefner who’s 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA so far this season. Nicasio can be good if his control is there. This will be his first home start of the season and his first career appearance against the Mets. It’s a wild card, but I think Nicasio could pay off at least with a W as the Rockies lineup has been hitting the ball well.

Past Results

Here’s how my previous picks have done over the past week: