Fantasy Baseball: Waiver Wire Pitching Pickups, 4/20/13

If you’re searching for starting pitching on the waiver wire check out these four options including Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

There’s not much more satisfying than stealing a last-second win with the right spot starter for Sunday in weekly format fantasy baseball. That being said, it’s unfortunate that there aren’t better options for Sunday, April 21. You can find some decent options listed below but they all come with some serious risk. A realy, solid, gold-level pickup isn’t out there for Sunday’s games.

However, if you are desperate or willing to take the risk, these are the four best options currently avaiableale in more than half of ESPN leagues who are scheduled to pitch Sunday:

Possible Pickups

Apr 15, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chad Billingsley-Los Angeles Dodgers: (20.1%) Billingsley will make his first start that isn’t against the Padres Sunday in Baltimore. He gave up a three-run homer his last time out and struggled a bit allowing seven hits and three runs in six innings. He won his first start when he allowed just a run in six innings in San Diego. Sunday he’s opposed by Jake Arrieta who has a 5.40 ERA but a 1-0 record. Billingsley on the road this fresh from injury makes me nervous, but on a shallow day he’s the best widely-available option.

Kyle Kendrick-Philadelphia Phillies: (0.2%) Kendrick has improved with each start this year and last time out shutout the Cincinnati Reds for seven innings while allowing two hits and two walks while striking out four. He faces the Cardinals Sunday and Jake Westbrook. Westbrook’s ERA is 0.00, but he didn’t look good his last time out as the Pirates jumped all over him before the game was cancelled due to rain. Kendrick did get knocked around by the Royals his first time out, but he’s been a solid option his last two. I think he’s the pickup you want for Sunday not Westbrook.

Apr 11, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Justin Grimm (51) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the 4th inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Grimm-Texas Rangers: (0.1%) For the second time in two starts this year, Grimm faces the Seattle Mariners. Last time out he was only able to go four innings while giving up five hits and two runs, walking three, and striking out two. Last time out Grimm had to face Felix Hernandez, but this time he’s opposed by Aaron Harang who has only made one start this year and is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA. Grimm has a decent shot to steal you a win if he can get through five this time out. He has a ton of potential, and the Mariners make him an option if he can showcase that better than his last start.

Wily Peralta-Milwaukee Brewers: (0.4%) Peralta is a high-risk option as his 6.19 ERA would indicate. His matchup does show some signs of upside, though, since he faces the Cubs in Milwaukee. His best start of the year was two starts ago when he went 6 2/3 allowing just two earned runs on six hits to these same Cubs. He’s still looking for his first win of the season, and I think he’ll get it against Chicago and Scott Feldman who comes into this one 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA.

Past Results