Fantasy Baseball: Waiver Wire Pitching Pickups, 5/15/13

One starting pitcher to consider picking up if your fantasy baseball team needs help is Washington Nationals starting pitcher Ross Detwiler who here throws during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday is a full day of baseball with six afternoon games and nine more Wednesday night. With all the MLB teams in action, there are several opportunities for fantasy baseball owners to get some starting pitching help. Here are the top four options widely available that are scheduled to start Wednesday.

Possible Pickups

Apr 27, 2013; Washington, D.C., USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake (44) pitches in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Leake-Cincinnati Reds: (1.2%) Leake has been extremely inconsistent this season but gets this top spot because of the matchup. He faces the Marlins in Miami who are the worst team in the Majors offensively. Leake has a 4.32 ERA overall and a 2-2 record. He’s given up two earned runs or fewer in three of his last five starts but was roughed up for four runs in seven innings his last time out against Atlanta. The Marlins don’t have the Braves firepower and Leake has shown an ability to turn in quality starts in favorable matchups which Miami definitely is.

Ross Detwiler-Washington Nationals: (39.5%) Detwiler takes on the Dodgers and Matt Magill in Dodger Stadium Wednesday night. He hasn’t been outstanding lately but hasn’t allowed more than three earned run in any of his starts either. He hasn’t gotten much run support so his record is just 2-3 but his ERA is a solid 2.53. He should get some support against Magill and is a good pick if you are specifically targeting a W.

Wandy Rodriguez-Pittsburgh Pirates: (32.8%) Rodrigues looked better his last time out against the Mets after a couple rough starts. He allowed just a run on six hits in six innings in that start picking up his third win of the season and getting his ERA down to 3.62. His strikeout numbers were down, and he only has 27 in his first 37.1 innings this season. He’s still a solid option if you need a win or some innings as he faces the Brewers who counter with Yovani Gallardo who doesn’t have a great history against the Bucs.

Mike Pelfrey-Minnesota Twins: (0.5%) Pelfrey is my long shot of the day which means he’s owned in less than 1% of leagues and is the best option in that range. It also means his stats don’t count against my totals below. Pelfrey goes up against the White Sox who have struggled offensively and he’s coming off a pair of qulality starts allowing four runs on 13 hits over 12 innings. He’s 3-3 despite a 6.03 ERA from the shelling he took earlier in the season.

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