If you need help for Thursday in fantasy baseball, check out these starting pitching options including Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jason Vargas who here delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Thursday’s can sometimes be a bit of a break in the busy MLB schedule. Last week there were only ten teams in action while the rest traveled or just took a day off. This week, however, there’s no break at all as every single Major League team is in action as they complete the home-and-home split four game series with their regional rival. With everyone in action, there are plenty of options from the waiver wire if you need a starting pitching boost. Here are four options available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues that I think could pay off if you make the move:
Potential Pickups
Jason Vargas-Los Angeles Angels: (30.7% owned in ESPN leagues) Vargas has gad three quality starts in a row going at least seven innings in each and allowing a total of four runs. After a rough start to the season, he’s been excellent this month going 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 36 innings. Thursday he faces the Dodgers in Anaheim in the conclusion of the Freeway Series. He’ll be opposed by Ted Lilly as the Angels look to get a win behind another solid Vargas outing.
Andrew Cashner-San Diego Padres: (21.8%) Cashner has won three straight decisions and has been effective in his last four starts. He was staked to a big lead his last time out and attacked the strike zone resulting in four runs allowed in six innings. In his last four, he has allowed eight runs total in 27 1/3 innings.Cashner is 4-2 on the season with a 3.38 ERA. Thursday he has the tall task of dueling with Felix Hernandez, but should be able to get a good start against the struggling Mariners offense.
May 25, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Vidal Nuno (34) walks back to the dugout after he was taken out of the game during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Vidal Nuno-New York Yankees: (0.7%) Nuno gets the start against the Mets in the Bronx for the Subway Series finale. In his two starts this season he’s allowed two runs in 11 innings. He isn’t expected to go deep into the game, but should have a shot at a win if he can put together a third solid start.
P.J. Walters-Minnesota Twins: (0.0%) While Vargas and Cashner are regulars on this list, Walters makes his first appearance in his second start of the year. He looked strong going six innings in Detroit holding the Tigers to just two runs and getting his first win of the year. Thursday he goes against the struggling Brewers at home in Target Field. While his long-term prosepcts aren’t that solid, he’s a decent deep-league spot start.
Past Performance
Here’s my numbers for the past week: