Fantasy Waiver Wire Pitchers: Dixon’s Picks for Week of July 28
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome back to Dixon’s Picks, our weekly look at fantasy waiver wire pitchers. The All-Star break messed up our scheduling a little bit, but we should be on track to do this every week for the rest of the year.
Before we get to this week’s guys, have a look at my season’s tally.
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Now, on to this week’s two-start fantasy waiver wire pitchers.
- Vance Worley, Pittsburgh Pirates — Probable Starts: Monday at San Francisco Giants, Saturday at Arizona Diamondbacks
Remember this guy? Vance Worley has had a rough go of things since finishing third in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2011, but he’s back pitching well. Best of all, he’s still a few months shy of his 27th birthday, so it’s not ridiculous to think that that he’s still developing as a pitcher.
This year, the name of Worley’s game has been control. He’s allowed 41 hits in 40.2 innings, which isn’t good by any stretch. Having said that, seven walks in 40.2 is quite solid.
Two starts on the road is a little worrisome. But San Francisco is a great place to pitch and while Chase Field is a tough stadium for pitchers, the Diamondbacks aren’t exactly setting records with the bats this year. Plus, aside from Paul Goldschmidt, I don’t know who will be in the Arizona lineup after Thursday.
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- Bartolo Colon, New York Mets — Probable Starts: Monday vs Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday vs. San Francisco Giants
Because of Thursday’s trade deadline, this week is more complicated than most, and Bartolo Colon is one of the reasons why. He could very well be moved, which would obviously tweak his start schedule. But for now, Colon is a nice pick for the week.
He’s pitching well, gets two home starts at the pitcher-friendly Citi Field, and is going against offenses that leave something to be desired. Colon is also a great guy for streaming, as he doesn’t walk many guys. Granted, like Worley, Colon will allow a few too many for the liking of us fantasy players on occasion, but he’s been doing a good job at spreading those around.
The Mets aren’t a great team, so predicting a 2-0 week is a bit ambitious. But expecting a few quality starts is quite reasonable.
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- Chris Tillman, Baltimore Orioles — Probable Starts: Tuesday vs Los Angeles Angels, Sunday vs. Seattle Mariners
This isn’t a knock on the Angels or Mariners. From that end, Chris Tillman has a tough draw this week. Here’s what I do like about the way he’s been pitching.
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Tillman has just been rolling for the better part of two months, and not just against cream-puff offenses. He’s showing the form that so many of us — myself included — expected him to show all year.
Now, unfortunately, Tillman hasn’t been striking out many hitters in this run, so you may need to find that kick elsewhere. But he’s a good bet to bring solid production in the other stats.
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