Sifting through the fantasy waiver wires is like those times you went gold panning as a kid. Most of the time you wound up with worthless dirt and rocks, or a rock that looks like it’s gold, but you later find out was merely a rock spray-painted with gold paint by some drunk guy named Stu in a cowboy hat. But there were occasions where you actually found a small piece of gold, something that was actually worth something.
What if you were told there was still gold left on the waiver wire that could give an instant boost to your rotation and you don’t even have to sift through all the muck to find it? It’s out there!
Lance Lynn was the most added player this week in ESPN leagues after a solid debut in the Yankees’ rotation. It’s actually a bit surprising Lynn’s ownership remains below 50 percent, especially when looking at the offensively challenged teams he is in line to face over the next seven weeks (Rangers, Marlins, White Sox, Tigers, Twins and Orioles), assuming there are no shake-ups in the rotation (you know, like Sonny Gray remembering the goal of pitching is not to give up runs).
These are all teams Lynn has had success against throughout his career, or teams he should easily shut down. The 31-year-old is 4-1 with a 3.75 ERA and 10 strikeouts per nine in eight career appearances against the Marlins. He is 3-1 with a 2.15 ERA and 11.9 strikeouts per nine in six starts against the lowly White Sox. He dominated them earlier this week and Chicago entered Friday with the second-most strikeouts (1,100) in the majors. The Rangers, whom he will face Sunday for the first time in his career, have struck out the most (1,114).
Lynn also has been successful against the Orioles (2-1, 4.37) and Tigers (2-2, 3.16), and there’s nothing better than a grudge match against the team that traded you (Twins).
Lynn started his season 7-8 with 5.10 ERA over 20 starts in Minnesota, but that is not indicative of the type of pitcher he has been over his career. He is 80-55 with a 3.50 ERA, 1.314 WHIP and 8.5 strikeouts per nine in 205 appearances. He is also 3-1 with a 2.41 ERA and .214 opponent average over his last six appearances (five starts).
Not only is Lynn on a team squarely in the playoff hunt — the Yankees entered Friday having scored the second-most runs in the league (589) — but he is on a team about to face some awful teams. If he can stay healthy, he is the best pitcher on the market, largely because of scheduling, and is worth owning and starting almost every time he takes the mound.
Here’s a look at some other widely available starting pitching options to consider:
- From May 5 to July 13, the Nationals’ Tanner Roark was 1-10 with a 5.52 ERA, 30 walks and a .300 opponent average. He has won his past three starts, maintaining a 0.82 ERA, 20:1 strikeout-to-walk rate and a .177 opponent average. He’s still available in more than 50 percent of ESPN leagues.
- If Trevor Cahill of the A’s can stay healthy, he has some matchups coming up versus teams against which he has had success in the past. He will face the Angels (5-3, 2.07 ERA), Rangers (11-4, 3.07), Orioles (3-1, 1.97), Mariners (5-4, 3.40) and Twins (1-1, 4.30).
- If Zack Wheeler or Nathan Eovaldi, who both started on Friday, are available, grab them!
- With Lance McCullers out until September with right elbow discomfort, the Astros will be looking for another rotation piece. Their top two options are Brad Peacock, who was 10-2 with a 3.22 and 10.9 strikeouts per nine as a starts last season, and Collin McHugh, who is 48-35 with a 4.00 ERA in 111 career starts. While both are available in 80 percent or more of leagues, they are both excelling out of the bullpen with McHugh is 5-1 with a 1.00 ERA and has a career-high 11.7 strikeouts per nine in 39 relief appearances and Peacock 2-4 with a 2.84 ERA and 13.3 strikeouts per nine (a career mark) in 46 relief appearances. There’s a good chance the Astros will not want to move either out of the pen, as they are not only weapons but they will need to be stretched out. Another option could be 20-year-old Forrest Whitley, who is 0-1 with a 4.29 ERA at Double-A this year, but has not pitched since July 5 after suffering an oblique injury. He is 6-7 with a 3.34 ERA and 13.6 strikeouts per nine over 37 minor league appearances (30 starts). Monitor this situation closely as any could be solid additions to a roster.
- Mike Fiers is 2-2 with a 1.93 ERA, 37:8 strikeout-to-walk rate and .225 opponent average over his past eight starts, and is available in 75 percent or more of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
- Tyler Glasnow was pitching out of the bullpen for Pittsburgh, but is starting to be stretched out as a starter for the Rays. He has a 2.57 ERA and 14 strikeouts over his first seven innings in Tampa Bay. Over his past seven appearances (15 innings), he has a 1.20 ERA, 23 strikeouts and a .180 opponent average. If he proves to be capable of pitching five or six innings per start, he can become an intriguing piece down the stretch.
Big Hits
Mallex Smith, OF, Rays
The second-most added player in ESPN leagues this week was 21-for-56 (.375) with six RBIs, 13 runs, nine stolen bases, 10 walks and a 1.014 OPS in his first 18 games since the break.
Joey Gallo, 1B/3B/OF, Rangers
Entered Friday hitting .199 on the season, but was hitting .333 with five homers, 12 RBIs and a 1.224 OPS in his first eight games this month.
Nick Ahmed, SS, D’backs
In his first 19 games since the All-Star break, he was 19-for-61 (.311) with four homers, 19 RBIs, two stolen bases, nine runs and a .974 OPS.
Jameson Taillon, SP, Pirates
The 26-year-old right-hander is 4-1 with a 2.38 ERA, 26 strikeouts, seven walks and a .264 opponent average over his past five starts.
Big Whiffs
Kyle BarracloughAPKyle Barraclough, RP, Marlins
Has gone 0-2 with a 25.07 ERA, six walks and a .500 opponent average over his past six appearances. He blew three saves and lost his closer’s gig in that span.
Felix Hernandez, SP, Mariners
Lost his rotation spot after going 0-4 with an 8.34 ERA, 14:10 strikeout-to-walk rate and a .317 opponent average over his past five starts.
Greg Bird, 1B, Yankees
Entered Friday with just three hits in his first 32 at-bats (.094) this month. He had no homers or RBIs, eight strikeouts and a .265 OPS in that span.
Dansby Swanson, SS, Braves
Over his first 17 games this month, the 24-year-old is 8-for-50 (.160) with one homer, five RBIs, 13 strikeouts and a .218 on-base percentage.
Check Swings
- David Peralta’s career-year keeps getting better, with the red-hot Diamondbacks outfielder hitting .426 with three homers, five RBIs, 13 runs and a 1.127 OPS over his past 16 games. He was hitting .545 with a 1.529 OPS over his first seven games this month.
- After sitting out seven straight games, the Angels’ Mike Trout landed on the DL. So, that really loud wailing sound heard on Friday was thousands of Trout owners crying in unison.
- Robinson Cano is eligible to be activated by the Mariners on Tuesday, and should see plenty of playing time (likely at first base and, occasionally, DH) for a potential playoff team and is available in more than 35 percent of leagues.
- With Brandon Morrow having not pitched since July 15, and not being close to a return, it’s amazing to see Pedro Strop available in more than 60 percent of leagues. He is 7-for-8 in save chances since July 3, and 5-for-5 with a 3.60 ERA and .167 opponent average since July 25.
- Jason Vargas has a 15.88 ERA in the first inning this season, and opponents are hitting a crazy .464 against him in the initial frame. This weekend, players will be wearing jerseys with nicknames, and Vargas’ is “Vargy.” Shouldn’t his jersey be a giant “Kick Me” sign, with his 8.75 ERA as his number?
Team Name of the Week
Hey, Hey, Hey, it’s Matt Albers
