Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The waiver wire can be a goldmine for fantasy baseball players who are looking to boost their pitching stats. On most days, there is sure to be a starter (or three) just waiting to be scooped up who can help lead a fantasy team to glory. In today’s slice of fantasy advice, let’s take a look at some hurlers who should be in for a strong day on the hill on July 30 and are quite possibly available on a waiver wire near you.
(Ownership percentages based off ESPN standard leagues, All stats current through 7:00 p.m. Tuesday)
Zack Wheeler, New York Mets (77.4 percent):
If this youngster is still available on your waiver wire, you better go grab him now because he won’t be much longer. Wheeler is enjoying his most productive stretch of the season at the moment, as he’s allowed exactly one earned run in each of his last five outings. He’s also posted a very healthy 9.00 K/9 on the season, making him even an even more valuable commodity.
The matchup is a good one on Wednesday as the Mets will host the Philadelphia Phillies. The aging Phillies haven’t been able to muster much offense this season as the team ranks just 25th in the league in runs per game. When you combine that with the club’s terrible 46-60 record, Wheeler seems likely to chalk up a win to go along with some solid counting stats in this one.
Jesse Hahn, San Diego Padres (70.7 percent):
Speaking of hurlers who won’t be available on waiver wires much longer, this right-hander certainly fits the bill. Hahn has started eight games for the Padres, and has posted an excellent 6-2 record to go along with a sparkling 2.12 ERA. You can’t attribute all of his success to playing at pitcher-friendly Petco Park either, as half of those starts have come on the road.
The Padres will host the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, and more success is likely in the cards for San Diego’s rookie. The Cardinals simply haven’t been able to get the offense going this season, as only these Padres have scored fewer runs per contest in 2014. More good news for Hahn is the fact that he’ll miss the Cardinals’ top two starting pitchers, making his chances of getting a win increase exponentially.
Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals (26 percent):
Despite an awful 5-10 record, this southpaw has pitched tremendously for the Royals this season. He sports an outstanding 2.47 ERA to this point, and has held opponents to a microscopic .202 average in 98.1 innings of work. Duffy has actually held the opposition to two earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 15 starts this season, and I think this number will increase in his next start.
Duffy and the Royals are set to host the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. The Twinkies have found the going to be rough since the All-Star break as they own a lousy 3-7 record, and have scored a terrible 2.60 runs per contest over that span. Duffy has had no issues mowing through the Twins lineup this season, as he’s allowed just one run on four hits in 10 innings of work.
Brian Davis is a fantasy writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @SportsGuyBrian, ”Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
