Benny Sieu-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 Aug. 14 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. Wednesday
Jorge De La Rosa: Colorado Rockies (11.6 percent)
When you look at this southpaw’s stats, something just doesn’t add up. De La Rosa has posted a terrible 5.35 ERA on the road this season, but somehow he owns a 7-2 record to go along with an excellent 3.23 ERA at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Regardless of why this is the case, De La Rosa will get another start at home in his next outing and makes for an interesting option indeed.
The Rockies will face the Cincinnati Reds and their punch-less offense Thursday evening. The Reds have really fallen on hard times since the All-Star break as the team has posted a dreadful 9-16 record having scored four runs or fewer in 20 of those contests. With a subpar .248 team average vs. left-handed pitching on the season, the Reds are unlikely to break out of their slump against De La Rosa in this one.
Chase Anderson: Arizona Diamondbacks (8.8 percent)
Despite posting a strong 3.06 ERA on the season, most fantasy owners have left this hurler wasting away on the waiver wire. Anderson has actually allowed two earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 14 outings this season, and when you add in his very solid 7.83 Ks per nine innings, it’s kind of mind-boggling to see him owned in less than 10 percent of leagues.
Anderson and the D-backs will take on a struggling Miami Marlins offense on Thursday. Though the fish have far exceeding offensive expectations this season, the team has seen their bats cool off of late having scored just 3.00 runs per contest over their last 14 games. Fantasy teams in need of some Ks should especially consider this option, since the Marlins’ 24.1 percent strikeout rate vs. right-handed pitching is the tops in baseball.
Roberto Hernandez: Los Angeles Dodgers (5 percent)
This veteran has hit some rough patches in 2014, but it’s been mostly smooth sailing of late. The new Dodger acquisition has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his last eight outings, and that adds up to a quite delectable 2.88 ERA over that span. Hernandez has an outstanding matchup to take advantage of on Thursday and will look to pick up his fourth consecutive win.
The offensively-challenged Atlanta Braves will be his opponent, and boy has that team struggled of late. The Braves have ranked near the bottom of the league in runs per game most of the season, but the team has taken it to a new level of late. To go along with a disastrous 2-11 record over their last 13 games, Atlanta has produced an embarrassingly low 2.54 runs per contest over that span.
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.
