Richard Mackson-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. 27, 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
Tim Hudson: San Francisco Giants (64.7 percent)
This veteran hasn’t been nearly as dominate lately as he was early in the season, but he’s certainly still holding his own out there. Hudson has allowed three earned runs or fewer in eight of his last 10 outings, and the biggest reason he hasn’t been winning many games of late is because of the magically disappearing Giants offense. I expect a strong performance and a victory from Hudson in his next start, though.
The Giants will host the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. While the Rockies’ bats have been superb at Coors Field this year, it’s been a whole different story away from home. Only the San Diego Padres have scored fewer runs per game on the road this season, and Colorado has posted an incredibly terrible 4-23 road record over its past 27 games played while scoring a lowly 2.85 runs per contest.
Kevin Gausman: Baltimore Orioles (6.7 percent)
Gausman has started 14 games for the O’s this season and has allowed more than three earned runs on just three separate occasions. That’s some pretty steady production from a guy who is widely available on most waiver wires. While the young right-hander doesn’t exactly blow you away with his numbers, he still makes for a decent spot start when the matchup dictates, and that looks to be the case on Wednesday.
The Orioles will continue their home series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday evening. The Tampa bats have been pretty quiet on the road this season as the team ranks just 25th in the league in runs per game away from home. The Rays have especially struggled of late as the team has only managed to plate 2.89 runs per contest while losing six of their last nine contests.
Drew Pomeranz: Oakland Athletics (4.2 percent)
Pomeranz has been called up from the minors and will get the starting nod for the A’s on Wednesday. Despite getting shelled in two of his eight starts earlier in the season, the southpaw performed fantastically in the other six as he allowed zero, or one, earned run in five of those contests. The lefty will also have the luxury of facing a bad offense in his return, so he makes for an intriguing streaming option indeed.
The Athletics will cap off their road series with the Houston Astros on Wednesday. The Houston offense has been one of the weaker ones in baseball this season as the team has averaged a measly 3.96 runs per contest. The Astros’ bats have all but disappeared of late as the team has scored just 10 total runs over their past five games. Houston will also be going with their worst starting pitcher in this one, so a win seems highly likely as well for Pomeranz and the A’s.
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.
