Edinson Volquez (SP, PIT) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Edinson Volquez is having the best year of his career since 2008 with the Reds, putting up a 3.65 ERA. His strikeout rate is down at 5.92 K/9 but so are his walks at a 3.00 BB/9. Overall that 2:1 K:BB is not very impressive. However, his batting average against is way below his career norms and his XFIP and FIP are both above 4.00 suggesting that some regression is coming. Still, it's hard to ignore what Volquez has done lately. Heading in to the All-Star Break, Volquez has strung together four starts where has an 0.90 ERA, 5.40 K/9,and 2.70 BB/9. The only problem is that the underlying numbers suggest that even for those games he was incredibly lucky and should have had an higher ERA. I believe in Volquez to a degree. One need look no further than Francisco Liriano to see why I still believe in Volquez. The Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage seems to have a knack for taking guys like Burnett, Liriano, and now Volquez and helping them turn their careers back around. It's more my confidence in him then Volquez that leads me to retaining a slight belief in Volquez. Maybe with Searage's help, Volquez can keep getting lucky all year and help your fantasy team. Just don't go dropping someone actually reliable for him.