Steven Matz (SP, NYM) - Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

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OWNED IN: 18% of leagues

ANALYSIS: New York Mets starter Steven Matz has had an up-and-down career since debuting for the team back in 2015. He has flashed high strikeout upside at times, but injuries and inconsistencies have plagued him continually throughout his first four years. In his most complete season in 2016, Matz started 22 games, going 9-8 with a respectable 3.40 ERA and a noteworthy 129/31 K/BB ratio. He opened the 2018 season on the DL with elbow discomfort, and came off the DL in early June. Through seven starts, Matz is 1-3 with a 3.86 ERA and a 34/15 K/BB ratio. He has also given up seven HR, and aside from his impressive 9.37 K/9, his underlying metrics aren't impressive either - His 5.56 FIP and 79.4% Strand Rate indicate his ERA is due to rise in time. Interestingly, Matz is getting crushed at home (1-2, 4.66 ERA, six HRs allowed), while he's pitching very well on the road (0-1, 2.70 ERA, one HR allowed) - so that is something to keep an eye on moving forward.

Taking a chance on Matz hinges on if you believe in his most recent string of outings, where he has gone for 11 IP, giving up just two ER while registering eight Ks. If you believe the high-risk associated with Matz' is worth taking due to his high-strikeout upside, then he's a solid SP option to take a flier on in deeper leagues.