Today's piece covers a set of players who either should not be available on waivers or will return back there soon. Most of the earlier editions of this recurring buy or sell article have included several universally owned players whose values have been manipulated enough by early-season performances. Unfortunately, as we get deeper into the year, the regression fairies come to ruin every savvy owner's fun.
If you need a win in H2H or a particular category filled in rotisserie, buy or sell what you must to get to where you need. The home stretch is dark and full of terrors. Injured and underperforming players can be let go if they are taking up a roster spot that could be filled by someone much more productive. Players mentioned in this piece, and coming editions as we wind the season down, are more "add/drop" candidates rather than "buy/sell" given that trade deadlines are either passed or passing. Evaluate wisely.
Anyway, these buys and sells are worth noting for this upcoming week. Best of luck.
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Undervalued Players - Week 24
Dexter Fowler - OF, STL
10% owned
Dexter Fowler's been weirdly awesome over the past month. He's racked up 18 runs, four homers, 22 RBI, with 17!! walks. Fowler is basically a must-grab for the final few weeks in OBP leagues and could be a boost in others as well. The Cardinals start next week off with three games in Coors which is a huge bump for any, and every hitter. With Fowler typically batting leadoff nowadays, he at worst should be a decent run-provider with the potential to fill other categories decently.
Jordan Lyles - SP, MIL
37% owned
Jordan Lyles does not have a pretty set of peripherals, but he's consistently gotten the job done since his trade to the Brewers. Lyles has amassed a 2.56 ERA with wins in seven starts (three QS). The surface stats are awesome and his next few matchups are @Miami, @St. Louis, and then back home against the Padres. Very palatable stretch for any streamer. Regression is inevitable with his .212 BABIP, low-ish K-rate (22.2%) and 9.2% walk rate. It just may have to wait until next season to rear its ugly head.
Dylan Cease - SP, CWS
11% owned
For the most part in 2019, you could call this guy Dylan Sheesh. It has been tough sledding for anyone who's consistently started him. There have been some highlights no doubt, but the walks are egregious at times and he will get tagged for several runs often. The strikeouts are what keep people coming back, and with Mariners and Tigers coming up in the next few matchups after his Sunday start, Cease becomes an appealing streaming option for two-week playoff matchups.
Overvalued Players - Week 24
Joey Lucchesi - SP, SD
56% owned
After Lucchesi's coming start at home against Colorado this weekend, he has to go to Coors and face the Rockies who are significantly better against lefties than righties. Then, his next start comes six games later (due to the Padres extended rotation) in Milwaukee. The Brewers are pretty weak against LHP, especially at home, but this start is towards the end of a matchup two weeks from now, and afterward, he has to face the Dodgers. Lucchesi is basically just taking up a roster spot and can be dumped early next week for a streaming hitter or pitcher.