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Entering week nine of the season there are still a couple of game-changing arms to help propel a championship run. The list consists of Yankees old and new, an unbeaten rookie, and an absolute Cub killer.
With so many injuries league-wide there is no excuse not to jump all over these starters.
Here are the strongest waiver wire options at starting pitcher to wind down the 2020 fantasy baseball season.
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Deivi Garcia, New York Yankees
33% rostered
García answered the bell in his most recent start against the Toronto Blue Jays. After being knocked around by the Orioles in his second career start he took the mound in Buffalo and dominated.
The 21-year-old may be small at just 5’9” but he’s most certainly mighty. He has six strikeouts each in his three starts this season, two of which were quality starts. His season numbers are just what the Yankees needed in the wake of some injuries both in the rotation and in the lineup. In fact, his 0.91 WHIP and 3.06 ERA are significantly better than James Paxton’s before he went down.
The Blue Jays sit just above the Yankees in the standings and will attempt to get their revenge on the Dominican on September 15th when they see him again. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Jays do better on their second attempt against García now that they’ve had a preview into his pitching arsenal. Even if they do it’s worth grabbing the guy who was the third-ranked prospect in the Yankees organization before being called up.
Michael Pineda, Minnesota Twins
45% rostered
When the 31-year-old Dominican is right, his stuff is some of the best in the game. So far, this season he’s looked pretty great. He’s recorded quality starts in both games since his return from a 60-game suspension with a 0.92 WHIP and 2.77 ERA. He took advantage of the free-swinging Detroit Tigers in his last start, striking out eight in seven innings.
His next test will come via a Cleveland Indians team that ranks 26th in runs scored and are bang average in striking out. The 6’7” 280lbs behemoth is really close to getting his velocity back to where it was last season. And so far, seven on his thirteen strikeouts have come from his dominant slider that has a 45.5% Whiff rate.
Add him wherever possible, although it is becoming difficult with his ever-increasing ownership rate.
Dane Dunning, Chicago White Sox
25% rostered
Although the White Sox have won all four games Dunning has pitched in, it took him until his most recent outing to be the pitcher of record and secure his first Major League win.
In a season full of Casey Mize and Spencer Howard buzz, Dunning has been a much more impressive rookie. With that being said, Pittsburgh didn’t exactly put up much resistance, and Dunning’s swinging strike rate has gone down in every outing. His next outing on Tuesday against the Twins will also be the toughest team he’s faced by quite a wide margin. However, he does have a more favorable matchup against a Reds team on Sunday that has scored the second-fewest runs per game in the league.
Tyler Mahle, Cincinnati Reds
26% rostered
In his last three starts, the 25-year-old righty has thrown 20.2 innings. In those three games, he’s given up ten hits, eight runs, five walks, and 24 strikeouts. 21 of those Ks came in two games against the Cubs.
Mahle had a successful outing the Cubbies in his first game of the season as well. Maybe this is the start of a breakout, or maybe he just has their number. In case it’s the former, he is definitely worth an add in most leagues.
The California native has a career-high 30.0 K% and has actually outperformed his peripherals. He owns a 3.13 XERA and his .191 XBA is in the top 10 percentile amongst pitchers.
Justus Sheffield, Seattle Mariners
24% rostered
Of all the pitchers listed, Justus Sheffield has the most surprisingly low ownership percentage. People must have fatigue from hearing his name battered around the last couple of seasons, but now he’s actually living up the hype and not many seem to be noticing or caring.
Four of his last five outings have been quality starts against some fairly tough opposition. His slider has been a tremendous asset for the 24-year-old but his sinker has been disappointing to put it mildly. Perhaps his matchup next week against the Padres is the reason for his modest ownership percentage.
He likely shouldn’t start against the dominant Padres lineup but it would be nice to have him on the roster in case he maintains his current form for the rest of the season.
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