Mike Leake (SF, SP) - Waiver Wire Analysis

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

OWNED IN: 61% of Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: But Max, Mike Leake is owned in all my leagues! Yes, that's a real possibility with his 61% ownership, but it was just 39% last week (22% jump!) I feel the need to include him here after the CIN-SFG trade that took Leake to the west coast.

Leake had an atrocious May (6.75 ERA) that led to a number of fantasy owners jumping off the tracks, but it's time we hop back on this gravy train. Leake has been spectacular in July (1.25 ERA) and just moved to a park that is 28th in runs per game. Not to mention he's currently working on four straight starts with no more than one run or two walks allowed in any of those outings (0.60 ERA, 30.0 IP).

The defense behind him remains strong (both CIN and SFG are top 10 in team defense) but Leake is sure happy to be out of Cincinnati. In 65.2 IP at Great American Ball Park, Leake has a 4.93 ERA. Everywhere else, 2.28 ERA.

Add in the fact that Leake moves to a contender with meaningful games ahead and you have a great backend SP for any fantasy rotation. He's not going to dominate (5.93 K/9, 6.5 SwStk%) but he should provide serviceable numbers now that he doesn't pitch in a sand box. His first start as a Giant comes today at Texas. The best news for fantasy owners would be a poor outing for Leake today as you hope ownership declines. As of this publication he's gone six innings of two-run ball, his only mistake being a Josh Hamilton HR. Next up will be a visit to Wrigley vs the Cubs, a team he limited to one run over eight innings just two weeks ago. Add away.