Rick Porcello (SP, BOS) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues

OWNED IN: 22% of Fleaflicker leagues

ANALYSIS: Rick Porcello is 4-0 with an outstanding 10.52 K/9 (way higher than his career highs) and a meager 1.75 BB/9 which is slightly lower than his career best. While these are very good numbers they are surrounded by some unsustainable ones, as Porcello currently sports a BABIP allowed of .233 and a LOB% of 84.2%. For some context last year Rick had a BABIP of .332 and a LOB% of 67.5%.

Porcello's ERA sits at a solid 3.51, but his FIP is 4.12 is a better reflection of how he has pitched. With that said his xFIP is a sparkling 2.96 and that suggests that the defense behind him has been poor. His HR/FB rate should also come down and regress closer to his career average. What all of this means is that Porcello has been very lucky in some respects and a little unlucky in others. Pick him up if you need pitching help, but make sure you don't expect too much. Also be sure to bench Porcello (if you can afford to do so) in tough match ups.