Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 14

We have officially passed the halfway mark of the 2019 regular season. Sad, but true.

Being right in the thick of things as we are, this is possibly the most challenging time of year to be seeking help on the waiver wire. Fortunately, you've come to the right place for assistance.

A reminder before we begin: This column focuses on players who are below 50% owned in Yahoo leagues, and standard 5x5 scoring. Your mileage may vary, in terms of availability or league settings. Using that cutoff point for ownership rate, however, these are your starting pitcher waiver wire targets and adds for Week 14 of the 2019 fantasy baseball season.

Pickups for Shallow Leagues

Griffin Canning (SP, LAA) — 43% Owned

Canning's ownership rate has stalled out in the low 40s, which represents a buying opportunity if your league falls within the majority where he remains free to add. The rookie is prone to the long ball, but does a good enough job inducing whiffs and limiting free passes that he remains an asset in most formats. His 3.79 ERA is merely fine, but comes with an elite 0.99 WHIP and more than a strikeout per inning.

Merrill Kelly (SP, ARI) —43% Owned

While his overall numbers aren't terribly impressive, Kelly's recent performance merits some attention. In six June outings, the 30-year-old has logged a 2.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and four quality starts, striking out nearly seven batters for every walk issued. He's showing why there were many fantasy owners willing to invest a late-round pick in his services this spring.

Jordan Lyles (SP, PIT) — 31% Owned

Lyles pitched reasonably well in his return from the injured list on Saturday, turning in a quality start against the Brewers. Before the veteran missed three weeks due a hamstring strain, he had emerged as a pleasant surprise, compiling solid ratios (3.64 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) and striking out a batter per inning. Taken in concert with the flashes he showed last season, it appears that Lyles has finally figured out how to be a viable MLB starter after years in the wilderness.

Logan Allen (SP, SD) — 31% Owned

Viewed as more of a high-floor prospect than truly exciting and having logged a 5.15 ERA at Triple-A this year, Allen didn't attract much attention in fantasy leagues after being promoted to the majors earlier this month. Two excellent starts later, that's clearly changed. The 22-year-old won both games, tossing 13 innings and allowing just two runs against the Brewers and Orioles. While San Diego's rotation is a bit crowded, if Allen can keep this up, he should hold on to a spot without issue.

Pickups for Deeper Leagues

Adbert Alzolay (SP, CHC) — 30% Owned

Cole Hamels' oblique injury just might have guaranteed Alzolay a spot in the Cubs' rotation for the foreseeable future. The rookie's performance thus far also has something to do with that, as he's 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 0.92 WHIP through his first two MLB appearances. He'll need to keep the walks and homers under control a bit better moving forward, but the 24-year-old posted a 31.7 K-BB% at Triple-A this year, so there's obviously talent here.

Matt Strahm (SP, SD) — 26% Owned

Strahm has allowed two home runs in each of his last six starts, which is...not what you want to see. That vulnerability to the long ball is what has his ERA hovering near 5.00. It was, however, also not an issue for him early in the year. If he can get that problem under control again, Strahm's 4.5 K/BB portends better days ahead.

For Your Radar

Jason Vargas (SP, NYM) — 9% Owned

Recently in the news less for his on-field exploits than those off of it, Vargas has nonetheless pitched pretty well this year. Most recently, he tallied a season-high 10 strikeouts in a no-decision against the Phillies last Wednesday. The 36-year-old has allowed more than two runs in just three of his 13 starts so far this season, producing respectable ratios (3.66 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) as a result.

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