Trevor Cahill (SP/RP, OAK) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 17% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Hopefully, Oakland Athletics pitcher Trevor Cahill got the cobwebs off his arm during his return to action against Houston  (3 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K). This could have been expected in Houston against the powerful Stros' and his seasonal statline remains impressive. He still holds a 3.10 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 3.15 xFIP and 3.34 SIERA through 52 1/3 frames — all marks that rank within the top-25 for starters (50 IP min.).

He will need to prove that he can maintain a high strikeout rate while still inducing his usual grounders, and he should open the second half against the Giants with a good matchup to prove himself. Cahill faltered in the second half last season, so fantasy owners need to be wary of that, but you also have to consider that him missing time via injury could be the refresher he needed to finish strong in 2018. At a minimum, he is worth a stream in deeper leagues against the Giants.