Trevor Richards (SP, MIA) - Week 20 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 11% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Miami Marlins starting pitcher Trevor Richards may only be 3-7 with a 3.98 ERA this season, but there are reasons to dismiss those numbers and look at him for fantasy purposes. First off, he plays for the Marlins, so his win-loss tally is skewed by the team that he plays for. More importantly, though, is the fact that he has struck out at least six batters in each of his last four starts and has pitched into the sixth inning in three of those starts.

Since the beginning of July (seven starts), Richards is 1-2 with a 2.61 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 38 innings, allowing one run or less in four consecutive starts before allowing three in 5 2/3 innings against the Cardinals on August 8. Richards has been aided by a 84.8% strand rate in that time period, and only has a 32.3% ground ball rate in those seven starts, but his strikeout potential and run prevention cannot be denied.

Two road starts for Richards this week are not ideal, as he is scheduled to face the Braves in Atlanta and Nationals in Washington, but two starts are two starts. However, his good run of play makes him a great addition in deeper leagues.