Tyler Anderson (SP, COL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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OWNED IN: 19% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tyler Anderson got knocked around pretty badly to open 2018, but he has recently pitched like the first rounder that the Rockies drafted in 2011. Anderson has back-to-back starts where he has pitched eight scoreless innings and has struck out at least eight batters in each of his last three starts. For the season, Anderson is 6-3 with a 3.90 ERA.

Anderson has pitched six innings or more in five of his last six starts (throwing seven innings or more in four of those starts) and has a 2.91 ERA since the start of June. He has struck out five batters or more in five of the six starts in that time period and has a solid 40% ground ball rate in that time period as well. His strand rate sits at 81.4% since the beginning of June, but that can be supported by his 25.2% soft hit ball rate.

Anderson should be a two-start pitcher this week (the Rockies have yet to announce their pitchers for next week) and, most importantly, will not pitch at home this week. Matchups against the Diamondbacks and Mariners are not particularly easy ones, but not pitching in the hitter's haven of Coors Field will optimize Anderson's skills. Considering that the Diamondbacks and Mariners are still tough matchups, Anderson is more of a deep league play, but should still be owned for his two starts in Week 15.