Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers Report (Week 18): Waiver Wire Pickups, Streamers, Injury Updates & More
Michael Reaves/Getty Images. Pictured: Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara.
It was reported Sunday morning the Miami Marlins were in talks with Sandy Alcantara about an extension. Alcantara cannot be a free agent until 2024 (arbitration), but an extension makes the most sense and might lead to an organizational change.
Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter took over the franchise in 2017 and have only signed one player to an extension. Signing Alcantara would mean a stable corps of pitchers in Miami’s rotation.
Alcantara, Trevor Rogers and Pablo Lopez are one of the better starting pitcher trios in baseball, and if either of Sixto Sanchez and Elisier Hernandez come back healthy, it would be a quadrant of talented players with major-league experience. The Marlins also have Max Meyer and Edward Cabrera in the system, with both being MLB.com Top 100 prospects.
General Manager Kim Ng and ownership could have the beginnings of a championship-level team in short order. I dig it.
Waiver Wire Adds/Streamers
Much like the positional player waiver adds, let’s focus on the best pitchers to target that could be moved or those that benefit by others being moved.
Austin Gomber — Colorado Rockies
Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 41%
Jon Gray is the most likely Rockies starter moved, meaning Gomber would slot behind Germán Márquez as their second-best starter. He returned from a forearm strain last week and fired a quality start (three solo home runs allowed). Colorado is not a good team, but Gomber is an excellent back-end fantasy pitcher who can pitch deep and keep your team ERA down.
Rich Hill — New York Mets
Yahoo: 49%, ESPN: 50%
The ageless veteran went from one division leader to another, but like in Tampa, his run support might be an issue. He is prone to short outings with walks, but if you're desperate for wins, the Mets and Hill are in a weak division with three of their next four series against the NL East foes.
Jon Gray — Colorado Rockies
Yahoo: 44%, ESPN: 44%
The longtime Colorado pitcher has at least seven strikeouts in four of his last five outings, plus a WHIP no higher than 1.17 over that time. He'll likely be moved and settle in as the third or fourth option for a contender, boosting his underrated value.
Tyler Anderson — Pittsburgh Pirates
Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 15%
Anderson has pitched at least five innings, allowing three or fewer runs in his last five starts. He's not going to strike out many batters, but a contender looking for a dependable pitcher will be happy to add him.
Shane McClanahan — Tampa Bay Rays
Yahoo: 48%, ESPN: 31%
His strong rookie campaign made Hill expendable. He's still not pitching deep into outings, but his 28.57% strikeout rate makes that palatable.
Michael Pineda — Minnesota Twins
Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 36%
Pineda is another dependable veteran that could use a change of scenery. He hasn't pitched six innings since May 26 (including an IL stint), and had single-game ERAs over four in four of his past five starts.
Injuries
Corey Kluber threw a 25-pitch bullpen session and is “very confident” he can return this season.
David Peterson was already on the IL for an oblique strain, but is now out because of surgery on his right foot.
Trevor Rogers landed on the 10-day IL with a lower back muscle spasm.
Max Scherzer was scratched from his July 24 start with mild right tricep discomfort.
Eduardo Rodriguez was removed from his July 24 start with migraine symptoms.
The Washington Nationals will back down from their throwing sessions with Stephen Strasburg after he had more neck issues from his latest throwing session.
Two-Start Pitchers
This is a projected list. Starts are subject to change and not all starters have been named.
Spencer Howard and Matt Moore (PHI) — vs WSH, at PIT
Nick Pivetta and Garrett Richards (BOS) — vs TOR, at TB
Wade Miley and Vladimir Gutierrez (CIN) — at CHC, at NYM
Dallas Keuchel and Dylan Cease (CHW) — at KC, vs CLE
Shohei Ohtani and Jose Suarez (LAA) — at COL, vs OAK
Ohtani is not guaranteed to make two starts this week, but lines up as a two-start pitcher.
Kyle Muller and Charlie Morton (ATL) — at NYM, vs MIL
John Ross (WSH) — at PHI, vs CHC
Kyle Hendricks and Adbert Alzolay (CHC) — vs CIN, at WSH
Matt Manning and Tyler Alexander (DET) — at MIN, vs BAL
Michael Pineda (MIN) — vs DET, at STL
Mike Minor and Brad Keller (KC) — vs CHW, at TOR
German Marquez and Austin Gomber (COL) — at LAA, at SD
Luis Garcia (HOU) — at SEA, at SF
Spenser Watkins (BAL) — vs MIA, at DET
BrettAnderson (MIL) — at PIT, at ATL
Tyler Anderson (PIT) — vs MIL, vs PHI
Jordan Montgomery (NYY) — at TB, at MIA
Shane McClanahan (TB) — vs NYY, vs BOS
Julio Urias (LAD) — at SF, at ARI
Logan Webb (SF) — vs LAD, vs HOU
James Kaprielian (OAK) — at SD, at LAA
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