Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers Report (Week 1): Waiver Wire Pickups, Streamers, Injury Updates & More

Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers Report (Week 1): Waiver Wire Pickups, Streamers, Injury Updates & More article feature image
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Gregory Shamus/Getty Images. Pictured: Matthew Boyd

The fact that the MLB season started on a Thursday means if you're in a season-long fantasy league, you likely are in the middle of a 10-day week. Even still, planning out your starting pitchers for the week is an integral piece in finding success during a fantasy baseball season.

Each week this season I will be looking at the week ahead for pitchers. Waiver options, streamers, pitchers making two starts, injury updates and more can be found within.

Waiver Adds/Streamers

Matthew Boyd– Detroit Tigers (Rostered in 51% of Yahoo and 40% of ESPN leagues)

Four walks on Opening Day is not endearing in his bid to put 2020 in the past, but Matthew Boyd did well to limit the Cleveland Indians and survive 5 2/3 innings. He gets the Minnesota Twins Wednesday.

Yusei Kikuchi – Seattle Mariners (38%, 21%)

He was hitting the mid-to-uppers 90s early against the Giants on Friday and finished with 10 strikeouts. Home runs and run support prevented him from logging a win but the start was more than encouraging. Kikuchi also gets the Twins this week on Saturday.

Nathan Eovaldi – Boston Red Sox (65%, 55%)

The Tampa Bay Rays have done a majority of their damage so far against relievers. I also believe the Rays' offense is on par or worse than the Orioles lineup Eovaldi shut down on Opening Day.

Brad Keller – Kansas City Royals (32%, 15%)

Brad Keller allowed more runs at home on Opening Day than he did all of 2020. Regression was coming and it hit hard, but he is also not that bad. Keller will always have a lower upside since he does not miss many bats, but he is a perfect rebound candidate against Cleveland.

Injuries

Boston starting pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez is expected to make his Red Sox season debut this week after starting the season on the 10-day injured list with a tired arm. Tanner Houck took Rodriguez’s place in the rotation and performed admirably against the Baltimore Orioles Saturday but is expected to be sent to Triple-A. Rodriguez was supposed to start Opening Day. It is difficult to not be pulling for E-Rod after his horrendous battle with COVID-19.

Rockies SP Kyle Freeland is working his way back from a Spring Training shoulder injury and may have avoided being lost for the season.

The Giants had Alex Woodthrow a simulated game as he recovers from a lower back strain.

Sixto Sánchez of the Marlins is dealing with mild shoulder inflammation that popped up last Wednesday. He has no timetable for his return.

Two-Start Pitchers

This is a projected list. Starts subject to change and not all starters have been named.

  • Matt Shoemaker (MIN) – at DET, vs SEA
  • José Ureña (DET) – vs MIN, at CLE
  • Steven Matz (TOR) – at TEX, vs LAA
  • Mike Foltynewicz (TEX) – vs TOR, vs SD
  • Drew Smyly (ATL) – at WSH, vs PHI
  • Jorge López (BAL) – at NYY, vs BOS
  • Jordan Montgomery (NYY) – vs BAL, at TB
  • JT Brubaker (PIT) – at CIN, vs CHC
  • José De León (CIN) – vs PIT, at ARI
  • Daniel Ponce de Leon (STL) – at MIA, vs MIL
  • Tyler Rogers (MIA) – vs STL, at NYM
  • Jacob deGrom (NYM) – at PHI, vs MIA
  • Matt Moore (PHI) – vs NYM, at ATL
  • Michael Wacha (TB) – at BOS, vs NYY
  • Nick Pivetta (BOS) – vs TB, at BAL
  • Brett Anderson (MIL) – vs CHC, at STL
  • Trevor Williams (CHC) – at MIL, at PIT
  • Dustin May (LAD) – at OAK, vs WSH
  • Frankie Montas (OAK) – vs LAD, at HOU
  • Anthony DeSclafani (SF) – at SD, vs COL
  • Adrian Morejon (SD) – vs SF, at TEX
  • Carlos Rodon (CHW) – at SEA, vs KC
  • Justus Sheffield (SEA) – vs CHW, at MIN
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