Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
The waiver wire can be a goldmine for fantasy baseball players who are looking to boost their pitching stats. On most days, there is sure to be a starter (or three) just waiting to be scooped up who can help lead a fantasy team to glory. In today’s slice of fantasy advice, let’s take a look at some hurlers who should be in for a strong day on the hill on July 2 and are quite possibly available on a waiver wire near you.
Now hurry up and grab one of these pitchers before some other cagey owner gets to them first. (Ownership percentages based off ESPN standard leagues)
Charlie Morton, Pittsburgh Pirates (13.3 percent):
Despite his ugly 4-9 record, this hurler has been rolling along pretty well in recent weeks. In his last 11 starts, Morton has allowed two earned runs or fewer on nine occasions, and sports an excellent 3.00 ERA over that span. Those who have taken a chance on him have also enjoyed his elevated strikeout rate in recent starts, as he’s fanned 39 batters over his last 32 innings pitched.
Morton and the Pirates will host the Arizona Diamondbacks this evening. While the D-backs rank just 20th in the league in runs per game, they have especially struggled to generate offense of late. In their past 17 games, Arizona has managed to plate a paltry 3.29 runs per contest, and there’s nothing to suggest that Morton can’t keep them down once more today.
Ryan Vogelsong, San Francisco Giants (12 percent):
After a dynamic May which saw this right-hander manage an outstanding 2.29 ERA, Vogelsong struggled through most of June. The one thing that has stayed constant however is his dominance at home. As opposed to his ugly 5.20 ERA and .298 average against on the road, those numbers are a much stronger 3.13 and .240 at AT&T Park. He’ll pitch at home tonight, and it will come against one of baseball’s weakest offenses to boot.
The Giants continue their series with the St. Louis Cardinals today. In a very surprising turn of events, baseball’s third-highest scoring offense from last season ranks just 29th so far in 2014. The Cardinals have managed to put up just 3.65 runs per game on the season, and that number gets even more embarrassing on the road, where it sits at a minuscule 3.30.
Add in the fact that St. Louis has scored just five total runs in their past five games, and you have to like Vogelsong’s chances for success today.
Chris Young, Seattle Mariners (10.8 percent):
Young’s 2014 season has been quite successful to this point, as he owns a solid 7-4 record to go along with an outstanding 3.15 ERA. He’s really turned the dial up to “dominate” of late though, as he sports a 5-2 record and 2.69 ERA over his last seven outings. Although his numbers on the road have been inferior to his home stats this season, I doubt that will matter today, considering the opponent.
The Mariners will continue their road series with the Houston Astros this afternoon. It’s been business as usual for the hapless Astros in 2014, as they own the second-worst record in baseball to this point, and rank 26th in the league in runs per game. The team has been especially dreadful of late, as they’re 4-11 over their last 15 games, and have put up a puny 3.00 runs per contest over that span.
To put the icing on this cake, Houston is batting just .223 versus right-handed pitching this season.
Brian Davis is a fantasy writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @SportsGuyBrian, ”Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
