Benny Sieu-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 26 and are quite possibly available on a waiver wire near you.
(Ownership percentages based off ESPN standard leagues)
*All stats current through 7:00 p.m. Friday
Wily Peralta: Milwaukee Brewers (45.2 percent)
This right-hander sports an excellent 7-1 record over his last nine outings despite a few unimpressive performances. He’s been nearly unhittable in his last two games however, as he’s allowed just one earned run on six hits over 14 innings of work. Considering his next opponent, a third consecutive strong performance seems highly likely.
The New York Mets will continue their series with the Brew Crew on Saturday evening. After some strong team play heading into the All-Star break, the Mets have limped out of the gate in the second half. To go along with a 3-4 record, the Metropolitans have manged just 15 total runs over those seven contests. In his only start vs. the Mets this season, Peralta held the team in check to the tune of one run on four hits over 6.1 innings of work.
Odrisamer Despaigne: Sad Diego Padres (27.2 percent)
When the Padres decided to give this fellow a shot in the rotation, I doubt they expected these kind of results. Despaigne has been extraordinary in five starts to this point, as he owns a sparkling 1.31 ERA, and is allowing opponents to bat a microscopic .177. He has a great matchup on the horizon, and another solid outing is likely in the cards.
The Padres will take on the Atlanta Braves down in the great state of Georgia on Saturday. Atlanta has been one of the weakest offenses in baseball this season, as the team ranks just 27th in the league in runs per game. Despaigne may be able to up his unimpressive 4.46 K’s per nine innings in this one too, as the Braves have struck out the fifth most times per game as a team this year.
Bud Norris: Baltimore Orioles (2 percent)
Norris is quietly going though a rather impressive stretch on the mound right now. Obviously, few fantasy owners believe in him, but with a 4-1 record to go along with an outstanding 2.39 ERA over his last five outings, it’s hard not to take some notice. More of the same is likely to be in store for him in his next appearance.
The Orioles will square off against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday. The M’s have found the going to be quite rough since the All-Star break, as the team sports an ugly 2-5 record, and have put up a paltry 2.57 runs per game over that stretch. Even more good news for Norris is the fact that the Mariners are batting just .240 vs. right-handed pitching this season, good for 24th in the league.
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.
