Quality starting pitching is tough to find at this time of the season. Here are two options still on the waiver wire who could give quality production in multiple categories.
Wei-Yin Chen
Yes, Baltimore Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen is in the Minors right now. However, that’s looking more like a precautionary measure to rest the left-handed starter, as opposed to having him work on his mechanics.
Chen is coming off his best outing of the year, going eight innings and shutting out Philadelphia. He added nine strikeouts with one walk. He has 51 strikeouts in his last eight games. For his most recent six outings, he’s ranked 14th in Major League Baseball in strikeouts with 37.
During that time period, he has a 2-2 record with a 3.29 ERA. Statistically, so far, this has been his best season of his four-year MLB career. He’s coming off a 16-win campaign last year; however his ERA and strikeout numbers are up from that year.
He’s not winning as many games (he’s 3-4 this year), but if the stats continue on this pace, he should factor in more decisions as the season progresses.
Finding someone on the waiver wire who can tally strikeouts is a rarity, so Chen should get a boost in ownership when the next waiver wire cycle returns.
Jesse Chavez
It’s amazing that Oakland A’s pitcher Jesse Chavez is still available in more than half of fantasy baseball leagues. But that’s reality and fantasy baseball owners would be foolish to stay away from the starter/reliever because of his record.
Chavez has gotten no run support this season, going 3-6 this season. However, he owns the 13th-best ERA in Major League Baseball at 2.52. His WHIP also is highly rated, coming in at 20th with a 1.09.
The only issue is generally Chavez’s lack of ability to record strikeouts. However, in his last game, he notched a career-high 11 strikeouts against the San Diego Padres in one of his rare wins this season.
Although he isn’t likely to duplicate that performance, he just doesn’t allow runs. In his last five games, he’s given up eight runs in 35 innings.
Chavez is likely available on the waiver wire and fantasy baseball owners should act fast, because he shouldn’t stay around for much longer.
