Tampa Bay starting pitcher Erasmo Ramirez isn’t going to give fantasy baseball owners a plethora of strikeouts. That, along with not being a big name in Major League Baseball, is likely why Ramirez continues to sit on the waiver wire.
With two starts coming up this week, Ramirez shouldn’t sit on the waiver wire for long, especially considering his ability to produce in every other fantasy baseball category.
Ramirez is 3-0 in his last three starts. He’s allowed three runs total in those starts during 17 1/3 innings. His strikeout numbers aren’t going to overwhelm a fantasy baseball opponent, with 15 strikeouts during those starts, but he’s walked two batters during those outings, while allowing 15 hits.
Those are numbers that can compete with any pitcher. That’s why Ramirez is the best option on the waiver wire for fantasy baseball owners eyeing a two-start pitcher this week.
In the last six games, Ramirez has factored in the decision, going 5-1. During that time, his loss came against Oakland after surrendering five earned runs during six innings. During that game, Ramirez lost control, allowing five walks.
Other than that outing, he’s allowed six walks in five of the last six starts.
This is all coming off a difficult April, when he gave up 16 runs in 11 innings. His season ERA is 4.96, but that’s inflated because of the bad April.
His May ERA was 2.90, while his June ERA is 2.61.
The major issue with his two starts this week is the opponents. The Rays host Washington on Monday, and will travel to Cleveland later in the week.
Both teams are ranked in the middle-half for batting average in MLB, but both squads are ranked near the top in runs scored. The Nationals are ranked ninth, while the Indians are 13th in runs scored.
Despite those concerns, Ramirez is still a viable option for this week and possibly beyond. He continues to get better and his ability to limit walks and runs would be a boon to fantasy baseball teams.
