With another full week of baseball ahead, it’s always smart to check the waiver wire or scout for the occasional ‘diamond in the rough’ fantasy star found at a very cheap cost. Winning the waiver wire could be the difference between grabbing a few extra points to land in the money or falling just short. Here’s a few hitters that might be available on your league waiver wire or could be found at a relatively low cost against favorable pitching matchups.
(Note: Stats and numbers are as of June 23rd)
Monday, June 26: Adam Lind (WAS 1B) vs. CHC Eddie Butler (3-2, 4.19 ERA)
Lind has been used in a part-time role off the bench, often inserted to give Ryan Zimmerman or Daniel Murphy a day off. When he’s in the lineup, he’s hit the ball very well, posting a .348 batting average with six home runs and 26 RBI in 106 plate appearances. Butler has been solid in the Cubs rotation but tends to give up a lot of walks. In 38.2 innings, he’s allowed 21 free passes. If Lind is in the starting lineup for this game, he will be able to provide some offensive power at a cheap cost in daily fantasy. Lind is owned in 15% of Fantrax leagues.
Tuesday, June 27: Raimel Tapia (COL OF) vs. SF Matt Cain (3-7, 5.54 ERA)
Tapia was called back up to the Rockies at the beginning of June and has been hitting very well since, posting a .417 batting average over the past month. He’s played in all three spots in the outfield this season. Matt Cain has taken a loss in six of his last seven starts, and his ERA ballooned from 4.04 to 5.54 during that span. Cain recently faced the Rockies on June 17, throwing five innings, allowing nine hits and taking a loss. Tapia is only owned in 34% of Fantrax leagues and 1.7% of ESPN leagues, so there’s a solid chance he might be available on your waiver wire.
Wednesday, June 28: T.J. Rivera (NYM 1B/2B/3B) vs. MIA Jeff Locke (0-3, 5.70 ERA)
Injuries have continued to decimate the Mets, leaving gaps all over their infield as starters continue to get hurt. Neil Walker was the most recent to hit the disabled list, likely to miss several weeks with a hamstring injury. With Rivera able to play multiple positions on the infield, it’s possible he’ll be asked to start multiple days in a row. He’s had a solid slash line of .271/.322/.411 through 119 plate appearances with two home runs. Locke joined the Marlins rotation in the beginning of June after missing the first two months of the season with arm issues. He has not been able to make it past the sixth inning in five total starts this season. Rivera is only owned in 13% of Fantrax leagues and can be placed in multiple spots, so he makes for a cheap fill-in for your infield.
Thursday, June 29: Albert Almora Jr. (CHC OF) vs. WAS Joe Ross (3-3, 5.98 ERA)
With Ben Zobrist hitting the disabled list with wrist issues, Almora Jr has seen starts in four of the last five games. In 138 plate appearances this season, he’s slashed .283/.336/.402 at the dish. He’s also batting .302 during the month of June. Joe Ross has struggled in the month of June, allowing 17 runs in 22 innings across three starts. Right-handers are hitting .309 against him this season. Almora Jr. is only owned in 29% of Fantrax leagues and if he continues to start, he’ll be a valuable player to pick off the waiver wire.
Friday, June 30: Jordy Mercer (PIT SS) vs. SF Johnny Cueto (5-7, 4.42 ERA)
Mercer has been on a tear in the month of June, batting .369 in 65 at-bats. Pittsburgh has been using him as an everyday shortstop, which means he’ll continue to get plate appearances. Mercer has also tallied 20 extra base hits, including six home runs. The Giants pitching staff has been terrible this season and Johnny Cueto has been part of it. He’s taken a loss in three of his last four starts and has posted a 3-5 record with a 4.58 ERA in road starts this season. If Cueto pitches like he has all season, this would be a perfect match up to use Mercer in daily fantasy. Mercer is owned in 33% of Fantrax leagues.
Saturday, July 1: Danny Valencia (SEA 1B/3B/OF) vs LAA Ricky Nolasco (2-9, 5.23 ERA)
Danny Valencia has been swinging a hot stick in the month of June, knocking in 20 RBI with three home runs in just 79 at-bats. He’s been Seattle’s everyday first baseman, but he’s still eligible for the third base and outfield slot. Ricky Nolasco has been knocked around recently, surrendering seven home runs in 24 innings in the month of June. He’s faced Seattle twice this season, allowing six runs and three home runs in 10.1 innings of work. Valencia is owned in 49% of Fantrax leagues and will provide an offensive spark for any fantasy team.
Sunday, July 2: Eddie Rosario (MIN OF) vs. KC Matt Strahm (2-4, 4.80 ERA)
I wrote last week about how well the Twins offense has been playing this season and Eddie Rosario has been a major contributor. He’s put up six home runs with 12 RBI and a .310 batting average over the past month. Strahm started the season as a reliever but moved into the rotation earlier this month, only making two starts so far. He’s faced the Twins six times this season, all as a reliever, allowing seven earned runs in five total innings. Rosario is only owned in 26% of Fantrax leagues and 3.8% of ESPN leagues, so there’s a high chance he’ll be available.