For most fantasy leagues, the trade deadline has passed. Hopefully, you had a chance to stockpile pitching for the final weeks. If you didn’t, consider this: Sometimes our current starting pitchers don’t hurl as many innings at the end of the season as teams begin to exercise more caution with their workload.

Since you can’t trade anymore, in the remaining weeks, I’ll include a couple of pitchers that might serve as a short-term anchor. Someone worth holding.

Here are some thoughts for Week 18.

• The two-start pitcher of the week is Jose Quintana. The move to St. Louis was a huge upgrade for him, and it might be time to take note during your stretch run to the playoffs.
• Two young pitchers that should be getting more attention include Edward Cabrera and Dustin May. Both pitchers are owned in nearly half of Yahoo leagues, so don’t let that number climb before you consider adding them.
• Finally, my off-kilter favorite matchup this week is Dane Dunning against the weak-hitting Oakland Athletics.

As a quick reminder, I’m trying desperately to choose pitchers owned in less than 30% of Yahoo leagues. There are other articles on our FantasyPros website that rank the best streaming matchups. This article is an attempt to give managers a pitcher who is likely to be available.

Here we go!

Monday, August 15

Glenn Otto (SP – TEX) vs. OAK: 2%

He’s probably the easiest pitcher to get off the waiver wire this week. Otto has pitched back-to-back solid starts (one against the Houston Astros and one against the Chicago White Sox). Nicklaus Gaut on Fangraphs notes that the value of Otto’s fastball has increased recently, and his sinker has remained steady. This is before we factor in his slider, which is the pitch scouts have touted for most of his career. Gaut also reminds us that Oakland is 30th in wOBA against the slider. This seems like a good matchup for him.

Other option: Aaron Civale vs. DET 20%

Tuesday, August 16

Jose Quintana (SP – STL) vs. COL: 39%

Quintana is 9% over my 30% limit, but I’ll flex the requirements a little for a two-start pitcher. He’s got Colorado and Arizona this week. In the last two weeks, the Cardinals are fifth in runs scored. On the season, Quintana is sporting a 3.37 ERA and a 102/35 K/BB ratio. In the last month, his ERA is a sparkling 2.73. Both his FIP (3.22) and SIERA (3.97) are acceptable. What I’ve really noticed is the significant drop in his HR/FB ratio, which stands at 7.4%. He has also limited hard contact better than he’s done since 2015 and 2016 when he had similar numbers. Let’s take him for a spin.

Other options: It’s time to pick up Edward Cabrera vs. SD 45% and hold if he’s available. Otherwise, another decent one-day option is Justin Steele at WSH 21%

Wednesday, August 17

Drew Smyly (SP – CHC) at WSH: 12%

I’m not a big fan of streaming pitchers today, particularly pitchers owned in less than 30% of Yahoo leagues. I’d take a breather. Do I like Smyly against Washington? Sure. But do I expect him to give us a bunch of strikeouts and a win? Probably not. The secret thrill-seeker in me wants to go with Touki Toussaint below. In only 13.1 IP in 2022, he has a 54% GB% and 10.13 K/9 to go along with a woeful 6.08 BB/9. So he continues to struggle with consistency. His LOB% in this short period is 90.2%, and he’s facing the decent-hitting Seattle Mariners (they’re middle of the pack in runs scored). Still, maybe we can roll a hard eight today.

Other option: Touki Toussaint (LAA) vs. SEA 1%

Thursday, August 18

Dane Dunning (SP – TEX) vs. OAK: 10%

Lately, Mr. Dunning is getting it done. In his last 18 innings, he has pitched to a 2.00 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP with two quality starts. In my baseball tarot card reading, I’m seeing the Momentum Card alongside the Matchup Card. No, that doesn’t mean I’m going to die. It means it’s easy enough to choose Dunning on a day with limited options. I’m comfortable going with the former first-round pick with great command.

Other option: Let’s leave it.

Friday, August 19

Graham Ashcraft (SP – CIN) at PIT: 14%

If you’re hunting wins, you might go with Kutter Crawford below. However, I will continue to pit pitchers against the Pirates. Ashcraft is a perfectly mediocre option, which means he is perfectly acceptable in the case of waiver wire availability. His 3.94 ERA is accompanied by a 3.86 xERA, 4.02 FIP and a 4.05 xFIP. These numbers will suffice. He gets hitters to ground the ball consistently with his cutter (58.6% GB%) and sinker (68.5% GB%). His slider has an xAVG of .216. The point here is that these three pitches help avoid hard contact. In the last month, the Pirates aren’t getting any hotter. They’re 27th in runs scored in that time.

Other option: Kutter Crawford (BOS) at BAL 16%

Saturday, August 20

Tyler Alexander (SP – DET) vs. LAA: 1%

I know Alexander plays for Detroit, so it might be tough to get a win here. But it’s not like the Halos are lighting the world on fire. In the last two weeks, they’re 29th in runs scored. The 28-year-old former second-round pick had success in his last two starts against Cleveland and Minnesota, holding both ball clubs to two runs. Alexander has increased his fastball usage this year, moving from a 22.4% CSW in 2021 to a 28.3% CSW in 2022. It may not account for the significant increase in groundballs, but he has become more of a groundball pitcher this year. His cutter went from a 28.3% to a 40.5% GB%, and his sinker went from a 36.5 to a 54.3 GB%.

Other option: He’s owned in more leagues than I’m permitted for this article, but it might be worth playing Michael Wacha at BAL: 43%

Sunday, August 21

Jose Quintana (STL) at ARI: 39%

I’m sticking with the two-start pitcher here from Tuesday. Everything from my blurb above applies, but I will add that according to Fangraphs, the Cardinals are fifth in DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) and first in DEF (Defensive Runs Above Average). Basically, Quintana has an outstanding defense behind him and a solid lineup to get him runs. Let’s hope for two great starts from him this week.

Other option: He’s owned in more leagues than I’m permitted, but if he’s available, pick up Dustin May vs. MIA: 54%

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio

If you want to dive deeper into fantasy baseball, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Baseball Tools as you navigate your season. From our Lineup Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team, and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy baseball season.