We still have a long way to go, but things are changing rapidly. Injuries, playing time and more continue to change, and you need to adapt.
You may also begin falling in the standings and need to target categories more with your waiver wire pickups. This article should help.
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
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Runs
Since coming off the injured list (IL), Chase Meidroth has exclusively led off. With an on-base percentage (OBP) of around .400 so far, this will continue until the wheels fall off.
Meidroth won’t sustain such an OBP the whole season, but he is an OBP asset. It is because of this that leading off will be something he can stick with for the foreseeable future. Even on the White Sox, leading off has value. Meidroth has eight runs in 12 games played. He was not even leading off for all of those. If you need runs, Meidroth is your guy.
Home Runs & RBI
Daulton Varsho has returned from his injury and continued where he left off in spring training. He was mashing baseballs, and that has not changed. He already has two home runs in less than a week of games.
Varsho hits toward the middle of the order and should play about as much as he can handle because the defense in centerfield is elite. He has staying power beyond being just a streamer for fantasy teams.
Stolen Bases
Luisangel Acuna has found his way into a mostly regular role, starting five of the last six games. He bats toward the bottom of the order, but he runs at will. The stolen bases are a skill. He stole 40 last year and has seven in eight attempts already this season.
Acun has a 9.1% SwStr% and a 90.8% Z-Contact%. He makes a ton of contact, has plus speed and his walk rate is about league average. All this contributes to him being an OBP asset, and, in turn, allows him plenty of chances to steal bases.
Batting Average
Eli White is playing every day. He is hitting very well and will continue to get run for the Braves until Ronald Acuna Jr. returns.
With a .308 batting average and a .301 xBA, he is earning the batting average right now. You have playing time, a good hit tool and someone hitting well. Ride the wave for help with your batting average.
Wins
Tony Gonsolin is one of the better waiver wire adds this week. In shallower formats, he faces a Marlins team he just pitched well against in Miami — a favorable park on top of a favorable matchup.
Paired with being backed by the Dodgers’ offense, he is easily a favorite to get an easy win and put up a solid outing this week.
Saves
The Diamondbacks are one of the better teams in the league, and they have lost both of their top relievers recently. We have seen Shelby Miller pitch very well and be utilized in high-leverage situations.
A save opportunity came around, and he got the first crack at it, securing the save. Miller should be firmly in the mix with Kevin Ginkel. If you need saves, take a look at Miller.
Strikeouts & Ratios (ERA & WHIP)
Ben Casparius is an interesting case. He has been very useful in a multi-inning role for the Dodgers out of the bullpen, but we have seen him stretched out over the last couple of weeks. The Dodgers have a glaring need for a starting pitcher. He has started in the past, so there is experience there.
The Dodgers have him projected to start Monday and he could be in for a two-start week. Going against Miami and Arizona is a bittersweet combination, but the fact that there are two starts could allow for 10+ strikeouts and a chance at a win if he pitches long enough.
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