Tyson Ross is still less than 20 percent owned in fantasy leagues. I recommended picking him up last week. All he did was come four outs away from throwing a no-hitter, at Arizona. Humidor or not, he hooked your team up if you listened to me. Do whatever it takes to get these six pitchers on your roster by way of trade or picking them off the waiver wire.
RP Chris Devenski (Houston Astros) – Fantasy baseballers knew the Astros bullpen was going to be a mess this season after A.J. Hinch showed no confidence in Ken Giles en route to winning the World Series. Giles got the closer gig to start, but has again been ineffective. A recent injury has opened the door for Houston’s shut down long man to get some work in the ninth. Nothing has been stated, but Devenski is the team leader in saves. If indeed he’s taken the torch, you’ll land a likely top-five closer for next to nothing.
Chris Devenski, not Ken Giles, gets the save opportunity tonight for the Astros. Wrote earlier on A.J. Hinch’s strategy for the 9th: https://t.co/BGizwHPCVu
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) April 18, 2018
SP Hyun-Jin Ryu (Los Angeles Dodgers) – Ryu left a bad taste in my mouth a season ago when he was nothing short of bland and then got injured. He’s looked like a completely different pitcher through four 2018 starts by allowing just 11 hits and 4 ER through 22.2 innings. Most impressive has been his 3-1 K/BB ratio. He’s fired off three straight quality starts and his next two outings will take place in pitcher’s parks AT&T and Petco. Ride the Japanese import while he’s hot then peddle him off for someone shinier.
Hyun-Jin Ryu threw seven scoreless innings as he outdueled Stephen Strasburg in the @Dodgers, 4-0, shutout of the Washington Nationals on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium. https://t.co/rgw4OTvQmV
— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) April 22, 2018
RP Keynan Middleton (Los Angeles Angels) – I told you to put Middleton on your fantasy baseball watch list last week. This week, I’m telling you to pick him up. Save opportunities were few and far between for the Halos last week after Boston whipped them in their own backyard, and then the Giants took two of three. This week started off with a bang however after Middleton shut the Astros down in the ninth to log his sixth save of the season. Scioscia has publicly labeled him as the closer and it’s his to hold down until it isn’t. If you got too many streaming spots, put one to rest by adding Keynan.
Clutch moment of the game: Keynan Middleton records a four-out save against the Giants to help preserve a much needed win. pic.twitter.com/dZmd5LTq6j
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) April 22, 2018
SP Trevor Cahill (Oakland A’s) – As bad as the A’s were expected to be, there’s some fantasy goodness going down in Oakland. The young up and coming offense now has some arms it can rely on to get things done. One of those is Cahill’s who dominated the White Sox in his 2018 debut. He followed that effort up with a decent showing in Texas where he kept his team in the game to the point that it took the lead and ran away with it. When healthy, Cahill has dominated in the past. He’s 100 percent now and worth a speculative add in case he goes bonkers once again. A majority of his starts coming in the Coliseum doesn’t hurt either.
https://twitter.com/BallparkVids/status/988622200600227840
SP Kevin Gausman (Baltimore Orioles) – This isn’t for the weak hearted. Gausman has single handedly ended fantasy seasons in the past, and it’s possible it occurs again. In my opinion, the chances are slim. This is one of the young, premiere arms in the game and he should be rostered everywhere in 10 and 12 team leagues. He’s now down to just 60 percent owned. That means he could be on your waiver wire. If not, his owner could be extremely nervous. He’s now rattled off three straight quality starts since getting blown up in his debut, and you could do a lot worse at the back end of your rotation. Send someone over like Miguel Andujar and see if you get a nibble.
RECAP: @KevinGausman shines in 8 solid innings, O’s drop a close one to the Indians. #Birdland
More: https://t.co/Wn8pHe8nqJ pic.twitter.com/RBP9HqrbUE
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 24, 2018
SP Yu Darvish (Chicago Cubs) – It’s safe to say the Darvish experiment hasn’t gotten out to the start North Siders would’ve liked. That’s only good news for astute fantasy baseballers that can find a way to get him on their team at a reduced price. It still might get worse before it gets better, but Yu is going to win 12-15 games this season playing on a team like Chicago. He’s 0-2 right now. At some point, the light is going to go on and Darvish is going to find his way. When he does, you’ll be thrilled you pulled one over on a league mate that will likely purchase a voodoo doll made in your honor this offseason.
On a scale of 1-5, how concerned are you about Yu Darvish?
Let us know at https://t.co/08JgfWmBl2. Results on @SportsTalkChi at 6! pic.twitter.com/19Xd9CDr6I
— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) April 23, 2018
Add To Watch List: Miles Mikolas, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, Vince Velasquez, Chris Stratton, Jordan Montgomery, Jacob Faria, Ervin Santana
