Fantasy Baseball

Wednesday serves a playoff tune-up for a handful of aces across Major League Baseball.

For Shane Bieber, his final regular-season start will also give him one more chance to reinforce his American League Cy Young candidacy. 

Bieber goes head-to-head with Lucas Giolito in what could be a preview of a potential first-round showdown depending on where the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians land in the AL standings. Entering Wednesday, the White Sox are No. 3 and the Indians are No. 7. 

Atlanta's Max Fried is in a similar situation as Bieber since he toes the rubber against the Miami Marlins, who could be a potential first-round foe for the National League East champion. 

With so many high-quality arms scheduled to start Wednesday, the best hitters for daily fantasy baseball lineups will be those with reasonable salaries and favorable matchups.

        

Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks for September 23

Shane Bieber, SP, Cleveland

Bieber has been a must-start DFS pitcher every time he takes the hill. 

The Cleveland ace owns 112 strikeouts, a 1.74 ERA and eight victories over 11 appearances. 

Since August 15, Bieber has fanned 10 or more batters in six of his eight starts, including a 10-strikeout performance in his last outing against Detroit. 

If the Indians had not clinched a playoff berth through Jose Ramirez's walk-off home run Tuesday, Bieber would have been pitching for his team's postseason spot Wednesday.

Even though he does not have that pressure, he still has to show he can outduel one of the other aces in the AL in Giolito. 

The two pitchers went head-to-head August 9 in a game that was decided by the bullpens. Bieber struck out eight White Sox hitters and allowed three earned runs in a six-inning outing. 

If he produces another high punchout total and decreases the number of earned runs by one or two, Bieber could once again be the pitcher with the most points in DraftKings and FanDuel contests.

Bieber should have the highest salary of any of the top-tier pitchers throwing Wednesday, but he has proved time and again that he can live up to the high price.

       

Max Fried, SP, Atlanta

You probably can't go wrong with Giolito, Kenta Maeda, Trevor Bauer or Tyler Glasnow, but Fried will be involved in a favorable home matchup and comes at a more reasonable salary.

Since the Atlanta ace is valued lower than some of the other top pitchers on the slate, you could find a way to stack him with the Braves sluggers that unleashed an 11-run barrage on Miami Tuesday night. 

In nine of his 10 starts, Fried allowed two earned runs or fewer and he holds a perfect 7-0 record. 

One of Fried's best strikeout performances occurred against the Marlins August 15, as he sat down seven batters on strikes. 

Fried does not have the overwhelming strikeout power like Bieber and others, but he typically does not allow opponents to get runs off him and earns points for quality starts and victories. 

                

Max Kepler, OF, Minnesota

There are not many matchups for hitters to exploit due to the large roster of aces throwing Wednesday, but Minnesota appears to have an edge against Detroit's Casey Mize. 

The Twins have already seen the Detroit rookie on two occasions, and they produced five earned runs on seven hits against Mize in those games. 

Max Kepler went 1-for-5 in the August 30 meeting with Mize and the Tigers, but that can be discounted when building lineups Wednesday since he is in a better run of form at the dish. 

The outfielder is coming off back-to-back three-hit games against the Chicago Cubs and Detroit. He hit a home run in each contest and recorded 13 total bases. 

Kepler's salary will be a bit expensive to match with Bieber, Bauer or Fried, but it is worth riding a consistent hot hand to provide some power to your lineup.

             

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from MLB.com.

The most consistent bat in the Los Angeles Angels lineup belongs to a hitter positioned above Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon.

Jared Walsh has been an on-base machine for the American League West side over the past two weeks. And because he hits in front of the two power hitters, he has crossed the plate at a high rate as well.

Walsh is one of the few players worth taking off the waiver wire during the final week of the fantasy baseball season.

The best approach from a pitching standpoint could be acquiring hurlers who have been consistent of late and face favorable matchups over the final seven days of the regular season.

                       

Top Waiver-Wire Adds

Jared Walsh, 1B, Los Angeles Angels

Walsh has reached base safely through a hit in every game since September 6.

During that span, the first baseman has seven multi-hit performances, six home runs and 17 RBIs. Walsh's consistency out of the No. 2 hole has bridged the gap between leadoff man David Fletcher, who recently returned from the injured list, and the team's top two sluggers.

By reaching base so often, Walsh has set up Trout and Rendon for extra run-producing opportunities from the No. 3 and No. 4 spots. Trout has driven in five runs and Rendon owns nine RBIs during Walsh's hitting streak.

Walsh has two matchups remaining with the Texas Rangers on Sunday and Monday before the Angels play a pair with the San Diego Padres and finish with a three-game swing at Dodger Stadium.

The Angels could be eliminated from the wild-card race in the middle of the week since they are three games back of the Toronto Blue Jays in the win column.

Even though his team may not be playing for much at the end of the week, Walsh is still worth picking up because of his hot streak.

              

Jon Lester. SP, Chicago Cubs

Jon Lester is not the flashiest pitcher on the waiver wire, but he could be the one who provides a steady hand in the final week.

Lester is expected to start Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are one of two teams with fewer than 20 wins in the National League.

In his past two starts, the experienced southpaw allowed two earned runs over 11 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland. Lester has had mixed results against the Pirates in 2020. On August 2, he limited the Pirates to a single earned run over six innings. But Pittsburgh gashed Lester for five earned runs in 5.1 innings September 1.

If Lester pitches more like he has in the past two games Monday, he could be a help to ERA, WHIP and win columns.

Were the Cubs remain in their current rotation for the weekend series with the Chicago White Sox, Lester would pitch Saturday. But any future decisions could be kept out of mind for now since you can get take advantage of Lester's favorable matchup Monday to get off to a fast start.

                

Brady Singer, SP, Kansas City

If you prefer a pitcher with a larger strikeout volume, Brady Singer could be the choice for a two-start hurler.

The Kansas City Royals right-hander produced back-to-back eight-strikeout outings against Cleveland and the Detroit Tigers.

Singer owns 52 punchouts over 54 innings, with 21 of them occurring in September. Since he last started Wednesday, Singer should be in line to toe the rubber Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. He may also start the regular-season finale versus Detroit.

The 24-year-old conceded more than four earned runs on a single occasion. His fantasy value skyrocketed after his lone high concession since he allowed three hits over his past 14 innings.

If he is still available on the waiver wire, he would be the preferred option to Lester because of the high strikeout potential.

              

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Statistics obtained from MLB.com.

When Gerrit Cole takes the hill, he is typically the first New York Yankees player added to daily fantasy lineups. 

The Yankees ace should not be the first member of his team rostered Wednesday with DJ LeMahieu in the middle of a terrific run at the dish. 

LeMahieu's four-hit performance Tuesday extended his hitting streak to eight games, and he faces another favorable matchup versus the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. 

Cole could be the next Yankees player added to your lineup, or you could look in another direction at pitcher with Jacob deGrom, Lucas Giolito and Dylan Bundy all scheduled to start.

         

Top Daily Fantasy Baseball Plays for September 16

DJ LeMahieu, 2B, New York Yankees

LeMahieu is coming off his best game of the 2020 season Tuesday. 

The Yankees leadoff man hit a home run, two doubles and drove in five teammates in the shellacking of the Toronto pitching staff. 

Since September 7, the second baseman owns 12 hits, 11 runs and seven RBI. Four of the eight games played in that span were against the Blue Jays.

LeMahieu and the Yankees face a favorable matchup Wednesday against Tanner Roark, who has not made it past the fifth inning in any of his eight starts. 

Roark has allowed 10 home runs, with seven of them occurring in his last four trips to the mound. 

On September 9, Roark conceded long balls to LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres in a four-inning outing in Buffalo. 

If the Yankees ride the momentum of scoring 20 runs Tuesday and benefit from their recent history against Roark, most key pieces of their lineup could be considered solid DFS plays, starting with the red-hot LeMahieu.

              

Jacob deGrom, SP, New York Mets

DeGrom carries the most consistent numbers of the four high-profile hurlers set to toe the rubber Wednesday. 

The New York Mets ace has conceded one or zero earned runs in each of his last five trips to the mound. 

In his last four starts, the right-handed hurler has struck out at least nine batters. He fanned 14 August 26 and punched out 12 September 6.

The latter of those double-digit strikeout outings occurred against Philadelphia, who he will face Wednesday. 

The Phillies are experiencing some struggles in the middle of their order. Rhys Hoskins is on the 10-day injured list and J.T. Realmuto is fighting a hip injury. 

Although it may be considered splitting hairs between DeGrom and the other aces, he gives you the best chance to earn the highest point total from the pitcher spot. 

Bundy has allowed two earned runs in three of his last four starts, Giolito let up three earned runs in back-to-back starts to begin September and Cole was tagged for four or more runs in three straight starts before he corrected that form in his last outing. 

If you select one of those hurlers over DeGrom, it will not be a terrible decision, but if you want the most points possible from a high-priced arm, the Mets ace has been the most reliable of the group.

            

Brady Singer, SP, Kansas City

There is a roster-building approach without one of the top arms that can put you in winning positions. That involves pairing a lesser-known pitcher with high-profile bats, 

Brady Singer will be a popular option of the lower-tier hurlers since he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in his last start. 

In the one-hit appearance, Singer tied his season best in strikeouts with eight. He has 13 punchouts in his last two outings.

The 24-year-old was efficient in his only start versus Detroit July 30, when he gave up two earned runs while striking out three batters. 

If Singer keeps his strikeout rate high and limits the production of the Detroit lineup, he could be a solid supporting piece if you want to load your lineup with the best hitters available.

                

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from MLB.com

The Cincinnati Reds' Tyler Mahle has been one of the most successful pitchers in Major League Baseball whom we have not paid much attention to.

The 25-year-old owns a pair of 10-strikeout performances over his past three games. Since he is available in a good chunk of fantasy baseball leagues, he is worth the pickup for the coming week.

Some of the other top waiver-wire targets are players who have heated up in recent weeks and could be difference-makers as the fantasy regular season comes to a close.

Two of those players could go head-to-head when the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees face off next weekend at Yankee Stadium.

                     

Fantasy Baseball Waiver-Wire Pickups

Tyler Mahle, SP, Cincinnati

Mahle's two-best outings both occurred against the Chicago Cubs.

The right-handed hurler fanned 10 Cubs hitters August 28 in a performance that caught the attention of some fantasy baseball players. Two weeks later, Mahle punched out 11 Cubs, but he suffered his first loss after giving up three earned runs.

Mahle is an attractive pickup because of his high volume of strikeouts and the potential to make two starts over the next week. He is scheduled to go head-to-head with Carlos Martinez and the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, which would then put him in line to face the Chicago White Sox Friday or Saturday.

In two starts against St. Louis, Mahle conceded five earned runs over 10 innings and struck out eight batters.

The Reds have an off day Thursday and play a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, so the exact date for Mahle's next start could be dependent on which starters are used in those games.

If his strikeout rate remains at a decent level, Mahle could stick on your roster for the entirety of the fantasy baseball playoff stretch.

                  

Bobby Dalbec, 1B/3B, Boston

Sometimes you just have to take advantage of the hot hand at the plate.

Boston's Bobby Dalbec fits that description perfectly since he is coming off five consecutive games with a home run.

The infielder is eligible at first base and third base in most fantasy leagues, so that could help carve out a roster spot for him.

Since September 5, Dalbec has a trio of multi-hit performances and a RBI in six straight starts. The home run streak is the obvious draw, but since the 25-year-old has reached base at a decent clip, you can justify the pickup for other stat categories.

After a day off Monday, the Red Sox visit the Miami Marlins for a three-game set before hosting the New York Yankees over the weekend.

Miami's pitching staff will be coming off seven games in five days, and the Yankees have struggled in all aspects of their pitching game lately. Even if he does not mash a home run in every game, Dalbec is worth the selection based off his matchups and potential to reach base in every contest.

                 

Deivi Garcia, SP, New York Yankees

Deivi Garcia has been one of the few bright spots within the Yankees pitching staff.

The 21-year-old rookie lasted seven innings in his most recent outing against the Toronto Blue Jays. He struck out six batters while allowing two earned runs.

In each of his three starts, the right-handed hurler has sat down six opposing batters on strikes, which is an impressive rate for a first-year player.

Garcia is projected to match up with Toronto for his next start, which may happen Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. The top pitching prospect should also get a crack at the Red Sox over the weekend, and that could suit his strengths since Boston has had struggles at the dish.

If anything, Garcia is worth the pickup for a week because he will have a pair of starts in which he could put up a good amount of strikeouts and a decent ERA.

               

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Statistics obtained from MLB.com.

Fantasy baseball's race to the 2020 finish line is approaching the final turn.

The campaign's blink-and-you-might-miss-it pace has led to some frantic moments for fantasy managers, but it hasn't helped players duck the injury bug. Key contributors keep going down with various ailments, with Ketel Marte, Jose Altuve, Jorge Soler and Max Fried among the latest to hit the injury list.

Now is not the time to play it patient. You must aggressively search the waiver wire for replacements. Or, since you were savvy enough to come here, you can simply keep reading for the best pickups who are rostered in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, per FantasyPros.

                        

Top Waiver-Wire Targets for Week 7

Brad Miller, 2B/3B/OF, St. Louis Cardinals (49 Percent Rostered)

Opportunity's knock took a while to get to Brad Miller, but he's making it worth the wait.

Granted regular at-bats for the first time since 2016 (when he launched 30 home runs for the Tampa Bay Rays), he's giving the St. Louis Cardinals no choice but to keep him in the lineup. He's hitting .284 with a massive .402 on-base percentage. He has five homers, 21 RBI and 15 runs in just 28 games. He also bats right behind Paul Goldschmidt and his absurd .459 OBP, so the chance for run production is substantial.

While more players are providing positional versatility in the modern game, the flexibility Miller offers is a cut above most. He can fill two infield spots or play the outfield in Yahoo leagues, which makes him the ideal addition for a rotisserie lineup. If you need a plug-and-play hitter, there's a good chance Miller can tag in wherever you need it.

In points leagues, Miller might be even more attractive given the gargantuan volume of games still on St. Louis' schedule. Since the Cardinals are making up for time lost to postponements, their last off day is already behind them, and they have four double-headers between now and the campaign's closure Sept. 27.

                     

Adam Duvall, OF, Atlanta Braves (34 Percent Owned)

Did you do anything more than shrug your shoulders the first time Adam Duvall delivered a three-homer game in September? Unless you're in the deepest of fantasy leagues, you probably didn't. It's OK—none of us did. Huge games just happen sometimes, so one monster showing won't have people rushing to the waiver wire for someone who had 10 homers and played 41 games last season.

But read the first sentence of this section again. Notice how we had to mention we were talking about the first time Duvall sent three over the fence in one outing. In case you aren't the quickest with context clues, he added a second three-homer effort to his September ledger. And in this outing, Wednesday's rout of the Miami Marlins, he drove in nine of Atlanta's record-setting 29 runs.

Snoozing on one three-homer performance is fine if you have doubts about a hitter. But a pair of triple-bombs over an eight-day stretch? A home run total that sits tied for seventh across the entire major league (13)? Snooze no more, folks.

"There comes a point when the numbers demand action, regardless of what any deeper analysis shows, and we've reached that point with Duvall," CBS Sports' Scott White wrote.

Duvall probably won't help in any non-power categories. He's a career .235 hitter with a .294 OBP. He last stole a base in April 2018. Temper your expectations here, in other words, but get him on your roster if you're lacking power production. He has a pair of 30-homer seasons on his resume, and his career 162-game averages include 31 home runs and 90 RBI.

                       

Dane Dunning, SP, Chicago White Sox (27 Percent Rostered)

With a flurry of young hurlers making waves in the big leagues, Dane Dunning's impressive to start to his MLB career has apparently gone unnoticed in most portions of the fantasy world.

That's a mistake. He's made four starts and hasn't given up more than three earned runs in any of them. Two of them were scoreless. He had 14 strikeouts against two walks in his first two outings. In his last one, he stretched beyond five innings for the first time and was rewarded with his first career victory.

His ERA sits at a quality 2.70. His WHIP is a perfect 1.00. His minor league track record says all of this could be legit. A first-round pick in 2016, he owns a career 2.74 ERA in the minors with 10.2 strikeouts against 2.4 walks per nine innings.

If you have a hole in your rotation—as most of us do this season—Dunning seems like a smart way to fill it.

The Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies are about to embark on one of the most unique and busiest parts of the 2020 Major League Baseball season. 

The National League East rivals are scheduled to play seven games at Marlins Park from September 10-14, six of which fall into the next week of fantasy baseball. 

On top of their heavy weekend workload, the Phillies will play a Tuesday doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox and Miami has a three-game set with Atlanta to attend to before heading home. 

With so many games on tap, it makes sense to dip into the waiver wire for high-volume players on both rosters that could play two contests a day and give you an advantage in the fight for fantasy playoff positions.

        

Notable Waiver-Wire Pickups

Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Miami

Someone has to provide support for the newly acquired Starling Marte in the Miami lineup next week and beyond.

Jesus Aguilar is the best candidate for that since he has been a constant fixture in the top part of the team's batting order. 

The right-handed slugger scored four runs, produced two hits and hit one home run in his last two games against Tampa Bay. 

Back in July, Aguilar wracked up nine total bases, two home runs and three RBI in a three-game set with the Phillies. 

If he parlays his decent form against the Rays into another successful set of clashes with Philadelphia, Aguilar could be a valuable pickup at first base. 

If anything, Aguilar has to be considered as a power option since he has five long balls, 21 RBI and a .471 slugging percentage. 

The abundance of projected at-bats could make up for any lack of production you may experience in the coming week.

        

Tommy Hunter, RP, Philadelphia

The large number of games could produce some new opportunities for relievers, even in seven-inning contests. 

Philadelphia setup man Tommy Hunter is worth a look because of the potential volume he will be used at, and the prospect of replacing Brandon Workman in the closer role if he needs the day off. 

The 34-year-old right-handed pitcher has earned six holds and has not conceded an earned run since August 20. 

Hunter possesses a much better road ERA than at Citizens Bank Park. In seven innings away from Philadelphia, he has a 1.29 ERA and 0.43 WHIP.

The congested schedule should force the Phillies to use inexperienced starters or openers at some juncture, which would open up more chances for Hunter, Workman and others to finish games. 

Since the Phillies play their first of three doubleheaders Tuesday against Boston, Hunter should be worth a look for the entire week.

         

Rowdy Tellez, 1B, Toronto

Rowdy Tellez could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Toronto's upcoming six-game homestand in Buffalo.

The left-handed slugger has five home runs, 13 RBI, a .868 slugging percentage and 1.293 OPS in 12 games in which Toronto has been the home team. 

Tellez will return to Sahlen Field in good form at the dish. He has six hits, three runs, two RBI and a homer in his last three games against Boston. 

The three-game set with the New York Yankees to start the week does not look as intimidating as it did a few weeks ago.

In September, the Yankees have allowed five or more runs in all but one of their six games. 

If Tellez feasts on the Yankees pitching, he could go into the three-game series with the New York Mets next weekend in red-hot form.

Even if he has a decent power week, Tellez is worth considering since one hot bat in your lineup could make the difference in fantasy playoff qualification.

      

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from MLB.com.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball this season, but when Zac Gallen takes the mound, they are must-watch television. 

Opposing hitters have struggled to get anything off the Arizona ace in his seven starts, and he could wreak havoc on the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup Wednesday. 

Gallen may end up as the best pitching play in daily fantasy baseball lineups in a slate that features Max Scherzer, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Sixto Sanchez and the return of Charlie Morton. 

The best direction to look in for hitters could be the Atlanta Braves, who have had their way with the Boston Red Sox pitching staff over the last two days.

Freddie Freeman has a 15-game hitting streak, and Marcell Ozuna hit three home runs Tuesday. And beneath them in the order are some value plays that would support the high-priced Gallen. 

            

Top Daily Fantasy Baseball Plays for September 2

Zac Gallen, SP, Arizona

According to ESPN Stats and Info, Gallen holds the record for most appearances to start a career with three earned runs allowed or fewer. 

The Diamondbacks ace has allowed a single earned run in each of his last three starts, two of which occurred against the San Francisco Giants. 

In his second start of the campaign, the right-handed hurler limited the Los Angeles Dodgers to a pair of earned runs over six innings. He struck out nine batters in that outing. 

The 25-year-old has lasted six innings in all but one of his appearances, so he should be on the mound for ample time to rack up fantasy points. 

He should be viewed as the top pitching option over Ryu and Sanchez, who face each other in Miami, as well as Scherzer and Zack Wheeler, who go head-to-head in Philadelphia. 

The only concern with Gallen is the lack of run support he has received from an offense that is now without Starling Marte. He recorded his first win Friday against the Giants, but even then he had to wait until the fifth inning to feel comfortable with the lead. 

Even if he doesn't get points for a victory, Gallen should strike out enough hitters and concede an earned run or two to make you use him as the cornerstone of your Wednesday lineup. 

         

Austin Riley, 3B, Atlanta

A case could be made to start as many Atlanta players as possible. 

Unfortunately, DFS salary restrictions will prevent you from loading up on Freeman, Ozuna and Dansby Swanson while using a decent pitcher. 

Austin Riley is a cheaper option than the top-order talent that could help you afford Gallen, or another big-name pitcher without putting too much stress on your budget. 

Riley has three straight two-hit games and has four RBI in his last two games at Fenway Park against Boston's putrid pitching staff. 

On Tuesday, seven of Atlanta's nine starters recorded a hit and the same amount of players crossed home plate at least once. 

The 12-24 Red Sox have allowed 34 runs in the last five games and the end of that run doesn't appear to be coming soon. 

Until Boston proves it can get consistent performances from all areas of its pitching staff, it is worth starting at least one opposing batter, or stacking a few players against it.

          

Brandon Belt, 1B, San Francisco 

Every member of San Francisco's lineup tore apart Colorado's pitching staff Tuesday.

Brandon Belt did not have three home runs, like Alex Dickerson, but he was 3-for-3 with five total bases and a double. The left-handed hitter should avoid rest Wednesday afternoon at Coors Field after Pablo Sandoval pinch-hit for him in the seventh inning. 

The Giants are scheduled to go up against Kyle Freeland, who was lit up for four earned runs on 11 hits in his last start against the San Diego Padres. 

Although he hasn't hit a home run since August 25, Belt has been consistent enough at the plate to trust him in what could be another high-scoring affair. 

Given how well the Giants fared Tuesday, it could be worth stacking a few of their batters together to start the afternoon slate.

          

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from MLB.com

The race to pick up in-form starting pitchers has become more competitive as the weeks go by in fantasy baseball.

In the shortened season, a week's worth of solid outings can make the difference in qualifying for a fantasy baseball playoff position in September.

The St. Louis Cardinals' Kwang Hyun Kim and Atlanta Braves' Ian Anderson are two of the latest examples of hot hurlers being added in a quick manner. Kim has been one of the most consistent Cardinals since they returned to the field in mid-August, while Anderson marveled in his major league debut against the New York Yankees.

There are still some hitters worth picking up over the next week, but the urgency to add everyday players pales in comparison to adding the best arms for one or two potential difference-making starts.

                          

Fantasy Baseball Waiver-Wire Pickups

Kwang Hyun Kim, SP, St. Louis

Kim was fantastic in his last two starts.

In 12 innings of work against the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, the former reliever did not allow an earned run while striking out seven batters.

Kim only has one victory to his name, but he does have a 1.08 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, and he has allowed a single home run over 16.2 frames.

The 32-year-old southpaw is projected to start on two occasions in the coming week, with the first start coming against the Reds Tuesday. In his August 22 appearance versus Cincinnati, Kim conceded three hits and struck out a trio of batters in six innings.

Kim start could start on regular rest September 6 at the end of a five-game series with the Chicago Cubs. He pitched against the Cubs on August 17, but he only lasted 3.2 innings. In that outing, the only earned run he allowed was on a long ball.

Most of the Cardinals starters will be worth a look throughout September because of the high expected work rate, with seven doubleheaders on the schedule.

Right now, Kim is the primary target from their rotation since he could less available by the time he finishes his outing against the Reds.

                    

Ian Anderson, SP, Atlanta

Anderson's six-inning gem Wednesday was the perfect remedy for an Atlanta starting rotation that has been ravaged by injuries and poor form.

The team's top pitching prospect shut down the Yankees by allowing a single hit and earned run, which came off a home run.

Some critics could argue that adding Anderson with such a small major league sample size is a risk, but it is worth noting the team he silenced. Anderson held a Yankees lineup that had Luke Voit, Gary Sanchez, Giovanny Urshela and Aaron Hicks in it to a single hit in his debut.

The prospect of adding Anderson becomes more intriguing when you look at his next projected matchup against the Boston Red Sox.

The Red Sox are stuck at the bottom of the American League East, and they have the worst run differential in the majors at minus-54. If he returns to the mound Monday or Tuesday at Fenway Park, Anderson could be in line for a second start in a fantasy baseball week against the Washington Nationals, who are having their own set of struggles.

Anderson could fall in the same category as Kim as a high-volume early-week pickup because of his form and two-start week.

If you want the rookie right-hander in your squad for the next week or two, now seems like the best time to pick him up before everyone is more aware of his abilities.

                 

Willy Adames, SS, Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Rays continue to find ways to win despite owning a diminished pitching staff.

Willy Adames is one of the lineup pieces keeping the Rays afloat in their quest to claim the AL East crown. The shortstop has reached base in five of the past seven games and has scored on 19 occasions.

Adames brings a bit of power to the plate, as he displayed on a home run in the win over Toronto on Monday, but that is not where he will upgrade your squad.

He has gotten on base through 28 hits and 14 walks and carries a decent batting average of .277. Of his 28 hits, 11 have been doubles, three were home runs and another one was a triple.

If he reels off a few extra-base hits against the Yankees and Miami Marlins in the next seven days, he could be in good position to add to his run total. In his first series trip to Yankee Stadium this season, Adames got on base on five occasions.

If he starts September well, he could find better form at the plate during a two-week stretch of 13 games against Boston, Baltimore and Washington.

                  

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Statistics obtained from MLB.com.

Taijuan Walker is on his way to bolster the Toronto Blue Jays starting rotation.

The 28-year-old right-handed pitcher could also be a major asset on fantasy baseball rosters with a handful of starters headed to the injured list.

Walker Buehler and Merrill Kelly were the latest hurlers to suffer setbacks in the last week, and Walker could be one of the players targeted as their replacement on the waiver wire.

While most of the waiver-wire focus should be on pitching help, there are a few bats to consider, including one who could take advantage of a handful of upcoming doubleheaders.

                   

Streaming Options for Injured MLB Players

Taijuan Walker, SP, Toronto

Walker fills a void in the Toronto rotation opened by the injuries to Matt Shoemaker and Nate Pearson.

He was scheduled to start in the Seattle Mariners' Thursday doubleheader against the San Diego Padres, so he could provide an instant impact for the Blue Jays and fantasy owners looking for a boost at the end of head-to-head matchups this week.

Walker's performances in his two victories have been nothing short of impressive, as he struck out eight against the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his final start with the Mariners, Walker fanned eight Dodgers while allowing three earned runs. On July 31, he sat down eight Athletics on strikes and conceded a single hit in seven innings.

Walker's 4.00 ERA may turn away some fantasy owners, but he has a 1.07 WHIP and is averaging five punchouts per contest. He is worth a fantasy look since Toronto is set to host the Baltimore Orioles in a four-game set at Sahlen Field, where he is likely to make his team debut.

He could be a solid short- or long-term fill-in for Buehler, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a blister on his pitching hand.

Walker could also be a replacement for another under-the-radar star in Kelly, who was 3-2 with a 0.99 WHIP and 2.59 ERA before he suffered a nerve impingement in his throwing shoulder.

                

Kevin Gausman, SP, San Francisco

If Walker is unavailable, Kevin Gausman may be worth targeting.

The San Francisco Giants hurler has struck out at least six batters in six of his seven starts. In his Thursday start against the Dodgers, Gausman fanned six hitters while allowing two earned runs off three hits.

Before Thursday, Gausman went into the sixth inning in four consecutive starts. His longest appearance in that span came against the Dodgers on August 9, when he conceded a single earned run in 6.1 innings.

Unlike Walker, Gausman will not be scheduled to pitch over the weekend, but he is worth stashing on your roster before his next start comes around, which is expected to occur at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies.

He is in line for a fairly easy September schedule. The Giants face Colorado, the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego and Seattle in 14 games over the first 16 games of the month. Those matchups, plus his consistent form, should make Gausman an intriguing replacement not only for Buehler or Kelly but also any pitcher who hits the injured list in the coming days and weeks.

               

Brandon Nimmo, OF, New York Mets

Brandon Nimmo has been an on-base machine for the New York Mets.

He has drawn 22 walks, reached base on 25 hits and has been hit by a pitch on five occasions in his 99 at-bats.

In his past six games against the Miami Marlins, the outfielder recorded nine hits and scored on four occasions.

Nimmo will not hit for power on a consistent basis, but if he continues to get on at his current clip, he could be a strong pickup for the next three days and beyond.

The Mets are scheduled to play five games in three days against the New York Yankees, and they have one off day between Friday and September 9.

Nimmo's runs and hits totals could help soften the blow of losing Max Kepler to an injury. The Minnesota Twins outfielder is day-to-day with a right foot bruise, per MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince. He could also be used as a short-term replacement for Aaron Judge, who may be headed back to the injured list with a right calf injury, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

If Nimmo performs well enough against the Yankees, he could be worth keeping around for a few weeks to bolster your team's runs, hits and on-base percentage totals.

                  

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Statistics obtained from MLB.com.

Chances are if you are a fantasy baseball player, your roster is dealing with some injuries right about now.

A number of marquee players have hit the Injured List in the past few days. The New York Yankees announced both shortstop Gleyber Torres and left-handed starting pitcher James Paxton were being sent to the IL.

Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals' defense of their 2019 World Series championship will only get tougher after it was announced right-hander Stephen Strasburg would be undergoing season-ending surgery to address issues caused by carpal tunnel syndrome.

Other stars, like Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, are still playing banged up. In any case, hawking the waiver wire for impact players has become more important than ever in a shortened season, particularly as the 2020 campaign approaches the midway point.

Here are a few players likely to be available in your fantasy leagues who should be scooped up either to fill a need or even start full time.

         

   

Waiver-Wire Players to Target For Week 5   

SS Willy Adames, Tampa Bay Rays   

It might not come as the biggest surprise that Willy Adames is still available in 83.1 percent of all ESPN fantasy baseball leagues given the talent at the shortstop position throughout the league.

However, those now missing Torres might want to consider his American League East counterpart.

Adames has quietly been one of the better hitters in Tampa Bay. The 24-year-old has not been the biggest of run-producers, with just two homers and eight RBI entering play Saturday. But the counting stats are not the best indicator of Adames' success this year. He is striking out more, but he is also drawing more walks and currently has a career-high 142 OPS+.

The Dominican's ability to get on base has been crucial, as he ranks second on the Rays in runs scored. The run-scoring, paired with the slugging upside and speed, should make Adames a popular commodity among those looking for depth at shortstop.

             

   

SS Miguel Rojas, Miami Marlins   

Miguel Rojas is rostered in just 12.8 percent of all ESPN leagues, but that figures to change in the immediate future.

The veteran has been on a tear for the Miami Marlins, with a pair of homers and eight RBI in his first four games entering play Saturday.

Granted, Rojas is a hard player to evaluate given the sample size. However, he has an average exit velocity of 95.1 mph on 12 batted ball events (BBE) and also has a hard-hit rate over 58 percent, per Baseball Savant.

Nearly half of Rojas' hits have gone for extra bases. He also already has a stolen base on his 2020 resume. In short, he is doing it all for a surprisingly competitive Marlins team.

It seems likely the 31-year-old will cool off. Still, he is the kind of player you can ride while he is hot or stash on the bench for later usage.

                 

   

OF Mike Tauchman, New York Yankees   

Mike Tauchman was one of the guys who established himself as a strong contributor for an injury-riddled Yankees club in 2019. He is seemingly replicating that value in 2020.

The 29-year-old is available in nearly 90 percent of all ESPN leagues, which is astonishing given his multi-dimensional skill set for one of the highest-scoring offenses in baseball.

Tauchman entered play on Saturday slashing .333/.404/.431 with five doubles, seven RBI and five stolen bases. While he has yet to hit a homer, his 131 OPS+ is even higher than it was last season, when he hit 13 homers in under 300 plate appearances.

Given the Yankees are missing a number of key offensive pieces, it seems likely Tauchman will continue to get regular playing time. He can hit for average and power, and he also steals bases, making him the perfect replacement outfielder for any number of owners.

                    

All stats obtained via Baseball Reference and all fantasy information via ESPN unless otherwise noted.