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Jameson Taillon and other waiver wire pitchers to target this weekend

Starters to watch 4/28/17-4/30/17

By Joe Gentile
Cincinnati Reds v Pittsburgh Pirates Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images

These are some of the pitchers who will be starting the days of 4/28/17-4/30/17. All pitchers listed are 75% owned or less in ESPN fantasy leagues, so there is a chance you can still find them on your waiver wire. Each pitcher has a grade by their name which is a match up grade to give you an idea of how the potential match up looks for the probable starter.

*SC/HC= Soft Contact/Hard Contact on batted balls

Friday, 4/28

Blake Snell @ Toronto Blue Jays (Grade: B-)

Snell is facing a struggling Blue Jays team that is only hitting .223/.292/.347. The Blue Jays are also missing their star third baseman Josh Donaldson at the moment. He has pitched poorly at the Rogers Center, but that should not worry fantasy owners too much as Snell looks to be a good pick for Friday.

  • 2017: 3.38 ERA, 5.43 FIP, 6.33 K/9, 6.33 BB/9, 1.27 HR/9, 1.00 GB/FB, 19.0/31.7 SC/HC, 23.0 O-Swing, 8.4 SwStr
  • 2016: 3.54 ERA, 3.39 FIP, 9.91 K/9, 5.16 BB/9, 0.51 HR/9, 1.01 GB/FB, 22.2/31.3 SC/HC, 29.7 O-Swing, 10.9 SwStr
  • Career: 3.51 ERA, 3.79 FIP, 9.22 K/9, 5.38 BB/9, 0.65 HR/9, 1.01 GB/FB, 21.6/31.4 SC/HC, 28.5 O-Swing, 10.5 SwStr
  • Career vs. Active Blue Jays: .196/.321/.348, 2 HR, 55 PA
  • Career @ Rogers Center: .500/.643/.900, 1 HR, 14 PA

Ian Kennedy vs. Minnesota Twins (Grade: C+)

  • 2017: 2.08 ERA, 3.59 FIP, 7.62 K/9, 4.15 BB/9, 0.69 HR/9, 0.76 GB/FB, 17.9/38.8 SC/HC, 21.9 O-Swing, 10.0 SwStr
  • 2016: 3.68 ERA, 4.67 FIP, 8.46 K/9, 3.04 BB/9, 1.52 HR/9, 0.70 GB/FB, 18.6/36.4 SC/HC, 29.6 O-Swing, 9.9 SwStr
  • Career: 3.91 ERA, 4.08 FIP, 8.32 K/9, 3.03 BB/9, 1.16 HR/9, 0.90 GB/FB, 17.5/32.9 SC/HC, 29.3 O-Swing, 9.9 SwStr
  • Career vs. Active Twins: .234/.323/.394, 5 HR, 122 PA
  • Career @ Kauffman Stadium: .233/.305/.369, 15 HR, 495 PA

Joe Musgrove vs. Oakland Athletics (Grade: B)

Musgrove is pitching at home in Minute Maid Park, where he has absolutely dominate his competition. Musgrove looks like a good pick for Friday as he has yet to give up a home run to Oakland batters, and has held them to a low batting average.

  • 2017: 5.91 ERA, 5.10 FIP, 5.48 K/9, 2.53 BB/9, 1.69 HR/9, 1.22 GB/FB. 18.1/34.6 SC/HC, , 31.7 O-Swing, 7.1 SwStr
  • 2016: 4.06 ERA, 4.18 FIP, 7.98 K/9, 2.32 BB/9, 1.31 HR/9, 1.22 GB/FB, 17.8/27.4 SC/HC, 31.3 O-Swing, 9.9 SwStr
  • Career: 4.54 ERA, 4.42 FIP, 7.34 K/9, 2.38 BB/9, 1.40 HR/9, 1.22 GB/FB, 18.0/32.5 SC/HC, 31.4 O-Swing, 9.1 SwStr
  • Career vs Active Athletics: .222/.364/.296, 0 HR, 31 PA
  • Career @ Minute Maid Park: .215/.282/.360, 5 HR, 188 PA

Dan Straily vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (Grade: C+)

Straily has been pitching great at his home park in Miami. He is also facing a Pirates lineup with an aging superstar in McCutchen and lost one of their best players due to suspension in Starling Marte. The Pirates still have a lot of good bats in their lineup, and Straily struggles to keep the ball on the ground so be aware of the threat of the long ball.

  • 2017: 3.92 ERA, 3.92 FIP, 10.45 K/9, 3.92 BB/9, 1.31 HR/9, 0.90 GB/FB, 24.5/34.7 SC/HC, 33.0 O-Swing, 12.2 SwStr
  • 2016: 3.76 ERA, 4.88 FIP, 7.62 K/9, 3.43 BB/9, 1.46 HR/9, 0.67 GB/FB, 14.8/32.2 SC/HC, 28.0 O-Swing, 10.2 SwStr
  • Career: 4.23 ERA, 4.74 FIP, 7.68 K/9, 3.56, 1.39 HR/9, 0.73 GB/FB, 16.1/29.5 SC/HC, 29.8 O-Swing, 10.7 SwStr
  • Career vs. Active Pirates: .235/.341/.348, 2 HR, 131 PA
  • Career @ Marlins Park: .164/.292/.345, 2 HR, 65 PA

Jameson Taillon @ Miami Marlins (Grade: B-)

Taillon has yet to face any of the Active Marlins players, but he has been a very solid pitcher for the Pirates since getting called up last year. He has a great GB/FB and BB/9 so he makes for a great pick any day he is on the mound. Batter has also only had contact on a batted ball 26.4% of the time so do not expect there to be a lot of home runs against the Pirates Friday.

  • 2017: 2.13 ERA, 3.65 FIP, 7.11 K/9, 3.55 BB/9, 0.71 HR/9, 2.44 GB/FB, 18.1/26.4 SC/HC, 31.8 O-Swing, 8.6 SwStr
  • 2016: 3.38 ERA, 3.71 FIP, 7.36 K/9, 1.47 BB/9, 1.13 HR/9, 1.92 GB/FB, 17.3/33.2 SC/HC, 33.1 O-Swing, 8.3 SwStr
  • Career: 3.13 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 7.31 K/9, 1.88 BB/9, 1.04 HR/9, 2.00 GB/FB. 17.4/31.9 SC/HC, 32.9 O-Swing, 8.4 SwStr
  • Career vs. Active Marlins: N/A
  • Career @ Marlins Park: N/A

Lance Lynn vs. Cincinnati Reds (Grade: B-)

Lynn has been very good at home, and he is facing a Reds lineup that is not very threatening on Friday. With a career 28.7% hard contact on batted balls, the light hitting Reds may have trouble putting up quality at bats against the Cardinals veteran.

  • 2017: 2.70 ERA, 4.14 FIP, 7.71 K/9, 3.09 BB/9, 1.16 HR/9, 1.39 GB/FB, 13.8/29.2 SC/HC, 29.9 O-Swing, 9.7 SwStr
  • 2016: Injures- Did Not Play
  • Career: 3.35 ERA, 3.39 FIP, 8.68 K/9, 3.30 BB/9, 0.68 HR/9, 1.30 GB/FB, 18.3/28.7 SC/HC, 29.6 O-Swing, 9.2 SwStr
  • Career vs. Active Reds: .256/.343/.364, 2 HR, 134 PA
  • Career @ Busch Stadium: .227/.298/.335, 21 HR, 1684 PA

Saturday, 4/29

Jason Hammel vs. Minnesota Twins (Grade: D+)

Hammel has struggled early this season, and it seems that his issues may continue on Saturday. Hammel is going up against a Twins lineup that does struggle to put the ball in play, but they are filled with power bats like Dozier, Sano and Kepler. If Hammel’s low GB/FB continues in 2017 Saturday could turn out to be quite dreadful for the Royals veteran.

  • 2017: 5.30 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 6.75 K/9, 4.82 BB/9, 0.00 HR.9, 0.85 GB/FB, 23.8/33.3 SC/HC, 24.7 O-Swing, 8.2 SwStr
  • 2016: 3.83 ERA, 4.48 FIP, 7.78 K/9, 2.86 BB/9, 1.35 HR/9, 1.10 GB/FB, 18.5/32.5 SC/HC, 30.5 O-Swing, 10.2 SwStr
  • Career: 4.43 ERA, 4.21 FIP, 7.13 K/9, 2.90 BB/9, 1.11 HR/9, 1.23 GB/FB, 16.6/30.0 SC/HC, 28.1 O-Swing, 8.8 SwStr
  • Career vs. Active Twins: .258/.364/.424, 3 HR, 76 PA
  • Career @ Kauffman Stadium: .297/.365/.366, 2 HR, 115 PA

Joe Ross vs. New York Mets (Grade: B)

Ross is back in the Nationals rotation and better than ever. His ability to limit the long ball and rack up strikeouts will turn out to be quite valuable against the struggling Mets on Saturday.

  • 2017: 3.86 ERA, 3.18 FIP, 9.00 K/9, 1.29 BB/9, 1.29 HR/9, 1.17 GB/FB, 26.3/21.1 SC/HC, 26.0 O-Swing, 7.0 SwStr
  • 2016: 3.43 ERA, 3.49 FIP, 7.97 K/9, 2.49 BB/9, 0.77 HR/9, 1.40 GB/FB, 16.3/29.5 SC/HC, 31.8 O-Swing, 11.0 SwStr
  • Career: 3.53 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 8.06 K/9, 2.43 BB/9, 0.81 HR/9, 1.42 GB/FB, 17.3/28.5 SC/HC, 32.8 O-Swing, 11.2 SwStr
  • Career vs. Active Mets: .071/.235/.071, 0 HR, 16 PA
  • Career @ Nationals Park: .250/.289/.348, 6 HR, 375 PA

Mike Leake vs. Cincinnati Reds (Grade: C-)

Leake’s strong season looks to continue against the team that drafted him back in 2009. Leake has struggled against active Reds, but the Reds do not have a lot of power in their lineup so do not expect a high scoring game against the Cardinals.

  • 2017: 1.32 ERA, 1.87 FIP, 6.59 K/9, 1.32 BB/9, 0 HR/9, 2.30 GB/FB, 20.0/18.8 SC/HC, 26.7 O-Swing, 7.5 SwStr
  • 2016: 4.69 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 6.37 K/9, 1.53 BB/9, 1.02 HR/9, 2.12 GB/FB, 17.3/30.6 SC/HC, 30.8 O-Swing, 7.2 SwStr
  • Career: 3.94 ERA, 4.11 FIP, 6.12 K/9, 2.16 BB/9, 1.08 HR/9, 1.81 GB/FB, 17.0/29.6 SC/HC, 30.0 O-Swing, 7.1 SwStr
  • Career vs. Active Reds: .301/.344/.460, 15 HR, 549 PA
  • Career @ Busch Stadium: .248/.275/.394, 15 HR, 549 PA

Tyler Anderson @ Arizona Diamondbacks (Grade: D+)

Anderson has struggled at Chase Field in the past. The positive factor about Anderson’s start against the Diamondbacks is that they have yet to hit a home run against the young Rockies starter.

  • 2017: 7.32 ERA, 5.54 FIP, 7.78 K/9, 3.20 BB/9, 2.29 HR/9, 1.14 GB/FB, 21.5/35.4 SC/HC, 27.5 O-Swing, 11.2 SwStr
  • 2016: 3.54 ERA, 3.59 FIP, 7.79 K/9, 2.20 BB/9, 0.94 HR/9, 1.77 GB/FB, 24.2/28.2 SC/HC, 33.2 O-Swing, 10.7 SwStr
  • Career: 4.10 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 7.79 K/9, 2.35 BB/9, 1.14 HR/9, 1.66 GB/FB, 23.8/29.4 SC/HC, 32.3 O-Swing, 10.8 SwStr
  • Career vs. Diamondbacks: .500/.556/.727, 0 HR, 26 PA
  • Career @ Chase Field: .429/.478/.619, 0 HR, 24 PA

Hyun-Jin Ryu vs. Philadelphia Phillies (Grade: D+)

Ryu has been struggling this season, but he looks to get back on track against the Phillies on Saturday. Since the Phillies are so young Ryu has yet to face a number of them. They have a lot of potential in their lineup, so it should be an interesting game for both teams on Saturday.

  • 2017: 5.87 ERA, 6.94 FIP, 9.98 K/9, 2.35 BB/9, 3.52 HR/9, 2.09 GB/FB, 26.7/33.3 SC/HC, 28.3 O-Swing, 13.4 SwStr
  • 2016: 11.57 ERA, 5.50 FIP, 7.71 K/9, 3.86 BB/9, 1.93 HR/9, 1.17 GB/FB, 5.6/44.4 SC/HC, 28.5 O-Swing, 10.1 SwStr
  • Career: 3.39 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 7.76 K/9, 2.08 BB/9, 0.74 HR/9, 1.63 GB/FB, 16.9/31.6 SC/HC, 31.0 O-Swing, 8.6 SwStr
  • Career vs. Phillies: .111/.111/.111, 0 HR, 9 PA
  • Career @ Dodger Stadium: .271/.307/.406, 16 HR, 722 PA

Sunday, 4/30

Jason Vargas vs Minnesota Twins (Grade: D)

Vargas’ hot start will most likely not continue on Sunday. He is facing a Twins team that is very young and has a lot of power potential. Vargas low GB/FB over his career will most likely come back to haunt him against power hitters like Sano, Dozier and Kepler.

  • 2017: 0.44 ERA, 0.96 FIP, 10.02 K/9, 0.87 BB/9, 0.00 HR.9, 2.00 GB/FB, 20.4/26.5 SC/HC, 29.9 O-Swing, 8.4 SwStr
  • 2016: 2.25 ERA, 3.15 FIP, 8.25 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, 0.75 HR/9, 0.75 GB/FB, 15.2/33.3 SC/HC, 32.0 O-Swing, 10.1 SwStr
  • Career: 4.11 ERA, 4.26 FIP, 6.00 K/9, 2.60 BB/9, 1.09 HR/9, 0.88 GB/FB, 19.1/28.1 SC/HC, 29.9 O-Swing, 8.4 SwStr
  • Career vs. Active Twins: .327/.373/.418, 1 HR, 117 PA
  • Career @ Kauffman Stadium: .269/.302/.413, 17 HR, 678 PA

Phil Hughes @ Kansas City Royals (Grade: D+)

Active Royals have not hit Hughes that well over his career, but he has struggled while pitching at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals are struggling to produce offensively right now, but they will look to turn their season around against the veteran right-hander.

  • 2017: 5.40 ERA, 4.63 FIP, 6.60 K/9, 1.80 BB/9, 1.80 HR/9, 0.61 GB/FB, 9.6/51.9 SC/HC, 30.1 O-Swing, 7.6 SwStr
  • 2016: 5.95 ERA, 5.08 FIP, 5.19 K/9, 1.98 BB/9, 1.68 HR/9, 0.87 GB/FB, 14.6/37.7 SC/HC, 25.6 O-Swing, 6.4 SwStr
  • Career: 4.42 ERA, 4.11 FIP, 7.24 K/9, 2.16 BB/9, 1.26 HR/9, 0.78 GB/FB, 18.0/30.2 SC/HC, 30.0 O-Swing, 8.1 SwStr
  • Career vs. Active Royals: .259/.304/.380, 3 HR, 165 PA
  • Career @ Kauffman Stadium: .300/.344/.459, 5 HR, 183 PA

Robert Gsellman @ Washington Nationals (Grade: D)

Gsellman is usually one of my favorite spot starters every week, except on Sunday he will be facing a very good Nationals lineup. He is very good at keeping the ball on the ground, but he will be tested against the Nationals as he faces hitters like Harper and Murphy.

  • 2017: 5.09 ERA, 3.47 FIP, 10.19 K/9, 3.06 BB/9, 1.02 HR/9, 2.45 GB/FB, 21.6/35.3 SC/HC, 33.2 O-Swing, 7.5 SwStr
  • 2016: 2.42 ERA, 2.63 FIP, 8.46 K/9, 3.02 BB/9, 0.20 HR/9, 2.32 GB/FB, 18.1/28.3 SC/HC, 30.5 O-Swing, 9.1 SwStr
  • Career: 3.18 ERA, 2.87 FIP, 8.95 K/9, 3.03 BB/9, 1.02 HR/9, , 2.36 GB/FB, 19.1/30.3 SC/HC, 31.3 O-Swing, 8.6 SwStr
  • Career: Career vs. Active Nationals: .357/.406/.393, 0 HR, 31 PA
  • Career @ Nationals Park: .263/.300/.263, 0 HR, 20 PA

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