Hard as it may be to believe, the fantasy baseball playoffs are just weeks away. Lots of rosters need some polishing to make that final push to secure or enhance a postseason berth. Last week we looked at some players that need to be dropped to clear space for quality additions. That article can be found here. Having addressed that, let’s move on to players that are out there that can help a roster. With the trade deadline having passed in most fantasy leagues, the waiver wire is more important than ever. Join as we dive into this fantasy baseball player pickup edition.

Dylan Bundy, SP, Los Angeles Angels, 36% Owned

No question, there have been far more downs than ups this season for Dylan Bundy. After all, he enters this week with and ugly 2-9 record with an equally untidy 6.04 ERA. Further, he has pitched at least five innings only once in his last 11 appearances. Naturally, with all of that said, the question must be- why the recommendation?

The answer is simply, really. The next time Bundy takes the mound on Tuesday will be against the Baltimore Orioles. In case anyone hasn’t noticed, the Orioles have completely cashed it in this season. Baltimore hasn’t won a game in over two weeks. Just about any starting pitcher facing Baltimore is worthy of adding to a fantasy roster for streaming purposes. Pick up Bundy for this lone start and then send him back to the waiver universe.

Tyler Megill, SP, New York Mets, 22.4% Owned

The person that predicted that a rookie pitcher would be instrumental in breaking up the Mets’ losing streak raise your hand. There doesn’t seem to many hands in the air. However, that is exactly the case with Tyler Megill. Even though he wasn’t the winning pitcher, Megill was absolutely solid Wednesday against the Giants. In fact, it was his third quality start of the season and the sixth time in his last seven starts that Megill went as least five innings.

Megill certainly did his part in slowing down San Francisco, allowing just one earned run in six innings. He gave up five hits while striking out six and walking two. Megill was actually on the hook for the lose until New York unexpectedly rallied in the ninth. The next start for Megill will also be against the Giants at home. At this point, Megill is used to facing adversity, having faced the Phillies, Dodgers and Giants his last three times out. He should put a manager into a good position for fantasy points. Megill has definitely earned his place on this fantasy baseball player pickup edition.

Tarik Skubal, SP, Detroit Tigers, 36.1% Owned

Despite an innings limit that was supposed to be placed on him by the Tigers, Tarik Skubal continues to thrive. Skubal has pitched into the sixth inning in five of his last seven starts and at least five in nine straight. More impressively, Skubal has allowed a total of two earned runs in his last 17.2 innings. Skubal has also scored 20 or more fantasy points four times since late May.

For the season, Skubal is 8-11 with a 4.02 ERA. As he lost six games in the first two months of the season, his won-lost record doesn’t reflect how well he has pitched since summer arrived. Until the Tigers announce a firm plan to limit his innings, fantasy managers are well advised to keep running Skubal out there. With trades no longer a possibility in most leagues, Skubal just might be the best starting available option available. Pick him up before the competition does.

Kyle Finnegan, RP, Washington Nationals, 21.7% Owned

For managers looking for relief candidates, Kyle Finnegan is about as good as it gets. That statement is true despite the fact the Nationals were gutted before the trade deadline and not playing well. Even as that is the case, Finnegan is getting regular work out of Washington’s bullpen as the primary closer. In a recent six game stretch, Finnegan pitched four times. More important than the volume is the quality of work he has provided of late.

In his last three appearances, Finnegan has earned two saves and a hold. Even more impressive is the fact that Finnegan has allowed exactly one earned run since July 20. On the season, Finnegan is 4-4 with a 2.90 ERA. That earned run average has been falling since the second half began. Washington may not give Finnegan many leads to protect, but it is certain he will be the one called upon when they are in front late. For that reason, Finnegan is the closer on this fantasy baseball player pickup edition.

Tanner Houck, SP, Boston Red Sox, 16.9% Owned

Despite the fact that he was sent to the minors last week after pitching against the Yankees, Tanner Houck is a streamable pitcher this week against Minnesota. Houck pitched four innings against New York, allowing two runs on five hits without a walk. He didn’t factor into the decision, a game Boston ultimately lost. The numbers won’t blow a manager away, no question, as Houck hasn’t won a game yet this season.

However, just like Bundy above, this recommendation is more about the opponent than the pitcher. The Twins have been one of the biggest disappointments of the 2021 baseball season. They have been about as inconsistent as a team could be over the past two weeks. Minnesota scored one or fewer runs four times while scoring five or more six times in that stretch. With the season winding down, they have nothing to play for and could send lots of youngsters to the plate against Houck. There won’t be many innings from him, but he should provide solid fantasy points. Stream him and then cut him.

Nestor Cortes Jr, SP, New York Yankees, 22.8% Owned

For those wanting to see what Houck could provide versus Minnesota, Nestor Cortes is a suitable blueprint. Facing the Twins in his last start, Cortes held them to two runs on four hits while striking out seven. Cortes only walked two in his seven innings. He is also as hot as his Yankee teammates, having won his last two decisions.

Further, Cortes can be used against all opponents, not just the Twins. He has pitched seven and six innings in his last two starts. Additionally, Cortes has pitched at least five innings in five straight appearances. For the season, Cortes is 2-1 with a 2.56 ERA and an outstanding 1.07 WHIP. If as if that all wasn’t enough, Cortes has scored over 20 fantasy points in his last two trips to the mound. He is certainly worth a look and an add this week.

Tyler Anderson, SP, Seattle Mariners, 23.1% Owned

For any manager not somehow not thrilled by the above pitchers, take a look at Tyler Anderson. He is coming off facing a powerful Astros lineup, holding them to two runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings. That is certainly impressive enough, but even more so when you consider he did it in Houston. Anderson has pitched extremely well since coming over from Pittsburgh as he has allowed just four earned runs in his last 16.1 innings.

Even more impressive, Anderson hasn’t lost a start since June 28. For the season, he is 6-8 with a 4.07 ERA and a tidy 1.19 WHIP. His won lost record would look even better if the Mariner offense would score some runs when Anderson is in the game. Seattle has looked better of late, so maybe they can provide some offense down the stretch for Anderson. He is certainly pitching enough innings to qualify for a win, having pitched into the sixth in five of his last six starts. Anderson is a quality pitcher producing quality stats. Any fantasy manager would do well to add him to their roster.

Carter Kieboom, 3B, Washington Nationals, 6.3% Owned

Another Nationals player worth having in fantasy despite the team’s struggles is Carter Kieboom. He is probably the most available player in the waiver universe that is swinging a solid bat. Kieboom has hits in eight of his last 11 games and has an RBI in five of six. He also has two home runs and five runs scored in that stretch.

Best of all, he will be a fixture in the Washington lineup moving forward barring injury. For the season, Kieboom is hitting .259-4-13 with an excellent .356 OBP. As he has struck out five times in his last four games, he needs to get that under control to be truly elite. However, that is to be expected of a young player and as long as he produces solid value, a manager can live with that. Of all the players profiled here, he is clearly the most available. As such, Kieboom gets a very high recommendation on this fantasy baseball player pickup edition.

Hunter Dozier, 1B/3B/OF, Kansas City Royals, 21.9% Owned

It would be difficult to find a player that has been as frustrating to fantasy managers than Hunter Dozier. He has had a rough season to put it mildly. Every time it looked like Dozier was ready to swing a hot bat, he would disappear once again. It appears he might be ready to turn things around, even after missing some time over the weekend due to an illness. Recovering in time to get back in the lineup on Sunday, Dozier delivered two hits and two RBIs against the Cubs.

Indeed, Dozier has been swinging a hot bat over the past couple of weeks with hits in 11 of his last 13 games. His versatility is valuable to Kansas City and a fantasy team alike, as Dozier is assured of being in the lineup almost every day down the stretch. His season stats don’t mean a whole lot as what he has done lately is much more important. He could be exactly what a manager is looking for to get an edge going into the fantasy playoffs. Dozier has earned one last chance on this fantasy baseball player pickup edition.

J.D. Davis, 3B, New York Mets, 18.8% Owned

It might be a surprise given all of the Mets’ offensive struggles to see one of their hitters profiled here. Yet, J.D. Davis has earned the recommendation. Davis comes out of New York’s seven game West coast road trip with hits in six of the games, including two games with at least two hits. He had a huge game Sunday, hitting a homer, driving in four and scoring two runs. He was the main reason the Mets didn’t go winless against the Dodgers this season.

The hot stretch for Davis includes the entire month of August with a .300 average and a .405 OBP. Davis is making a case to be a regular in the Mets’ lineup even when Francisco Lindor returns, which should occur any day now. New York is desperate for offense from anywhere it can get it and Davis is their main producer right now. Check the wire and if available, add Davis to the roster. He is certainly a worthy member of this fantasy baseball player pickup edition.

Frank Schwindel, 1B, Chicago Cubs, 22.4% Owned

Since the trade deadline passed and Chicago made as many deals as it did, the team has been in a free fall. That collapse has not engulfed Frank Schwindel, however. In fact, he has made the most of his increased playing time and is as hot as any hitter in the majors. Evidence of that is Schwindel has a hit in 10 of his last 13 games. Further, Schwindel has at least two hits in six games since August 12. That qualifies as hot, no?

Every where one looks, the stats Schwindel is producing scream heat. In his last seven games, Schwindel is hitting a ridiculous .348 with a .423 OBP. For the season, he is hitting .315-5-18. With all of the bodies the Cubs shipped out last month, Schwindel is guaranteed to be a regular until the end of the season. When all is said and done, availability added to a quality bat is the bottom line with any waiver pickup. Schwindel has both of those in spades and can help any fantasy team with needs a first base.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball must drop players edition! As always, I welcome input and suggestions from all of my readers. Have other players to include? Disagree with the selections? Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Picks for all the latest MLB and sports news!

The Belly Up Fantasy Live baseball show is on every Monday at 8 est. If you haven’t checked out the show yet, scoot on over to Facebook, YouTube or Twitter and give it a look. Our episode from this week is available here. This episode, we discussed the Field of Dreams game, down the stretch predictions and many other topics. Hope to see you stop by.

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