Phil’s Fantasy Sports: Fantasy Baseball – Replacing Adam Wainwright Won’t Be Easy

Phils Fantasy Sports

There are also injuries to starting pitcher Homer Bailey and Hisashi Iwakuma that many of you have had to deal with.

Relievers out include Joel Peralta, Adam Ottavino and Joe Nathan.

It’s been a crazy start to the season but there is help out there for you. Especially for those of you who are in desperate need of starting pitching. Each of these options are available in at least 50 percent of all major Fantasy Baseball leagues.

Hector Santiago SP RP Angels: Santiago makes his next start on Saturday May 2 on the road against the Giants. Santiago has 22 strikeouts and 12 walks in 23.2 innings on the bump. Santiago also has a WHIP of 1.23 and ERA of 2.28 and while he isn’t Wainwright he can help solve some of your problems.

Drew Pomeranz SP RP Athletics: Pomeranz makes his next start this coming Saturday May 2 against Texas. Currently Pomeranz has 22 strikeouts and just five walks in 22 innings this season. His ERA of 4.50 is a tad high but his WHIP of 1.23 is workable. xFIP of 3.42 suggests his ERA is a bit high but should come down.

Jason Hammel SP Cubs: Hammel takes the bump Sunday May 3 at home against the Brewers. Hammel has struck out 23 batters and walked just one hitter in 25.1 innings. Awesome WHIP of 1.03 and a decent ERA of 3.55 and his xFIP of 2.96 are also good things to see.

Rubby De La Rosa SP Diamondbacks: De La Rosa has his next scheduled start this Friday May 1 at home against the Dodgers. De La Rosa has 25 strikeouts and just 5 walks in 25 innings on the hill this season. His 1.25 WHIP is average and his 4.26 ERA could be scary but his xFIP of 3.11 suggest De La Rosa is a good option going forward.

Justin Masterson SP Red Sox: Masterson’s next start will be Friday May 1 on the road against the Yankees. Masterson has 20 strikeouts and 9 walks over 22 innings pitched this season. His WHIP of 1.32 is a little high as is his 5.16 but as is usually the case his xFIP of 3.78 suggests better things ahead for Masterson.

Possible Relief Pitching Suggestions

Yimi Garcia RP Dodgers: Garcia isn’t the closer yet but his 18 strikeouts and 3 walks in 10.2 innings is impressive. His perfect ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 2 wins and 1 save to go along with 2 holds makes him a viable option so far.

Tony Sipp RP Astros: If holds are a statistical category in your league Sipp may be your guy. Sipp has a great WHIP (.64) and ERA (.96) plus 7 strikeouts and just 3 walks in 9.1 innings of relief.

John Axford RP Rockies: Axford is the Rockies closer for the moment and thus far he has racked up 3 saves with 6 strikeouts and three walks in 5 innings of work. His WHIP of 1.00 and perfect ERA are nice to see. It probably won’t last but ride it while it does.