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Pickups of the Week: Pitchers

Brad Evans

In addition to Monday's nine featured Pickups of the Week, Yahoo! Sports fantasy expert Brandon Funston offered a Wednesday update on five hitters on the rise that weren't profiled in Monday's POW. And on Friday, Brad Evans goes through the same drill for pitchers. The same criteria applies - players must be available in more than half of Yahoo! leagues.

Casey Kelly
Casey Kelly

Attractive prospect superb in MLB debut

Casey Kelly (SP) San Diego Padres
His name may conjure thoughts of an evening news weather girl, but, make no mistake, Kelly can bring the heat. After lighting up three different minor league levels, notching a 9.43 K/9 and 3.38 ERA, the mitt-popping righty logged six unblemished innings (4 Ks, 2 BBs) in his debut August 27th versus Atlanta. Given his plus skill set and friendly pitching environment, he's more than just a stream play down the homestretch.

  • Y! %1%

  • L14 rank412

  • IP6.0

  • ERA0.00

  • WHIP0.83

  • K/96.00

  • W1

Ronald Belisario
Ronald Belisario

Needs saves? Dodgers reliever here to answer Bel

Ronald Belisario (SP) Los Angeles Dodgers
With Kenley Jansen out indefinitely with an irregular heartbeat, Belisario will be leaned on as Don Mattingly's primary closer for the foreseeable future. Nearly flawless in his first save chance Wednesday at Colorado, the Venezuelan went 1.2 innings, allowing just two hits. In 177 career games, Belisario has only logged three saves, but due to the uncertainties surrounding Jansen, he's must-add material in all formats.

  • Y! %10%

  • L14 rank 163

  • IP7.0

  • ERA0.00

  • WHIP1.00

  • W0

  • S1

Kyle Kendrick
Kyle Kendrick

Kendrick packing plenty of punch of late

Kyle Kendrick (SP) Philadelphia Phillies
Historically the whipping boy of the Phillies rotation, Kendrick has pitched spectacularly over the past three weeks. He's emerged victorious in four consecutive turns, surrendering just two earned with 22 strikeouts over 29 innings. In complete control, he's yielded few walks and drawn numerous grounders, positive signs his success will continue. It's time to graduate him from the stream ranks, gamers.

  • Y! %22%

  • L14 rank10

  • IP22.1

  • ERA1.61

  • WHIP0.76

  • K/96.51

  • W3

Brett Anderson
Brett Anderson

Former high-end SP3 back from the dead

Brett Anderson (SP) Oakland A's
It's been a long time coming, but Anderson has regained his pre-Tommy John form. Magnificent in his first two starts, he tallied two wins, 11 strikeouts and just two walks in 14 combined innings versus Minnesota and Cleveland. His command, which is usually the last skill to return post-TJ, is very encouraging. With two matchups against Seattle in September, he's a must grab. Get in the game shallow leaguers.

  • Y! %42%

  • L14 rank 18

  • IP14.0

  • ERA0.64

  • WHIP0.57

  • K/97.07

  • W2

Eric Stults=
Eric Stults=

Stults yet another pitching snoozer in San Diego

Eric Stults (SP) San Diego Padres
Living a vagabond existence since his initial splash with the Dodgers back in '07, Stults has largely been an afterthought, even in only formats. But with three quality starts in his past four turns, he's suddenly interesting. His pitch-to-contact style will turn off many, but for those in challenging formats looking for a quick ERA/WHIP remedy, he could be the answer.

  • Y! %7%

  • L14 rank147

  • IP19.0

  • ERA2.37

  • WHIP1.05

  • K/94.73

  • W2

"L14 rank" denotes the ranking of the player in the Yahoo! fantasy baseball game for the past 14 days.