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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.

Martin Perez
Martin Perez

Rangers' newest starter worth weight in Ws

Martin Perez (SP) Texas Rangers
The southpaw, who's pitched terrifically of late, has officially nailed down the fifth spot in the Rangers rotation. In sporadic action since July 1, he's posted a sparkling 1.93 ERA and punched out 12 batters over 23.1 innings. Slated to take the mound Friday versus Seattle, he's a top-notch stream option in all formats.

  • Y! %8%

  • L14 rank281

  • IP9.1

  • ERA1.93

  • WHIP1.07

  • K/97.91

  • W0

Jaime Garcia
Jaime Garcia

Former fantasy stud back on the map

Jaime Garcia (SP) St. Louis Cardinals
Somewhat uneven upon returning to the Cards rotation in mid-August, Garcia seems to have found his groove, tallying three quality starts in his past four turns. During that stretch, he's emerged victorious twice, posted a respectable 3.22 ERA and generated an appreciable 54.9 ground-ball rate. With NL Central doormat Houston on the docket September 25, he's a must grab for those desperate for Ws.

  • Y! %50%

  • L14 rank 866

  • IP15.0

  • ERA4.80

  • WHIP1.47

  • K/98.39

  • W1

Drew Pomeranz
Drew Pomeranz

Top prospect fantastic plug 'n play versus Cubs

Drew Pomeranz (SP) Colorado Rockies
In his early career, the southpaw has failed to fulfill his ace expectations. A lethal concoction of walks and homers have stunted his overall growth. Still, he's flashed upside at times, particularly against exploitable opponents. Slated to host the punchless Cubs in Coors Field September 26th, the hurler is worth streaming in deeper formats. In his last turn versus the North Siders he tossed five strong, allowing two earned on just two hits.

  • Y! %2%

  • L14 rank1016

  • IP7.0

  • ERA6.43

  • WHIP1.57

  • K/97.71

  • W0

Rick Porcello
Rick Porcello

Ground-ball specialist an excellent two-start twirler

Rick Porcello (SP) Detroit Tigers
Porcello once again is the poster-child of fantasy mediocrity. Despite a superb ground-ball rate (53.8 GB%), his low K-yield has done him no favors. Still, with lowlights Minnesota and Kansas City on the docket this week, he could prove to be a difference maker. The Twins have had his number this year (5.27 ERA in 3 GS), but his 3.46 ERA against the Royals is encouraging. If you're scratching and clawing for points in wins, roll the dice.

  • Y! %12%

  • L14 rank 1067

  • IP10.0

  • ERA4.50

  • WHIP1.70

  • K/95.40

  • W0

Stephen Fife
Stephen Fife

Fife dog's lyrics, starts rarely sloppy

Stephen Fife (SP) Los Angeles Dodgers
Thrown into the fire after Clayton Kershaw's hip flared up, the former Red Sox prospect performed admirably, striking out nine Cardinals over 5.1 innings (2 ER). At Albuquerque, he posted rather tepid numbers (4.66 ERA, 6.18 K/9), but most pitchers do in that hitter-friendly environment. Because of his ability to coax ground balls, the sinking air of SoCal could make him a diamond in the rough.

  • Y! %1%

  • L14 rank307

  • IP5.0

  • ERA3.60

  • WHIP1.00

  • K/916.20

  • W0

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