Dixon’s Picks: Waiver Wire Additions for the Week of June 25

Welcome back to Dixon’s Picks. It’s a better week of scheduling this week so I am not going to waste a lot of your time. Still, I am doing something better this week.

In previous weeks, I have tried to recommend at least one hitter. This week, I am not going to do that. There are two reasons for that.

1. In general, I am much better at streaming pitchers and advising people on that. It’s hard to imagine anyone being any different.
2. I don’t know the hitting needs of any readers, other than league mates. I may give a crack suggestion on a hitter, but if you already have a star at that position, it doesn’t do you any good. Pitchers rotate every day, so even someone with a killer staff can afford some short-term help.

That said, if you need advice on a hitter, feel free to contact me in the comment section, at dixon@fantasybaseballcrackerjacks.com, or on Twitter: @mdixon1985.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to business.

Travis Wood - Pitcher, Chicago Cubs

Probable Starts: Monday vs. New York Mets, Sunday vs. Houston Astros

Obviously you inherit some risks with the Cubs, as they’re not winning team or anything close. But Travis Wood has been a strong pitcher over the last month, recording quality starts in three of his last four outings. This week, he’s looking at the Mets on Monday, and the Astros over the weekend. The Mets are an improving offense, but still not one to avoid by any means, and the Astros are always a decent bet.

Wood’s walk totals may be a bit of a gamble, but he’s kept his WHIP at a respectable 1.26 this year. Not a bad total for a guy currently owned in less than one percent of the leagues.

This is the time of the year where you have to start streaming to make headway in categories. That means that you can’t be afraid to gamble. The way he’s been going, Wood is a good play this week.

Wood’s Projections for the Week

Nathan Eovaldi - Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers

Probable Starts: Monday at San Francisco Giants, Saturday vs. New York Mets

I don’t particularly enjoy saying that the Giants are a good team to stream against, but they’re not bad. Even when the team is going well, the games are low scoring. What makes this game particularly enticing for Nathan Eovaldi he’s facing Barry Zito, who is about as close to an automatic win for an opponent as the league has to offer. He’s been awful over the last few weeks, and only getting worse. 

We’ve already covered the Mets. They’re a better offense than they have been over the last few years, but still a middle-of-the-road team with the bats. Dodger Stadium is certainly a good place to pitch. 

Eovaldi has had quality starts in four out of five outings, which is a pretty good bet for a guy available in more than 95 percent of ESPN leagues. He is worth a go this week.

Eovaldi’s Projections for the Week

Dillon Gee - Pitcher, New York Mets

Probable Starts: Tuesday at Chicago Cubs, Sunday at Los Angeles Dodgers

What can be said? The Mets’ games this week are just good streaming targets. We also have a bit of history in that both Eovaldi and Dillon Gee are being listed two weeks in a row, I wasn’t lying when I suggested picking them up last week for this week. 

The Cubs’ struggles are well known. They may not have bad games all the way throughout the season, but they are going to be a good team to stream against for the rest of 2012, at least. The Dodgers are a much better team, but are far from an offensive powerhouse without Matt Kemp in the lineup.

Gee’s been on an incredible roll recently. Take a look at his numbers over the last seven outings, all quality starts.

Just about one strikeout per inning, and numbers that are at worst solid across the board. If you get this kind of production over seven games, it’s something to pay attention to. Right now, not a lot of people have, as Gee is available in more than 93 percent of ESPN leagues. 

If you’re not interested in the kind of production Gee’s been bringing to the table, I want to see your pitching staff, just as long as you’re not a league rival.

Gee’s Projections for the Week