Last week, we looked at hitters who could help fantasy baseball teams in specific categories down the stretch. This week we will turn our attention to pitchers who have a specific area of excellence and could be acquired for a reasonable return.
Please note that I did not recommend anyone to help in the wins category, as chasing specific pitchers to provide more wins would be a fool’s errand. Rather, those who want to improve in wins should do their best to stream starters with decent skills and favorable matchups.
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Strikeouts
Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres
Cease has appeared in my trade column more than once this season, as he continues to be one of the most frustrating and unlucky pitchers in baseball. His .323 BABIP and 68.5% strand rate are among the highest marks of any starter, and his ERA estimators are all more than a full run lower than his 4.79 ERA. But there is one thing that Cease can do in spades — strike batters out. His 153 punchouts rank fourth in baseball, which makes him an attractive buy-low candidate for those need to take a chance on a high strikeout starter with massive upside.
Jesús Luzardo, Philadelphia Phillies
Luzardo is a poor man’s version of Cease. One could make a case that Luzardo is the more attractive hurler to add. Unlike Cease, he has had some dazzling stretches this season. Still, Luzardo’s penchant for ugly outings surely has frustrated many managers, as he has allowed four or more earned runs in six of his past 11 starts. His strikeout total (140) ranks 11th in baseball, making the southpaw a smart buy-low option for those who need to make a move in that category.
ERA
Eury Pérez, Miami Marlins
Pérez has been an ERA asset throughout his brief career, evidenced by his lifetime 3.13 mark. The right-hander struggled in his initial starts following Tommy John surgery, but has allowed four runs across his past five starts. His 32:5 K:BB ratio over those outings supports his outstanding run prevention, and his 2.68 xERA is the third lowest of any pitcher who currently holds a rotation spot.
Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds
Some managers may have forgotten how well Greene has pitched this season since we haven’t seen him in action for nearly two months. He was dominant in his 11 starts, logging a 2.72 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 73:14 K:BB ratio. His groin injury is less of a concern than an arm injury, which means that he could be a dominant ace for the stretch run. Greene could return to fantasy baseball lineups in a week or two.
WHIP
Matthew Boyd, Chicago Cubs
There is no doubt that Boyd has pushed through his ceiling so far in 2025 since his current ratios (2.47 ERA, 1.06 WHIP) are likely unsustainable. He is not worth acquiring if his current manager values him as an ace, but that shouldn't be the case in many leagues. Boyd has two characteristics that should lead to a low WHIP the rest of the way — he generates plenty of fly balls and rarely issues walks.
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Zack Littell, Tampa Bay Rays
Littell is a poor man’s version of Boyd. He doesn’t generate enough strikeouts (6.0 K/9 rate) and is too hittable, which is a result of living inside the strike zone. Still, the lack of walks usually leads to a low WHIP, and this year Littell has turned his impressive 3.3% walk rate into a 1.11 WHIP. Both Boyd and Littell are ERA risks for the stretch run, but they could post an ERA over 4.00 and still help in the WHIP category.
Saves
Will Vest, Detroit Tigers
The Tigers not only have one of the best records in baseball, but also have a favorable schedule for the stretch run, thanks to plenty of series against division opponents below .500. Vest has a modest saves total this year (16), but could skyrocket up that category if his team capitalizes on their schedule and logs several narrow victories. My plan with Vest would be to make a trade offer as soon as the MLB trade deadline passes on Thursday.
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