10 Team Leagues
Kyle Seager 3B SEA; FAAB Bid: 10-15% - Seager has been absolutely raking over the past couple weeks. Since August 13th he has seven home runs, 13 runs scored, and 22 RBI. He’s slashing .349/.446/.794 in that span and he has some interesting matchups with the exception of Houston and Oakland as the Mariners disappointing season comes to an end. He does struggle a bit at home with a .236 batting average compared to a .276 average on the road, but he’s been on fire and he should be on your roster.
Mark Canha 1B, OF; FAAB Bid: 10% - Canha, like Seager, is getting another shoutout in the Waiver Advice column while not cooling off since last week’s mention. Over the last two weeks, Canha has nine extra-base hits (six home runs) with 14 RBI. He’s slashing .404/.466/.827 and he’s locked into the middle of their lineup. As mentioned last week, the concern with Canha is playing time when Ramón Laureano is activated off the injured list, which is expected sometime next week. So definitely keep an eye on that news after Labor Day. Until then you should enjoy the fruits of Canha’s labor.
Aaron Civale SP CLE; FAAB Bid: 8-10% - Two-Start Pitchers are going to be a re-occurring theme in today’s Waiver Advice column. Civale is the first, and certainly not the last, pitcher that fits the bill. Next week he toes the rubber at home against the White Sox and then a road tilt against the Twins. Civale had a great month of August with a 2.35 ERA across five starts (30.2 innings), with four quality starts, but just one win. The lack of run support has given Civale three losses despite just eight total earned runs this month. But he’s looked great. He’s only allowed three free passes and one home run. He’s a very trendy waiver priority for next week.
12 Team Leagues
Mark Melancon RP ATL; FAAB Bid: 16% - I’m surprised Melancon’s ownership on ESPN hasn’t budged, but he’s widely available in ESPN leagues. In the last two weeks alone Melancon has a win and five saves with just one earned run and six strikeouts. He hasn’t given up a home run or a walk and he has cemented himself as the Braves closer as they march toward the postseason. The Braves have won 13 of their last 17 games and the improvements to the bullpen, specifically Melancon, have contributed to that run.
Adrian Houser SP, RP MIL; FAAB Bid: 5-6% - Houser is a speculative add, but he has a pretty difficult matchup Monday against the Astros. However, in six starts since July 30th he has a 2.43 ERA and he’s averaging nearly a strikeout per inning (8.91 K/9). Next week is difficult with two difficult matchups against the Astros and Cubs, but Houser might be serviceable and the appeal of two starts should spike his ownership.
Mauricio Dubon 2B, SS SF; FAAB Bid: 1-2% - So the Giants appear to be handing off the reigns of the keystone position to Dubon. Dubon was acquired from Milwaukee about a month ago and he got the call up earlier this week and he should see regular playing time to finish the last month of the season. So far in two games with San Francisco he’s hit toward the bottom of the order so don’t expect him to leapfrog anyone in the current Giants lineup. It is worth noting that at the Triple-A level this year he hit 20 home runs with ten stolen bases. He definitely has to prove himself, but you can take an inexpensive gamble on this guy to finish out the fantasy baseball season.
15+ Team Leagues
Anthony DeSclafani SP CIN; FAAB Bid: 5% - DeSclafani gets two starts next week against the Phillies and Diamondbacks at home. In his last three starts (18 innings) he has 16 strikeouts and he’s allowed just one home run. Now with the starts coming in Cincy there’s a stronger chance he gives up a home run since the ball flies out of the park when it’s hot in Cincy so there is that concern. But as a two-start pitcher he’s available in over 70% of leagues and can be deployed next week with playoff matchups starting.
Nick Solak 2B TEX; FAAB Bid: 3% - If you’ve read the Hitting Coaches lately for MLB DFS, you’ll know that Justin Vreeland loves recommending Solak as a cheap play. Since getting brought up and making his debut on August 20th he’s hitting .361/.465/.528 with four extra-base hits and seven runs scored. He’s even scored a run in three straight games and registered a stolen base Thursday night. He should display more power as he gets more comfortable, but you can definitely pick this kid up in deeper leagues.
Gavin Lux SS LAD; FAAB Bid: 1% - Ken Rosenthal reported on Monday that the Dodgers were considering promoting Lux to the big league roster. That would be quite the move especially after he has slashed .390/.478/.723 at Triple-A. The Dodgers have a loaded lineup so while they don’t need Lux he’s worth keeping an eye on in deeper formats and possibly 12-team leagues as well in the event he is called up. If you can get him for cheap then he’s worth a stash.