Is it Time to Add Michael Wacha and Clayton Kershaw Off the Waiver Wire in Fantasy Baseball Leagues?

After taking a look at four fantasy baseball waiver wire hitters to possibly add, let's now check out some waiver wire pitchers.

We won't cover anyone who appeared in stories on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

Check out the top fantasy baseball waiver wire options everyday on FantasySP. 

Should You Add Michael Wacha?

Wacha is up 6.19% today and now sits at 56.96% overall. He delivered a strong start on Wednesday, and has good season-long numbers as well.

Wacha tossed seven scoreless innings against the White Sox on Wednesday. He allowed three hits and a walk, while striking out five batters.

In eight total starts, he has a 2-4 record, but a strong 2.98 earned run average. He's allowed 15 runs on 38 hits and 14 walks over 45 1/3 innings, while striking out 34 batters.

He has a career 3.86 ERA, so while regression is likely coming in that stat, it shouldn't be anything too crazy. Over the past three seasons, Wacha owns a 3.30 ERA, so there might not be too much regression in his ERA at all.

His 6.8 strikeouts per nine innings mark this season is the lowest it's been in his career. Wacha averages 7.9 punchouts per nine innings, so improvement could come there.

He's walking 2.8 batters per nine innings, which matches his career mark. Wacha has a 1.15 WHIP, a decent way below his 1.28 career mark. However, Wacha owns a 1.16 WHIP the past three seasons, so he might be able to keep this up.

All signs point to Wacha being able to keep his strong start going, or barely regressing. That makes him a really solid waiver pickup, and I think he's being pretty heavily overlooked.

He's a must-own pitcher in deeper redraft leagues right now, and I'd be happy to roster and utilize him in standard leagues too, granted his opposition isn't too strong. 

His next two starts could come against the Astros and Cardinals. Those are solid enough matchups to utilize Wacha in all league types. He should see his own percentage rise noticeably before he makes those starts, so if you want Wacha on your team, you might need to add him today.

Should You Add Clayton Kershaw?

Kershaw is rostered in 33.59% of fantasy leagues after a 3.08% increase today. 

He's yet to pitch in the big leagues this season, but is nearing a return. Kershaw might only need one more rehab start before being activated. He's eligible to be activated off the 60-day injured list on May 18.

Of course, Kershaw has incredible career numbers. Across 432 MLB appearances and 429 starts since 2008, Kershaw is 212-94 with a 2.50 ERA. He averages 9.7 strikeouts and 2.2 walks per nine innings, while having a career 1.01 WHIP.

He only made seven starts in 2024, going 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA. Kershaw allowed 19 runs (15 earned) on 36 hits and nine walks, while striking out 24 over 30 innings.

That's a small sample size, but it's definitely a bit of regression from his career and recent marks. I think Kershaw will produce better numbers this season, granted he stays healthy and gets in a good amount of starts.

He's a safe waiver wire addition because of his decorated career. Kershaw is at least a deep-league keeper when consistently healthy, and he'll be unleashed in standard leagues plenty as well.

Right now, I'd be adding Kershaw in deeper redraft leagues. Just stash him on your bench until he's activated by the big league team. He'll be one of the top waiver pickups between now and that day, and he's surely to be rostered in all deeper leagues by the time he throws his first pitch in the big leagues this season. Beat the crowd and add him while you can.

Kershaw will also be added in a good amount of standard redraft leagues. His big name helps him out there, but he's also produced well late in his career to trust in those formats. 

If you are lacking fantasy pitchers and want to take a gamble on someone, Kershaw is definitely a solid option. There's a very small chance he busts, while he gives you an average fantasy option (at worst) each turn through the rotation.

Should You Add Brayan Bello?

Bello is rostered in 54% of fantasy leagues at the time of publication. He's a streaming option for Thursday.

Bello has made just three starts so far this season, but he's looked good in those outings. He's 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA across 17 2/3 innings. Bello has allowed five runs on 14 hits and seven walks, while striking out 12 batters.

He's made starts against the Mariners, Guardians and Twins so far. Bello will face a Rangers' lineup loaded with talent, but it's a group that's struggled to consistently produce all season.

Bello is a good deep-league option for his Thursday start, and he'll get a handful of starts in standard leagues too. With how he's pitched so far, I'd have no issues using Bello in standard leagues. 

He is likely to face the Tigers after this start, so Bello could be added and utilized in a lot of leagues for these two starts, at least.

Should You Add Jose Soriano?

Soriano is another streaming option on Thursday. He's owned in just 29% of leagues right now.

He's made seven starts so far this season, going 2-4 with a 3.83 ERA. Soriano has allowed 18 runs (17 earned) on 41 hits and 16 walks. He's struck out 31 batters over 40 innings.

His ERA is slightly higher than his 3.55 career mark, so a little improvement could happen there over time. Soriano's ERA is up because his WHIP is at 1.43, which is noticeably higher than his 1.28 career mark.

Soriano is averaging 1.5 less strikeouts per nine innings this season, but has also walked 0.3 fewer over nine frames.

I don't love his matchup against the Tigers, but it's also solid enough to utilize him in some deeper leagues today. He doesn't have the upside of Bello, but he can eat some innings and give you a few fantasy points at least.

He's also coming off his best start of the season, which came against the same Detroit team. Soriano worked six scoreless innings in that contest, giving up six hits and a walk, but striking out five.

That outing alone should give fantasy owners in all leagues some confidence to utilize him today. I'd be most comfortable starting him in deeper leagues, but wouldn't be against starting him in standard leagues either.

Should You Add Dean Kremer?

Kremer is another streaming option for Thursday. He's owned in only 8% of fantasy leagues.

Kremer has struggled across seven starts this season, going 3-4 with a 5.73 ERA. He's allowed 26 runs (24 earned) on 43 hits and nine walks over 37 2/3 innings. Kremer has 22 strikeouts so far.

He will take on a weaker-hitting Twins' lineup on Thursday afternoon. That's a decent fantasy matchup for Kremer, even with his season-long struggles.

Kremer hasn't faced the Twins this season. He has made starts against the Blue Jays, Royals (twice), Diamondbacks, Guardians, Nationals and Tigers. 

He's topped six innings in a start just once, while striking out five or more just once, so his fantasy ceiling is pretty low. Kremer has allowed three or more runs in all but two starts.

Kremer is not the best option for today, even in his pretty solid matchup. I'd only be comfortable starting him in really deep leagues. Maybe a strong start today could get Kremer back on track for the rest of the season though.