Fantasy Baseball 2012: Emergency Waiver-Wire Pitcher for July 20

Mixed-league roto owners, are you in need of a waiver-wire pitcher before Friday's slate of games?

Here's my free-agent choice (from the majority of 12-team leagues) for one day of fantasy stardom:

 

Vance Worley, Philadelphia Phillies (vs. Giants)

1. Of his last nine starts, Vance Worley (5-5, 3.47 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 76/32 K-BB) has allowed three runs or less eight times. In that span, Worley has yielded two or less walks seven times.
2. In 15 outings this season, Worley has surrendered three or less runs 12 times, while collecting five or more strikeouts 10 times.
3. Worley boasts strong marks in his 23 career home appearances: 9-4, 2.93 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 108/46 K-BB. 
4. In two career starts against the Giants (spanning 16 innings), Worley has a 2-0 record, 2.25 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 11/2 K-BB ratio. 
5. Today's slate of free-agent pitchers isn't that deep. When in doubt, always ride the young talent with the 90s fastball...and track record for a 3.01 ERA or less when fully healthy.

 

The Next Five for Friday

1. Drew Pomeranz (Rockies) @ Padres—The fantasy optimist in me is fixating on Pomeranz's seven runs allowed in six starts from April 21-July 6...not the five runs surrendered on July 15. 
2. Ricky Nolasco (Marlins) @ Pirates—Fingers crossed on seven strikeouts and three runs allowed against Pittsburgh on Friday. Since May 22, Nolasco has only endured one wretched start.  
3. Derek Holland (Rangers) @ Angels—The enigmatic southpaw will try to build off last week's scoreless effort against the Mariners.
4. Miguel Gonzalez (Orioles) @ Indians—The Baltimore right-hander has allowed just one run in four of his last five outings.
5. Bud Norris (Astros) @ Diamondbacks—I'm conveniently ignoring Norris' three-run, six-walk malaise from five days ago. I'm also choosing to look past Big Bud's six straight losses.

 

A Look Back

Most recent selection: Astros pitcher Lucas Harrell.

Final tally: 9.0 innings, six hits, zero runs, seven strikeouts and four walks.

Jay Clemons can be reached on Twitter, day or night, at @ATL_JayClemons.