Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Mitchell Parker, Andrew Heaney, Fernando Cruz (2024)

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees face off this weekend. if it’s a World Series preview, it will be the 12th time these two teams will have met in the Fall Classic. New York has prevailed nine of the 11 times, though the most recent meeting in 1981 was a 4-2 series victory for the Dodgers. L.A. took the final four games, with three being one-run victories in Dodger Stadium. As someone who grew up in Los Angeles bleeding blue, that remains my favorite title of them all — and the Lakers definitely spoiled us.

It’s sweet because of the torment from the Dodgers losing the World Series in 1977 and 1978, despite those being fantastic teams. The guys in the pinstripes were just better. Though, I’ll forever say Reggie Jackson should have been ruled out for interfering with a double-play throw from Bill Russell in the eighth inning. Jackson hip-checked the ball into shallow right field, allowing the tying run to score in a game the Dodgers led 3-2. The Yankees eventually won in extra innings. If the Dodgers win that game, they’re up 3-1 with Games 6 and 7 at home. I’ve heard the late Tommy Lasorda rant about Jackson’s move, so I’m not alone in holding a grudge all these years later.

Hopefully, this is a World Series preview because Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts facing off against Juan Soto and Aaron Judge would be gold in the postseason. Maybe it would draw some TV viewers. Let’s hope for that.

In the meantime, here are some fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and deep sleepers to target.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 12

Mitchell Parker (SP – WAS): 14%

Mitchell Parker has allowed three earned runs or fewer and pitched at least five innings in each of his last seven starts. The Nationals’ former top prospect is acquitting himself just fine in his rookie year, though he’s behind fellow first-year players Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and Gavin Stone in fanfare. He could have a soft landing next week when he faces the Tigers in Detroit.

Andrew Heaney (SP – TEX): 10%

With 53 strikeouts in 56.1 innings, Andrew Heaney should be getting by with enough swing-and-miss stuff. After allowing four hits and striking out seven in six scoreless innings against the Marlins last time out, the lefty got his second straight win. On June 8, Heaney gets a home date with the Giants, who are tied for 19th in the league with 59 home runs.

Fernando Cruz (RP – CIN): 7%

In his last seven outings, Fernando Cruz has two wins and three holds. He’s also been incredible in the strikeout department, punching out 52 hitters in 28.2 innings. Somehow, the 34-year-old is doing it with a fastball that’s just a few ticks below 95 miles per hour (MPH), though he has a 34.9% chase rate that’s in the 94th percentile in the league. Alexis Diaz has walked 17 batters in 23.1 innings and has an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.50. Heavy is the crown worn by the closer. Cruz could be next in line for the saves throne if he can become more consistent.