As we enter Week 13 of the fantasy baseball season, a few under-the-radar starting pitchers are making waves, creating intriguing opportunities for managers looking to make impactful waiver wire pickups. The list includes veterans returning from injury and fresh prospects stepping onto the scene, each showing promising signs as they look to establish themselves.

Max Scherzer, now with the Toronto Blue Jays, is gearing up for a return after dealing with injuries early in the season. His impressive rehab starts have sparked interest, especially given his history of high strikeout rates and solid ERA metrics. Meanwhile, Eury Perez of the Miami Marlins is also catching attention after returning from Tommy John surgery, showcasing his potential upside and strong strikeout ability.

Chase Burns, a rookie for the Cincinnati Reds, is about to make his MLB debut against the New York Yankees, drawing excitement for his high strikeout potential demonstrated in the minors. Lastly, Ryan Gusto from the Houston Astros is gradually solidifying his role in the rotation, demonstrating high strikeout numbers and a chance for positive regression as hitters adjust to him.

The upcoming MLB slate features intriguing matchups, particularly for pitchers. Chad Patrick of the Milwaukee Brewers is poised for a strong performance against a struggling Pittsburgh Pirates offense, ranking last in runs scored and exhibiting poor stats. Despite recent struggles, Patrick's impressive season numbers and high strikeout rate make him a solid DFS pick. Eduardo Rodriguez of the Arizona Diamondbacks, while boasting a high ERA, is also a candidate for a rebound against the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox have been lackluster offensively, providing Rodriguez an opportunity for positive regression.

In terms of hitters, Seiya Suzuki from the Chicago Cubs presents great value, especially when facing left-handers, due to his impressive splits. Manny Machado is also on fire this season, delivering strong OBP and OPS figures against left-handed pitching. Affordable options include Alec Burleson and Sal Frelick, who are both thriving in advantageous batting positions.

This week’s fantasy baseball landscape offers limited streaming options, particularly among two-start pitchers. Chad Patrick of the Milwaukee Brewers emerges as a standout choice, boasting a solid 3.50 ERA and favorable matchups against the Pirates and Rockies. His performance indicates he’s worth picking up in deeper leagues, with a potential for quick returns on investment.

Eduardo Rodríguez and Justin Verlander also present intriguing options, with Rodríguez's recent improvement and Verlander's appealing matchups despite having just returned from injury. Streamers are thin, particularly for hitters, as quality pitching staffs challenge those with more games scheduled. The Dodgers have a favorable lineup but most members are heavily rostered, making them harder to stream effectively. This week may require strategic moves and quick action to exploit matchups before opportunities slip away.

Jo Adell's recent surge in performance has rekindled interest, as he posted a .280/.365/.707 line with 10 home runs since May 29. Despite previous struggles with high strikeout rates, he's showing improvements this season, particularly with a career-low strikeout percentage. Comparatively, his expected stats suggest he could be performing at a higher level, which might make him more relevant in fantasy leagues.

Another name to watch is Michael Toglia, who has shown promise after returning from a demotion. He has hit three home runs in six games since his recall, albeit with an elevated strikeout rate. Meanwhile, Chad Patrick is highlighted as a two-start pitcher to consider, currently boasting a strong ERA and a favorable upcoming schedule. Additionally, Cam Smith has emerged as a versatile player contributing across multiple categories. Overall, these players could add value in fantasy leagues as the season progresses.

For fantasy baseball enthusiasts looking to bolster their pitching staff, a strategic streaming option becomes critical during the upcoming scoring period. With over ten pitchers available at less than 80% rostered in CBS Sports leagues, here are the top choices for Week 14 (June 23-29).

Shane Smith of the Chicago White Sox boasts an impressive ERA under 3.00 despite a recent rough outing. Matthew Liberatore of the St. Louis Cardinals, meanwhile, presents a strong option with elite control, even if matchups against the Cubs raise concerns. Chad Patrick, pitching for Milwaukee, faces the two weakest lineups, making him a favorable pickup. Jose Soriano of the Angels is hot off two double-digit strikeout games, while veteran Michael Wacha shows promise against a formidable Rays lineup, especially at home.

Additionally, keep an eye on Hayden Birdsong of San Francisco and Eduardo Rodriguez of Arizona for their favorable matchups, although Rodriguez has struggled with baserunners. Justin Verlander, returning from injury, remains relevant with reverse matchups against the same teams as Rodriguez. Lastly, Ben Brown from the Cubs may be more suited for points leagues due to his inconsistency. These pitchers represent solid streaming options to consider for your fantasy roster this week.