You’ve made it through the All-Star break. You’ve made it through the trade deadline. The head-to-head playoffs are bearing down on us. The last third of the season is here, and we’re out for blood.

This article comes from the National Sports Collectors Convention, so it’s a bit abbreviated this week. That said, I’m also pretty proud of everyone out there because ownership rates have really ballooned lately on some names who have been criminally under-owned all season long. I feel like shedding a tear. Without further ado, here we go:

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Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Targets

Joe Musgrove (HOU, SP) – 26% Owned – Musgrove made a splash with an electric 4 1/3 inning relief appearance where he struck out eight without allowing a run. In 10 starts at Triple-A this season he struck out 57 in 59 innings with a 3.81 ERA and 1.14 WHIP – most notably posting a 1.07 BB/9. That’s supremely important, as this writer is a staunch believer in control being the most critical component to determining whether a young pitcher can really succeed early or not. Jameson Taillon did it (0.88 BB/9) and Musgrove looked strong already too. He draws the Aug. 7 start early against Texas at home.

James Paxton (SEA, SP) –25% Owned – Paxton was amazing against the Red Sox on Aug. 1, logging eight innings of one-run ball en route to a tough no-decision. This came two starts after looking strong against the Blue Jays, though he did have a bit of a rough start against Pittsburgh in between. Consistency has been an issue, but the underlying potential is all too real. He’ll face the Angels at home next on Aug. 7 before a nice road date with Oakland.

Dan Straily (CIN, SP) – 21% Owned – Straily now has six quality starts in a row, with a road date against Pittsburgh next on Aug. 7. As stated in earlier pieces, he’s over-performing a bit here but should be a decent source of Ks alongside solid ratios.

Robbie Ray (ARI, SP) – 14% Owned – Carbon copy of last week with updated stats, because he’s doing the exact same thing every time:

His incredible K/9 march continues as he’s struck out 44 in his past 28 2/3 innings, but he also owns a 5.02 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over that stretch. If you need Ks then he’s your man, but don’t rely on him to be a consistently “good” pitcher just yet. He’ll face the Mets in New York on Aug. 10 for his next start, making for a pretty solid stream.

Tyler Anderson (COL, SP) – 13% Owned – Six of Anderson’s last seven outings have resulted in quality starts, with his latest effort being a two-run, seven-inning victory with six strikeouts against the Dodgers in Coors Field. Five of those quality starts have come at Coors, so don’t think that he’s just gotten lucky with dodging the Mile High City either. He’ll take on the potent Rangers offense at Coors on Aug. 8 next, making for a tough matchup. Still, he’s earned some serious respect in his rookie season.

Chad Bettis (COL, SP) – 9% Owned – Bettis hasn’t lost since July 2, logging six consecutive quality starts since then, though a 30:14 K/BB ratio isn’t all that impressive. This solid stretch has been in the cards though, as his 5.06 ERA is a big step above his 4.13 FIP and 3.93 xFIP on the season, and while Coors Field can muck that up, he should still be eyed after he also posted strong second-half numbers last season (3.18 ERA).

Miguel Gonzalez (CWS, SP) – 6% Owned – Gonzalez somehow hasn’t logged a win since his July 6 start against the Yankees despite tallying quality starts in each of his five starts since then. He’s on an incredible tear, posting a QS in his last seven starts for the White Sox even if their bullpen can’t hold him down. No one wants to trust him, but he continues to deliver. There hasn’t been a better pitcher that has consistently checked in at <10% owned all season long than Gonzalez, who will face the Royals on the road on Aug. 11 next.

Matt Boyd (DET, SP) – 6% Owned – Boyd has won three of his last four starts, though he has only gone beyond the fifth inning in one start this season. He has clearly taken a step forward with a brief stint in the Minor Leagues in late June, striking out 28 in 25 1/3 innings since being recalled for a July 9 start. He’ll face Texas on Aug. 12 at home next, and hopefully we’ll see him stretch out a bit in that one.

Braden Shipley (ARI, SP) – 3% Owned – Shipley wasn’t the best on Aug. 5 against the Brewers, but still turned in his second-consecutive quality start with two runs over six-plus innings. Strikeouts aren’t his forte, but he had a nice 1.66 BB/9 in 119 1/3 Triple-A innings this season and could turn in healthy ratios for deep-league owners. He’ll take on the Mets in New York on Aug. 11 for his next start.

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