With Memorial Day on May 26, it’ll be a quick turnaround between Week 8 and Week 9. For those in need of starters for the upcoming week, there are several good options, including a pair of young starters, plus a hard-throwing reliever on the rise. Here’s our five best Week 9 pitchers to target on the waiver wire.

Best Week 9 pitchers to target

• SP Hayden Birdsong (Giants)
• SP Cade Horton (Cubs)
• RP Daniel Palencia (Cubs)
• SP Andre Pallante (Cardinals)
• SP David Peterson (Mets)

Two Cubs are on the list this week, and I’ll start with Cade Horton.

It’s a simple one with Horton; he’s scheduled to face German Marquez and the Rockies at home on May 27. Horton’s stuff has been fine despite the low strikeout tally (10 K over 14 IP), as he’s gotten hitters to chase (30.7%).

Granted, he faced a highly aggressive Marlins team in his last start. But, the Rockies have the highest team chase rate at 31.1%, something that bodes well for Horton’s cutting four-seamer and secondary stuff.

Daniel Palencia, meanwhile, jumped Ryan Pressly to nail down two saves over the last week. Palencia has taken advantage of a wounded Cubs bullpen, as Porter Hodge is on the injured list.

It’s been very difficult for hitters to barrel anything up against Palencia, carried largely by his triple-digit fastball. He does have his command problems, which could affect how long of a leash he has in the ninth inning. But for right now, Palencia is getting hitters out.

Next up is Hayden Birdsong, in the rotation now in San Francisco. Birdsong, a starter by trade, pitched very well his first time out in the rotation this season. He tossed five strong innings against the Royals, with four strikeouts and one unearned run allowed.

The 23-year-old made some adjustments to his setup in 2025. He’s operating from a higher arm slot and getting more carry on the fastball (18.9” IVB). Birdsong has also upped the usage of his slider and his changeup, the latter of which has been his most effective put-away pitch.

Birdsong is one of the few pitchers who will likely make two starts this week, one on May 26 in Detroit and the other over the weekend in Miami.

Lastly, two other options. One is Andre Pallante, facing the Orioles this week in Baltimore. The Orioles’ offense has been in the mud this season, and the Cardinals, for right now, are humming along.

David Peterson, meanwhile, is scheduled to start on May 30 against the Rockies at home. Peterson picked up a win against the Dodgers on May 24, as he nabbed seven strikeouts over 7.2 IP.

Overview of Week 8

Another good week for the picks.

Noah Cameron struck out eight over 6.2 IP against the Twins on May 23 and has turned into a strong mixed league option. Nick Martinez threw six strong innings three days earlier but couldn’t get any run support.

And as for Logan Henderson, what a week it was for the right-hander. Thirteen strikeouts over ten innings, as well as a win against the Orioles on the 20th.

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