Fantasy: 3 players to target on waivers

Every Sunday, theScore's MLB editors will shed light on three potential targets to claim on the waiver wire in your fantasy league in a player-versus-player format.

*Players must be owned in 30 percent or less of Yahoo fantasy leagues to qualify.

Ivan Nova vs. Kyle Hendricks

Ivan Nova has started only two games for the New York Yankees since returning to the rotation, after spending the start of the season on the disabled list recovering from Tommy John surgery. He's been solid so far in 2015. Nova started his season by pitching 11 consecutive scoreless innings, before allowing two runs in the sixth inning of a 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. He is currently sporting a 1.50 ERA.

Kyle Hendricks has had an up-and-down year with three wins, four losses and four no-decisions. The Chicago Cubs starter has only reached the seventh inning twice, though that includes a shutout against the San Diego Padres in May. He threw six scoreless innings Tuesday for his first quality start in over a month, and Cubs fans and fantasy owners alike will be hopeful that's a sign Hendricks will improve to his 2014 form, when he went 7-2 with a 2.46 ERA.

Pick: Hendricks is the safer pick, pitching in a less competitive division, and it's still too early to think Nova's low ERA is sustainable. The Cubs pitcher doesn't get a lot of strikeouts and his fly ball rate has risen in 2015, but his most recent start should give fantasy owners hope he'll be strong for the second half.

Gerardo Parra vs. Alejandro de Aza

Teams around the league looking to bolster their outfield ahead of a playoff run should take a long look at Gerardo Parra. The Milwaukee Brewers left fielder is having a career year, batting .306 with a .811 OPS, and he's on pace to surpass his career-high of 10 home runs. Regularly batting leadoff in recent weeks, Parra has five multi-hit games in his last six.

Alejandro de Aza has been a new man since being traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the Boston Red Sox on June 3. In Baltimore, the outfielder was desginated for assignment after starting the year batting .214 and striking out 34 times in 112 plate appearances. Since moving to Boston, de Aza has hit .329 with 3 home runs, including one against his former team on June 25. The 31-year-old has also hit an impressive six triples on the season.

Pick: Parra has been stronger throughout the season, and with a chance to be traded to a stronger team, his runs and RBIs could spike later in the year. The Venezuela native also seems like more of a threat to steal bases than de Aza, while his defensive abilities should ensure a regular spot in any lineup.

Francisco Cervelli vs. Trevor Plouffe

Francisco Cervelli is quietly having a career year as the Pittsburgh Pirates starting catcher. He's already tied his career-high with four home runs and has posted an impressive slash line of .301/.376/.406. At one of the toughest positions to get a solid contribution from in fantasy, the 29-year-old has been one of the most productive players over the past month.

There are few surprises with the play of Minnesota Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe. He provides decent power (10 home runs) but a lower batting average (.254). Plouffe only has nine stolen bases in his MLB career, but any team needing home runs and RBIs could get production from the 29-year-old in a utility spot as he's on pace for career-highs in both categories.

Pick: Plouffe is the better player of the two and has hit .316 over his last 10 games with a home run and five RBIs. On a competitive Twins team, he will continue to get plenty of opportunities batting cleanup as he eyes a contract extension following the season.