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Welcome to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. Use this column to improve upon your neediest categories.
Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Thursday, August 3rd.
Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- End Game Trade Advice
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. End Game Trade Advice
We're entering the stretch run of the 2017 fantasy baseball season. To this point, trades should have focused on balancing a player's intrinsic value with the stats they provide. Now it's all about the numbers. For contenders, it's time to start thinking in terms of expected dollars. Nearly any swap that increases your expected point total is justifiable, even if that means swapping Khris Davis for Jarrod Dyson (note: there aren't many scenarios where that works...).
Here's an example from a 20-team dynasty league I play. My club is currently in sixth place. The top five are paid. We're only about five points behind third place. We have the potential to gain up to nine points in stolen bases so long as Mookie Betts, Chris Taylor, and Mallex Smith stay healthy and keep running. And in the case of Smith, he needs to continue playing frequently.
Rather than trust that trio to help us leap a net of 20 steals in two months, we opted to overpay with Eugenio Suarez and minor leaguers to acquire Bradley Zimmer. Another 10 steals from him should ensure we get a good chunk of those available stolen base points. And because he isn't a zero in other categories (like Dyson), we probably won't lose points elsewhere. For us, this swap could be the difference between $0 and $300. Overpaying was very much justified.
If you're on the other end in a keeper league - you won't make the money but can help somebody else - don't be afraid to price gouge. Point out that real, actual dollars are worth real, actual things.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
New York, Chicago (two games), and Texas have a small risk for storms today. Those games may have a delay, but a postponement seems unlikely. Chicago and Minnesota may feel the mighty sting of lightning bolts tomorrow.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Thursday, August 3
Pitchers to Use
It's a busy Thursday with 13 games on the docket. Eduardo Rodriguez may be the best streamer available, but he's struggled since returning from the disabled list. I view him more as a stash than a must-use hurler - even against a mediocre team like the White Sox.
Be careful using Kendall Graveman or Trevor Cahill. You may want to consider them stashes as well. When healthy, Graveman is a fantasy replacement level hurler thanks to a high ground ball rate. He's similar to Trevor Williams who we discussed yesterday. There could be rust tomorrow at AT&T Park. Cahill has struggled with command recently - the exact reason why he's been terrible for most of his career. The good days may be behind him.
Other Targets: Brandon Woodruff, Chad Kuhl, Sean Newcomb, Collin McHugh
Pitchers to Exploit
I like German Marquez as much as the next guy. In fact, I can probably lay claim to being one of the first to like him for fantasy purposes - I used him frequently late last season. However, I still avoid his starts at Coors Field. I avoid all of Rafael Montero's starts. I remember Mets fans giddily exclaiming how good he was going to be... this was maybe five years ago. Don't count your chickens lest poop unsatisfactory eggs.
Other Targets: Sal Romano, Matt Boyd, Miguel Gonzalez, Austin Bibens-Dirkx, Adalberto Mejia, Yovani Gallardo, Jerad Eickhoff, Parker Bridwell, Ty Blach
Homers on the Wire
Please pick up Derek Fisher. He's very good and batting leadoff for the Astros.
Enrique Hernandez is scheduled to face a southpaw. Hernandez has ridiculous platoon splits - he's slashing .260/.362/.640 with nine home runs in 116 plate appearances. He's a must-stream extra-base slugging stud.
Other Targets: Marcus Semien, Jed Lowrie, Tommy Joseph, Aaron Altherr, Nick Williams, Freddy Galvis, Luis Valbuena, Brandon Moss, Derek Fisher, Lucas Duda, Carlos Gomez, Matt Davidson (dtd), Mitch Moreland, Rafael Devers, Josh Bell, Tim Beckham, Wilmer Flores, Amed Rosario, Neil Walker, Paul DeJong, Stephen Piscotty
Steals on the Wire
With a lefty on the bump for San Fran, it's Rajai Davis day. He may be less inclined to steal versus Buster Posey.
The Angels are playing Kaleb Cowart with regularity. The third baseman has above average speed for the position - he's capable of a 20 steal pace, albeit with a fairly low rate of success. The Phillies battery isn't the best at controlling the running game.
Other Targets: Jarrod Dyson, Delino DeShields, Leury Garcia, Kolten Wong
Skill Positions
Travis d'Arnaud is at Coors Field. That has to be a good thing, right. Austin Barnes is set to face a southpaw. He's a top 12 catcher despite playing as a backup.
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