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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 Wednesday, August 16.
Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Hoskins Homers
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Hoskins Homers
Rhys Hoskins is going to be a popular "sleeper" next spring. He'll be one of those guys who doesn't come at a discount. Entering play yesterday, Hoskins had gone just 1-for-16. Then he did this. Nearly everybody agrees that he has a bright future ahead of him batting in the heart of the Phillies lineup. Grab shares while you can. He's already 21 percent owned.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
Denver has a low risk of storms today. Check again closer to game time. Tomorrow, the biggest risk of a rainout is in Minnesota. Everywhere else is either expected to be dry, roofed, or not hosting a game.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Wednesday, August 16
Pitchers to Use
Carlos Rodon and Eduardo Rodriguez are quite obviously the top streaming options on the wire. Unfortunately, they're owned in 49 and 46 percent of leagues respectively. Rodon has a difficult matchup against Yu Darvish and the Dodgers while E-Rod must overcome the Cardinals. The latter is a better choice for wins and ratios.
The truly desperate might roll the dice with Nick Pivetta or Marco Gonzales. Pivetta is opposed by the lowly Padres. He's shown flashes of acceptable production intermingled with a serious home run problem - 1.93 HR/9. If he can get the big flies under control, he could grow into a fantasy viable mid-rotation role. As for Gonzales, his solid fastball and changeup combo is reminiscent of a poor man's Cole Hamels. He could break out at any moment. The Orioles offense is on fire though - they're tops in baseball over the last 30 days.
Other Targets: Jose Urena
Pitchers to Exploit
Only one of these guys is not like the others. All the exploits have over a 4.50 ERA (most are above a 5.00 ERA) with the exception of Paul Blackburn. He's posted a very desirable 3.02 ERA in eight starts. What makes him an exploit? Check out his pitiful 3.55 BB/9. While he's managed to limit hard contact - he ranks 21st best among pitchers with at least 50 innings - it's only a matter of time before he's hammered.
Other Targets: Ricky Nolasco, Matt Cain, Paul Blackburn, Ubaldo Jimenez, Clayton Richard, Jaime Garcia, Seth Lugo, Anibal Sanchez, Homer Bailey, Kyle Gibson
Homers on the Wire
Hoskins will have the platoon advantage against a ground ball pitcher. As a fly ball hitter, this is a great opportunity to use him. Tommy Joseph, Daniel Nava, and Freddy Galvis are also available.
Tim Beckham has emerged as the Orioles leadoff man. While regression is certainly in his future - he has a .581 BABIP and .397 ISO since joining the Orioles - it's still worth riding the wave. A start against Gonzales promises continued production.
Other Targets: Enrique Hernandez, Matt Adams, Brandon Phillips, Mikie Mahtook, Mitch Moreland, Wilmer Flores, Aaron Hicks, Jose Pirela, Hunter Renfroe, Jed Lowrie, Matt Chapman, Brandon Moss, Derek Dietrich
Steals on the Wire
Bradley Zimmer is mired in a slump - a not uncommon occurrence for young players with contact issues. He'll eventually break out with his mix of power and speed - perhaps tomorrow versus Gibson.
It would be a Rajai Davis day if the A's weren't opposed by the Royals. Salvador Perez is tough on the running game. Davis is likely to try a swipe anyway. That's just what he does.
Other Targets: Delino DeShields, Mallex Smith, Amed Rosario, Jarrod Dyson, Keon Broxton, Michael Taylor
Skill Positions
With Rodon on the bump, it's probably an Austin Barnes day. This isn't a particularly easy matchup. Also try Kurt Suzuki in Colorado, Cameron Rupp versus a southpaw, James McCann (also opposite a lefty), or Alex Avila against a bad righty.
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