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Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. This article, which began last season, runs seven days a week. We are always ready to stream.
For those who are newcomers to this feature - use this column on a daily basis to improve upon your neediest categories, and target players who may be available on your waiver wire.
Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Tuesday, May 29. Let's get to it.
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- Who should I start? Fantasy baseball player comparisons
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Agenda
- Vazquez Down?
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Vazquez Down?
Felipe Vazquez claims he'll be back in action tomorrow - this after leaving Sunday's meltdown holding his elbow. He reported forearm discomfort and said he couldn't move his ring finger (the word for that is "paralysis."). The team doc says it was just minor forearm irritation. I say that sounds an awful lot like an ulnar nerve issue. If you're curious, I had even more to say on my personal blog.
If Vazquez is forced to miss time - a situation I think is likely at some point in the near future - Edgar Santana looks like the first bet to receive save opportunities. Michael Feliz has worked in a setup role, but he's really struggled recently. Richard Rodriguez has video game numbers. He's worth stashing. The Pirates don't seem to trust him quite yet after discovering him on the scrap heap.
2. Today's Weather and Updates - Monday, May 28
Around half of games have already started. Atlanta is currently experiencing a downpour. They'll finish the first half of this doubleheader. The second half is in jeopardy. We could see storms in Colorado which is bad news for the DFS crowd.
3. Streamer Picks - Tuesday, May 29
Pitchers to Use
I feel like I'm supposed to have glowing things to say about Nick Kingham, but he seems like just a guy to me. I don't really want to use an ordinary pitcher against the Cubs. At least the game is at PNC Park. Kingham does have decent strikeout stuff, and he tries to avoid walks. Since his control is a lot better than his command, he's going to eventually run into trouble with mistake pitches over the plate. Of the five pitchers I've listed as "to use," I like Kingham the least. However, I wrote about him because I knew you'd lean his way.
Jeremy Hellickson is recovering from a finger blister which could curtail the length of his start. The Nationals are generally keeping him from going much beyond five innings. His new offspeed heavy approach works best the first couple times through the lineup. Then it's time to bring in a fresh look.
Other Targets: Kyle Gibson, Dan Straily, Nick Tropeano
Pitchers to Exploit
By limiting hard contact, Kyle Freeland has emerged as a usable fantasy pitcher - especially when he's on the road. Alas, he is not on the road tomorrow. And while he currently has a 1.40 ERA in 19.1 innings at home, I'm hardly going to use a Coors Field start on the basis of three games. Bet on Giants hitters to win the battle against this merely decent southpaw. Struggling Jeff Samardzija could be in for more trouble than Freeland.
Despite a completely fair 7.53 ERA (7.19 xFIP) and more walks than strikeouts, the White Sox are giving Lucas Giolito a chance to adapt to life in the majors. If you just go by the statistics, he looks absolutely hopeless. However, it's not hard to see why he keeps getting a chance. He cuts an imposing figure on the mound. His two seamer has nice life, and his breaking balls can flash plus. Personally, I wonder if he'd be best served by a stint in the bullpen. Since he allows so many base runners, the Indians should have a happy day.
Other Targets: Marco Estrada, Anibal Sanchez, Zach Davies, Daniel Gossett, Austin Bibens-Dirkx, Felix Hernandez
Homers on the Wire
Brandon Nimmo may be the best hitter on the Mets roster. I'm not going to stick out my neck and insist that he's superior to Yoenis Cespedes. Nor will I say he's not better than Cespedes. Nimmo possesses one of the most refined batting eyes in the league. Now that he's shaken an early-career penchant for passivity, he can be expected to be among the league leaders in OBP. That doesn't directly help us in the power department, but he does have 20 home run pop. If you're not chasing a double-dong, Nimmo is one of the highest value targets. He's only 19 percent owned. By now, the Mets have to realize they need him in the everyday lineup.
Vote now on the best Mets hitter.
A number of Giants can be found on the waiver wire. Gorkys Hernandez bats leadoff and is flashing a modest breakout. Kelby Tomlinson usually does decently against left-handed pitchers. Mac Williamson has some upside. Even Evan Longoria can be found in some leagues.
Other Targets: Melky Cabrera, Yonder Alonso, Pedro Alvarez, Danny Valencia, Juan Soto, Mark Reynolds, Jake Marisnick, Mitch Moreland, Tyler O'Neill, Robbie Grossman, David Dahl, Max Muncy, Guillermo Heredia,
Steals on the Wire
Although Jackie Bradley Jr. is not the most likely runner in his group, he does have a good matchup against Estrada and Russell Martin. In fact, the Red Sox are currently playing, and Bradley has a steal. More importantly, he's showing signs of life at the plate. Even his outs have been hard hit of late. Strikeouts have remained an issue.
Other Targets: Greg Allen, Michael Taylor, Tony Kemp, Jose Peraza, Mallex Smith, Delino DeShields, Travis Jankowski, Manuel Margot
Skill Positions
Mitch Garver has the platoon advantage against a struggling Duffy.
