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Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire all season long. This article, now in its second year, runs seven days a week. We're only two weeks into the season, but it's never too early to start streaming.
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 Thursday, April 12. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Two Weeks Notice
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Two Weeks Notice
We are officially two weeks into the 2018 season. That means there are roughly 24 weeks left to play. That means you shouldn't be panicking and making any sort of drastic decisions with regard to your roster. If it feels like I'm harping on this, it's because I am. Every single April, I spend the majority of my time in columns and in my weekly AMA over at r/fantasybaseball finding creative new ways to reiterate the fact that it is still early and everyone needs to calm down. Remember - you wouldn't cut or sell low on an established player who hit the skids for a random week or two in July, so don't do it now.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
Rain appears unlikely for any of the games today. It'll be cold in Minnesota and Boston, but otherwise meteorological impact should be minimal.
3. Streamer Picks - Thursday, April 12
Pitchers to Use
With the usual limited Thursday slate, pickings are pretty slim on the waiver wire. Case in point: The best widely available streaming option is probably the Giants' Chris Stratton. He faced the Dodgers in each of his first two starts this season and came away with respectable ratios (4.35 ERA, 1.26 WHIP). He'll draw a more favorable assignment this time out against the Padres in Petco Park. Opposing him will be Bryan Mitchell, who's also worth a look for those in particularly desperate need of a stream tomorrow - he shut out the Astros over 5.2 innings in his last start despite issuing six walks.
Other Targets: Ian Kennedy
Pitchers to Exploit
Through two starts, Sal Romano has a 5.73 ERA and three strikeouts against five walks. The 24-year-old averaged 95 MPH on his fastball and posted a ground ball rate north of 50 percent as a rookie last year, but a lack of whiffs and iffy command kept him from putting up playable numbers He'll have to contend with a dangerous Cardinals lineup in his hitter-friendly home park.
After a couple of cupcake matchups with the Rays, Rick Porcello will have to face the juggernaut Yankees offense at Fenway. You may recall that Porcello gave up a league-high 38 home runs last season.
Other Targets: Chad Bettis
Homers on the Wire
Chances are that most of the Yankees' hitters are rostered in your league, but you should be able to grab Tyler Austin and/or Neil Walker if you'd like a piece of Porcello.
Other Targets: Dexter Fowler, Max Kepler, Eduardo Escobar, Logan Morrison
Steals on the Wire
Michael A. Taylor has more stolen bases than anyone not named Tim Anderson or Trea Turner. Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta has never been particularly adept at throwing out would-be base stealers (career 25.2 CS%). Tony Wolters might be behind the plate for Colorado instead, but he's not much better at nabbing thieves.
Other Targets: Niko Goodrum, Brian Goodwin, Bradley Zimmer, Yolmer Sanchez
Skill Positions
Tucker Barnhart makes for a decent catcher play in GABP against the struggling Michael Wacha.
Joakim Soria remains under 50% ownership (albeit only just) despite receiving the majority of the save opportunities thus far for the White Sox. Brad Ziegler is rostered in even fewer leagues.
