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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. Even with only a week and a half of the season in the books, 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 weakest categories and target players who may be available on your waiver wire.
Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Wednesday, April 25. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Pick 'em up!
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Wednesday's Picks
1. Pick 'Em Up!
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez has earned his place in the everyday lineup, hitting .343 with three homers, 10 RBI and seven runs in 35 at-bats in the early going. While he's hot and Randal Grichuk continues to struggle, Hernandez (owned in 50 percent of Yahoo leagues) should be on most mixed league rosters.
Sometimes fantasy owners overlook a player returning from injury. That's exactly the case with Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel, who got off to a late start this year due to injury. He's back, though, and is hitting .278 with a home run and five RBI in 40 plate appearances. Don't forget, the Cuban slugger managed a .299/.332/.486 slash line with 18 dingers and 75 RBI in his first full season last year.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
No games on Wednesday should be in danger of being postponed, although there could be some showers at Citizens Bank Park for the Diamondbacks against Phillies and at Camden Yards for the Rays and Orioles.
3. Streamer Picks - Wednesday, April 25
Pitchers to Use
Pittsburgh Pirates starter Chad Kuhl isn't a sexy option with his 4.57 ERA in four starts, but he has 17 strikeouts in his 21 2/3 frames and beat Detroit for his first win of the year on April 1. He's opposed by a soft Tigers lineup for the second game of a doubleheader, which is attractive. Kuhl is a hard thrower who is seemingly capped at league-average production. Target him anytime he faces an exploitable opponent at PNC Park.
While the Royals are tough to strike out, they rank 25th in OPS (.668) and 26th in baseball in home runs (16). Milwaukee Brewers starter Jhoulys Chacin excels in pitcher's parks such as Kauffman Stadium, and he's been improving throughout the month of April. He's sporting a 0.90 ERA with one earned run allowed in 10 innings in his last two starts against the Mets and Marlins.
Other Targets: Alex Cobb, Matt Wisler
Pitchers to Exploit
Chicago White Sox starter James Shields just isn't very good anymore. He allowed seven earned runs against the Astros his last time out and has an ugly 6.17 ERA through his first 23 1/3 innings, although he's given up just one homer. Robinson Cano has two homers and is batting .412 against Shields lifetime in 17 career at-bats.
Padres pitcher Tyson Ross is coming off a near no-hit performance against the D-backs, but he'll have a tough time providing an encore at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Ross has a 3.72 career ERA, 1.57 WHIP and has allowed 29 hits (four homers) in 29 innings in the Mile High city.
You should usually stack against Detroit Tigers veteran Jordan Zimmermann anytime he takes the mound. It's highly unlikely he'll strike out eight again like he did when he faced the Pirates the first time on Opening Day. Zimm comes into this one with an unsightly 7.71 ERA and has allowed 22 hits in his 16 1/3 innings.
Other Targets: Nick Tropeano, Lance Lynn, Trevor Richards, Steven Matz
Homers on the Wire
Padres outfielder Franchy Cordero needs to be owned in more leagues. He's cleared the fences four times in the last two weeks and will be at hitter-friendly Coors Field again Wednesday. Rockies starter Jon Gray has given up four long balls in his five starts. The longer Manuel Margot continues to struggle, the longer Cordero will be given consistent opportunities.
Don't look now, but Tampa Bay Rays first baseman C.J. Cron is hitting a cool .356 with four home runs and 11 RBI in the last two weeks. He'll also have a favorable matchup against O's starter Alex Cobb, who is still working into form after signing with Baltimore late in spring training. Camden Yards is a nice place to clear the fences.
A lefty swinger against the short porch in right field in Yankee Stadium against a struggling pitcher? Yes please. Target Twins outfielder Max Kepler (three homers, .294 average in last two weeks) on Wednesday in the Bronx against Sonny Gray. While Gray has given up just one home run this year, he comes into this one having given up 12 hits and 11 earned runs in 6 1/3 innings in his last two starts.
Other Targets: Enrique Hernandez, David Dahl, Dexter Fowler, Marcus Semien, Shin-Soo Choo, Colin Moran, Corey Dickerson, Jeimer Candelario, Carlos Gomez, Brad Miller, Pedro Alvarez, Nick Markakis, Preston Tucker, Robbie Grossman, Eduardo Escobar, Jason Heyward, Dan Vogelbach
Steals on the Wire
As long as Adam Eaton remains on the disabled list, Michael A. Taylor of the Nationals should be owned for his power/speed combination. He's owned in just 35 percent of Yahoo leagues and has swiped five bags and has also gone deep twice in the last two weeks.
Other Targets: Dexter Fowler, Harrison Bader, Mallex Smith
Skill Positions
Hopefully the Bucs allow Francisco Cervelli to start in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against Zimmermann. Cervelli is as hot as they come at the position of late, sporting a 1.118 OPS with two long balls and eight RBI in the last 14 days. Reds backstop Tucker Barnhart should get the start against Matt Wisler on Wednesday after Devin Mesoraco was scratched Tuesday with a stick neck.
