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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. It may only be April, 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 Sunday, April 29. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Recency Bias
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Recency Bias
Good news - it's as strong as ever. A month ago, I saw people predicting a 30/30 season for Phillies rookie Scott Kingery. You may recall that no one - not Mike Trout, not Jose Altuve, not a single major league player - has done this since 2012. Cut to this week, when a rough patch comprising 30 plate appearances has Kingery among the most dropped players on both Yahoo and ESPN's platforms. Folks, Jarrod Dyson has more home runs than Jose Altuve, Anthony Rizzo, or Corey Seager right now. Let's try to keep things in perspective.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
It'll be cold in Chicago for Brewers-Cubs, but everyone should get their games in without interference from the weather today. The wind will be blowing out toward right field for Diamondbacks-Nationals and Braves-Phillies, which could result in a cheap home run for any pull-heavy lefty bats.
3. Streamer Picks - Sunday, April 29
Pitchers to Use
Nick Kingham will make his major-league debut against the Cardinals. It's not the most inviting matchup, though it's at least at PNC Park. Kingham's posted a 1.59 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 27 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings at Triple-A this year. He's more of a high-floor guy than a top prospect, but he has excellent control and could benefit from a lack of film on him. He'll also oppose Luke Weaver, who has failed to escape the fifth inning in each of his last two turns.
Other Targets: Chad Bettis, Ian Kennedy
Pitchers to Exploit
Daniel Norris vs. Kevin Gausman at Camden Yards feels like a potential barn-burner. Both pitchers are former top prospects who, despite obvious gifts and occasional flashes of brilliance, simply haven't been able to find sustained success in the majors. Gausman, as usual, is giving up a ton of home runs. Norris has fanned 16 batters in 13 innings but has also walked seven.
Josh Tomlin gave up four home runs in his last start. That's already happened to him twice in 2018. Please note that we are barely a month into the season.
Other Targets: Martin Perez, Bryan Mitchell
Homers on the Wire
Tomlin will face the Mariners. Alas, all of their good hitters are widely owned. Perhaps Ryon Healy (7%) will get hold of one?
Any Toronto hitter you can find on the wire makes for a solid play against Martin Perez. Teoscar Hernandez is 50% owned right now, while Curtis Granderson, Steve Pearce, and Aledmys Diaz are all available in at least 90 percent of leagues.
Other Targets: Matt Davidson, C.J. Cron, Yonder Alonso, Jeimer Candelario, Dexter Fowler, Max Kepler, Yuli Gurriel, Preston Tucker
Steals on the Wire
Michael A. Taylor will always be recommended in this space for as long as he's widely available in fantasy leagues. He's second in MLB with nine swipes (one behind teammate Trea Turner) and is finally starting to come around at the plate.
Other Targets: Lewis Brinson, Bradley Zimmer, Mallex Smith, Delino DeShields, Manuel Margot, Franchy Cordero
Skill Positions
Similarly to Taylor, I'm just going to keep telling you to go for Kurt Suzuki until his ownership rate reflects his actual production. Francisco Cervelli is another worthwhile add if you're in need of a catcher.
Joakim Soria has tossed a scoreless inning in six straight appearances, and eight of his nine outings this season. Even with the White Sox as bad as they are, he's clearly their main option in the ninth and should be owned in more than a third of leagues.
