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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 Friday, August 18.
Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Rosenthal Down?
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Rosenthal Down?
Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal is experiencing "renewed arm tightness." It's seems extremely likely he'll be placed on the disabled list. Seung Hwan Oh and Tyler Lyons are the top candidates to fill his shoes. Oh has posted a 0.82 ERA with 10.64 K/9 and no walks since his demotion a month ago. Lyons has allowed only two hits since July 7, a period of 12.2 innings. Thus far, there is no indication that one is preferred over another. Lyons has been working the eighth inning recently.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
Storms could delay the start of today's doubleheader between the Twins and Indians. They'll make it work. Pittsburgh has a 50 percent chance of storms all day. That could get a bit hairy. Beware! Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Boston, New York (NL), and Atlanta could receive a soaking tomorrow.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Friday, August 18
Pitchers to Use
Angels prospect Andrew Heaney is back from Tommy John surgery. Heaney cruised through six rehab starts, posting quality strikeout and walk rates. Although nobody should expect ace-like production, there's a chance he'll return to solid performance level he showed in 2016. Heaney posted a 3.49 ERA with 6.64 K/9 and 2.38 BB/9. He'll face the Orioles.
Trevor Williams possesses comparable peripherals without the uncertainty of a long layoff. The righty has a healthy ground ball rate to with 6.69 K/9 and 2.82 BB/9. His 4.19 ERA is ever so slightly unlucky. Williams has a neutral matchup against the Cardinals at PNC Park.
Other Targets: Jordan Montgomery
Pitchers to Exploit
The Marlins keep giving Justin Nicolino a chance for two reasons. First, they often find themselves in need of a warm body. Their rotation depth these last few years has been abysmal. Nicolino also has a penchant for carving up minor leaguers. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem as if his skill set will ever transfer to the majors. Grab some Mets tomorrow. Snag Marlins too, Chris Flexen is walking the world (6.48 BB/9).
Erasmo Ramirez is a good reliever, but he's overexposed when facing hitters more than once. Look for the Rays offense to get frisky right around the third or fourth inning.
Other Targets: Jordan Zimmermann, Austin Pruitt, Sal Romano, James Shields, Matt Garza, German Marquez, Luis Perdomo, Zach Eflin, Chris Stratton
Homers on the Wire
Keon Broxton is hot! Keon Broxton is visiting Coors Field. This is a fell convergence if even I've seen one. Broxton should be owned in all leagues for the duration of the weekend. In a truly just world, he would call Coors Field home.
Many Rays played with Ramirez earlier this season. To the best of my knowledge, Lucas Duda did not overlap. So he probably doesn't have any secret insights to use tomorrow. His teammates could share tips and tricks.
Other Targets: Rhys Hoskins, Nick Williams, Freddy Galvis, Jarrett Parker, Matt Adams, Asdrubal Cabrera, Dominic Smith, Wilmer Flores, Derek Dietrich, Chris Young, Aaron Hicks
Steals on the Wire
Bradley Zimmer remains the best all-around base thief on the waiver wire. Others may be more likely to steal, but nobody is more likely to do a bit of everything. He's been a little slumpy, but don't let it bother you.
Delino DeShields is another guy to use all weekend long. A matchup against the stolen base prone White Sox promises too much production. Try Carlos Gomez and Shin-Soo Choo too.
Other Targets: Michael Taylor, Wilmer Difo, Delino DeShields, Carlos Gomez, Shin-Soo Choo, Mallex Smith, Jarrod Dyson, Bradley Zimmer
Skill Positions
Well, James McCann is facing a lefty which is usually an auto-start. I'm not sure what to do when that lefty is Rich Hill. I suppose if you need a catcher, then you have to use somebody.
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