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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 Wednesday, June 7th.
Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Phillips Gets the Call
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Phillips Gets the Call
While most fantasy owners are waiting on Lewis Brinson, the Brewers promoted Brett Phillips yesterday. Phillips may not be long for the roster. Travis Shaw is out just a couple days for paternity leave. It's possible Phillips will get a longer look until Ryan Braun returns, but that would require the club to designate Nick Franklin or backup shortstop Eric Sogard. Phillips probably will draw the short straw.
Phillips picked up his first hit - a seeing eye single up the middle. The other two plate appearances ended in strikeouts. His prospect star has dimmed in recent years due to a Gallo-ian whiff rate. He's a powerful hitter, but he doesn't have the necessary thump to overcome a 30 percent strikeout rate - even with the aid of Miller Park. While in the majors, he's best treated as a streaming option versus contact-oriented ground ball pitchers.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
Atlanta, New York, and Denver have a small risk of storms today. Those games will probably be unaffected. Keep an eye on the radar. Baltimore is the main storm threat tomorrow.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Wednesday, June 7th
Pitchers to Use
Francisco Liriano's return to the rotation was a modest success. In five innings, he picked up a win and five strikeouts while allowing two runs. This time out, he'll hopefully last deeper into the outing. Liriano is maximally volatile. He's capable of shutting down an opponent with double digit strikeouts. Sometimes (often this season), he fails to escape the fourth inning.
Jimmy Nelson is making a strong case to be owned in all leagues. The Brewers righty has buffed his strikeout rate to 9.09 K/9. All of his peripherals are right around luck neutral as evidenced by his 3.36 ERA, 3.04 FIP, and 3.39 xFIP. As near as I can tell, the improvement is entirely command related. The Giants are tough to punch out, but that's their only positive offensive trait.
Other Targets: Wade Miley, Mike Foltynewicz, Zack Wheeler
Pitchers to Exploit
Alex Meyer is coming off a strong start against the Twins. He draws the Tigers on Wednesday. While it's tempting to look at Meyer's 96 mph fastball and see upside, he has yet to solve massive command issues. Although he's occasionally effectively wild, he's often just outright wild.
Luis Perdomo enjoyed a brief surge of popularity before reality reinserted itself. A visit to Chase Field is always a bad thing for ground ball pitchers like Perdomo.
After allowing only one home run to the Braves last week, Bronson Arroyo is now a hair below 3.00 HR/9. Grab Cardinals for a slugfest in Cincinnati.
Other Targets: Trevor Bauer, Kyle Freeland, Chad Kuhl, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Pelfrey, Jose Urena, Ty Blach, Adalberto Mejia, Yovani Gallardo
Homers on the Wire
The principle Cardinals to own for Arroyo Day are Stephen Piscotty, Tommy Pham, and Paul DeJong. Piscotty has recently fallen under 50 percent ownership due to injuries and a modest slump. Pham has also cooled off since his fiery return to the majors. I'm still waiting on DeJong to fuel a DFS victory for me.
Logan Morrison is a top 50 bat in several formats, yet he's just 39 percent owned. We in the fantasy baseballing industry have made a lot of noise about new fly ball hitters like Yonder Alonso. Morrison is part of the club. Previously a ground ball hitter, he's flipped his grounder and fly rates while massively buffing his hard contact rate. The result is a very believable power surge. Buy. Especially versus Pelfrey. Colby Rasmus is of interest too.
Other Targets: Josh Harrison, Josh Bell, Chris Young, Melky Cabrera, Nick Markakis, Aaron Altherr, Tommy Joseph, Derek Dietrich, David Peralta, Max Kepler, Robbie Grossman, Joe Mauer, Danny Valencia
Steals on the Wire
It's another Rajai Davis day, although I'm less enthused about him facing Liriano.
Cesar Hernandez has fallen under 50 percent ownership due to a May-long slump. He'll right the ship eventually, posting a high average with some power and speed. I'm not super eager to use him opposite Folty.
Other Targets: Hernan Perez, Taylor Motter
Skill Positions
Assuming it isn't a Roberto Perez day tomorrow, Yan Gomes has a pleasing matchup at Coors Field. Josh Phegley usually starts versus southpaws, although Liriano usually has reverse splits due to his plus changeup.
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