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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. Even at this relatively early juncture, there's plenty of value in 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, May 24. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Small Victories
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Small Victories
The Marlins are a dumpster fire, but they've excelled in at least one area this season. Miami catchers have thrown out 18 runners on 34 stolen base attempts. Not only are they the only team in MLB to nail more than half of would-be thieves, no one else is even close. The Nationals' backstops are second with a 41% caught stealing rate. Too bad Marlins ownership has been caught stealing from taxpayers! ...I'll show myself out.
2. Today's Weather and Updates - Wednesday, May 23
Only two games even have a chance of precipitation above single digits, so we're looking at a clean slate for Wednesday. Temps will be high for the games in Texas (Giants-Astros and Yankees-Rangers) so bear that in mind when making lineup decisions.
3. Streamer Picks - Thursday, May 24
Pitchers to Use
The pickings are slim if you're in the market for a spot start. Ivan Nova is probably your best bet. His ratios (4.79 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) don't jump off the page, but Nova is rocking a career best 5.4 K/BB and the Reds are a bottom-10 offense.
If your preference is for more strikeout upside, Steven Matz is averaging close to a K per and the Brewers whiff more than all but eight other teams. Matz, however, has just one quality start in eight games this season.
Other Targets: None
Pitchers to Exploit
The cupboard might be close to bare if you need to stream an arm, but there are plenty of stack targets. Lucas Giolito is a train wreck. In 48 innings, he has 27 strikeouts and 34 walks. Giolito has a 6.45 SIERA; no other qualified starter is within a run of that mark. He's also the only qualified starter with a K-BB% in the negative. About the only thing he's done well this year is keep the ball in the park. Imagine how atrocious his numbers would be otherwise.
Regarding Felix Hernandez, I think Ordell Robbie said it best. (NSFW, obviously)
Other Targets: Marco Estrada, Danny Duffy, Nick Tropeano
Homers on the Wire
The Brewers haven't made it easy for him to find at-bats, but Jesus Aguilar has made the most of his playing time in Milwaukee. Including last season, he's hit .281/.346/.527 with 23 home runs in just 434 plate appearances.
Other Targets: Mitch Moreland, Adam Duvall, Scott Schebler, Albert Pujols, Pedro Alvarez, Mark Canha, Daniel Robertson, Michael Conforto, Stephen Piscotty, Mark Trumbo, Teoscar Hernandez,
Steals on the Wire
Dustin Fowler averaged roughly 30 SB per season as a prospect. He's swiped two bags in three tries across 10 games since being called up.
Other Targets: Leury Garcia, Mallex Smith, Denard Span, Delino DeShields
