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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 in this, the final week of the season.
Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Friday, September 29.
Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- The Final Volume
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. The Final Volume
This is the last Streaming Wars of the 2017 season. Of course, you will have a couple more opportunities to stream before the end of campaign, but you'll have to do it without a safety net. It's been a wild ride, and I hope many of you have found success trawling the waiver wire. I know I have.
As befits a final volume, enjoy this sage advice courtesy of occasionally streamable outfielder Odubel Herrera.
Before the game, Odubel Herrera opened a water bottle and stared at me. "Water is life," he said in English.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) September 28, 2017
2. Today's Weather and Updates
Sound the all clear! No rain in the forecast today or tomorrow.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Friday, September 29
Pitchers to Use
Well, the good news is that there are a whole bunch of pitchers who could conceivably have a good game. Some, like Ben Lively and Chris Stratton, have easy matchups against bad lineups and even worse opposing pitchers. Unproven guys like Robert Stephenson, Luiz Gohara, and John Gant are always capable of supplying a surprisingly useful start. They're very risky. Use them only if you're desperate. The same can be said for Joe Biagini. He has good stuff but struggles mightily with runners on base. Plus, a visit to Yankee Stadium isn't a good place to hunt for value.
If I had to single out one top pick for tomorrow, it's Kyle Gibson. The Twins righty has been a revelation in the second half of the season. He's tossed six or more innings in each of his last seven starts. Only one of those outings didn't help his fantasy owners.
Other Targets: Doug Fister,Martin Perez, Tyler Skaggs
Pitchers to Exploit
I've recently discussed all of these guys with the exception of Raul Alcantara. The hard throwing righty relies on a 95 mph fastball. His secondary stuff isn't effective, and he doesn't have command of his fastball. The result is way too many cookies in the strike zone. That's why he has a luck neutral 7.07 ERA through 42 career innings.
Other Targets: Matt Harvey, Wade Miley, Raul Alcantara, Chad Bettis, Ian Kennedy, Marco Gonzales, Jordan Lyles
Homers on the Wire
Ryon Healy's owners are likely deeply dissatisfied with his season - hence his availability on waivers. However, Healy has hit .315/.346/.531 versus left-handed pitching. A pairing against Perez is rather favorable. Also look to try Matt Chapman, Mark Canha, Marcus Semien, and/or Jed Lowrie.
Other Targets: Nick Williams, Freddy Galvis, Aaron Altherr, Dominic Smith, Amed Rosario, Yoan Moncada, Brian Anderson, Austin Hays, Marcus Semien, Mark Canha, Matt Chapman, Jed Lowrie, Ryon Healy, Robbie Grossman, Curtis Granderson, Keon Broxton, C.J. Cron, Mitch Haniger
Steals on the Wire
Despite a decent caught stealing rate, the Athletics have been the most targeted team on the base paths. Clearly teams think they can exploit the A's on the bases. Look for Delino DeShields, Carlos Gomez, and Shin-Soo Choo to cause mayhem on the bases - mostly DeShields.
Other Targets: Jose Peraza, Michael Taylor, Jose Reyes, Cameron Maybin
Skill Positions
Jorge Alfaro's aggressive approach makes for a decent matchup against Harvey. He's batting .304/.343/.461 with the help of a very fortunate .415 BABIP. It should be Kurt Suzuki's turn in Atlanta. He'll face fly ball pitcher Dan Straily.
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