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Digging Deeper: Week 18 Waiver Wire Targets

Welcome to August Rotoballers. The trade deadline has come and gone (until Waivers clear) and it's safe to say NL-Only leagues and Dodger fans have been going bonkers the past 48 hours. For everyone else, it's been business as usual as we head towards the fantasy baseball stretch run. There's six weeks until the playoffs start, which means every add is critical going forward.

Unfortunately Tom continues to hold steady in first in the Rotoballer Experts League. I have a solid grip on second place, but no one celebrates the silver. These late season moves will be critical to my (and your) success to take home the title.

Because I'll be covering more players, my analysis will be shorter and to the point. Feel free to find me on Twitter @Max_Petrie and ask me to explain more personally. I'll be happy to do so, and I will even contort the waiver pick-up to your own team and situation. Start August strong fellas.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball draft tools and resources:

 

Digging Deeper: Week 18 Picks

Kurt Suzuki (C, ATL) - 6% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

Do you know who led all Catchers in home runs in July? Perhaps the title is a hint, but it will come as a shock to most that Suzuki (8) led all catchers in round-trippers. He, along with Tyler Flowers, have been fantastic for the Braves this year. Suzuki hit .356 with the eight home runs and has become the primary backstop for Mike Foltynewicz. He is an obvious add in 2-catcher formats.

Wilmer Flores (1B/2B/3B, NYM) - 6% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

The Mets season has been over for awhile, but the injuries continue to pile on. The most recent additions are TJ Rivera (elbow) and Jose Reyes (hamstring), opening the door for Amed Rosario's debut on Tuesday. This also guarantees playing time for Wilmer Flores, who hasn't been a hot name in trade rumors (surprisingly). Flores continues to produce, hitting .333 with four home runs in his last 12 games. He has two more games in Coors this week -- get a piece before the gettings gone.

Mikie Mahtook (OF, DET) - 4% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

The one beneficiary of the JD Martinez trade in Detroit is Mahtook, who has taken over right field duties for the Tigers. He's had a strong 2017, hitting .293 with a .343 OBP, and is now hitting 2nd in the Tigers lineup. He's enjoying it so far, scoring eight times in the past week. He is a great add for teams looking for AVG and R support.

 

Pitching Pickups

As Tom noted last week. this is the time of year to begin streaming matchups and being more flexible with roster spots. Going forward I will highlight strong streams for the upcoming week.

Andrew Cashner (SP, TEX) - 10% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

Cashner has produced a quality start in four straight outings and has a 2.35 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in that span (26.2 IP). He starts Wednesday at home versus the Mariners.

Adam Conley (SP, MIA) - 12% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

Conley has been fantastic since returning from the DL, producing two wins and 12 strikeouts in his only two starts. He will face the Braves on Friday who will be without Matt Kemp, one of the main threats for LHP. Stream with confidence.

Travis Wood (SP/RP, SD) - 1% owned in Yahoo! Leagues

Wood made his first start for the Padres last week, delivering six innings of two-run ball to go along with seven strikeouts versus the Pirates. He came over in the Trevor Cahill deal and should be in the rotation going forward. He's had an awful 2017 (6.42 ERA) but perhaps a change of scenery will spark a run. He faces the same Pirates time this weekend.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds

 

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