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Elliott Baas analyzes hitter streamers and starts for Week 26. These bats are potential fantasy baseball waiver wire adds to stream for head-to-head leagues.
Welcome to the hitting streamers column for the week of 9/23 through 9/29. Whether you're looking to maximize the number of games played, exploit favorable matchups, or fill in for injured players, streaming hitters can be a fruitful strategy for those willing to put in a little work every week.
Keep in mind that this column highlights players owned in approximately 50% or fewer of Yahoo leagues who could present nice streaming options for the upcoming week. This applies to any league but specifically is geared toward head-to-head weekly leagues where matchups are more critical.
If the following names aren't available, don't hesitate to check our famous waiver wire pickups list to find some appealing alternatives. Let's get to it.
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Bats to Stream and Start in Week 26
Seven-Game Weeks: BOS, CHW, DET, MIA, NYM, PHI, WSH
Philadelphia and Washington are underlined because they both play the mythical eight-game week this week due to a Tuesday doubleheader.
Stream of the Week
Cesar Hernandez (2B, PHI): 50% Owned
Philadelphia has an eight-game week thanks to a doubleheader with Washington, and as the Phillies’ leadoff hitter Hernandez will have tons of opportunities to put up volume during the final week. The switching-hitting Hernandez puts up formidable numbers against both handed pitchers, but he’s been best against right-handed pitching this season. That’s great for him this week, as the Phillies take on six right-handed pitchers during their eight-game week. In a week where every run, every hit, every at-bat matters, Hernandez is the volume king we need to reach the finish line.
Behind the Plate
Christian Vazquez (C, BOS): 67% Owned
Vazquez’s ownership is a little higher than we typically target with this article, but those who are streaming catcher this week need to aim high. The Red Sox take on five lefties this week, and Vazquez has pummeled lefties for a .840 OPS and .252 ISO this season. He’s the top catcher to stream this week by a wide margin, so even with the high ownership rate, it’s worth checking to see if he’s available.
James McCann (CWS): 51% Owned
If Vazquez isn’t available, then McCann is a nice alternative in a seven-game week for the White Sox. The White Sox have four games against the Tigers thanks to a wrap-around series, and play six of their seven games in hitter-friendly Guaranteed Rate Field. McCann should get decent volume and provide power at the catcher position for those in need.
Also Consider: Jorge Alfaro (C, MIA): 23%, Yan Gomes (C, WSH): 10% Owned
At the Corners
J.D. Davis (1B/3B/OF, NYM): 54% Owned
Davis’s bat has been scorching since the All-Star break, with a .333 AVG, .952 OPS, and .222 ISO in the second half. This hot hitting has earned Davis a full-time role with the Mets, and he’ll be in prime position to boost his numbers as the Mets play seven home games against the Marlins and Braves. They also have three games against left-handed starters. And Davis has pulverized lefties for a .311 AVG, .899 OPS, and .212 ISO this year. Davis will get one more chance to prove his second-half breakout is no fluke this week.
Miguel Cabrera (1B, DET): 32% Owned
To say Miguel Cabrera is past his prime would be an understatement, but Grandpa Miggy could certainly provide a boost in counting stats as Detroit gears up for a seven-game week. Cabrera has been hitting better over the last two months, with a .286 AVG and .789 OPS, but his power still leaves plenty to be desired, especially from a corner infield position. Still, if you’re power is covered Cabrera could help in batting average and on-base percentage, as well as RBI and runs with the high volume he’ll get this week.
Also Consider: Nick Solak (2B/3B, TEX): 23% Owned
Up the Middle
Scott Kingery (2B/3B/SS/OF, PHI): 44% Owned
Kingery is the perfect alternative to Cesar Hernandez in leagues where Hernandez is unavailable. He’s got a little more pop and a little more speed than Hernandez, but Hernandez maintains a better batting average and hits in the highly important leadoff spot for Philadelphia. Still, Kingery might be a better option for those chasing power or speed at the middle infield position. His multi-positional eligibility makes him an excellent player to add in daily lineup leagues, as he can be easily moved between spots as well.
Starlin Castro (2B/3B, MIA): 3B, MIA): 46% Owned
I know nobody pays attention to the Marlins these days, but that’s caused many people to miss out on a killer second half from Starlin Castro. Castro has hit .301 with 14 home runs, a .883 OPS, and .248 OPS since the All-Star break. A second baseman with those numbers should be owned in more than 80% of leagues, but Castro has flown under the radar and is out there in over half of leagues during championship week. The Marlins don’t have the easiest pitching matchups this week, with four games against the Mets and three against the Phillies, but Castro has been good enough to outweigh tough pitching matchups.
Also Consider: Asdrubal Cabrera (2B/3B/SS, WSH): 31% Owned, Robinson Cano (1B/2B, NYM): 41% Owned
In the Outfield
Adam Eaton (OF, WSH): 59% Owned
Eaton is another high-volume option akin to Cesar Hernandez, as Washington also has an eight-game week this week. After a hot August Eaton’s bat has cooled in September, with just a .188 AVG and .579 OPS this month. Still, the Nationals haven’t lost faith in him and still hit him second in their lineup every day. That’s because Eaton has tons of talent, and could put up big numbers in the batting average and runs scored categories for owners this week. He’d be the stream of the week if his recent performance was better, but owners can still trust Eaton confidently regardless of his September slump.
Willie Calhoun (OF, TEX): 24% Owned
Willie Calhoun’s low ownership rate has befuddled me all season. He’s a former top prospect hitting cleanup in an outstanding hitter’s park and putting up solid power numbers. Perhaps the power surge seen leaguewide has made Calhoun’s skillset less valuable, but regardless the young lefty is in a good position to produce this week. The Rangers don’t have a full seven-game week, but they do have six games at home in Globe Life Park. Calhoun will be a nice option for those in deeper leagues in need of power.
Also Consider: Brandon Nimmo (OF, NYM): 19% Owned, Leury Garcia (SS/OF, CWS): 15% Owned
More Streamers and Head-to-Head League Columns
