X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Head-to-Head Hitter Streamers and Starts Week 26

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.

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

 

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




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Close to Triple-Double Versus Serbia
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Fills Box Score Against Turkey
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Shakes Off Minor Injury
NBA

E.J. Liddell Inks Two-Way Deal With Nets
NBA

Ben Simmons Reportedly Considering Retirement
P.J. Washington

Agrees to Four-Year, $90 Million Extension
Mike Trout

Plans to Return on Thursday
Will Smith

X-Rays Negative on Will Smith's Hand
Jauan Jennings

Gets Incentives Added to Contract
Jakobi Meyers

Unsure About Potential Extension
Matthew Stafford

Off Injury Report Ahead of Week 1
Will Smith

Exits With Hand Contusion
Jackson Chourio

in Lineup Wednesday Despite Hamstring Cramps
Sepp Straka

Gets Captain's Pick to Join Team Europe
Christian Yelich

Dealing With Soreness in Lower Back
PGA

Victor Hovland to Make Third Ryder Cup Appearance for Team Europe
J.J. Spaun

Set to Represent Team USA for First Time at Bethpage
Russell Henley

Makes First Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Harris English

Named to Ryder Cup Team for Second Time
Kyle Finnegan

Dealing With Groin Issue
Shohei Ohtani

Will Pitch "Sometime This Weekend"
Jackson Chourio

Absent on Wednesday With Hamstring Cramp
Roman Anthony

Officially Goes on Injured List
Jauan Jennings

Limited on Wednesday, Expected to Play in Week 1
Malik Nabers

Not on Initial Injury Report
Roman Anthony

"High Probability" Roman Anthony Lands on Injured List
Justin Thomas

Making Fourth Ryder Cup Team Appearance at Bethpage
Ben Griffin

Making First Career Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Bryson DeChambeau

Set to be Part of Team USA at Bethpage
Jason Adam

to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Roman Anthony

Will Undergo MRI on Wednesday
Santi Aldama

Bags Double-Double in Losing Effort
Guerschon Yabusele

Erupts for 36 Points Against Poland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Leads Slovenia Into Next Round at EuroBasket
San Antonio Spurs

Stanley Umude Signs Training Camp Deal With Spurs
Reece Beekman

Joins Magic for Training Camp
Justin Minaya

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Magic
Travis Hunter

Jaguars List Travis Hunter as Starting Wide Receiver, Backup Cornerback
Kyle Tucker

Leaves With Calf Tightness on Tuesday
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Max Scherzer

Blue Jays Confident Max Scherzer Will Make Saturday Start Despite Back Tightness
Roman Anthony

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Nick Kurtz

Back in Action on Tuesday
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Nick Lodolo

Scratched With Illness
Dalton Kincaid

Role Not Expected to Grow?
Quinshon Judkins

Zero Chance Quinshon Judkins Plays Against Bengals?
Najee Harris

Says He's Expecting to Play Against Chiefs
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Departs Monday with Quad Injury
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Suit Up in Week 1
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
DJ Moore

Bears Experimenting with DJ Moore in Backfield
Rome Odunze

Could Move All Around the Offense
Carolina Panthers

Dave Canales Comfortable With Panthers' Young Receivers
Quinshon Judkins

Not Considering NCAA Return
Dallas Goedert

Healthy for Week 1
Marvin Mims Jr.

Returns to Practice Monday
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Carted Off Monday With Knee Injury
Jason Adam

Diagnosed With Ruptured Left Quadriceps Tendon
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Matthew Stafford

Expected to Start in Week 1
Najee Harris

Cleared for Contact, Could Play in Week 1
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Jaylen Warren

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Steelers
De'Von Achane

Practicing Monday, on Track to Play in Week 1
Quinshon Judkins

Could Report to Browns This Week
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP