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Hitter Streamers (Week 18): Head-to-Head Leagues

Jeff Kahntroff analyzes hitter streamers and starts for Week 18. These bats are potential fantasy baseball waiver wire adds to stream for head-to-head leagues.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! As a reminder, in this piece we're looking for weekly streamers in head-to-head leagues, which means players who are 50% owned or less in Yahoo! leagues and who have seven games in the week. These players could provide great value off the waiver wire, particularly in head-to-head leagues, for week 18 of the 2017 baseball season.

To catch my streamers column each and every week, add me on Twitter @rotonails and always check the RotoBaller MLB page.

With that said, let’s dive into the stream(ers).

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

 

Bats to Stream and Start in Week 18

Aaron Altherr (OF, PHI) - 26% owned

The Phillies face favorable pitching matchups this week and six righties. Altherr was just activated from the DL on Wednesday, but in 80 games he has a .290/14/42/44/5 line. He has hit righties significantly better this year and throughout his young career, and he gets to play in Coors Field this week. What is not to like? So long as he has no further issues with his hamstring in the next day or two, stream him with confidence.

Matt Adams (1B/OF, ATL) - 34% owned

Adams has a .286 average on the year with 16 homers in only 250 at bats. Against righties, he’s batting .313 with 13 homers in 201 at bats. This week, he faces five righties in acceptable pitching matchups. With Freddie Freeman back, he is part of an under the radar, but decent, offense. If you don’t need steals, Adams is a good bet in the other four categories.

Maikel Franco (3B, PHI) - 45% owned

Expectations were high for Franco heading into the season. He followed up on a .280/14/45/50/1 line in 80 games as a rookie with a .255/25/67/88/1 line in 2016. His batted ball profile had many predicting a breakout in 2017. However, he has disappointed with a .226/15/39/54/0 start to the year. Nevertheless, it looks like his bat may finally be coming around, and even if the average does not, he still provides some power and run production. Facing favorable pitching matchups, he is a good option.

Nick Williams (OF, PHI) - 27% owned

Williams is a highly-regarded Phillies’ prospect off to a hot start. The 23 year-old is batting .309/4/11/19/0 in his first 22 games. Before the callup, he was posting a .280/15/43/44/5 stat line in just 76 AAA games. While his strikeout rate makes it difficult to see him maintaining a good average, he should provide you with some pop and the chance for a stolen base. The young lefty gets to face six righties and overall favorable pitching matchups, making him worth a look.

Jorge Bonifacio (OF, KC) - 3% owned

Who? Bonifacio is a 24 year-old Royals rookie who has ranked among their top prospects in various seasons. In 76 games, he is hitting .264/14/44/32/1. He has decent power, but is unlikely to produce too much in the way of average. However, the reason he is this high on the list is due to favorable pitching matchups. If you need a lesser-owned player, he is worth the gamble.

Brandon Phillips (2B, ATL) - 29% owned

Phillips represents a change on the list from young prospects to an aging vet. Phillips is 36 years old, but he has back-to-back double-doubles if you will (i.e. years with double-digit steals and homers). In those two years, he had 23 homers and 37 steals. This year, he already has eight homers and seven steals while batting .286 (after averages of .291 and .294 the prior two seasons). He is an unexciting option, but could provide decent value this week.

Joey Gallo (1B/3B, TEX) - 33% owned

If you look at Gallo’s 5x5 statline with your finger over his average, he looks like a superstar. He has also been fairly immune to splits this year, making the decision to play him almost solely based on the difficulty of the opposing pitchers. Gallo takes his .200/25/54/47/6 line up against average pitching matchups this week. He is worth the play if you can stomach the hit to batting average.

 

Also worth monitoring

Marcus Semien (SS, OAK) – Semien already has three homers and three steals in his 17 games back from the DL.

Brandon Moss (1B/OF, KC) – Moss gets to take his lefty power against favorable matchups.

Freddy Galvis (SS, PHI) – Galvis is again flying under the radar, with a .251/11/39/41/7 line to follow up on his 2016 statline of .241/20/61/67/17.

Trey Mancini (1B/OF, BAL) – Mancini has suffered a bit of a power outage lately, but still boasts a .301/16/38/53/1 line in his rookie year.

Danny Valencia (1B/3B/OF, SEA) – Valencia provides multipositional eligibility, and is sporting a respectable .265/11/43/50/1 line.

 

More Streamers and Head-to-Head League Columns

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Al Horford

on Track to Return Thursday
Jaden McDaniels

Iffy for Christmas Day
Brandon Williams

Expected to Play on Christmas Day
P.J. Washington

at Risk of Missing Second Straight Game
Klay Thompson

Likely to Play on Christmas Day
Max Christie

Probable for Christmas Day
Ajay Mitchell

Out on Christmas Day
Chet Holmgren

Available on Christmas Day
Lonzo Ball

Available Against Knicks
Evan Mobley

Listed as Questionable for Christmas Tilt
OG Anunoby

Returns to Action Thursday
Jalen Brunson

Available on Christmas Day
David Montgomery

Questionable to Play With Illness
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Questionable, Expected to Play on Thursday
Rashee Rice

Chiefs Place Rashee Rice on Injured Reserve
T.J. Hockenson

Ruled Out for Week 17
Pete Fairbanks

Marlins Agree on One-Year Deal
Josh Johnson

to Start at QB on Thursday Against Dallas
Brooks Koepka

Leaving LIV Golf
Davante Adams

Could Sit Out Final Two Regular-Season Games
Brock Bowers

Placed on Injured Reserve Due to Lingering Knee Injury
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Expected to Play on Christmas Day Against the Vikings
Connor McDavid

Finishes Battle of Alberta With Five Assists
Karel Vejmelka

Battling Upper-Body Injury
Alexandre Texier

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Against Bruins
Alexander Nikishin

Dealing With Apparent Ankle Injury
Denver Barkey

Exits Early Tuesday
Travis Sanheim

Pulled by Concussion Spotter Tuesday
Cam Whitmore

Out Indefinitely With Deep Vein Thrombosis
Corey Kispert

Lasts for 13 Minutes in Comeback Game
Jaxson Hayes

Makes Early Exit Versus Suns
Gary Trent Jr.

Limited to Five Minutes Tuesday
Matas Buzelis

Exits With Leg Injury Tuesday
Keegan Murray

Sustains Calf Injury Tuesday
Cameron Johnson

Scheduled for MRI After Hurting Right Knee
Chet Holmgren

Suffers Facial Injury Tuesday
Caris LeVert

Upgraded to Available Tuesday
Ryan O'Hearn

Pirates Agree on Two-Year Deal
DK Metcalf

has Two-Game Suspension Upheld
Philip Rivers

to Remain the Starter in Week 17
George Kittle

Dealing With Mid-to-Low Ankle Sprain
Viktor Arvidsson

a Game-Time Decision Tuesday
Ryan Leonard

Available Tuesday
Tom Wilson

in Danger of Missing First Game of the Season
Phillip Danault

Makes Second Canadiens Debut Tuesday
Collin Graf

Available Against Golden Knights
Jack Eichel

Misses Fourth Straight Game
Vince Dunn

Won't Play Tuesday
Deshaun Watson

Will Not be Activated Off PUP List, 2025 Season is Over
J.J. McCarthy

Ruled Out for Week 17
Rome Odunze

Expected to Return This Season
Christian McCaffrey

Another Monster Game for Christian McCaffrey in Week 16
Brock Purdy

Throws for Five Touchdowns in Week 16
TreVeyon Henderson

in Concussion Protocol, Week 17 Status Unclear
George Kittle

Week 17 Availability in Question?
CFB

Jeff Brohm, Eli Drinkwitz "Names of Interest" for Michigan Head Coach
Timothy Liljegren

to Miss Second Straight Game Tuesday
Will Smith

Out Week-to-Week
Jaccob Slavin

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Seth Jarvis

Considered Week-to-Week
Darren Raddysh

Totals Three Points in Monday's Win
Mason Marchment

Scores Twice Monday
Vince Dunn

Injured in Monday's Win
Rashee Rice

Still in Concussion Protocol, Estimated as Non-Participant on Monday
J.J. McCarthy

Listed as DNP on Monday Ahead of Week 17
Ilya Sorokin

to Miss Tuesday's Game
DK Metcalf

Suspended for Two Games Following Confrontation with Fan
CFB

Byrum Brown Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Bobby Petrino Joining Bill Belichick as North Carolina's Offensive Coordinator
Willson Contreras

Shipped to the Red Sox
Brandon Lowe

Pirates Acquire Brandon Lowe in Three-Team Trade
Shane Baz

Orioles Acquire Shane Baz From the Rays
CFB

Darian Mensah Returning to Duke Next Season
CFB

Josh Hoover Linked to Indiana in Transfer Portal
CFB

Arch Manning Agrees to Reduced Compensation for 2026 Season
Michael King

Padres Bring Michael King Back on Three-Year Deal
Logan Webb

Will Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
Tarik Skubal

Joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic

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