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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

Khalil Shakir

Eclipses Century Mark in Loss to Texans
James Cook

Breaks Off Long Touchdown in Primetime Loss
Elly De La Cruz

Played Through Partially Torn Quad to End 2025
C.J. Stroud

in Good Position to Return in Week 13
Darius Garland

Might Play on Friday Night
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Out Against Sacramento, Santi Aldama Starting
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Available Versus Milwaukee
Zaccharie Risacher

Cleared to Face Spurs
Kristaps Porzingis

Back in Action on Thursday
Chris Godwin

Could Play in Week 12 After Return to Full Practice
Keon Coleman

to be a Healthy Scratch Again on Thursday Night
Tarik Skubal

Tigers "Doubtful" to Trade Tarik Skubal
Jarrett Allen

Questionable for Friday
Simon Holmstrom

Ready for Action Thursday
Lars Eller

Available Thursday
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Will Miss at Least 3-4 Weeks
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Out Against Ducks
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Out Against Bulls on Friday
Jake Neighbours

Back for Blues Thursday
Alexandre Sarr

Listed as Questionable for Friday Against the Raptors
TB

Nicholas Paul Available Thursday
Paul George

Set to Suit Up Thursday
Victor Hedman

Out for "Couple of Weeks"
Tyler Bertuzzi

Set to Return Thursday
Gary Harris

Added to the Injury Report as Questionable for Thursday
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Andrew Wiggins

Unavailable For Friday's Matchup With Chicago
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Garrison Mathews Will Join the Pacers
Joe Burrow

Logs Second Straight Full Practice on Thursday
Dante Exum

Will Miss the Rest of the Season
Keegan Murray

Is Available For His Season Debut Thursday
Tyrese Maxey

Listed as Probable for Thursday
Domantas Sabonis

Will Not Play Thursday Against Memphis
Joel Embiid

Listed as Out for Thursday
Aaron Rodgers

Seen at Practice on Thursday
Jaylen Warren

Moving Around Well on Thursday
Bucky Irving

Will be on a Snap Count When he Returns
Jaxson Dart

Could Clear Concussion Protocol Thursday
Lamar Jackson

Returns to Thursday's Practice
Josh Jacobs

to Do Individual Drills on Thursday
Joe Mixon

Not Expected to Play This Season
Chris Godwin

Attending Thursday's Practice
Bucky Irving

Continues Practice Attendance
Rasmus Andersson

Bags Three Points Wednesday Night
Morgan Geekie

Nets Two Power-Play Goals Wednesday
Joe Burrow

Bengals Haven't Ruled Out Joe Burrow for Week 12
Connor McMichael

Posts Three Assists in Wednesday's Win
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Islanders Place Alexander Romanov on Injured Reserve
Lars Eller

to Miss Thursday's Action
Nic Dowd

Out on Thursday
Adam Lowry

Inks Extension With Jets
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Likely Out on Thursday
Zaccharie Risacher

Questionable for Thursday
Kristaps Porzingis

at Risk of Missing Another Game
Brian Thomas Jr.

Limited in Practice on Wednesday
Raisel Iglesias

Returning to the Braves on One-Year Deal
Lamar Jackson

Absent Due to Ankle Injury
Conor Garland

to Return on Thursday
Thomas Harley

to Miss Road Trip
Eetu Luostarinen

Out Week-to-Week After Barbecue Accident
Curtis Lazar

to Miss at Least Three Games
Vladimir Tarasenko

Misses Third Consecutive Game
Mikael Granlund

Remains Out Wednesday
Charlie McAvoy

Out Indefinitely After Facial Surgery
Joe Burrow

to Potentially Return in Week 12?
Aaron Rodgers

Out on Wednesday, Hopes to Practice Thursday
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Continue Fall Run at RSM Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Looking to Bounce Back at RSM Classic
Tom Hoge

Looking to Regain Form at RSM Classic
Joe Highsmith

Searching for Turnaround at RSM Classic
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Build on T11 Finish in Bermuda
Austin Eckroat

Searching for Momentum at RSM Classic
Joel Dahmen

Trying to Find Form at the RSM Classic
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Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful to Play Against Western Kentucky
Michael Thorbjornsen

Hopes to End 2025 Campaign With Another Solid Finish
Andrew Novak

Looks to End 2025 Season on High Note at RSM Classic
Harry Higgs

Teetering for PGA Tour Card in 2026
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Nico Echavarria has the Potential to Contend at the RSM Classic
Sam Stevens

Finishing Out Year in Georgia
Seamus Power

Playing Better at the Right Time
Beau Hossler

Roller Coaster Comes to Saint Simons Island
Quade Cummins

The Time is Now for Quade Cummins in Georgia
Austin Cook

Needs a Win at the RSM Classic
Cameron Champ

on the PGA Tour Card Bubble
Grayson Rodriguez

Shipped to Angels
Taylor Ward

Orioles Acquire Taylor Ward From Angels
Shota Imanaga

Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff

Returning to Milwaukee in 2026
Denny McCarthy

Looking For Another Solid Finish at RSM Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looking To Use Current Momentum to Flip Script at RSM Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Good Bounce-Back Candidate at RSM Classic
Harris English

Making 14th Start at This Week's RSM Classic
Konnor Griffin

Could Compete for Starting Shortstop Job in 2026
Gleyber Torres

Accepts Tigers Qualifying Offer
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

Wins Unanimous Decision At UFC 322
Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Michael Morales

Remains Unbeaten
Leon Edwards

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

Suffers Brutal First-Round Knockout Loss
Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Josh Naylor

Mariners Finalizing Five-Year Contract
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
CFB

Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful vs. Arkansas On Saturday

RANKINGS

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RB
WR
TE
K
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1B
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3B
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OF
SP
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