🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
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

Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for April 21

Brad Johnson's fantasy baseball daily streaming picks for April 21th. Pitcher and hitter streamers for MLB DFS games, and head-to-head (H2H) waiver wire targets.

Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your daily source of waiver wire and streaming advice. This is your one stop guide to address lineup holes, stream pitchers, or target categories of need.

Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Friday, April 21st.

Let's get to it.

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

 

Agenda

  1. Judging Stanton
  2. Today's Weather and Updates
  3. Tomorrow's Picks

 

1. Judging Stanton

Let's talk about this statcast video of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge hitting mammoth home runs. This is nothing new for Stanton. However, I'm very encouraged by what I've seen from Judge. Not that Dylan Covey is a quality opponent, but it's reassuring to see Judge recognize and turn on a hanging curve ball. As a minor leaguer, he had a reputation as somebody who struggled to identify pitches. That wasn't the case yesterday.

I'm buying Judge wherever he's available, which, by now, is almost nowhere.

 

2. Today's Weather and Updates

Cincinnati is looking like a storm risk tonight. The game will start, but will it finish? Monitor accordingly. Denver, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York may be at risk tomorrow  per my not-so-handy weather map.

 

3. Tomorrow's Picks - Friday, April 21th

Pitchers to Use

A trio of very veteran pitchers are the top streaming options. My preferred target is crafty Bartolo Colon versus the Phillies. The use case for Colon is straightforward. He's a good bet for a quality start and a chance for a win. Sometimes he'll hand you positive ratios. Sometimes they're negative. Such is the way with known quantities on the waiver wire. Colon is evenly matched against Jeremy Hellickson.

CC Sabathia is not back, but he does look a little better. At least to my eye. He's improved as a pitcher over the last few seasons - necessitated by losing his elite stuff. He's done a great job keeping hitters off balance through three starts. Like Bartolo (in both size and usage), Sabathia is best targeted for his chance at a victory. He may receive a ton of run support.

The other veteran, Hector Santiago, is the riskiest of the bunch. He has a history of posting solid numbers over long stretches. He also melts down with all too much frequency. Although Santiago has strong numbers through three starts, the peripherals point to at least a 4.00 ERA going forward. He has a rough matchup against Justin Verlander.

I'm a big fan of Alex Wood as a pitcher. In his first start of the season, he exited with a perfect game intact. Did I mention he only threw 3.1 innings? Wood is working his way back up to a starter's workload. Expect another start of five or fewer innings.

Other Targets: Adam Conley

 

Pitchers to Exploit

There are a lot of pitchers like Alec Asher around the league. They walk few because they work in the strike zone. They also strike out few because they're predictably over the plate. Given time an opportunity, they might learn to become a Brandon McCarthy or a Scott Feldman. The Orioles picked up Asher off the Phillies scrap heap. The Red Sox should feast.

Tyler Glasnow is obviously a promising prospect. Everybody says as much. The command just isn't there. He's walked seven batters in 6.2 innings. If the Yankees do one thing well, it's take pitches. Keep betting against Glasnow until it backfires a few times.

I was bullish about an Adam Wainwright rebound entering the season. There was talk of a rediscovery of his curve ball. The curve does look improved, but his fastball no longer plays. He allows too much loud contact. And the Brewers are known for hitting it hard or whiffing.

Other TargetsTim Adleman, Mike Fiers, Nate Karns, Wily Peralta, Mat Latos, Alex Meyer, Trevor Cahill

 

Homers on the Wire

I keep saying Matt Joyce will be fine. His plate discipline is normal, he just isn't making good contact. It's easy to see in his .167 BABIP and .105 ISO. His hard contact rate remains a robust 38.7 percent. The top sluggers settle around 40 percent hard contact. Keep using Joyce, and he'll eventually reward you. His teammate Yonder Alonso is already reaping the benefits of his freshly updated swing path. They face Hisashi Iwakuma.

Travis Shaw still bats third or fourth for the Brewers, and he's still available in 55 percent of Yahoo leagues. Shaw has four home runs. He'll have a chance for another versus Wainwright. Keon Broxton's ownership has fallen below 50 percent, and for good reason. He's been a disaster. The upside remains tantalizing in sufficiently deep leagues. Domingo Santana is the better pick off the wire. He's more widely available too. Santana does have some trouble with right-handed pitching.

If you can afford to take a risk on a player who might sit, Aaron Hicks is about due for a spot start. He already has four home runs and a ridiculous walk rate, making him a smart matchup for Glasnow. Greg Bird is pressing at the plate. He's less desirable versus Glasnow. The game is at notoriously pitcher friendly PNC Park.

Other Targets: Justin Smoak, Danny Valencia, Brandon Guyer, Josh Reddick, Logan Morrison, Corey Dickerson, Aaron Hicks, Greg Bird, Aaron Altherr, Pablo Sandoval

 

Steals on the Wire

I feel like a Kevin Kiermaier truther even though I valued him well-below consensus during draft season. Kiermaier has speed and just enough punch to be a viable four category threat. His batting average is the lone weak category. The Astros have been picked on for stolen bases in the early going.

Brett Gardner should take advantage of Glasnow's erratic command and the Pirates inability to hold base runners. Gardner may swipe a couple bags.

Other Targets: Cameron Maybin, Andrew Toles, JaCoby Jones, Ender Inciarte

 

Skill Positions

Austin Hedges has shown some signs of life. He'll face a southpaw with poor command tomorrow. The Brewers catchers are a better bet for production, but it's hard to tell which will start. See who plays tonight of Manny Pina or Jett Bandy then claim the other one.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds




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

Micah Parsons

Believed to Have Suffered Torn ACL in Sunday's Loss
Puka Nacua

Returns to Sunday's Game
Patrick Mahomes

Suffers Torn ACL
Puka Nacua

Questionable to Return Due to Cramps, Potentially Avoids Injury Scare
Jake Ferguson

Officially Active for Sunday Night
Davante Adams

Exits Sunday's Contest with Hamstring Injury
Micah Parsons

Questionable to Return After Suffering Knee Injury
Christian Watson

Ruled Out with Chest Injury
Christian Watson

Questionable to Return with Chest Injury
Gunnar Helm

Questionable to Return to Sunday's Contest
TreVeyon Henderson

Totals Over 150 Yards and Two Scores in Sunday's Loss
Devin Neal

Ruled Out with Hamstring Injury
Joel Embiid

Cleared for Action on Sunday
Zeev Buium

Has Two Points in Canucks Debut
Trevor Lawrence

Erupts for Six Total Touchdowns in Week 15 Blowout
Anthony Edwards

Remains Out on Sunday Evening
Trey McBride

Sets Records in Week 15 Loss
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Available Versus Philly
Dylan Holloway

Injured at Sunday's Practice
Patrick Mahomes

Slated for MRI Following Knee Injury
Filip Gustavsson

Takes on Bruins Sunday
Ricky Pearsall

Returns to Game Following Visit to Medical Tent
Tyrese Maxey

Will Miss Another Game on Sunday Night
Brandon Bussi

Looks to Stretch Winning Streak to Nine Games
Cam York

Returns From Four-Game Absence
Jaccob Slavin

Returns to Action Sunday
Patrick Mahomes

Helped To Locker Room Following Knee Injury
Bam Knight

Ruled Out on Sunday With Ankle Injury
Josh Jacobs

Active Vs. Broncos
Christian McCaffrey

to Play in Week 15
Woody Marks

Questionable to Return in Week 15 With Ankle Injury
Joel Embiid

Questionable Versus Atlanta
Jarrett Allen

Expected to Return on Sunday
Collin Sexton

Unavailable Against Cleveland
Khris Middleton

Still Sidelined Versus Pacers
Alexandre Sarr

Out Again on Sunday
Ayo Dosunmu

Unlikely to Play vs. Pelicans
Tyrese Maxey

Trending Toward Second Straight Absence
LaMelo Ball

Misses Third Straight Game
Kristaps Porzingis

Remains Out Versus 76ers
Drew Eubanks

To Miss Time With Thumb Fracture
Evan Mobley

Sidelined 2-4 Weeks With Grade 1 Calf Strain
Viktor Arvidsson

Not Expected to Play Sunday
Elias Pettersson

Unavailable Sunday
Jonas Brodin

to Miss Second Consecutive Game Sunday
Emil Lilleberg

Exits Early Saturday
Will Smith

Hurt in Saturday's Victory
Pavel Dorofeyev

Exits Win With Injury
Jalen Suggs

Injured on Saturday Night, Leaves Arena in a Wheelchair
Haydn Fleury

Cleared to Play
Simon Nemec

to Miss "Some Time"
Jake Evans

Back for Canadiens Saturday
Ilya Lyubushkin

Returns to Stars Lineup Saturday
Roope Hintz

Good to Go Saturday
Charlie Lindgren

Activated From Injured Reserve
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Available Against Oilers
William Nylander

a Game-Time Decision Saturday
Jorge Polanco

Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Mets
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Return to South Carolina in 2026
Cason Wallace

Off Injury Report Saturday
Keyonte George

Erupts for Career-High 39 Points Against Memphis
Bones Hyland

Exits Early With Knee Contusion
Isaiah Joe

To Miss Fourth Straight Game
Isaiah Hartenstein

Removed From Injury Report
Logan O'Connor

Still Not Ready for Season Debut
CFB

Washington State Expected to Hire Kirby Moore as Next Head Coach
CFB

Kyle Whittingham Stepping Down as Utah Head Coach
Manel Kape

Set For UFC Vegas 112 Main Event
Brandon Royval

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 112
Kevin Vallejos

Set For His Third UFC Fight
Giga Chikadze

In Dire Need Of Victory
Cesar Almeida

Set To Welcome Cezary Oleksiejczuk To The UFC
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Maikel Garcia

Royals Agree on Five-Year Extension
Melquizael Costa

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Looks to Win Second Consecutive Fights
Marcus Buchecha

Looks To Bounce Back
Kennedy Nzechukwu

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 112
King Green

Returns At UFC Vegas 112
Lance Gibson jr

Lance Gibson Jr. Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 112 Main Card
CFB

Sherrone Moore Charged with Home Invasion, Among Other Charges
CFB

Freddie Kitchens Fired from North Carolina Coaching Staff
CFB

Bryce Underwood Could Leave Michigan Without Buyout
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Padres Not Considering Trading Fernando Tatis Jr.
Tarik Skubal

Tigers Engaged in "Serious Talks" Around Trading Tarik Skubal at the Winter Meetings
CFB

Chris Brazzell II Declaring for NFL Draft
CFB

Fernando Mendoza Named AP College Football Player of the Year
Raisel Iglesias

to Remain the Braves Closer
Robert Suarez

Agrees on Three-Year Deal With Braves
CFB

Sherrone Moore Remains in Police Custody
CFB

Joe Klanderman Joining Baylor Coaching Staff
CFB

Kentucky Hiring Jay Bateman as Next Defensive Coordinator
Si Woo Kim

Closes 2025 With Strong Finish Among Putting Woes
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Rebound in 2026 After Down Year Off the Tee
Brian Harman

2025 Season a Step Back Despite Spring Win
Sam Burns

' Elite Putting Headlines a Solid 2025 Season
Sepp Straka

Ends Stellar 2025 Campaign on a High Note
Robert MacIntyre

Closes Out a Steady 2025 Campaign
CFB

Chip Kelly Interviews for Georgia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
CFB

Louisville Receiver Chris Bell has a Torn ACL
Min Woo Lee

Breaks Through to Win in Texas This Year
PGA

Alex Noren Wins Twice on European Tour This Year
Wyndham Clark

has Up-and-Down 2025 Golf Season
CFB

Michigan Fires Head Coach Sherrone Moore
Corey Conners

Comes Close to Winning Again in Very Good 2025
Justin Rose

Turns Back the Clock in 2025
CFB

Jim Knowles Expected to be Hired as Tennessee's Defensive Coordinator
Harris English

Enjoys Solid Finish at Hero World Challenge
CFB

Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Not Being Retained at Penn State
CFB

Indiana's Stephen Daley Done for Season After Post-Game Injury
Pete Alonso

Orioles Finalizing Five-Year Deal
Kyle Finnegan

Tigers, Kyle Finnegan Agree on Two-Year Deal
Bo Bichette

Red Sox Out on Bo Bichette For Now
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Extend Manager Rob Thomson Through 2027 Season
Michael King

the Mets' Top Rotation Target?
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Move Back to Leadoff Spot
CFB

Florida, Wisconsin Among Suitors for QB Transfer Kenny Minchey
CFB

Bryan Harsin, Justin Wilcox Candidates for Washington State Head Coach Job?
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Agrees to Deal With the Dodgers
Kyle Schwarber

Returning to Phillies on Five-Year Deal
CFB

Ole Miss Hiring John David Baker as Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Ty Howle the Top Target for Virginia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
Shohei Ohtani

to be Used More as Traditional Starting Pitcher Next Year
Yordan Alvarez

to Become Full-Time DH in 2026?
Mason Miller

Padres Plan to Keep Mason Miller in the Bullpen
Ranger Suárez

Orioles Interested in Signing Ranger Suarez
Anthony Volpe

Yankees Don't Expect Anthony Volpe to be Ready in April
Gerrit Cole

Targeting a Return in May/June

RANKINGS

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