April 23, 2017

Brad Johnson's fantasy baseball daily streaming picks for April 24th. 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 streaming and waiver wire 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 Monday, April 24th.

Let's get to it.

Agenda

1. Important Programming Note
2. Today's Weather and Updates
3. Tomorrow's Picks

1. Important Programming Note

For personal scheduling reasons, I am writing this post on Saturday. That's the entirety of the note. Now, a few words on how to use this information.

A lot can change between the middle of Saturday and game time on Monday. Like probable pitchers. If any projected hurlers are replaced, it sets off a chain reaction. When a pitcher is bumped, it's rarely for a better option. While the new pitcher could be worth using, usually you'll want to look to the hitters. On teams like the Astros who have a talented multi-inning reliever, you may want to consider using the back up to the starter. Chris Devenski in this example.

For hitter recommendations, first consider the implications of handedness. One option this Monday is Logan Morrison versus Ubaldo Jimenez. If Jimenez is bumped for Vidal Nuno, you'll want to pivot to Rickie Weeks. Morrison doesn't usually start versus southpaws. The quality of the matchup also improves - you should be more eager to roster any starting Rays.

Look at batted ball splits too. Returning to Jimenez, he's a ground ball pitcher. Morrison is also a ground ball hitter. When those align, it favors the pitcher. (Not enough that I'd avoid Morrison in this case). If Morrison is suddenly facing a fly ball pitcher, his odds for extra base hits dramatically increase.

2. Today's Weather and Updates

Since I'm writing this two days ahead of time, I won't bother trying to interpret weather maps. You can test your hand with my not-so-useful national weather map. I also recommend this site for a quick and dirty review of each venue. It's where I start each morning.

3. Tomorrow's Picks - Monday, April 24th

If memory serves, this is the first time since opening week with fewer than 10 games. Despite this, we're not entirely bereft of pitching options to use and abuse.

Pitchers to Use

Since a one-out, five-run drubbing on April 7, Francisco Liriano has turned in two very strong outings. Even so, he's just 42 percent owned on Yahoo. Part of that has to do with his personal history. He's the ultimate fantasy headache. Hardly anybody hasn't had a ruinous experience with Liriano, nor have we avoided the pain of watching a rival reap the good days. Liriano is in a good spot against a top heavy Angels lineup. Avoid Trout and he'll probably have a good night.

Another quality veteran, Hyun-Jin Ryu, is only 16 percent owned. Ryu has an ugly 5.87 ERA supported by a 6.94 FIP through three starts. There's a reason FIP isn't the only ERA estimator. Ryu has allowed 11 fly balls, six of which have flown over a fence (54.5 percent HR/FB ratio). Historically, Ryu has posted stingy home run to fly ball ratios. His career rate, including this season, is 9.2 percent HR/FB ratio. Let's remember he hasn't really pitched since 2014. He's shaking off rust. Assuming the corroded iron flakes off soon, Ryu has impressive peripherals. He's recorded 9.98 K/9 and 2.35 BB/9, good for a 2.99 xFIP (xFIP normalizes HR/FB ratio). The Giants have a few lefty mashing cogs, but most of their offense is unimpressive. Ryu should receive run support too.

Last, and well... least, are Brett Anderson versus Chad Kuhl. If you absolutely need a two-start pickup, this pair can provide a chance for wins. And maybe they won't ruin your week. Obviously, they both come with oodles of risk.

Other Targets: Miguel Gonzalez

Pitchers to Exploit

Matt Cain has survived three starts without allowing a thousand runs. He should be considered homer prone - even at stingy AT&T Park. His stuff has declined loudly since his heyday over half a decade ago. His fastball velocity is down nearly two mph from last season. That was down three mph from his peak. Two plus three is five. Five mph mwua~ha~ha. It's amazing the Giants are still paying Cain even though they haven't received a positive contribution from him since 2013. And even that was a steaming pile. Ryu and the Dodgers should steamroll this game.

Some pitchers can make a good little career for themselves pitching with really terrible teams. That's Jhoulys Chacin. I applaud him for finding his niche and his millions. Also, I applaud his availability for regular exploitation. This time, the Diamondbacks host him at their offensively friendly venue.

Matt Garza's back! He's one of those mostly bad veterans who pulls out a good start right when you bet big on a stinker. The Reds are visiting the Brewers at their homertastic park for bad beers. Who knows what we'll get from Garza in his return from injury. Probably a short outing and a long look at the soft underbelly of the Brewers bullpen.

Other Targets: Ubaldo Jimenez, Phil Hughes, Martin Perez, Ricky Nolasco

Homers on the Wire

Aaron Hill appears to be the Giants leadoff man against left-handed pitching. Hill hasn't been a fantasy asset since 2013, nor does he have platoon splits. What he does have is a matchup against a pitcher who has allowed over half his fly balls to clear a wall. Maybe that's bad luck. Maybe Ryu is making some kind of predictable mistake.

Jayson Werth does fun things like bat sixth in the Nationals potent offense. He's expected to return from a groin injury today. Obviously, refrain from acting until he proves his health. Werth is a noted and longstanding lefty masher. He's opposed by Rockies southpaw Tyler Anderson.

Joey Gallo is the 18th ranked player on Yahoo. He's only 21 percent owned. I can't remember the last time a highly touted prospect performed this deep into the season and was still widely available. Snap him up people. He'll face Hughes. Shin Soo Choo and Carlos Gomez are also under 50 percent owned.

Other Targets: Chase Utley, Justin Smoak, Yangervis Solarte, Ryan Schimpf, David Peralta, Brandon Drury, Alex Gordon, Brandon Moss, Melky Cabrera, Robbie Grossman, Scooter Gennett, Scott Schebler, Zach Cozart, Domingo Santana, Logan Morrison, Corey Dickerson, Josh Bell

Steals on the Wire

Keon Broxton has crept below 50 percent owned. If you have some space on your bench for waiver stash, almost nobody out there has a higher ceiling. If he gets his act together, you're looking at an easy 20/20 talent. And even if he doesn't, he has the platoon advantage versus a rookie southpaw (Amir Garrett) tomorrow. Mistakes may be made.

Andrew Toles may have lost his leadoff job to Joc Pederson. Even so, he remains a useful pickup versus bad righties like Cain. Since the ballpark is enormous, he's more likely to contribute on the bases.

Like Broxton, Tim Anderson has gone from widely owned to over 50 percent available. And like Broxton, you could benefit from being the patient owner. To my eye, Anderson looks like he needs a stint in the minors to steady his nerves. He completely hacktastic at the plate. That's not new in and of itself, but he at least targeted near-strikes last season. Tyler Saladino is having a similarly disappointing start to the year. They're opposed by weirdly successful Jason Vargas.

Other Targets: Gorkys Hernandez, Travis Jankowski, Manuel Margot, Alcides Escobar, Tyler Saladino, Tim Anderson, Jorge Polanco, Kevin Kiermaier

Skill Positions

Austin Hedges is up to five home runs. The rest of the stat line remains ugly, but at least he's proving me right about the power. Now if only I could undo those waiver swaps of Hedges for Jett Bandy... Speaking of Bandy, either he or Manny Pina are always a good streaming pick. Assuming you guess the right starter.

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