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Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. This article, which began last season, runs seven days a week. Even with only a week and a half of the season in the books, we are always ready to stream.
For those who are newcomers to this feature - use this column on a daily basis to improve upon your neediest categories, and target players who may be available on your waiver wire.
Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Thursday, April 27. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Acuna Later
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Acuna Later
I told myself I'd let other people hawk all the Acuna hype. They'll cover it sufficiently. However, the timing of my writing schedule perfectly lined up with his first big league home run. The buried lede is Forest Gump catching the ball.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
Thumbs up! We're all good on the weather front.
3. Streamer Picks - Thursday, April 27
Pitchers to Use
Miles Mikolas has pitched well aside from a small issue with home runs (1.38 HR/9). He's shown excellent command of the strike zone along with a complete repertoire. The strikeout rate may remain unimpressive, but the rest of the profile should work well in most formats. Consider hanging onto him after a start in Pittsburgh.
Other Targets: Mike Fiers, Tyler Anderson, Reynaldo Lopez
Pitchers to Exploit
Most times, I'll recommend Andrew Heaney as a guy to use. I like his repertoire and ability to induce whiffs. I'll take a hard pass versus the Yankees. Way too much power.
Chris Tillman is coming off his best outing. He managed to throw six innings with five strikeouts and only one walk. He also coughed up eight hits, three of which were home runs. So for three appearances, he couldn't throw strikes. Then when he did throw strikes, he got bombed. The Tigers have a few streamables on hand.
Other Targets: Julio Teheran, Steven Brault, Erasmo Ramirez, Jose Urena, Phil Hughes, Clayton Richard, Derek Holland
Homers on the Wire
With Eric Thames sidelined for six to eight weeks, Domingo Santana is set for regular playing time. He's slumping so far, but he's always been a streaky player. Stash him or go ahead and use him against a struggling Yu Darvish. Keon Broxton should find the field more often now too.
Other Targets: Pedro Alvarez, Dixon Machado, Niko Goodrum, JaCoby Jones, Colin Moran, Dexter Fowler, Jedd Gyorko, Ronald Guzman, Yonder Alonso, Brian Anderson, Jesse Winker, Matt Davidson, Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andujar, Enrique Hernandez
Steals on the Wire
Tigers leadoff man Leonys Martin has (perhaps temporarily) resurrected his career. Thus far, he's batting .277/.341/.494 with an entirely sane .306 BABIP. Like all the cool kids, he's hitting way more fly balls which goes to explain his four home runs. This may sound like a power recommendation, but Martin has plenty of speed and Tillman is prone to swipes.
Delino DeShields hasn't gotten going yet. He won't be on the waiver wire for long once he starts to hit. Your best bet is to grab him now or buy low. Marcus Stroman is good at keeping hitters off balance. He can struggle to control the running game.
Other Targets: Mallex Smith, Bradley Zimmer, Jose Peraza
Skill Positions
Chance Sisco isn't exactly mashing the ball. He has been getting a chance to bat second for the beleaguered Orioles. They'll face a beatable opponent tomorrow.
