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Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. We are back at it again this year, publishing this article seven days a week. It's still just the first week of MLB games, but we are always ready to stream.
For those who are new - use this column on a daily basis to improve upon your neediest categories, and target players who may be available on your waiver wire.
With that being said, below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Thursday, April 5. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Three's Company
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Three's Company
Longtime readers will recall that this column was handled almost entirely by my esteemed colleague Brad Johnson last year, with a few pinch-hit opportunities for yours truly. This season, Brad and I will be splitting Streaming Wars duties with newcomer Michael Augustine. Feel free to continue directing all complaints to Brad, though.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
Roughly a coin flip as to whether there will be rain in New York today, which would threaten both Phillies-Mets and Rays-Yankees. Otherwise, possible snow in Pittsburgh is the only potential meteorological stumbling block.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Thursday, April 5
Pitchers to Use
Homer Bailey managed a quality start against the Nationals last week and draws a much more favorable matchup this time around against the Pirates at PNC Park. He's missed most of the last three seasons with myriad injuries and hasn't been effective when he has managed to take the field, but for however long he stays healthy this season, he's worth considering as a streamer.
Kyle Gibson fired six shutout innings in his first start of the year against the Orioles, striking out six and not allowing a hit. Of course, he also walked five batters. He'll take on James Paxton and the Mariners this time out.
Other Targets: Tyler Anderson, Steven Brault
Pitchers to Exploit
Andrew Cashner + Yankee Stadium = easy stack opportunity. Almost too easy...hmmmm. Nah, he's trash, go for broke.
Raise your hand if you knew who Caleb Smith was without looking him up (doesn't raise hand). He's a former 14th-round and Rule 5 pick with fringe stuff. He did strike out eight against the Cubs in his first start, but also walked three and gave up a homer in his 5.1 innings of work. Citizens Bank Park isn't likely to be kind to him, even with cold weather considerations.
Other Targets: Daniel Mengden, Joey Lucchesi, Martin Perez, Brent Suter
Homers on the Wire
Some guy named Christian Villanueva hit three homers for the Padres yesterday. Baseball!
Other Targets: Matt Chapman, Scott Schebler, Eduardo Escobar, Colin Moran, Derek Dietrich
Steals on the Wire
Jonathan Villar has started four of five games for the Brewers thus far. If that continues, he should at minimum be a valuable source of steals.
Other Targets: Jarrod Dyson, Cameron Maybin, Kevin Kiermaier, Marcus Semien
Skill Positions
Jordan Hicks could see a vulture save opportunity with both Tyler Lyons and Dominic Leone struggling and throwing a lot of pitches on Tuesday.
