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 7th

Brad Johnson's fantasy baseball daily streaming picks for April 7th. 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.

Let's talk pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Friday, April 7th, some of which can be applied to DFS games as well.

You're busy. I'm busy. Shall we get to it?

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

 

Agenda

  1. Weekend Hiatus
  2. Today's Weather and Updates
  3. Tomorrow's Picks

 

1. Weekend Hiatus

Streaming Wars is a five days per week column. I'll be taking off every Friday and Saturday. Weekends always offer full slates, making them among the least important days to stream. I still recommend scanning through the wire for upgrades.

Owners in Head-to-Head leagues will be playing for specific categories. Now is the time to target them. If you're protecting ERA and WHIP, focus on improving your offense. If you've already lost the pitching rate stats, target wins and strikeouts. Similarly, chase after run production, home runs, and stolen bases as needed. Sometimes it's better to defend a lead than address a deficit.

 

2. Today's Weather and Updates

The Pirates-Red Sox game has already been postponed. Rain also threatens Cincinnati, Oakland, and Washington D.C. All three games will probably happen. The Phillies-Reds contest is the most likely to be postponed of the bunch.

Oakland and New York might be getting some rain tomorrow per this largely unhelpful weather map.

 

3. Tomorrow's Picks - Friday, April 7th

Pitchers to Use

Let's start with Shelby Miller. I very much do not recommend using him against the Indians at Chase Field. However, his velocity spiked this spring, and he still carries name value. If Miller is on your waiver wire and you don't need a streamer for tomorrow, it would make sense to stash him. Just to see how the start goes.

The issue with tomorrow's pitchers is that they're all high volatility plays. Brett Anderson is opposed by the Brewers, a team that will haunt fantasy owners all season. Since they strike out so often, it makes sense to frequently exploit the Milwaukee lineup. The club also has explosive upside due to their array of power bats and league best speed. As for Anderson, it's hard to form any solid expectations. The southpaw is always hurt, but he's often solid in his brief flashes of pitching lucidity.

The Tigers have one-half of an offense, especially if Justin Upton remains sidelined. Eduardo Rodriguez could post over a strikeout per inning. He's opposed by Michael Fulmer so there's no guarantee of run support.

Other Targets: Chad Kuhl, Luis Severino, Zack Wheeler, Wei-Yin Chen, Francisco Liriano

 

Pitchers to Exploit

I'm a big fan of Matt Andriese the reliever. He could be the Rays answer to Chris Devenski. I have less faith in Andriese's ability to start. His stuff is half a grade worse, and it's not well-suited to facing the same hitters more than once or twice. The Blue Jays lineup remains capable of exploding without warning. On the plus side, Tropicana Field should help Andriese avoid home runs.

The ghost of Matt Cain is scheduled to start tomorrow, although there is a small chance he's bumped in favor of Madison Bumgarner. Cain supplies an excellent opponent for the Padres deep stable of solid hitters. While the San Diego roster is gross as a whole, the offense consists of seven fantasy quality bats (and Erick Aybar).

Southpaws Kyle Freeland and Amir Garrett are making their major league debuts. Those usually go poorly, except when they go well. Freeland's chances for success are minimal. The Rockies are hosting the Dodgers at Coors Field. Even with the Dodgers expected struggles versus lefties, he's probably doomed. Garrett is a well-regarded prospect whose minor league results are unimpressive. He is opposed by a tenacious Cardinals lineup.

Other Targets: Luis Perdomo, Ubaldo Jimenez, Raul Alcantara, A.J. Griffin, Jason Vargas, Phil Hughes, Derek Holland, Jesse Chavez, Yovani Gallardo

 

Homers on the Wire

Rickie Weeks is apparently a cleanup hitter versus left-handed pitching. That's how the Diamondbacks used him last season, and it's where he batted versus CC Sabathia on Tuesday. He'll face Francisco Liriano tomorrow. Liriano's changeup often helps him to produce reverse platoon splits.

Robbie Grossman bats second for the Twins when they face lefties. Derek Holland is a decent pitcher. Just when you think he's reliable, he'll melt down. And as soon as you call him a scrub, he'll twirl a gem. Guaranteed Rate Field massively buffs home run rates.

While the Brewers probably want Eric Thames to start against righties AND lefties, Jesus Aguilar gave them a pleasant problem this spring. The former Indians farmhand appears to have implemented the popular power adjustments. The Brewers now have to decide which first baseman to prioritize. Fortunately, they bat from opposite sides so a straight platoon works. For now.

Matt Joyce should enjoy facing a mediocre righty at hitter friendly Globe Life Park. Joyce generally bats first or second for the Athletics. He's a low average, high OBP bat with above average power.

Other Targets: Mitch Haniger, Danny Valencia, David Peralta, Brandon Drury, Yandy Diaz, Jett Bandy, Yonder Alonso, Steve Pearce, Justin Smoak, Wilmer Flores, Franklin Gutierrez, Mark Reynolds

 

Steals on the Wire

Fly ball pitcher Josh Tomlin matches up poorly with ground ball hitter Chase Owings. Put another way, Owings is in an excellent place to mash Tomlin. A home run and/or multiple stolen bases are on the table.

Tyler Saladino bats leadoff for the White Sox. While he doesn't possess game breaking talent, a guarantee of four to five plate appearances increases the odds he'll steal a base on any given day.

Other Targets: Delino DeShields, Rajai Davis, Brett Gardner, Gorkys Hernandez

 

Skill Positions

After a couple ugly blown saves, it's time to look at Sam Dyson's handcuffs. Matt Bush, a popular non-closer during draft season, has been working the eighth innings. He'll be first in line to replace Dyson.

The Athletics are running a true committee. They're using Ryan Madson against the toughest outs like Mike Trout. Santiago Casilla, Ryan Dull, and Sean Doolittle may split as many as 50 percent of the saves. Doolittle is far and away the best reliever in that bullpen.

 

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

Jalen Thompson

Heading into Last Year With Cardinals?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Najee Harris

Suffers Eye Injury in Fireworks Mishap
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Kyren Williams

Rams Not Willing to Pay Kyren Williams Top-Market Money?
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Christian Kirk

the No. 2 WR in Houston?
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Jerome Ford

the Likely Starter for Cleveland to Begin 2025
Chig Okonkwo

"Poised" for Best Season of Career
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Cal Raleigh

Continues Historic Homer Pace Tuesday
Jacob Wilson

Exits Early On Tuesday With Left Hand Contusion
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
Luis Garcia

Fans Four in Rehab Outing
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF