RADIO
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. Even at this early juncture of the season, 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 Sunday, April 8. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- A Reminder
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. A Reminder
Streaming is a completely valid strategy no matter the time of year, but in general, it's best to be a bit more judicious early in the season. Pick your spots! No need to talk yourself into spot-starting a guy in an unfavorable matchup with so many games left to play, or cut a core player for the flavor of the week. Keep your churning limited to the bottom of the roster for the moment.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
Looking like a precipitation-free Saturday slate. It'll be chilly for most of the games, particularly in Minnesota and St. Louis, which will see sub-freezing temperatures for their day games. Also, surprisingly, the weather will be cold in Texas this afternoon. Cold generally suppresses offense, but could also lead to complications for pitchers in terms of velocity and getting loose.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Sunday, April 8
Pitchers to Use
Tyler Mahle fired six shutout innings in a 1-0 home win over the Cubs for his 2018 debut, striking out seven and allowing just three batters to reach base. He'll draw a much more favorable matchup this time around with the Pirates at PNC Park. He still needs to develop a third pitch to be successful long-term, but for the moment he's a viable streamer.
Reynaldo Lopez limited the Blue Jays to one run in his six innings of work last week, allowing two hits and walking two while striking out six. He didn't factor into the decision due to a lack of run support, but should have better luck in that area as his White Sox host the Tigers on Sunday afternoon.
Other Targets: Mike Fiers, Jaime Garcia
Pitchers to Exploit
Neither Kyle Freeland nor Sean Newcomb are very good, and they'll both be contending with Coors Field on Sunday. Stack with confidence.
Hey, remember Tyson Ross? He's back with the Padres after a single, injury-ravaged season with Texas. He managed a quality start against Colorado at home to kick off 2018, but did so while inducing just a 3,7 SwStr%. Seeing as he'll be taking on the Astros this time around, that likely won't cut it.
Other Targets: Trevor Richards, Jason Hammel, Ty Blach
Homers on the Wire
Shin-Soo Choo has been one of the more underrated fantasy producers in recent years. Owners have been presumably discouraged by his spotty health record, which is fair, but they've missed out on production when he has been on the field. Choo is batting .313 and has homered in three straight games.
Preston Tucker is living on borrowed time in Atlanta with Ronald Acuna's promotion looming, but he's acquitted himself well with a pair of bombs in the early going and will be hitting at Coors.
Other Targets: Eric Thames, Scott Schebler, Eduardo Escobar, Colin Moran, Derek Dietrich
Steals on the Wire
Michael A. Taylor hasn't done much at the plate yet - just three singles in 21 at-bats - but he's stolen three bases already and Matt Harvey isn't known for being quick to the plate.
Other Targets: Cesar Hernandez, 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.
