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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 Monday, April 9. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Miami Meltdown
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Miami Meltdown
The Phillies scored 20 runs on Saturday after putting up 19 across their first six games combined. In related news, the Marlins are barely a major-league baseball team. Please send your condolences to MLB editor and Marlins fan Pierre Camus.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
No rain or snow expected for today's slate. It'll be chilly for several games, though. Cold generally suppresses offense, but could also lead to complications for pitchers in terms of velocity and getting loose.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Monday, April 9
Pitchers to Use
Jakob Junis was fantastic in his 2018 debut, allowing just four baserunners and striking out six in seven shutout innings to lead the Royals to a win over Detroit. The Mariners will present a tougher test, but Junis pitched well down the stretch last season and is beginning to look like he might have some potential beyond that of a streamer.
Miles Mikolas will take on the Brewers, who have been shut out twice in their last four games. He did give up three homers to that same Milwaukee squad last week, but otherwise pitched well with five strikeouts, no walks, and just two other hits allowed.
Other Targets: Tyler Chatwood, J.A. Happ
Pitchers to Exploit
Even pitching in AT&T Park, Derek Holland will likely have his hands full with the Diamondbacks' lineup. The veteran lefty hasn't posted an ERA below 4.90 since 2014, and that was only over five starts. Last season, he ran a 6.20 ERA and allowed an absurd 31 home runs in just 135 innings.
Fresh off a lousy effort against the Pirates (4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, HR), Jake Odorizzi will face the powerful Astros' offense. He's a flyball pitcher who doesn't strike out enough batters to get away with the shoddy control he's displayed since the beginning of last season.
Other Targets: Julio Teheran, Ben Lively, Cody Reed, Jose Urena, Clayton Richard
Homers on the Wire
Maikel Franco went 3-for-4 with a grand slam on Saturday, giving him five hits, two homers, and a whopping 10 RBI over his last two games. He's also hit a dinger in five consecutive home games dating back to last season. A tweak to his batting stance appears to be paying early dividends. He'll go up against Cody Reed, who in 65 MLB innings has allowed 2.07 HR/9 and a 27.8 HR/FB%.
Other Targets: Eric Thames, Yonder Alonso, Preston Tucker, Eduardo Escobar, Colin Moran, Derek Dietrich
Steals on the Wire
Derek Fisher and Jake Marisnick have each swiped two bags in their last three games and could be testing Jason Castro, who was one of the worst catchers in the game at throwing out base runners last season.
Other Targets: Michael A. Taylor, Cesar Hernandez, Jarrod Dyson, Cameron Maybin, Kevin Kiermaier
Skill Positions
Jacob Barnes' first save opportunity in the wake of Corey Knebel's hamstring injury, uh, could have gone better. He was charged with a blown save and loss after surrendering four runs (two earned) against the Cubs. It was a bit of a fluky inning, though, featuring an infield single, an error by Travis Shaw, and a mental lapse by Eric Thames. He should still be considered the likeliest to emerge as Knebel's primary replacement.
