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Welcome to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. Use this column to improve upon your neediest categories.
Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Thursday, August 10.
Let's get to it.
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- Fantasy baseball closer depth charts
Agenda
- Day of Gems
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Day of Gems
While they don't actually help our fantasy teams, watching slick defensive plays is the ultimate cure for the ennui of the modern man or woman.
Here's occasional streamer Adam Engel climbing a wall.
Billy Hamilton was almost too fast for this one. And just fast enough for this one.
This used to be the Chase Utley special. Now Josh Harrison owns it.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
As warned, SunTrust Park is the venue to watch tonight. There's a 50 percent chance for storms beginning at 7:00pm ET and last the entire night. You're safe to target any venue tomorrow.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Thursday, August 10
Pitchers to Use
It's been a beefy year for Thin Thursdays. This time around, we have 12 games on the schedule. Luis Castillo is probably the best streaming option for tomorrow. The hard throwing righty has run into occasional trouble with command. When he's hitting spots, Castillo is a formidable opponent. A 95 mph fastball and a plus changeup will do that. He has a tasty matchup against the Padres.
Anthony Banda should probably be considered a work in progress. He'll be pitching on his 24th birthday opposite a tough Dodgers offense. Banda, a southpaw, throws a 94 mph fastball along with a curve and a changeup. It's possible he works a little too consistently over the heart of the plate which would explain his 5.13 ERA in Triple-A despite otherwise good peripherals. This is a dangerous day to use him, but owners in keeper leagues should consider a stash.
Carlos Rodon is somehow under 50 percent owned - a feat he did not achieve while recovering from injury. Three of seven outings have included double digit strikeouts. While you should not count on him to provide helpful ratios or wins, the strikeouts alone make him streamable. Like Banda, Rodon has a tough assignment. He'll face the Astros.
Other Targets: Vince Velasquez, Tyler Skaggs
Pitchers to Exploit
If you're only paying attention to strikeout and walk rates, Dinelson Lamet looks like a guy to start. He's posted 11.37 K/9 with 3.55 BB/9. Unfortunately, he's proven to be homer pron (1.56 HR/9). A visit to tiny Great American Ballpark will not help his homeritis. Of greater concern are his platoon splits. Southpaws are mashing him to the tune of .286/.366/.607. The Reds have a few key lefties.
For those who aren't in the know, Drew VerHagen is your typical right-handed swing starter. He hasn't been a prospect - fringe or otherwise - since 2015. The Pirates should enjoy the matchup.
Other Targets: Marco Estrada, Blake Snell, Kyle Gibson, Wade Miley, Chris Smith
Homers on the Wire
Jesse Winker is one of those Reds who benefits from the platoon advantage against Lamet. The Reds top hitting prospect has superb plate discipline and makes a ton of contact. While he used to hit for power, he hasn't shown any thump since 2015. Since joining the majors, he's reversed course with a pair of homers in 53 plate appearances.
It's Enrique Hernandez day. The latest tally has Hernandez slashing .252/.355/.607 versus southpaws. Two-thirds of his 27 hits have gone for extra bases including nine home runs.
Other Targets: Jose Pirela, Clint Frazier, Brandon Guyer, Lucas Duda, Jose Martinez, Brandon Moss, Derek Fisher, Max Kepler, Joe Mauer, Eddie Rosario, Keon Broxton, Seth Smith, Danny Valencia
Steals on the Wire
It's also Rajai Davis day opposite Miley. For the first time in living memory, Davis hasn't been a sneaky bargain. Even so, he's still stealing bases at a prodigious rate. He has 23 swipes in 306 plate appearances.
If Jett Bandy is starting for the Brewers, it'll be a good day to dust off Byron Buxton. The Twins former top prospect sure has trouble reaching base, but he won't hesitate to run once he's on board. He has 19 steals this season.
Other Targets: Manuel Margot, Mallex Smith, Kolten Wong, Leury Garcia
Skill Positions
Austin Hedges is hanging out at GABP. It's a good time to give him a whirl - even against Castillo.
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