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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 Monday, August 14.
Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Poorly Timed Injuries
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Poorly Timed Injuries
Several top players have disappeared from the player pool. The most recent casualty is Bryce Harper. He slipped on first base and will probably miss a goodly chunk of time. It's too soon to tell when he'll return. Early reports are always more optimistic than the truth.
Speaking of optimism, the Mariners hope to get James Paxton back in three weeks from his strained pectoral. I wouldn't be surprised if it's a season-ending injury. When healthy, Paxton was a contender for top pitcher in the league. Unfortunately, he continues to deal with a whole slew of arm-related injuries. The M's are right in the heart of the Wild Card race which will likely determine just how aggressive they are about getting Paxton back on a big league mound.
Earlier in the week, Willson Contreras' hamstring decided to take a four-to-six week breather. He started the season on a tepid note, but he's sure come on strong recently. Owners in all formats will miss his 21 home runs, 70 RBI, and .274/.342/.519 batting line. He was in the conversation for top fantasy catcher along with Buster Posey and Gary Sanchez.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
We're all good on the weather front today. Storms could ruin your plans to stream Braves at Coors Field tomorrow.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Monday, August 14
Pitchers to Use
Trevor Bauer occasionally seems to figure it out. A Indians-fan colleague of mine thinks he's a habitual tinkerer. I don't disagree. Most players are constantly trying to improve, but there's something to be said for sticking to a formula for success. Bauer may have (re)discovered it recently. Since late-June, he's pitched to a luck neutral 3.23 ERA with 9.23 K/9 and 3.00 BB/9. Most importantly, he's only allowed 0.69 HR/9. Those big flies ruined the first three months of his season. He's 49 percent owned and will face the Red Sox.
Reds righty Asher Wojciechowski offers a blend of risk and reward opposite the Cubs. Woj has pitched to strong peripherals this season, including 9.27 K/9 and 1.81 BB/9. Home runs remain an issue for him - he's allowed 1.81 HR/9. Unless the wind is blowing in, Wrigley Field isn't going to help with his homeritis. An extreme fly ball pitcher, Wojciechowski increasingly looks like a back of the rotation pitcher with streamable talent. He's one of the few pitchers in the league whose repertoire is designed to exploit low-ball hitters.
Other Targets: Could try some of the exploits
Pitchers to Exploit
Doug Fister is opposite Bauer. He's pitched well in his last two starts, but I've vowed not to be fooled. Similarly, Jerad Eickhoff has also been recently decent. He has three quality starts in his last four appearances. And the other outing wasn't bad either. He'll face Travis Wood and the Padres. The Phillies offense is on fire, although they're a little lean on lefty mashers.
After battling back from cancer, Chad Bettis is set to make his season debut at Coors Field against the Braves. Even with the scary home park, Bettis has emerged in recent seasons as a streamable arm. At his best, he's a solid source of quality starts, albeit with a low strikeout rate. Bettis is opposed by Julio Teheran. He is... not prepared for a game in Denver.
Other Targets: Rafael Montero, Nick Tepesch, Ty Blach, Adam Conley, Martin Perez, Jake Junis, Jharel Cotton, Yovani Gallardo
Homers on the Wire
Phillies streamers have been rewarding their owners of late. The most recent addition to the list is Rhys Hoskins. The top hitting prospect in minors (based on actual performance), Hoskins is off to a 0-for-12 start with four strikeouts. That's inconsistent with his track record of high contact rates, power, and plate discipline. He probably just needs to relax, or perhaps it's merely a small sample blip. Hoskins was basically vintage Jose Bautista at Triple-A, hitting .284/.385/.581 with 29 home runs, a 13.5 percent walk rate, and a 15.8 percent strikeout rate. I'd call him the next Joey Votto, but he hits a ton of infield flies. He should enjoy facing Wood.
The Rockies called upon Ryan McMahon to help round out their bench. The 22-year-old prospect was racking at Triple-A to the tune of .375/.409/.625. There's a chance he'll force his way into the lineup on a regular basis. Mark Reynolds and Carlos Gonzalez's jobs shouldn't be viewed as safe. For now, McMahon will play only two or three days a week.
Other Targets: Freddy Galvis, Tommy Joseph, Maikel Franco, Jose Pirela, Seth Smith, Matt Chapman, Jed Lowrie, Matt Joyce, Brandon Moss, Matt Adams, Brandon Phillips, Nick Markakis, Mikie Mahtook, Lucas Duda, Dominic Smith, Amed Rosario, Mitch Moreland
Steals on the Wire
Despite his hulking size, Bradley Zimmer is as fast as anybody in the league not named Billy Hamilton or Dee Gordon. He's stealing bases at a rate of one every 20 plate appearances. More importantly, he also contributes to all five categories.
With the Rays visiting the stolen base prone Blue Jays, it's a fantastic day to dust off Mallex Smith. The potential exists for a three steal day. I'd hazard as high as a 50 percent chance for at least one steal.
Other Targets: Cesar Hernandez, Manuel Margot, Jarrod Dyson
Skill Positions
It's a big day for streamable catchers. With Russell Martin sidelined, Miguel Montero is now a starting catcher. While he isn't a stand out at the position, Montero is good enough to own in two-catcher formats. He has a decent matchup against Kuhl tomorrow.
James McCann is facing a lefty. He's hitting .324/.390/.649 versus southpaws - consistent production with his career numbers. Cameron Rupp is a less extreme version of McCann.
Whether the Braves call upon Tyler Flowers or Kurt Suzuki, they should enjoy a start at Coors Field.
Alex Avila is once again a starting catcher.
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