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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 17.
Let's get to it.
Agenda
- Hoskins Redux
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Hoskins Redux
After two highly successful games at Petco Park, Rhys Hoskins may be hoping for a trade. That Wil Myers guy isn't sticking around for long, is he? Here's Hoskins hitting his third home run in the last two days. He's no Giancarlo Stanton, but there's an awful lot of promise here.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
Today, the Minnesota game looks very likely to rain out. Keep an eye out for late storms in Chicago too. As for tomorrow, Thin Thursday features 10 games. Unfortunately, Minnesota and Chicago are once again at risk of postponement.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Thursday, August 17
Pitchers to Use
At 34 percent owned, Mike Clevinger is clearly the top streaming arm available. The righty has below average command, but he's made up for it with a healthy strikeout rate (9.96 K/9) and some BABIP fortune. Even accounting for regression, Clevinger is a fantasy average starter in this run scoring environment. He has a friendly matchup against the Twins. Watch out for rain.
Chris Rowley is set to make his second major league start. The 27-year-old only throws 89 mph. He relied on a barrage of sliders to work through his debut start. Now he's tasked with neutralizing the Rays. Reports are few and far between, but Rowley may have the wherewithal to survive in the majors with his mediocre fastball. File this one under extremely risky.
Other Targets: Reynaldo Lopez
Pitchers to Exploit
There aren't actually many obvious exploits available. Lucas Sims and Jeff Hoffman are cursed with a start at Coors Field. Hoffman has a 6.15 ERA at home. Sims' below average command has yet to rear it's ugly head (1.56 BB/9). Instead, his issue has been with home runs (2.08 HR/9). That's unlikely to improve in Denver.
Sadly, Tyson Ross is a shadow of his former self. His velocity is down several tics from his peak, and his command has yet to return. For a guy who thrived on 40 percent slider usage, he needs the ability to hit spots from time to time.
Other Targets: Edwin Jackson
Homers on the Wire
Aaron Hicks is sitting at 46 percent owned. His blend of power, speed, and valuable role in the Yankees lineup is a must-own in all but the shallowest formats. He'll see a scuffling Steven Matz.
A bunch of Braves are still hanging out in Colorado, most notably Matt Adams, Brandon Phillips, Ozzie Albies, and Nick Markakis. Yes, even no-power Markakis is rosterable at Coors. Adams, quite obviously, is the most likely of the bunch to actually homer.
Other Targets: Rhys Hoskins, Nick Williams, Jose Pirela, Hunter Renfroe, Derek Fisher
Steals on the Wire
Delino DeShields is drawing frequent starts atop the Rangers lineup. With Kevan Smith and Omar Narvaez handling the catching duties for the White Sox, DeShields need only reach base to run wild. Carlos Gomez and Shin-Soo Choo are less likely to run, and more likely to do serious damage with their bats.
I'm sticking with the Mallex Smith recommendation in Toronto. It does seem I mistakenly thought he'd get to face Miguel Montero. He's currently on the disabled list with a groin injury. My mistake. Even without the help of Montero, Smith is still an easy pick for speed.
Other Targets: Michael Taylor, Manuel Margot, Leury Garcia, Bradley Zimmer
Skill Positions
Thursday is probably a Tyler Flowers day at Coors Field. Unless he starts tonight in which case it'll be a Kurt Suzuki day tomorrow.
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