X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for August 18

Brad Johnson's fantasy baseball daily streaming picks for August 18. Pitcher and hitter streamers for MLB DFS games, and head-to-head (H2H) waiver wire targets.

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 Friday, August 18.

Let's get to it.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Agenda

  1. Rosenthal Down?
  2. Today's Weather and Updates
  3. Tomorrow's Picks

 

1. Rosenthal Down?

Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal is experiencing "renewed arm tightness." It's seems extremely likely he'll be placed on the disabled list. Seung Hwan Oh and Tyler Lyons are the top candidates to fill his shoes. Oh has posted a 0.82 ERA with 10.64 K/9 and no walks since his demotion a month ago. Lyons has allowed only two hits since July 7, a period of 12.2 innings. Thus far, there is no indication that one is preferred over another. Lyons has been working the eighth inning recently.

 

2. Today's Weather and Updates

Storms could delay the start of today's doubleheader between the Twins and Indians. They'll make it work. Pittsburgh has a 50 percent chance of storms all day. That could get a bit hairy. Beware! Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Boston, New York (NL), and Atlanta could receive a soaking tomorrow.

 

3. Tomorrow's Picks - Friday, August 18

Pitchers to Use

Angels prospect Andrew Heaney is back from Tommy John surgery. Heaney cruised through six rehab starts, posting quality strikeout and walk rates. Although nobody should expect ace-like production, there's a chance he'll return to solid performance level he showed in 2016. Heaney posted a 3.49 ERA with 6.64 K/9 and 2.38 BB/9. He'll face the Orioles.

Trevor Williams possesses comparable peripherals without the uncertainty of a long layoff. The righty has a healthy ground ball rate to with 6.69 K/9 and 2.82 BB/9. His 4.19 ERA is ever so slightly unlucky. Williams has a neutral matchup against the Cardinals at PNC Park.

Other Targets: Jordan Montgomery

 

Pitchers to Exploit

The Marlins keep giving Justin Nicolino a chance for two reasons. First, they often find themselves in need of a warm body. Their rotation depth these last few years has been abysmal. Nicolino also has a penchant for carving up minor leaguers. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem as if his skill set will ever transfer to the majors. Grab some Mets tomorrow. Snag Marlins too, Chris Flexen is walking the world (6.48 BB/9).

Erasmo Ramirez is a good reliever, but he's overexposed when facing hitters more than once. Look for the Rays offense to get frisky right around the third or fourth inning.

Other Targets: Jordan Zimmermann, Austin Pruitt, Sal Romano, James Shields, Matt Garza, German Marquez, Luis Perdomo, Zach Eflin, Chris Stratton

 

Homers on the Wire

Keon Broxton is hot! Keon Broxton is visiting Coors Field. This is a fell convergence if even I've seen one. Broxton should be owned in all leagues for the duration of the weekend. In a truly just world, he would call Coors Field home.

Many Rays played with Ramirez earlier this season. To the best of my knowledge, Lucas Duda did not overlap. So he probably doesn't have any secret insights to use tomorrow. His teammates could share tips and tricks.

Other Targets: Rhys Hoskins, Nick Williams, Freddy Galvis, Jarrett Parker, Matt Adams, Asdrubal Cabrera, Dominic Smith, Wilmer Flores, Derek Dietrich, Chris Young, Aaron Hicks

 

Steals on the Wire

Bradley Zimmer remains the best all-around base thief on the waiver wire. Others may be more likely to steal, but nobody is more likely to do a bit of everything. He's been a little slumpy, but don't let it bother you.

Delino DeShields is another guy to use all weekend long. A matchup against the stolen base prone White Sox promises too much production. Try Carlos Gomez and Shin-Soo Choo too.

Other Targets: Michael Taylor, Wilmer Difo, Delino DeShields, Carlos Gomez, Shin-Soo Choo, Mallex Smith, Jarrod Dyson, Bradley Zimmer

 

Skill Positions

Well, James McCann is facing a lefty which is usually an auto-start. I'm not sure what to do when that lefty is Rich Hill. I suppose if you need a catcher, then you have to use somebody.

 

More Lineups Advice

 

Premium Tools & DFS Research

Get a free trial of our powerful MLB Premium Tools. Our famous DFS Optimizer & Lineup Generator, daily Matchup Ratings, expert DFS Lineups/Cheat Sheets, and more.

Sign Up Now!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Rui Hachimura

Back in Action on Christmas
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Cleared to Play on Christmas Night
George Kittle

Remains Sidelined During Thursday's Practice
Malik Willis

Carrying Questionable Tag for Week 17 Tilt
Jordan Love

Questionable for Saturday's Contest
Lamar Jackson

Listed as Doubtful for Week 17
Amon-Ra St. Brown

to Suit Up on Christmas Day
Rome Odunze

"Increasing Unlikely to Play" in Week 17
Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Carries Questionable Tag on Thursday
David Montgomery

Expected to Play on Christmas Day
Seth Curry

to Remain Sidelined on Christmas Day
Jae'Sean Tate

Questionable Thursday
Dwight Powell

Likely to Return on Christmas
Jaylin Williams

Misses Fifth Straight Game
Ousmane Dieng

Unavailable on Christmas Day
Guerschon Yabusele

Questionable for Christmas Action
Miles McBride

Remains Out on Christmas
Cameron Johnson

to Miss Time With Bone Bruise in Right Knee
Jaxson Hayes

Considered Questionable for Christmas Matchup
Rui Hachimura

Likely to Return Thursday
Dorian Finney-Smith

Could Make Season Debut on Christmas Day
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Uncertain for Christmas Day
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Listed as Questionable for Christmas Game
Al Horford

on Track to Return Thursday
Jaden McDaniels

Iffy for Christmas Day
Brandon Williams

Expected to Play on Christmas Day
P.J. Washington

at Risk of Missing Second Straight Game
Klay Thompson

Likely to Play on Christmas Day
Max Christie

Probable for Christmas Day
David Montgomery

Questionable to Play With Illness
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Questionable, Expected to Play on Thursday
Rashee Rice

Chiefs Place Rashee Rice on Injured Reserve
T.J. Hockenson

Ruled Out for Week 17
Pete Fairbanks

Marlins Agree on One-Year Deal
Josh Johnson

to Start at QB on Thursday Against Dallas
Brooks Koepka

Leaving LIV Golf
Davante Adams

Could Sit Out Final Two Regular-Season Games
Brock Bowers

Placed on Injured Reserve Due to Lingering Knee Injury
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Expected to Play on Christmas Day Against the Vikings
Connor McDavid

Finishes Battle of Alberta With Five Assists
Karel Vejmelka

Battling Upper-Body Injury
Alexandre Texier

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Against Bruins
Alexander Nikishin

Dealing With Apparent Ankle Injury
Denver Barkey

Exits Early Tuesday
Travis Sanheim

Pulled by Concussion Spotter Tuesday
Ryan O'Hearn

Pirates Agree on Two-Year Deal
DK Metcalf

has Two-Game Suspension Upheld
Philip Rivers

to Remain the Starter in Week 17
George Kittle

Dealing With Mid-to-Low Ankle Sprain
Viktor Arvidsson

a Game-Time Decision Tuesday
Ryan Leonard

Available Tuesday
Tom Wilson

in Danger of Missing First Game of the Season
Phillip Danault

Makes Second Canadiens Debut Tuesday
Collin Graf

Available Against Golden Knights
Jack Eichel

Misses Fourth Straight Game
Vince Dunn

Won't Play Tuesday
Deshaun Watson

Will Not be Activated Off PUP List, 2025 Season is Over
J.J. McCarthy

Ruled Out for Week 17
CFB

Jeff Brohm, Eli Drinkwitz "Names of Interest" for Michigan Head Coach
Timothy Liljegren

to Miss Second Straight Game Tuesday
Will Smith

Out Week-to-Week
Jaccob Slavin

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Seth Jarvis

Considered Week-to-Week
Darren Raddysh

Totals Three Points in Monday's Win
Mason Marchment

Scores Twice Monday
Vince Dunn

Injured in Monday's Win
Ilya Sorokin

to Miss Tuesday's Game
CFB

Byrum Brown Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Bobby Petrino Joining Bill Belichick as North Carolina's Offensive Coordinator
Willson Contreras

Shipped to the Red Sox

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP