👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
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

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Top-Rated Accuracy
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for August 25

Brad Johnson's fantasy baseball daily streaming picks for August 25. 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 25.

Let's get to it.

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

 

Agenda

  1. Hoskins, Again. And Again.
  2. Today's Weather and Updates
  3. Tomorrow's Picks

 

1. Hoskins, Again. And Again.

Fantasy players are finally figuring out that Rhys Hoskins should be owned. He's up to 49 percent, making this the (likely) final day we'll discuss him. Here he is last night hitting his seventh home in 59 plate appearances. And here he is today popping his eighth home run in 62 plate appearances.

 

2. Today's Weather and Updates

The Pittsburgh game could get a little wet today, but it shouldn't be a big deal. Fortunately, the Astros and Rangers are on the road tomorrow. Flooding is likely in Texas. Everywhere else looks dry though.

 

3. Tomorrow's Picks - Friday, August 25

Pitchers to Use

Since returning from the disabled list, Jerad Eickhoff has a 3.65 ERA with 8.93 K/99 and 3.86 BB/9 in 44 innings. Most importantly, he has his home run rate under control at 1.02 HR/9. Eickhoff's matchup against the Cubs isn't ideal, but it also isn't particularly onerous.

Like Eickhoff, Adam Conley has pitched much better since returning from an injury. Over his last 44 innings, he's posted 6.50 K/9, 2.64 BB, and a 3.25 ERA (also 1.02 HR/9). Conley has the added benefit of hosting a terrible Padres offense.

Other Targets: CC Sabathia, Chad Bettis

 

Pitchers to Exploit

Parker Bridwell has a shiny 2.92 ERA, but I'm sticking with him as an exploit. For one, nothing in his profile suggests he can maintain this success. Everything screams 5.00 ERA pitcher. It's also worth noting he'll be opposed by the Astros offense. While the Dodgers are getting all the press as the best team of 2017, the Houston offense blows Los Angeles (and everybody else) out of the water.

The Nationals are in need of a spot start from Matt Grace. The southpaw has a 91 mph fastball with bowling ball action. He doesn't miss enough bats to be a viable starter. Righties seem to see him very well - 3.68 K/9 and 3.27 BB/9 in 22.2 innings of work.

Other Targets: Ariel Miranda, Bartolo Colon, Jeremy Hellickson, Robert Stephenson, Ryan Merritt, Travis Wood, Julio Teheran, Ty Blach, A.J. Griffin

 

Homers on the Wire

Although he isn't the most powerful hitter on the wire, Dansby Swanson is slashing .304/.400/.457 in 55 plate appearances (no home runs) since his return to the majors. He's walked more than he's struck out over the span. If he keeps it up, he'll be back at the top of the order in no time. He'll face Bettis

Other Targets: Keon Broxton, Curtis Granderson, C.J. Cron, Boog Powell, Matt Joyce, Jed Lowrie, Matt Chapman, Shin-Soo Choo, Lucas Duda, Stephen Piscotty, Matt Adams, Brandon Guyer, Mitch Moreland, Rhys Hoskins, Freddy Galvis, Steve Pearce, Kendrys Morales, Danny Valencia, Mitch Haniger

 

Steals on the Wire

Although he probably won't start, Raimel Tapia is a perfect base thief if he plays. The Rockies are visiting Julio Teheran and the Braves. Teheran and either Atlanta backstop make for one of the most exploitable batteries in the league.

Byron Buxton's superb base running matchups continue with a visit to Toronto. J.A. Happ isn't particularly stolen base prone, but several Blue Jays relievers have issues.

Other Targets: Delino DeShields, Kolten Wong, Cesar Hernandez

 

Skill Positions

Austin Hedges has the platoon advantage against Conley. Although I recommended using him, Conley did have home run issues earlier in the season.

 

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

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Top-Rated Accuracy
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

NFL

Dexter Lawrence to Get a New Deal From Giants?
Carolina Panthers

Diego Pavia Visiting With Panthers on Tuesday
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Hosting Denzel Boston on Pre-Draft Visit on Tuesday
Malik Willis

Dolphins Looking to Build Around Malik Willis
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Signs Franchise Tag, Present for Offseason Workouts
Tommy Fleetwood

a Contender if his Putter Cooperates at The Masters
Evan Engram

Fading Value Could Sink Even Lower After NFL Draft
TreVeyon Henderson

Experience and Emphasis on Run Game Could Help TreVeyon Henderson's Value Soar
Caleb Williams

The Sky is the Limit for Caleb Williams in Second Season with Ben Johnson
Nikita Kucherov

Nets 400th Career Goal
Elijah Arroyo

Are the Pieces in Place for a Year 2 Jump From Elijah Arroyo?
Evander Kane

Unlikely to Play Tuesday
Tre Tucker

Could Be an Early-Season Sell Candidate
Kevin Lankinen

Won't Dress on Tuesday
Morgan Barron

Considered Week-to-Week
Pontus Holmberg

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Monday
Philipp Grubauer

Exits With Injury Monday
Andrew Nembhard

Misses Fourth Consecutive Game
Pascal Siakam

Unavailable Tuesday Night
Matas Buzelis

Misses Second Straight Game Due to Illness
Josh Giddey

Out on Tuesday
Jalen Williams

Won't Play Against Lakers
Anthony Edwards

Remains on the Shelf Tuesday
Victor Wembanyama

Sustains Bruised Rib Versus 76ers
Jack Bech

Could be a Nice Buy-Low Candidate Going into Sophomore Season
Mark Scheifele

Collects Three Helpers on Monday
Jacob deGrom

Pitches Through Knee Issue on Monday
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Defeats the Lightning
Dalton Rushing

Smacks Two Homers in Rout of Blue Jays
Jaydon Blue

Will Jaydon Blue Remain the Cowboys' RB2 After the Draft?
Max Scherzer

Dealing With Forearm Tendinitis, Expected to Make his Next Start
Oronde Gadsden

Due for a Year 2 Breakout?
Collin Morikawa

Vegas has Lost Confidence in Collin Morikawa Ahead of Masters Tournament
Keaton Mitchell

to Play a Key Role on New Team?
Ludvig Aberg

One of the Top Plays For This Week's Masters Tournament
Isaiah Bond

Is Isaiah Bond Due for a Year 2 Breakout or a Reduced Role?
James Cook

Continues to Trend Up Every Year
Rory McIlroy

Set to Defend his Long-Awaited Masters Victory
Bryson DeChambeau

Looks to Finally Claim a Green Jacket
Patrick Cantlay

Needs Plenty to Go Right at Augusta
Harris English

Playing Solid Golf Heading to Masters
Sam Burns

Bouncing Back Nicely After Slow Start to 2026 Season
Corey Conners

Quietly Putting Together A Strong 2026 Season
Russell Henley

Looks to Bounce Back At Masters
Robert MacIntyre

Hopes to Rebound After Missed Cut at Masters Last Year
Justin Rose

Ready to Put Heartbreaking Playoff Loss Behind Him
Matt Fitzpatrick

Heads to Masters After Winning Valspar Championship
Xander Schauffele

Continues Scorching Start to 2026 Season
Scottie Scheffler

Returns to Action For Masters
Maverick McNealy

Might Perform Well Early at Masters Tournament
Gary Woodland

Riding the Wave Heading into Augusta National
Greg Dulcich

Will Have an Opportunity for a Big Role in 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars Love Their Running Back Room
Lamar Jackson

Present for Start of Offseason Program
Rasmus Hojgaard

Seeks to Continue Momentum from Houston
Shane Lowry

Attempting to Turn Back Time at the Masters
Sepp Straka

Trying to Get Under Par At Augusta
Viktor Hovland

Seeks a Hot Start at the Masters Tournament
Dean Wade

Jaylon Tyson and Dean Wade Set to Sit Out Again on Monday
Thomas Bryant

Unavailable on Monday
Andrew Mangiapane

Available for Monday's Tilt
Max Strus

Ruled Out Against Grizzlies
Shane Wright

Expected to Miss Another Game
Jarrett Allen

Available on Monday
Vladislav Namestnikov

Available Monday
Anthony Cirelli

Out Against Sabres
Evan Mobley

Active Against Memphis
Nino Niederreiter

Rejoins Jets Lineup
Brandon Hagel

Sits Out Third Consecutive Game
DAL

Nathan Bastian to Miss 3-4 Weeks
Mike Trout

Held Out of Series Opener Against Braves
Sam Merrill

Set to Suit Up on Monday
Donovan Mitchell

Ruled Out Monday
Alejandro Kirk

to Undergo Thumb Surgery on Tuesday
James Harden

Out Monday
Juan Soto

Mets Place Juan Soto on 10-Day Injured List
Matthew Boyd

Cubs Putting Matthew Boyd on 15-Day Injured List With Biceps Strain
Mickey Moniak

Goes Yard Twice Against his Old Team
Brent Rooker

Homers Twice, Drives in Six in Win Over Astros
Mike Trout

Considered Day-to-Day With Hand Contusion
New York Giants

Dexter Lawrence Requests a Trade, Won't Take Part in Offseason Program
Kyle Williams

Is Kyle Williams the Latest Patriots Draft Bust at Wide Receiver?
Vít Krejčí

Vit Krejci Still Sidelined Monday
Bruce Brown

Likely Available vs. Portland
Spencer Jones

Remains Sidelined Monday
Isaiah Stewart

Remains Out Monday vs. Orlando
Dillon Brooks

Risks Suspension After 18th Technical Foul
Daniel Gafford

Leaves Game Early with Shoulder Injury
Will Cuylle

Grabs First Career Hat Trick in Blowout Win
Jacob Markstrom

Records First Shutout of the Season
Brady Tkachuk

Scores Twice Against Hurricanes
Sidney Crosby

Registers Three Points in Sunday's Win
Robert Thomas

Pots First Career Hat Trick
Valeri Nichushkin

Labeled Day-to-Day
Chris Duncan

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Renato Moicano

Gets Back In The Win Column
Tabatha Ricci

Gets Outgrappled
Virna Jandiroba

Bounces Back
Brendson Ribeiro

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev

Earns First-Round Submission Win
Rafael Estevam

Suffers His First Loss
Ethyn Ewing

Dominates At UFC Vegas 115
Mike Trout

Exits Early After Getting Hit by Pitch
Pete Fairbanks

Serving as Opener Before Going on Paternity List
George Klassen

Called Up to Start on Sunday
Hunter Brown

Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Right-Shoulder Strain
Jesús Luzardo

Jesus Luzardo Dominates Rockies on Saturday
Byron Buxton

Back in Sunday's Lineup
Mookie Betts

Heading to the Injured List With Oblique Strain
Cade Horton

Cubs Place Cade Horton on 15-Day Injured List With Forearm Strain
Mookie Betts

Considered Day-to-Day, Heading for an MRI on Saturday
Juan Soto

Day-to-Day With Minor Groin Strain, No Decision on IL Yet
MLB

Cubs-Guardians Game Postponed on Saturday
Chris Duncan

Set For UFC Vegas 115 Main Event
Renato Moicano

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 115
Tabatha Ricci

Set For UFC Vegas 115 Co-Main Event
Virna Jandiroba

Looks To Bounce Back
Brendson Ribeiro

In Desperate Need Of Win
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev

Looks To Remain Unbeaten
Ethyn Ewing

Set For His Second UFC Bout
Rafael Estevam

Looks To Remain Undefeated
CFB

Gunner Stockton Looking "Great" After Offseason Injury
CFB

Sam Leavitt Showing "Encouraging Signs" at LSU Practice
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF