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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 Tuesday, August 29.
Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Impressed Yet?
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Impressed Yet?
On Sunday, Giancarlo Stanton hit his 50th home run. Rhys Hoskins hammered his 11th in 76 plate appearances - a pace of 94 over a full season. Byron Buxton popped three blasts. Over the last calendar year, Buxton is slashing .257/.321/.459 with 22 home run, 25 stolen bases, and gold glove caliber defense.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
As I warned yesterday, the forecast in Chicago is iffy. Currently, storms are expected to abate for about the duration of one baseball game before picking up again. Check back closer to game time. Pay attention to Colorado too - just in case.
It's going to be quite rainy tomorrow. Baltimore, New York, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Houston could all be a wash. Houston has a dome, but the area has also suffered a natural disaster.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Tuesday, August 29
Pitchers to Use
I said a bunch of words about Edwin Jackson yesterday. He was bumped back for Max Scherzer.
After a seven inning, 10 strikeout gem last week, Luke Weaver has already raced to 40 percent owned. One more good start will put him outside of the streaming bubble. Weaver looks like a legit major league pitcher capable of producing a 3.50 ERA with solid peripherals. He's visiting a volatile Brewers offense at hitter friendly Miller Park. A very wide range of outcomes are plausible.
I don't have a good read on Mark Leiter Jr. ERA estimators are not enthused - mostly due to a high home run rate. However, the overall profile looks an awful lot like Trevor Williams, a guy I repeatedly recommend for his decent production. Leiter is suffering from 1.54 HR/9. He matched that rate in 30 Triple-A innings too. Recently, he's increased his swinging strike rate. Consider him high risk, modest reward versus the Braves and R.A. Dickey. Mr. Dickey has the same risk/reward profile. Let's see how Rhys Hoskins feels about knuckle balls.
Other Targets: German Marquez, Luis Perdomo
Pitchers to Exploit
Justin Nicolino has a bad mix of traits. He works in the strike zone but doesn't induce any whiffs. It's no surprise he's pummeled by everybody. Even a banged up Nationals offense should go ham.
One way to entertain yourself while watching a James Shields start is to mispronounce his name. I go with Jammies Shy-Elds. Another way is to root for the opposing offense. Because they will score a bunch of runs. Shields is extra homer prone - 2.25 HR/9.
Other Targets: Erasmo Ramirez, Jaime Garcia, Chris Flexen, Sal Romano, Martin Perez, Jake Junis, Chris Smith, Troy Scribner, Matt Moore, Tom Koehler
Homers on the Wire
Luis Valbuena is known for his hot and cold streaks. Since August 12, he's slashing .353/.463/.912 with six home runs in 41 plate appearances. Jump aboard the band wagon until he cools off. Smith is certainly a very exploitable pitcher.
Howie Kendrick is NOT a power hitter, although he can be considered as such versus Nicolino. Kendrick should put four or five balls in play tomorrow as the Nationals leadoff man. He may not supply a home run, but bulk run production is possible.
Other Targets: Jose Pirela, Hunter Renfroe, Boog Powell, Matt Joyce, Luca Duda, Max Kepler, Keon Broxton, Stephen Piscotty, Scott Schebler, Mitch Moreland, Matt Adams, Dansby Swanson, Nick Williams, Freddy Galvis, Derek Dietrich, Brandon Guyer, Seth Smith
Steals on the Wire
Lots of power bats, huh? Unfortunately, speed is hard to find on the wire tomorrow. Delino DeShields is the lone must-play option against the Houston battery. They're among the most stolen base prone teams.
Other Targets: Ben Revere, Michael Taylor, Wilmer Difo
Skill Positions
If you picked up Mike Zunino for his matchup against Chris Tillman, you might as well hang onto him against Dylan Bundy. While Bundy is a tougher opponent, Camden Yards remains ridiculously homer friendly.
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