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Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for July 18

Brad Johnson's fantasy baseball daily streaming picks for July 17. 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 Tuesday, July 18th.

Let's get to it.

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

 

Agenda

  1. Trade Fallout
  2. Today's Weather and Updates
  3. Tomorrow's Picks

 

1. Trade Fallout

Yesterday, the Nationals traded one underperforming closer for two presently solid closers. That none of them were actually filling the role of closer is an entirely different matter. Ryan Madson will likely step directly into the ninth inning for the Nationals with Sean Doolittle breathing down his neck. Doolittle is the better reliever, but repeated shoulder issues make him a better fit for a more flexible job. In Oakland, expect to see Santiago Casilla continue in the ninth. Blake Treinen may eventually inherit the role - he has filthy stuff, but it moves almost too much to locate.

 

2. Today's Weather and Updates

We should have a rain-free evening of action. You may want to steer clear of Minnesota tomorrow.

 

3. Tomorrow's Picks - Tuesday, July 18th

Pitchers to Use

I wanted to recommend Mike Clevenger, but he's already 57 percent owned. In a typical year, Clevinger would be down in the 15 percent neighborhood. His lack of command will become an issue at some point.

Since Clevinger is a no-go, that leaves Sean Newcomb as the guy to try. Like Clevinger, his command leaves much to be desired. However, the rest of the profile is attractive, including a good whiff rate and few home runs. After beginning his major league career with four straight quality starts, he's allowed nine runs in his last 7.1 innings. The Braves will host the Cubs.

Vince Velasquez will make his return from the disabled list. Expect a short outing. Velasquez fits today's theme - good stuff and poor command. He struggled with homers this season, but I expect that to normalize at some point. He's a worthwhile stash. I wouldn't use him against the Marlins unless you're desperate.

Other Targets: NO

 

Pitchers to Exploit

Chris Smith the Athletic - not to be confused with the Blue Jays reliever - will make his second start of the season. The soft tossing righty is a command and control guy with typical replacement level stuff. Count on a 5.00 ERA.

Dinelson Lamet is usually a decent volatility play - a guy you might use if you need to throw a hail mary in a weekly matchup. Alas, a visit to Coors Field is DOOM. His opponent Antonio Senzatela has been in steady decline since his early season arrival. As I warned at the time, middling command of a two pitch repertoire was never going to work.

Other Targets: Bartolo Colon, Luis Cessa, Tyson Ross, Junior Guerra, Sal Romano, Rafael Montero, Adam Conley, Miguel Gonzalez, Sam Gaviglio, Matt Boyd, Travis Wood, Edwin Jackson, Jesse Chavez, Ty Blach

 

Homers on the Wire

Jose Pirela has been bouncing between first and cleanup in the Padres lineup. Although he's cooled down since a June outburst, he's still worth consideration due to his role and visit to Coors Field. He's slashing just .230/.230/.392 since June 23.

Tommy Pham has received some recent hype, soaring to 45 percent owned. I remain doubtful of him as a long term asset, although I still consider him among the top streamers in a typical 12 team format. He has a solid matchup against Montero and the Mets. Luke Voit is comparably interesting except with no stolen base potential. And he's on the wire in 98 percent of leagues.

Other Targets: Brandon Guyer, Stephen Drew, Marcus Semien, Max Kepler, Robbie Grossman, Garrett Cooper, Matt Adams, Daniel Nava, Freddy Galvis, Tommy Joseph, Luke Voit, Paul DeJong, Chris Young, Seth Smith, Carlos Gomez, Shin-Soo Choo

 

Steals on the Wire

It's Rajai Davis day versus Blake Snell. The southpaw has poor command and control. Davis may single or draw a walk. Then it's off to the races.

Everything I said yesterday about Whit Merrifield applies tomorrow. McCann will likely be behind the dish since the Tigers are facing a southpaw. And Boyd is rather hittable, giving Merrifield multiple pathways to value.

Other Targets: Denard Span, Andrelton Simmons, Mallex Smith, Manuel Margot, Kolten Wong, Delino Deshields

 

Skill Positions

With the A's facing a southpaw, it's also Josh Phegley day. The same goes for James McCann. Cameron Rupp also hits much better versus lefties.

 

More Lineups Advice

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Grayson Allen

Absent for Third Consecutive Game
Zach LaVine

to Miss at Least One More Week
Victor Wembanyama

Ready to Take on Thunder
Dwight Powell

Misses Tuesday's Game Due to Illness
Jaden Hardy

Starting on Tuesday Night
Klay Thompson

Sits Out Tuesday's Action
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Active Against Mavericks
Peyton Watson

Ready to Face Mavericks
Jaden McDaniels

Out on Tuesday Evening
Jordan Poole

Herbert Jones Out Tuesday
Max Christie

Still Out on Tuesday Night
Darius Garland

Available Tuesday
Brandon Williams

Cleared to Play Versus Denver
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Resting on Tuesday
P.J. Washington

Ruled Out on Tuesday
Lauri Markkanen

Unavailable Versus Grizzlies
Ja Morant

Remains Out Tuesday
Terance Mann

Ben Saraf Available for Nets Tuesday
Josh Green

Active Versus Wizards
Mason Plumlee

Ryan Kalkbrenner, Mason Plumlee Out Tuesday
Collin Sexton

Back in Action Tuesday
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
Rome Odunze

Expected to Return This Season
Christian McCaffrey

Another Monster Game for Christian McCaffrey in Week 16
Brock Purdy

Throws for Five Touchdowns in Week 16
TreVeyon Henderson

in Concussion Protocol, Week 17 Status Unclear
George Kittle

Week 17 Availability in Question?
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
Rashee Rice

Still in Concussion Protocol, Estimated as Non-Participant on Monday
J.J. McCarthy

Listed as DNP on Monday Ahead of Week 17
Ilya Sorokin

to Miss Tuesday's Game
DK Metcalf

Suspended for Two Games Following Confrontation with Fan
Christian Dvorak

Returns to Flyers Lineup
Elias Pettersson

Still Out Monday
Brandon Montour

to Miss Four Weeks After Hand Surgery
Miles Wood

Available Against Kings
Zach Werenski

Ruled Out Monday
Leo Carlsson

Won't Play Monday
CFB

Byrum Brown Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Bobby Petrino Joining Bill Belichick as North Carolina's Offensive Coordinator
TreVeyon Henderson

Exits Week 16 Victory with Head Injury
Lamar Jackson

Questionable to Return in Week 16 with Back Injury
Willson Contreras

Shipped to the Red Sox
Quinshon Judkins

Done for the Season with Broken Leg
Nick Chubb

Officially Active Against Raiders in Week 16
Gardner Minshew

Won't Return in Week 16
Woody Marks

Officially Inactive for Week 16
Quinshon Judkins

Carted Off in Week 16, Ruled Out with Apparent Leg Injury
Tua Tagovailoa

Dolphins Hope to Trade Tua Tagovailoa in the Offseason
Woody Marks

Not Expected to Play in Week 16
Washington Commanders

Commanders to Retain Dan Quinn, Fire Joe Whitt?
New York Giants

Marcus Freeman is a Top Candidate in Giants' Head Coaching Search
Brandon Lowe

Pirates Acquire Brandon Lowe in Three-Team Trade
Shane Baz

Orioles Acquire Shane Baz From the Rays
CFB

Darian Mensah Returning to Duke Next Season
CFB

Josh Hoover Linked to Indiana in Transfer Portal
CFB

Arch Manning Agrees to Reduced Compensation for 2026 Season
Michael King

Padres Bring Michael King Back on Three-Year Deal
Logan Webb

Will Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
Tarik Skubal

Joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic
CFB

Will Muschamp Becoming Next Texas Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Beau Pribula Set to Enter Transfer Portal
Bo Bichette

Willing to Make the Move to Second Base

RANKINGS

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