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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 draft 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

Darius Garland

Exits Early Wednesday With Foot Injury
Jalen Suggs

to Miss Sixth Straight Game Thursday
Wendell Carter Jr.

Cleared to Play in Berlin
Myles Turner

Available Thursday
Deni Avdija

Likely to Remain Out Thursday
Jaylen Brown

Ready to Face Heat Thursday
Bruce Brown

Spencer Jones, Bruce Brown Available Wednesday
Aaron Gordon

Cleared for Wednesday Night
Jamal Murray

Active Wednesday Night
Cade Cunningham

Ready to End Two-Game Absence
Devin Booker

Questionable for Thursday Night
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Probable to Face Spurs
Brandon Williams

Available Wednesday
Max Christie

Out Wednesday
P.J. Washington

Returns to Action Wednesday
Scotty Pippen Jr.

Season Debut Delayed for at Least Four More Weeks
Brandon Clarke

to Miss 4-6 More Weeks
Josh Giddey

Starting Ramp-Up Period, Could Return Soon
Ja Morant

Unavailable Thursday
Julian Phillips

Out Wednesday
Coby White

to Be Limited to 28-30 Minutes Wednesday
Mackenzie Blackwood

Activated From Injured Reserve
Ben Griffin

Looks To Stay Hot In 2026
Tom Wilson

Cleared for Contact, Could Return Thursday
Neal Pionk

Lands on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Jamie Drysdale

Activated From Injured Reserve
Corey Perry

Unavailable Wednesday
Teuvo Teravainen

to Miss at Least One Game
Connor Bedard

Returns to Practice
Alexandre Texier

Canadiens Sign Alexandre Texier to Two-Year Extension
New York Giants

Giants Making "Massive Push" to Hire John Harbaugh on Wednesday
Ranger Suárez

Ranger Suarez Agrees to Five-Year Deal With Red Sox
CFB

Dante Moore Not Entering 2026 NFL Draft, Will Return to Oregon
NFL

Mike Tomlin Doesn't Plan to Coach in 2026
Travis Hunter

Expected to Play More Defense in 2026
CFB

FBS Coaches Unanimously Vote to Expand Redshirt Eligibility to Nine Games
CFB

Ohio State Transfer Mylan Graham Signs with Notre Dame
CFB

Caden Durham Withdraws from Transfer Portal, Will Stay at LSU
Leon Draisaitl

Has Three Points in Tuesday's Loss
Joel Hofer

Controls Hurricanes Tuesday
Jordan Spieth

Perhaps the Most Intriguing Player at Sony Open
Jeremy Swayman

Posts First Shutout of the Season
Zach Werenski

Totals Three Points in Tuesday's Win
Chandler Stephenson

Available Wednesday
Aaron Rai

Looking For Putting Confidence at Waialae Country Club
Jonathan Marchessault

Moved to Injured Reserve
Brayden Point

Labeled Week-to-Week
Collin Morikawa

Isn't The Safe Play He Used to Be Ahead of Sony Open
Kurt Kitayama

Needs His Putting to Turn Around For Success at Year's First Event
Ryan Weathers

Yankees Add Rotation Depth, Acquire Ryan Weathers in Four-Player Deal
Robert Thomas

Out Tuesday
Jake Walman

Available Against Predators
Troy Terry

a Game-Time Decision Tuesday
Justin Sourdif

Won't Play Tuesday
Jakob Chychrun

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Morgan Geekie

Available Tuesday
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Fire Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman
Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Tomlin Stepping Down as Steelers Head Coach
CFB

Georgia Tech the Favorite to Land Justice Haynes?
Nolan Arenado

Cardinals Trade Nolan Arenado to Diamondbacks
Tom Kim

Desperately Needs a Solid Week at Sony Open
Billy Horschel

Hoping For a Fast Start to New Season at Sony Open
Corey Conners

Looks to Have a Return to Form in 2026
PGA

Chris Gotterup a Decent Play at Sony Open
Gary Woodland

Could Prosper at the Sony Open
Keith Mitchell

Unlikely to Contend at Sony Open
Robert MacIntyre

Looking for a Good Performance at the Sony Open
Michael Kim

Hopes to Start Sony Open Better This Week
Tom Hoge

Tries to Erase Poor 2025 Second Half in Hawaii
Brian Harman

Seeks Fresh Start in Hawaii
Eric Cole

Looks to Last Year for Success at Sony Open
Daniel Berger

Starts Off 2026 at Sony Open
Nico Collins

Suffers Concussion Against Steelers
Nico Collins

Carted to Locker Room for Concussion Evaluation
Kyle Tucker

Mets Meet With Kyle Tucker
Dalton Kincaid

"Should be Fine" for Divisional Round
Brooks Koepka

Officially Returning To PGA Tour
Tucker Kraft

Hopes to be Ready for Week 1 of Next Season
CFB

Georgia Lands Kentucky Transfer Dante Dowdell
Matthew Stafford

has "Little Sprain," Should be "Good to Go"
CFB

Sam Leavitt Expected to Sign with LSU
Green Bay Packers

Packers Expected to Work Out New Deal With Matt LaFleur in the "Coming Days"
CFB

Dylan Raiola Commits to Oregon
CFB

Isaiah Horton Landing with Texas A&M
George Kittle

Suffers Torn Achilles on Sunday
Omarion Hampton

Active for Wild-Card Round Against Patriots
George Kittle

Ruled Out After Non-Contact Achilles Injury
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Request Interview With Ejiro Evero
Los Angeles Rams

Mike LaFleur to Interview With Raiders and Cardinals
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Open to Re-Signing Aaron Rodgers?
Matthew Stafford

X-Rays Come Back Negative
MacKenzie Gore

Yankees Pursuing Trade for MacKenzie Gore
Alex Bregman

Cubs Sign Alex Bregman to Five-Year, $175 Millon Contract
Freddie Freeman

Withdraws from World Baseball Classic
Max Kepler

Receives 80-Game PED Suspension
CFB

Cam Coleman Visiting Alabama on Friday
Omarion Hampton

Expects to Play Sunday Night
CFB

Eric Singleton Jr. Enters Transfer Portal, Trending to Land at Florida
CFB

NCAA Denies Trinidad Chambliss a Sixth Year of Eligibility
Omarion Hampton

Questionable for Wild-Card Weekend
Kyle Tucker

Mets Remain in Mix for Kyle Tucker
Ketel Marte

Will Remain With Diamondbacks
Rashee Rice

to be Reviewed Under League's Conduct Policy

RANKINGS

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