TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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 July 20

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 Thursday, July 20th.

Let's get to it.

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

 

Agenda

  1. Trade Deadline Antics, Part the First
  2. Today's Weather and Updates
  3. Tomorrow's Picks

 

1. Trade Deadline Antics, Part the First

Yesterday featured two big swaps - a sort of trade deadline 11 days before the real deal. The first sent J.D. Martinez to Arizona. The fantasy impact is pretty straightforward. The DBacks will play one fewer scrubby outfielder. The Tigers will play an additional scrubby outfielder. Martinez's value doesn't really change since the slightly better offense is offset by the lack of safety net. With his balky back and foot, having the designated hitter role available was reassuring.

The other deal involves far more moving parts. Todd Frazier, David Robertson, and Tommy Kahnle are headed to New York in exchange for Tyler Clippard and some solid prospects. If you're in a league deep enough to need Garrett Cooper or Chase Headley, one or both is likely to lose a lot of playing time to Frazier. Meanwhile, top prospect Yoan Moncada has been summoned as the White Sox second baseman. We'll see if he can improve upon his MLB debut.

If you've had Kahnle stashed as the next White Sox closer, sorry for ya. Nate Jones is also shelved for the season, so I'm assuming Clippard or Anthony Swarzak will handle the ninth inning. Robertson also hemorrhages value as a fantasy asset. You'll probably want to avoid streaming hitters against the Yankees now. Their bullpen is obscene.

 

2. Today's Weather and Updates

It's all dry today and tomorrow. That's good since there are only nine games.

 

3. Tomorrow's Picks - Thursday, July 20th

Pitchers to Use

Luis Castillo has surged to 22 percent owned as more and more owners take notice of his 98 mph heater. My concern relates to the rest of his repertoire - a changeup and a slider. While he's induced great results with those pitches, he hasn't shown much confidence in the slider - probably due to suspect command. Unfortunately, that has let opponents sit on his fastball. They've posted a  .308 average and .662 slugging percentage against the pitch. It's been a heinous season for pitching though. Castillo should be owned just in case he pieces everything together. He has a tough matchup against the Diamondbacks.

Jhoulys Chacin is running hot, and he's preparing to visit pitcher friendly AT&T Park. Chacin's seasonal line has improved to fantasy average (8 wins, 4.33 ERA, 7.67 K/9, 1.31 WHIP). More recently, he has a 2.68 ERA (4.60 FIP) since the start of June. Don't count on a win opposite Madison Bumgarner. A quality start though? That's very much possible.

Other Targets: Seth Lugo, Mike Foltynewicz

 

Pitchers to Exploit

It's been a long time since I haven't had a double handful of exploits to target. Francisco Liriano and Doug Fister have both struggled this season, yet they're also both the type of pitcher who could snap off an unexpected gem. They face each other at Fenway.

Alternatively, Wade Miley has struggled following a strong start to the season. Since mid-May, he's allowed 51 runs in 56.2 innings with 6.51 K/9 and 5.08 BB/9. Woofwoof.

Other Targets: wow

 

Homers on the Wire

It's come to my attention that Mike Napoli has been underrepresented in this section. With Joey Gallo struggling, Napoli is likely to soon take a much larger and more consistent role in the offense. Although he started the year on the wrong foot - leading to a .203/.277/.462 batting line - he's been much better since April. He has 16 home runs and a .237/.316/.577 slash in 177 plate appearances since early May. When he plays, he usually bats fourth, fifth, or sixth. Teammate Carlos Gomez is also a good pick versus Miley.

Over his most recent 100 plate appearances, Orlando Arcia is hitting .347/.380/.558 with five home runs and four steals (three came on one particularly frisky day). He's still buried at the bottom of the Brewers lineup, but it's reassuring to see him seemingly improve at the plate. Don't go overboard trying to acquire him - his hot streak is accompanied by a .373 BABIP and 21.7 percent HR/FB ratio.

Other Targets: Lucas Duda, Tommy Pham, Paul DeJong, Chris Young, Trey Mancini, Matt Adams

 

Steals on the Wire

Delino DeShields usually plays against left-handed pitchers - either Shin-Soo Choo or Nomar Mazara will take an off day. DeShields doesn't benefit from platoon splits, although he does seem to be more patient against southpaws. And Miley has struggled to throw strikes. While some base runners will run less often against lefties, DeShields does not appear to be one of them. He'll probably run if he finds his way aboard.

Other Targets: Kolten Wong, Keon Broxton, Denard Span

 

Skill Positions

With Stephen Vogt sidelined, that means Manny Pina gets even more action.

 

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

Luis Arraez

Signs One-Year Deal With Giants
Troy Terry

Ready to Return Sunday
Victor Hedman

Set to Return Sunday
Connor McMichael

Out Week-to-Week
Kris Letang

Out for Four Weeks
Nico Hischier

a Game-Time Call Saturday
Jack Hughes

Won't Play Saturday
Linus Ullmark

Returns to Action Saturday
Blake Snell

Dodgers Plan to Have Blake Snell Ready for Opening Day
Paul George

Suspended for 25 Games
Shohei Ohtani

Will be Ready to Pitch to Start the 2026 Season
Francisco Lindor

Won't Play in WBC After Elbow Surgery
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Unlikely to Play Against Miami
Tre Jones

Still Sidelined as Bulls Face Miami
Tyler Herro

Remains Sidelined Saturday vs. Bulls
Norman Powell

Ruled Out vs. Bulls
Jeremy Sochan

Still Sidelined as Spurs Visit Charlotte
Keyonte George

Injures Ankle Late in Loss to Nets
Stephen Curry

Exits Early Against Pistons with Knee Issue
Charlie Coyle

Pots Second Career Hat Trick
Filip Hronek

Expected to Play Saturday
Pavel Zacha

Not Traveling With Bruins
Elias Lindholm

to Miss at Least Two More Games
William Nylander

on Track to Return Saturday
Kris Letang

Misses Practice, Uncertain for Saturday
Evgeni Malkin

Iffy for Saturday
Cade Cunningham

Ready to Rock Friday
Gui Santos

Available Against Pistons
Caris LeVert

Remains Sidelined Friday
Craig Porter Jr.

Out Against Suns
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Active Friday
Jamal Murray

Upgraded to Available Friday
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Officially Available Friday
Vinnie Pasquantino

Royals Agree on Two-Year Contract
Neemias Queta

Back in Action Friday
Miles McBride

Misses Friday's Game
Josh Hart

Active Against Trail Blazers
Tre Johnson

Out Against Lakers
Khris Middleton

Sits Out Meeting With Lakers
Austin Reaves

Remains Out Friday
Jacob Wilson

Signs Seven-Year Extension
Diego Lopes

An Underdog At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Set For UFC 325 Main Event
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Dan Hooker

Set For UFC 325 Co-Main Event
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Rafael Fiziev

Returns At UFC 325
CFB

Texas Lands Wake Forest Transfer Sterling Berkhalter
Samuel Ersson

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Thursday
Pavel Zacha

Exits Early Thursday
Charlie Lindgren

Hurt Versus Red Wings
Jack Hughes

Exits With Lower-Body Injury Thursday
Brad Marchand

Suffers New Injury Blow
Patrick Kane

Becomes NHL's Highest-Scoring U.S-Born Player
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Expected to Miss a Week
Tommy Edman

Will Have Delayed Start to Spring Training, Could Miss Opening Day
Kirk Cousins

Falcons Expected to Release Kirk Cousins
Chase Brown

Working on Extension With Bengals
Michael Penix Jr.

Hopes to be Ready for Week 1
Isaac Paredes

Not a Lock for Opening Day Lineup?
Dalton Kincaid

Doesn't Need Offseason Surgery
Josh Allen

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Josh Allen

on Crutches, Wearing Walking Boot
Corbin Carroll

a Top Fantasy Outfielder After Joining 30-30 Club
Jonah Tong

Won't Pitch in the World Baseball Classic
CFB

Michigan RB Bryson Kuzdzal Withdrawing from Transfer Portal
Aaron Judge

Appears to be Past his Elbow Issues
Bo Nix

Expected to Resume Training in 4-6 Weeks
Michael Penix Jr.

Thinks he'll be Ready by April
Evan Carter

Establishes a Goal to Steal 30 Bases
Edouard Julien

Traded to the Rockies
Cleveland Browns

Browns Hiring Todd Monken as Next Head Coach
Sahith Theegala

Off to Much Better 2026 Start
Gary Woodland

an Intriguing Option at Torrey Pines This Week
CJ Abrams

Giants Offer "Aggressive Pitch" for CJ Abrams
Andrew Putnam

Hopes to Keep Momentum Rolling This Week
Matthieu Pavon

Seeks to Return to 2024 Form at Torrey Pines
Luke List

Still Looking For Birdies at Torrey Pines
Jake Knapp

Faces Stiff Challenge at Farmers Insurance Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Needs to Play Better at Torrey Pines
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Could Struggle at Farmers Insurance Open
J.J. Spaun

A Steady Option At Farmers Insurance Open
Andrew Novak

Looking For More Success At Torrey Pines
Denny McCarthy

A Wild Card At Farmers Insurance Open
Max Homa

Looks To Keep Resurgence Going At Torrey Pines
Joe Highsmith

Struggling Heading Into Torrey Pines
Wyndham Clark

Looks To Carry Momentum Into Farmers Insurance Open
Tony Finau

Aims To Turn Things Around At Torrey Pines
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Bounce Back at Torrey Pines
Paul Goldschmidt

Yankees Expressing Interest in Re-Signing Paul Goldschmidt
Bo Bichette

Won't Play in World Baseball Classic
NFL

Bill Belichick Won't be First-Ballot Hall of Famer
Carlos Correa

Won't Play for Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Continue Incredible Run at Torrey Pines
Jason Day

has a Good Chance to Keep Momentum This Weekend
Keegan Bradley

has Good Course History at Torrey Pines
Billy Horschel

Isn't a Great DFS Option at Torrey Pines
Aaron Rodgers

Mike McCarthy Says he Wants Aaron Rodgers to Return
Will Zalatoris

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Farmers Insurance Open
Drake Maye

Expected to be Fine for Super Bowl
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Brian Daboll as New Offensive Coordinator
Buffalo Bills

Bills Promote Joe Brady to Head Coach
CFB

Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi Signs with Michigan
CFB

Darian Mensah Reaches Settlement with Duke, Expected to Land at Miami
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Not Drawing Interest on Open Market?
Shedeur Sanders

Named as Pro Bowl Replacement
Framber Valdez

Among Many High-End Pitchers on Free-Agent Market
Jose Altuve

Won't Participate in World Baseball Classic
Harrison Bader

Agrees With Giants on Two-Year Deal
Paddy Pimblett

Drops Decision
Justin Gaethje

Becomes the New Interim-Lightweight Champion
Song Yadong

Suffers Unanimous Decision Loss
MMA

Sean O'Malley Gets Back In The Win Column
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Extends His Win Streak
Derrick Lewis

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Officially Hire Mike McDaniel as Offensive Coordinator
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dominates in NFC Championship Game Win

RANKINGS

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