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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

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Aaron Gordon

Won't Suit up on Sunday
Moussa Diabaté

Moussa Diabate Available to Play on Sunday
Jalen Green

Holds Questionable Tag for Monday
Tyler Herro

Not Traveling with Team
Jaxson Hayes

Returning on Sunday
Deandre Ayton

Active on Sunday
Patrick Williams

Won't Face the Nets
Tari Eason

to Miss Fifth Straight Game
Josh Giddey

Ruled Out on Sunday
Darius Garland

Diagnosed With Big-Toe Sprain
Carson Soucy

Expected Back on Monday
Teuvo Teravainen

to Remain Out Monday
Matthew Tkachuk

"Close" to Season Debut
Rodrigo Abols

Flyers Place Rodrigo Abols on Injured Reserve
Alex Lyon

Practices on Sunday
Rhamondre Stevenson

Returns in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round Game
Josh Norris

Out Week-to-Week
Dylan Holloway

Set to Return Sunday
Ha-Seong Kim

has Finger Surgery, Out 4-5 Months
Rhamondre Stevenson

Questionable to Return on Sunday With Eye Injury
Woody Marks

Returns Following Brief Exit on Sunday
Dalton Schultz

Won't Return in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round Game
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Open to Aaron Rodgers Returning in 2026?
Kawhi Leonard

to Miss Final Two Games of Road Trip
Jarrett Stidham

to Start AFC Championship Game
Zach Charbonnet

Questionable to Return Against 49ers
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Hiring Kevin Stefanski as Head Coach
Jalen Williams

Ruled Out for Remainder of Meeting with Miami
Naz Reid

Won't Return on Saturday Night
Bo Nix

Suffers Broken Bone in Ankle, Done for Playoffs
Jalen Suggs

Out on Sunday Against Grizzlies
Santi Aldama

Questionable for Sunday's Matchup
Ja Morant

Listed as Probable for Sunday
Tari Eason

Listed as Questionable for Sunday
Herbert Jones

Ruled Out for Sunday
Rudy Gobert

Won't Play Saturday
Paul Reed

Available Saturday
Stephon Castle

is Available on Saturday
Green Bay Packers

Packers Sign Head Coach Matt LaFleur to Multi-Year Extension
Ricky Pearsall

Active for Divisional Round
Sam Darnold

Officially Active for Saturday's Divisional Round Game vs. 49ers
William Carrier

Misses Fourth Consecutive Game
Shayne Gostisbehere

Remains Out Saturday
Jake Evans

Available Saturday
Teuvo Teravainen

Misses Second Straight Game
William Nylander

Out Against Jets
Pat Bryant

Won't Return on Saturday, Ruled Out with a Concussion
Tom Wilson

Could Be an Option Saturday
Leo Carlsson

Out for 3-5 Weeks After Thigh Procedure
Leon Draisaitl

Takes Leave of Absence
New York Giants

John Harbaugh, Giants Finalize Five-Year Deal
Aaron Rodgers

Not Expected to Return to Steelers in 2026
Atlanta Falcons

Kevin Stefanski the Favorite for Falcons Head-Coaching Job
Matt Boldy

Placed on Injured Reserve
Ross Colton

Good to Go Friday
Will Smith

Returns Against Red Wings
Shayne Gostisbehere

Out Friday
Brad Marchand

Remains Out Friday
Joel Armia

Returns From Five-Game Absence
CFB

Darian Mensah Entering Transfer Portal
Sam Darnold

Seahawks "Optimistic" That Sam Darnold Will Play on Saturday
Nico Collins

Officially Ruled Out for Divisional Round
Rome Odunze

Questionable for Divisional Round
J.T. Realmuto

Signs Three-Year Deal to Return to Phillies
Bo Bichette

Agrees to Three-Year Contract With Mets
CFB

Weber State Signs former Ohio State, Cal Quarterback Devin Brown
Bo Bichette

Phillies the "Overwhelming" Favorite to Sign Bo Bichette
Josh Lowe

Angels Acquire Josh Lowe in Three-Team Trade
Kyle Tucker

Signs Four-Year Contract With Dodgers
Ricky Pearsall

Questionable to Play on Saturday Night
Sam Darnold

Questionable With Oblique Injury, Expected to Play
Clayton Kershaw

to Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
CFB

Auburn, Ohio State the Lead Suitors for Kyle Parker
CFB

Oregon QB Transfer Bryson Beaver Linked to Georgia, Kentucky
CFB

Jake Merklinger Commits to UConn
Ben Griffin

Looks To Stay Hot In 2026
Ranger Suárez

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

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

Perhaps the Most Intriguing Player at Sony Open
Aaron Rai

Looking For Putting Confidence at Waialae Country Club
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
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

RANKINGS

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