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

Brandon Sproat

Dealt to Brewers in Four-Player Trade
Jett Williams

Brewers Acquire Jett Williams From Mets
Freddy Peralta

Mets Acquire Freddy Peralta From Brewers
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Questionable Versus the Wizards
Seth Jones

to Miss Olympics
Christian Braun

Remains Sidelined on Thursday
Martin Pospisil

Makes Season Debut Wednesday
Jalen Suggs

Questionable Versus Charlotte
Teddy Blueger

Available Wednesday Night
Tom Wilson

Comes Off Injured Reserve
Luke Hughes

Devils Place Luke Hughes on Long-Term Injured Reserve
Valeri Nichushkin

Returns to Action Wednesday
Kris Letang

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Caris LeVert

Sidelined Wednesday
Cade Cunningham

Unavailable on Wednesday
Tre Mann

Available Versus Cavs
Ja'Kobe Walter

Out of Action Again on Wednesday
RJ Barrett

Remains Sidelined on Wednesday
Collin Murray-Boyles

Ruled Out on Wednesday
Domantas Sabonis

Sidelined Wednesday
Kyle Tucker

Expected to Bat Second or Third in Dodgers' Lineup
Brandon Aiyuk

has "Played his Last Snap as a Niner"
Cody Bellinger

Signs Five-Year, $162.5 Million Contract With Yankees
Adam Scott

Looks to Overcome Putting Woes at American Express
Billy Horschel

Looking to Rebound at The American Express
Josh Allen

Might Need Foot Surgery
Russell Henley

Looks to Build on Strong Start at The American Express
Jason Day

Looking to Start 2026 Strong at The American Express
Wyndham Clark

Looking to Regain Form at The American Express
Sam Burns

Looks to Continue Success at The American Express
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Flip the Script at The American Express
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looking to Build on Strong Fall in Season Debut
Kurt Kitayama

Hopes To Continue Strong Start to 2026 Season at American Express
CFB

Princewill Umanmielen Expected to Sign with LSU
Scottie Scheffler

Returns To American Express After Missing Last Year's Edition
Robert MacIntyre

Keeps Momentum Rolling Heading Into American Express
Brian Harman

Can Challenge at American Express if His Putter Stays Hot
Ben Griffin

Outstanding Form Continues Heading Into American Express
Matt Fitzpatrick

Continues Playing Well Following Outstanding Finish to 2025 Season
Patrick Cantlay

Looks to Get a Jump Start on His 2026 Season
Blades Brown

Set to Make First PGA Tour Appearance of 2026
Kevin Roy

Has Some Confidence Heading to Southern California
Josh Morrissey

Has Three-Point Night Against Blues
Min Woo Lee

Poised to Make Bigger Impact in 2026
Miro Heiskanen

Records Three Helpers Tuesday
Brandon Hagel

Stays Hot Tuesday Night
Ryan O'Reilly

Extends Scoring Streak With Three-Point Effort
Max Homa

Needs a Better Start for 2026
Konsta Helenius

Bags Three Points In Tuesday's Win
Tony Finau

Trying to Reverse Disturbing Trend
Anthony Cirelli

Injured Versus Sharks
Cam Davis

Aims for More Accuracy at American Express
Darcy Kuemper

Hurt on Tuesday Night
Isaiah Hartenstein

Unavailable Against Bucks
Myles Turner

Uncertain for Wednesday Night
Luisangel Acuña

Luisangel Acuna Sent to White Sox in Trade
Kevin Porter Jr.

Questionable Wednesday
Luis Robert Jr.

Mets Acquire Luis Robert Jr. from White Sox
Cam Thomas

Rejoins Nets Lineup for Meeting With Knicks
Jaylen Brown

Considered Probable Wednesday
Steven Adams

Out Indefinitely With Ankle Sprain
Deandre Ayton

Exits Early With Eye Injury
CFB

Justin Joly Bringing Strong Resume of Production to NFL
Los Angeles Chargers

Mike McDaniel Expected to Become Chargers Offensive Coordinator
Kel'el Ware

Unavailable on Tuesday
Mikko Rantanen

Out Tuesday
Andrew Peeke

Returns to Action Tuesday
Rodrigo Abols

Expected to Miss Several Months
Luke Hughes

Out Tuesday
Jonas Brodin

Will Miss Olympics
Carlos Beltran

Andruw Jones Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Alexandre Texier

Won't Play Tuesday
Kirby Dach

Rejoins Canadiens Lineup
Mark Williams

Active On Tuesday
Brice Sensabaugh

Unavailable Tuesday
De'Anthony Melton

In for Back End of Back-To-Back
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Expected to Land at Georgia Tech
Malik Nabers

Giants Hope Malik Nabers Will be Back for Start of Training Camp
CFB

Duke Suing Quarterback Darian Mensah
Cam Skattebo

Should be Ready by OTAs
George Kittle

Expects to Return "Well Before November"
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Entering Transfer Portal
Mookie Betts

Plans to Retire at the End of his Current Contract
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Robert Saleh as Next Head Coach
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Expected to Hire Jeff Hafley as Next Head Coach
Zach Charbonnet

has Torn ACL
Zach Charbonnet

Needs Knee Surgery, Out for Rest of Playoffs
Tennessee Titans

Mike McCarthy a Finalist for Titans Head-Coaching Job?
Colston Loveland

Suffers Concussion in Divisional Round Loss
Kyren Williams

Scores Two Touchdowns in Divisional Round Win
Buffalo Bills

Bills Fire Head Coach Sean McDermott
Rhamondre Stevenson

Returns in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round Game
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?
Jarrett Stidham

to Start AFC Championship Game
Zach Charbonnet

Questionable to Return Against 49ers
CFB

Darian Mensah Entering Transfer Portal
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

RANKINGS

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