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Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. This article, which began last season, runs seven days a week. We are always ready to stream.
For those who are newcomers to this feature - use this column on a daily basis to improve upon your weakest categories and target players who may be available on your waiver wire.
Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Wednesday, June 13. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Left-Handed Power
- Wednesday's Weather Forecasts
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Left-Handed Power
The Brewers activated left-handed slugger Eric Thames from the disabled list Monday after he missed six weeks with a torn ligament in his left thumb. Hand injuries can often sap a player of their power, but it was a good sign that Thames went 6-for-14 with a home run during his rehab assignment.
While playing time will probably be an issue -- Jesus Aguilar has filled in nicely at first base -- Milwaukee will surely find a spot for Thames' power stroke, mainly against right-handed pitchers. Before the injury he was hitting .250 with seven home runs, 13 RBI and even two steals.
In deeper leagues, you could do much worse than having Thames on your bench for some occasional pop in a platoon role. We could see him start his first game back from the DL on Tuesday against right-hander Tyler Chatwood of the Cubs.
2. Wednesday's Weather Forecasts
There is a chance of thunderstorms for the Nats-Yankees at Yankee Stadium and for the Rockies-Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Those are the only contests that could be affected by a delay or cancellation.
3. Streamer Picks
Pitchers to Use
Mike Montgomery is determined to prove to the Cubs that he deserves a permanent rotation spot. He's done that so far, yielding just two earned runs in 17 2/3 innings over his last three starts while striking out 10 and walking two. He's also gone six innings in each of his last two starts, so he's proven he can go long enough to give fantasy owners both wins and quality starts.
The southpaw will face a Milwaukee team on Wednesday that ranks 24th in both OPS (.683) and home runs (17) against left-handed hurlers in 2018. However, they don't strike out much against lefties. Montgomery has also been much better on the road (1.35 ERA) as opposed to at home (7.16 ERA).
Another lefty that has been pitching extremely well this year is Tigers starter Matthew Boyd (4-4, 3.20 ERA, 1.09 WHIP). His 6.9 K/9 on the year leaves a lot to be desired, but he induces a lot of weak contact and has only allowed six long balls in his 70 1/3 innings.
He has allowed more than three earned runs in a start only three times in 12 starts on the year and is typically around the strike zone. The Twins, his opponent on Wednesday, are second to last in baseball with only 11 home runs against left-handers this season.
Other Targets: Mike Soroka, Tyler Anderson, Caleb Smith
Pitchers to Exploit
It's been a struggle so far for Padres rookie leftie Eric Lauer, and it won't get any easier Wednesday against the Red Birds on the road. The 23-year-old is sporting an ugly 6.64 ERA and 2.06 WHIP in nine starts (39 1/3 innings) and is walking a cringe-worthy 5.5 hitters per nine innings.
Opponents are hitting .323 against him with two home runs on the road for a 6.46 ERA and 2.07 WHIP in 23 2/3 innings. Lauer walked a whopping seven hitters in his last outing against the last-place Marlins, so most fantasy owners are looking to stack against him at this point.
Paul Blackburn had a successful debut (one run and three hits in six innings for the win) against the lowly Royals after missing the first two months of the season with a forearm strain. His opponent wasn't the caliber of team he'll be facing Wednesday -- the Astros -- and Blackburn only threw 67 pitches in the outing.
The right-hander is a soft-tosser who doesn't strike out many (career 3.5 K/9 in the majors), and that'll be a big concern versus a Houston team that squares the ball up with regularity. The Astros rank sixth in OPS (.754), 10th in home runs (79), seventh in doubles (125) and fifth in average (.260). Stack your Houston hitters for this one.
Other Targets: Jhoulys Chacin, Dylan Covey, Eric Lauer
Homers on the Wire
If you haven't taken notice of Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson in recent weeks, we don't know where you've been. The streaky left-handed hitter has mashed to the tune of a .375 average (12-for-32) with six home runs, nine RBI and 10 runs scored in the last 14 days. He has seven home runs on the season and has raised his slash line to .275/.347/.529.
We wouldn't recommend starting him on Wednesday against southpaw Cole Hamels, as Pederson is hitting just .158 with no homers against lefties this year. However, this is a reminder that Pederson should be scooped up in most leagues right now while he's hot. He's owned in under 30 percent of leagues.
Other Targets: Teoscar Hernandez, Franmil Reyes, Brandon Nimmo, Leonys Martin, Jurickson Profar
Steals on the Wire
Leonys Martin hasn't been as good since returning from a disabled list stint in mid-May, but he's still been one of the team's most productive players all year, hitting .262 with nine home runs, 24 RBI, five steals and 39 runs in 210 at-bats.
He's also hitting .304 (14-for-46) with three homers, seven RBI, 11 runs and four steals in the last two weeks. Martin isn't a sexy fantasy asset, but he can do a little of everything to help out in deeper formats, including swipe bases.
Other Targets: Michael Taylor, Craig Gentry, Brandon Nimmo, Rajai Davis, Yuli Gurriel, Travis Jankowski
