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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 neediest categories, and target players who may be available on your waiver wire.
Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Saturday, June 2. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Vazquez Redux
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Vazquez Redux
Way way back on Monday, I issued some warnings about Felipe Vazquez. To wit:
Vazquez claims he'll be back in action [Tuesday] - this after leaving Sunday's meltdown holding his elbow. He reported forearm discomfort and said he couldn't move his ring finger (the word for that is "paralysis."). The team doc says it was just minor forearm irritation. I say that sounds an awful lot like an ulnar nerve issue. If you're curious, I had even more to say on my personal blog.
If Vazquez is forced to miss time - a situation I think is likely at some point in the near future - Edgar Santana looks like the first bet to receive save opportunities. Michael Feliz has worked in a setup role, but he's really struggled recently. Richard Rodriguez has video game numbers. He's worth stashing. The Pirates don't seem to trust him quite yet after discovering him on the scrap heap.
Since then, the Pirates irresponsibly used Vazquez on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The first two outings went well. He even averaged 100 mph on Tuesday. Yesterday, he melted down for the fourth time in his last six appearances. Personally, I was shocked the Pirates didn't force him to the 10-day disabled list after the outing on Sunday - even just to rest for the minimum. I'll be shocked again if this latest flop doesn't trigger at least a brief DL-stint.
2. Today's Weather and Updates - Friday, June 1
Atlanta may have a delayed start. Current reports don't indicate any additional risk beyond a late start. The rest of the league is dry.
3. Streamer Picks - Saturday, June 2
Pitchers to Use
Quick! Name the Athletics best starting pitcher. I'll wait.
With all due respect to Sean Manaea and Daniel Mengden, the answer is clearly Trevor Cahill. The righty is owned in under 40 percent of leagues. He's coming off his best outing of the season which also happened to include a season-high 92 mph fastball. Cahill delivers everything you could want from a pitcher - nearly a strikeout per inning, 60 percent ground balls, and a tolerable walk rate. He set to face a bad Royals offense tomorrow in what should be an auto-win.
In the past, Cahill struggled with command. Early last season, he seemingly broke out before regressing back to his career norms. There's risk he'll turn pumpkin again this year. Additionally, his .232 BABIP doesn't jibe with the 40 percent hard contact he's allowed. Fortunately, we're probably looking at regression in both stats, minimizing the pain. He has a career .285 BABIP, and he'll typically allow only around 30 percent hard contact - slightly better than league average.
Other Targets: Vince Velasquez, Marco Gonzales, Caleb Smith
Pitchers to Exploit
I've noticed people like to freak out about German Marquez's crazy home/road splits. His home park is Coors Field so of course it makes sense for him to have a 7.54 ERA at home and a 2.06 ERA on the road. Right? Actually, that's just a tad extreme. Marquez certainly should be expected to record fewer strikeouts and home while allowing a few extra baserunners. Going forward, I'd expect something like a 3.75 ERA on the road and a 4.60 ERA at home. In any case, I'd still load up on Dodgers tomorrow. Luck has it that a few are available.
Other Targets: James Shields, Jason Hammel, Lance Lynn, Brandon McCarthy, German Marquez, Matt Harvey, Eric Lauer, Andrew Suarez
Homers on the Wire
Joc Pederson and Max Muncy bat first and second when the Dodgers face a right-handed pitcher. Pederson is just three percent owned while Muncy checks in at seven percent. Pederson's usage atop the lineup is highly suspect. Although he draws walks, a low batting average parlays to a disappointing OBP. Muncy looks to be the better play tomorrow. He accesses his power more consistently. Well, let's not split hairs. Right now, Muncy is better than Pederson in every facet of the game. They both look useful at Coors Field.
Other Targets: Matt Joyce, Matt Chapman, Mark Canha, Stephen Piscotty, Austin Meadows, Colin Moran, Aaron Hicks, Pedro Alvarez, JaCoby Jones, Niko Goodrum, John Hicks, Kendrys Morales, Melky Cabrera, Matt Adams, Jake Marisnick, Jose Pirela, Hunter Renfroe, Franmil Reyes, Daniel Descalso
Steals on the Wire
James Shields and Omar Narvaez are possibly the most stolen base prone battery in the world. Well ok, any pair of middle schoolers is definitely more stolen base prone. It's a hyperbole. In any case, Jonathan Villar should be a fantastic value tomorrow. Domingo Santana is sitting right at 50 percent ownership, although he has only one steal this season.
Speaking of stolen base prone, the Braves are not exactly specialists at holding runners. Michael Taylor has been hot, batting .306/.375/.611 over his last 40 plate appearances. He stole a couple bags too, bringing his season total to 13. His career high was set last season - 17 steals. He could top it by the end of next week.
Other Targets: Kevin Pillar, Greg Allen, Tony Kemp, Travis Jankowski, Manuel Margot, Jose Peraza, Mallex Smith, Ben Gamel
