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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 Friday, June 8. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Olson Smash
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Olson Smash
Matt Olson is hot. He's batting .417/.462/.917 over his last six games with four home runs (26 PA). Looks kind of like his 2017 performance. Over on Patreon, I wrote about my favorite Olson quirk. Last year, he hit 24 home runs and only two doubles. That's... unusual. Prior to this season, I predicted Olson would hit more doubles and fewer homers. Check out the linked post to view how my prediction has aged.
2. Today's Weather and Updates - Thursday, June 7
Sound the "all clear."
3. Streamer Picks - Friday, June 8
Pitchers to Use
If you're chasing wins, the Rays new pitching philosophy may be your friend. Wilmer Font will "start" for the Rays, pitching upwards of two innings. Then Matt Andriese will provide the bulk to the volume, working the middle four to six innings. Since he doesn't have to pitch five innings to qualify for the win, any early Rays lead goes to him - even if it's earned while Font is pitching. If he does throw five or more frames, he'll probably leave the game after the seventh inning. Working late into a game is highly correlated with earning a decision. Andriese is a rare pitcher who uses his changeup 40 percent of the time. The Mariners aren't a pushover opponent. Nor are they especially terrifying.
Lately, the winds have been favorable for pitchers at Wrigley Field. If you happen to take a shot on Mike Montgomery or Chad Kuhl - both fringy options for 12-team leagues with sub-4.00 ERAs - make sure the wind remains friendly before putting them in your starting lineup.
Other Targets: Jhoulys Chacin, Vincent Velasquez, Caleb Smith, Marco Gonzalez, Frankie Montas
Pitchers to Exploit
In a small four-start sample, White Sox pitcher Dylan Covey has actually been quite good this season. He's yet to allow a home run while inducing 63 percent ground balls. His velocity is up to 94 mph, and his strikeout rate is a tolerable 8.46 K/9 - albeit with an unimpressive 8.1 percent swinging strike rate. I might hesitantly recommend to use him if he were facing the Marlins or Padres. Alas, he's set to go against a tough Red Sox lineup. Sure, they're down Mookie Betts, but they're still not pushovers.
German Marquez's home/road splits probably don't represent the reality of who he is as a pitcher. He's posted a 7.22 ERA at home and a 2.06 ERA on the road. The differences can be directly traced to HR/FB ratio and BABIP. All else is roughly the same. Those "luck" stats should be higher at Coors Field, but not to the degree we've observed. All of this is to say that I don't believe Marquez is a 7.22 ERA pitcher tomorrow. He is, however, probably a 5.00 ERA pitcher.
Other Targets: Andrew Cashner, Matt Harvey, Eric Lauer, Doug Fister, Lance Lynn
Homers on the Wire
A whole slew of Diamondbacks are available at Coors Field. From a talent perspective, I like Daniel Descalso the most. Unfortunately, he rarely cracks the lineup these days - especially against right-handed pitchers. He might be best reserved for same-day moves leagues. John Ryan Murphy, Chris Owings, and Ketel Marte are more likely to play. They also have less raw power. Good thing Coors buffs all hit types.
Dylan Cozens hit his first major league home run yesterday. The strikeout prone lefty has a Russell Branyan-like profile. Or a poor man's Joey Gallo if you prefer. He's also reasonably athletic for a man of his size an has all-fields power. In fact, every time I've watched him this season has involved big oppo-field flies. He's not guaranteed to start against Chacin, but I like the matchup for Cozens at tiny Citizen's Bank Park
Other Targets: Mark Reynolds, Nick Williams, Dylan Cozens, Danny Valencia, Mark Trumbo, Curtis Granderson, Dexter Fowler, Yairo Munoz, Christian Villanueva, Franmil Reyes, Hunter Renfroe, Lewis Brinson, C.J. Cron, Carlos Gomez, Max Muncy
Steals on the Wire
You better believe Denard Span knows Rays catcher Wilson Ramos has gunned down just one of 21 would-be base thieves. If he reaches base, expect a steal. Same goes for Dee Gordon and Jean Segura, although you can't exactly roster them off the waiver wire.
Tony Kemp faces one right-handed pitcher this week - Doug Fister. It's the only time he's virtually guaranteed to be in the lineup. Kemp has a premium base running matchup opposite Robinson Chirinos. He's caught just three of 32 attempts.
Other Targets: Kevin Pillar, Eduardo Nunez, Jose Peraza, Manuel Margot, Freddy Galvis, Denard Span, Jarrod Dyson,
