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Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for June 8

Brad Johnson's fantasy baseball daily streaming picks for June 8th. Pitcher and hitter streamers for MLB DFS games, and head-to-head (H2H) waiver wire targets.

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, June 8th.

Let's get to it.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball draft tools and resources:

 

Agenda

  1. Of Course, This
  2. Today's Weather and Updates
  3. Tomorrow's Picks

 

1. Of Course, This

I'm contractually obligated by Major League Baseball and its subsidiaries to discuss four home run games. Improbably, Scooter Gennett is the most recent "slugger" to join the four homer club after his performance last night. Two of those shots would have been doubles in most venues. This is why I tell people to target hitters at Great American Ballpark.

The hot performance has brought his season line up to .302/.336/.578. You might think he's earned consistent playing time, but who are the Reds supposed to sit? Jose Peraza is a part of the long term plan, and he's taking better at bats lately. Scott Schebler will return from his shoulder injury in the next couple days. Others are certainly better than Gennett. He'll have to settle for a utility role.

 

2. Today's Weather and Updates

There is a small risk of pop up storms in Denver this afternoon. The rest of the league is free and clear. Its looking dry tomorrow too.

 

3. Tomorrow's Picks - Thursday, June 8th

It's an Ain't-So-Thin Thursday with 12 games on the docket.

 

Pitchers to Use

Hey look! It's a freely available thrower of no hitters. Edinson Volquez is only 16 percent owned on Yahoo despite blanking the Diamondbacks last week. In this year of garbage pitching, volume hurlers like Volquez are completely viable in all but the most shallow of formats. It's true that you don't want to permanently roster Volquez, but most of his starts are perfectly acceptable. He'll post around 7.00 K/9 with a 4.00 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. As long as you cherry pick the days he's most likely to earn a win, that's at least an average 12-team mixed starter.

I could say the exact same things about Derek Holland. However, my interest in the southpaw is specific to his matchup against the Rays. They have over a 27 percent strikeout rate versus southpaws. Only part of that can be blamed upon Chris Sale.

Frankly, I'd steer clear of J.C. Ramirez opposite the Tigers. There are a few too many home run hitters for me to feel comfortable with the matchup. Ramirez has become mixed league relevant by buffing his breaking ball rates. He's remained homer prone - 1.51 HR/9.

Other Targets: No

 

Pitchers to Exploit

I often recommend avoiding ground ball pitchers at Chase Field. The rock hard infield helps grounders squeak through the defense. This definitely applies to Clayton Richard on Thursday. The Padres infield defense is arguably the worst in the league.

I've never been a big fan of Joe Ross. He's built his reputation on a frequently thrown, above average slider. His fastball is mediocre at best. In past seasons, fewer pitchers threw nearly 50 percent breaking balls. Now it's become a common adaptation to the home run surge. As hitters see more benders, they'll be less prone to Ross' style of pitching. Or maybe he's just slumping. After all, his velocity is down two mph this season.

Other Targets: Scott Feldman, Pat Corbin, Alec Asher, Ben Lively, R.A. Dickey, German Marquez, Jason Hammel, Christian Bergman

 

Homers on the Wire

Hunter Renfroe has three home runs in his last two games. Since mid-May, he's slashing .284/.361/.703 with eight homers in 83 plate appearances. You better believe he's a top streaming option versus a bad southpaw like Corbin.

Michael Pineda is having a superb season, although I have my doubts long term. His biggest issue is a penchant for allowing home runs - 1.81 HR/9. Tiny Yankee Stadium certainly isn't helping matters. Mitch Moreland's matchup isn't great, but he is one of the most likely to pop a homer. Or zero out entirely.

Jump back on the Stephen Piscotty bandwagon. He homered yesterday.

Other Targets: Tommy Pham, Paul DeJong, Stephen Piscotty, Yangervis Solarte, Seth Smith, John Jaso, Josh Harrison, Josh Bell, Steven Souza, Melky Cabrera, Tommy Joseph, Howie Kendrick, Matt Adams, Josh Reddick, Max Kepler, Kennys Vargas, Joe Mauer, Robbie Grossman

 

Steals on the Wire

I can't wait for somebody like Roman Quinn to enter the league. Speaking of speedy Phillies, Cesar Hernandez and Freddy Galvis are opposed by Dickey. Knuckleballs make for easy stolen bases, although it should be noted that Dickey is quick to the plate. Runners have only stolen one base against him this season.

Adam Frazier has a decent matchup opposite Volquez. He's just 2-for-6 in steal attempts. I keep listing Hernan Perez here because he swiped a bunch of bags last year. This season, he's taken only two bags in three attempts. What gives Perez?

Other Targets: Michael Taylor, Brandon Phillips

 

Skill Positions

Nick Ahmed is a solid shortstop whenever he faces a southpaw. He'll see Richard.

If you want a catcher, Austin Hedges will face Corbin.

 

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24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

is Returning on Thursday
Daniel Jones

Colts Plan to Re-Sign Daniel Jones
Darius Garland

to Play on Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Active Thursday
Coby White

to Play with Minutes Limit on Thursday
Ace Bailey

Sidelined on Thursday
Kevin Huerter

Won't Play on Thursday
Andrew Nembhard

Won't Play on Thursday
Brandon Miller

is Cleared for Thursday's Game
LaMelo Ball

Upgraded to Available on Thursday
Kevin Love

Available For Thursday
Kawhi Leonard

Suffers Ankle Injury, Considered Questionable for Friday
Jamie Drysdale

Unavailable Against Maple Leafs
Bobby Brink

Sits Out Thursday
Simon Nemec

Back for Devils Thursday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Questionable For Thursday Against Mavs
Troy Terry

Misses Thursday's Game
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Good to Go Against Sabres
Brad Marchand

Out Thursday
Ace Bailey

Considered Questionable Versus Dallas
Evgeni Malkin

Set to Return Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Questionable for Thursday
Davante Adams

Off the Injury Report, Will Play Against Carolina
Bo Bichette

Phillies to Meet With Bo Bichette
Rome Odunze

Will Return for Wild-Card Game on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Commits to Baylor
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Fire Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Matvei Michkov

Expected to Play Thursday
Alex Lyon

to Miss at Least One More Week
Mason Marchment

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Battling Illness, Iffy for Thursday
J.T. Miller

Likely to Return Thursday
Adam Henrique

Out Through Olympic Break
Dean Wade

Ruled Out Thursday
Brandon Williams

Questionable for Thursday
P.J. Washington

Doubtful Thursday
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Questionable Thursday
Donovan Mitchell

Available Thursday
Corey Kispert

Hawks Land Corey Kispert
CJ McCollum

Moves to Atlanta
Sam LaPorta

Plans to be Back for Training Camp
Owen Caissie

Shipped to Miami as Centerpiece of Trade
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Officially Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
Nathan Walker

Ready to End 16-Game Absence
Rutger McGroarty

Out Indefinitely With Concussion
Kevin Stenlund

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Ty Dellandrea

Ruled Out Wednesday
Adam Erne

Misses Wednesday's Action
Tom Wilson

Aliaksei Protas Won't Play Wednesday
Anze Kopitar

Out Wednesday
Rome Odunze

Plans to Play on Saturday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Finalizing Deal to Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
New York Giants

Giants "All-In" on Hiring John Harbaugh
CFB

Jackson Arnold Signs with UNLV
CFB

Sam Leavitt Scheduled to Visit Tennessee
Devon Toews

to Miss at Least Two Weeks
New York Giants

John Harbaugh Expected to be Favorite to Become New Giants Head Coach
Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh Won't Return as Ravens Head Coach
Bo Bichette

Unlikely to Return to Toronto?
Jordan Love

Ready to Start in Wild-Card Game Against Bears
CFB

Jadan Baugh Staying with Florida for Junior Season
Washington Commanders

Commanders "Mutually" Parting Ways With OC Kliff Kingsbury
CFB

Byrum Brown Officially Commits to Auburn
CFB

Austin Simmons Signing with Missouri
CFB

Ty Simpson Undecided on 2026 Plans
CFB

Quarterback AJ Hill Following Ryan Silverfield to Arkansas
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Have Requested an Interview With Klint Kubiak
Deshaun Watson

Browns Expect Deshaun Watson to be on the Team Next Year
Wan'Dale Robinson

Dealing With Fractured Ribs
Cam Skattebo

Hopes to be Back by Training Camp
Cameron Ward

Won't Need Surgery on his Shoulder
Davante Adams

Rams Expect Davante Adams to Return in Wild-Card Round
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Fire Head Coach Jonathan Gannon
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Fire Head Coach Pete Carroll
Malik Nabers

Unsure if He Will Be Ready for Week 1 of 2026 Season
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Will Return to Ole Miss If Granted Sixth Year of Eligibility
Cincinnati Bengals

Zac Taylor Will Return as Bengals Head Coach in 2026
Bo Bichette

Phillies Have Interest in Bo Bichette
Kansas City Royals

Matt Quatraro Signs Three-Year Extension With Royals
CFB

Transfer QB Billy Edwards Commits to North Carolina
CFB

Sam Leavitt Visiting Texas Tech on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Expected To Visit Florida State
Kyle Tucker

Blue Jays "Remain the Favorite" to Sign Kyle Tucker

RANKINGS

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