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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, May 19. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Shift Change
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Shift Change
Because you pay extremely close attention to our website's writing schedule, you were doubtless shocked to see my byline on today's Streaming Wars column when it is clearly Brad Johnson's day. Brad is, perhaps at this very moment, driving to A Weekend Thing. Ergo, I'll be your guide through the wonderful world of worthwhile waiver adds today in addition to fulfilling my usual duties tomorrow. Teamwork makes the dream work, as they say.
2. Today's Weather and Updates - Friday, May 18
Expect multiple rainouts today. Dodgers-Nationals, Padres-Pirates, and Marlins-Braves are your most likely victims of meteorological malfeasance. Diamondbacks-Mets might also be in danger of postponement.
3. Streamer Picks - Saturday, May 19
Pitchers to Use
I have some concerns about his long-term viability, but Freddy Peralta is a solid play against a moribund Twins lineup. Peralta basically threw nothing but fastballs in his debut against the Rockies, and that might be a plan worth running back against Minnesota given their struggles against the pitch so far.
Andrew Heaney's ownership rate has skyrocketed since he dominated the Astros earlier this week. The oft-injured lefty has a sparkling 21.4 K-BB% through six starts, and has allowed just five runs in his last four outings. The Rays aren't an intimidating matchup by any means.
Other Targets: Zach Eflin, Steven Matz
Pitchers to Exploit
Matt Moore's pitching is bad and he should feel bad. He's facing off against Lucas Giolito and the White Sox in what ought to be a high-scoring affair.
Other than his season debut - six shutout innings against the Giants - Rich Hill has looked pretty awful so far in 2018. When considering his ROS outlook, it's instructive to remember that he endured similar struggles in the early part of last season before rounding into form. For today, though, a tough draw against the Nationals puts him in the exploit category.
Other Targets: Joe Biagini, John Gant, Dylan Bundy, Danny Duffy, Sal Romano
Homers on the Wire
Adam Duvall appears to be rebounding after a rough April. He's gone deep three times in his last 23 at-bats and could start in both ends of a doubleheader at GABP. His peripherals are actually better than the last two seasons, but a BABIP hovering around .200 has suppressed his overall production. Duvall is more than a good streaming option; he represents one of the best buy-low opportunities out there right now.
Other Targets: Mitch Moreland, Mark Canha, John Hicks, David Dahl, Dexter Fowler, Yonder Alonso, Matt Chapman, Teoscar Hernandez, Franchy Cordero
Steals on the Wire
With A.J. Pollock out for the next 4-8 weeks, Jarrod Dyson is likely to serve as the Diamondbacks' primary center fielder. They're facing the Mets, the worst team in baseball at controlling the running game. You do the math.
Other Targets: Franchy Cordero, Jose Iglesias, Mallex Smith, Teoscar Hernandez, Lewis Brinson, Jonathan Villar, Travis Jankowski, Jose Peraza
