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Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for May 24

By Arturo Pardavila III on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Brad Johnson's fantasy baseball daily streaming picks for May 24th. Pitcher and hitter streamers for MLB DFS games, and head-to-head (H2H) waiver wire targets.

Welcome to Streaming Wars, your one-stop resource for streaming the waiver wire. Use this column to improve upon your neediest categories. We're back after taking an extra day off last Thursday.

Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Wednesday, May 24th.

Let's get to it.

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

 

Agenda

  1. More Comments About Vetoes
  2. Today's Weather and Updates
  3. Tomorrow's Picks

 

1. More Comments About Vetoes

We discussed vetoes yesterday. And now, here's my bluntest, hottest take on the topic. You should quit any league that regularly uses a veto feature. If vetoes are needed, it means you're in a bad league. Either your leaguemates/commissioner are curtailing the best part of fantasy baseball, or the quality of competition is painfully unbalanced.

The issue is usually one of quality. For a so-called competitive league, the answer is simple. If an owner is consistently hemorrhaging value in unconscionable trades, they need to be replaced ASAP. Bad owners ruin leagues in multiple ways. Their inability to compete in any category hands a bunch of points to the top teams. Think about a typical 12-team 5x5 roto redraft* league. If the best team has over 100 points, your league may have a problem. If multiple teams are over 100 points, there's definitely a serious issue with non-contenders. The issue is exacerbated if the baddies also make lopsided trades with the best teams.

If it's just a friendly league with family or work colleagues, then the answer is to just accept that it isn't a serious league. Slash the entry fees and have some fun. Vetoing trades - even lopsided ones - only serves to alienate owners.

*I emphasize the redraft setting because keeper leagues are usually going to have a big imbalance between the best and worst teams. It's a natural result of the format.

Here's what a competitive league should look like at this point in the season. I'm commissioner of this league. I've spent years getting the owner mix up to snuff and tinkering with the rules. I'm glad to see it finally paying off over the last few seasons. As we get deeper into the year, we'll start to see more spread between the best and worst teams (this is a keeper).

2. Today's Weather and Updates

Rain, rain, go away. The biggest risk is to the Mariners-Nationals game. They have a 50 percent chance of rain nearly all day. A short distance north, Baltimore is likely to play. The Cubs game will start, but it might not finish.

On Wednesday, the forecast doesn't look good for Cleveland, Chicago, or Atlanta.

 

3. Tomorrow's Picks - Wednesday, May 24th

Pitchers to Use

I've been waiting for this day to come. Charlie Morton is 51 percent owned. And not a single other soul is a worthy streamer. Erasmo Ramirez may be able to help with your rates. He managed 5.1 innings in his first spin through the rotation. He coughed up just two runs on six hits and one walk (five strikeouts). Another five inning outing may even give him a chance at victory. In the past, his stuff hasn't held up well in a second or third time through the order.

Other Targets: Oh boy

 

Pitchers to Exploit

Chris Tillman has a solid 3.52 ERA through three starts. His 3.03 FIP and 4.59 xFIP aren't that bad either. The extremely concerning part is his velocity - it's down three mph from past years. Consider him to be highly volatile until the heat returns.

Robert Gsellman is back in the rotation. He hasn't started since May 13. I'll be honest, I kind of just assumed Mr. Met stabbed him in the kidney or whatever it is that's waylaid every other Mets pitcher. Gsellman had a nice two inning outing on May 20. His velocity played way up in relief. Maybe he'll get back on track versus the Padres. Obviously, I have my doubts.

Like Tillman, Matt Garza has positive results in a small sample of work. He's never managed to maintain anything like his current 1.82 BB/9. Once he's walking more hitters - something that will probably happen immediately - he'll be a 4.50 to 5.00 ERA pitcher. Tiny Miller Park is a tough home venue.

A couple millennia ago, Jarred Cosart was a well-regarded Phillies prospect. Now, the 27-year-old is a sixth starter for an abysmal Padres team. Cosart continues to suffer from a combination of mediocre command and hittable stuff. On the plus side, he has shown some small signs of improvement while maintaining a high ground ball rate. He's always done a good job limiting hard contact with his cutter. If he can become comfortable with his new slider, he may be a viable starter. We're weeks from him having enough confidence in that new offering.

Other Targets: Edinson Volquez, Lisalverto Bonilla, Trevor Bauer, Jason Hammel, Sam Gaviglio, Tyler Chatwood, Jeremy Hellickson, Martin Perez, Trevor Williams, Julio Teheran, Matt Moore, Daniel Norris, Ricky Nolasco

 

Homers on the Wire

This season, there always seems to be one guy who doesn't belong on the waiver wire. With Yonder Alonso still at 52 percent owned, it's time to bang the drum for Lonnie Chisenhall. The lefty swinger has been around for awhile, doing nothing of particular import. Last year, he started to hit more fly balls, a trend that's carried into this season. He's also hitting the ball harder than normal, although there's a decent chance we're looking at a small sample fluke. In 107 plate appearances, Chisenhall already has six home runs. His career high is 13. A 20 home runs season combined with a .275 average could prove quite valuable in all but the shallowest leagues.

Lucas Duda loves fastballs and Cosart is pretty predictable about throwing them. He's also a low ball masher.

I'm not convinced we're looking at anything more than a homer binge from Justin Bour. There's no evidence otherwise in the data. In fact, he might be worse than in past seasons due to an increase in swinging strike rate. For now, ride the wave just in case there's something going on that isn't captured by the usual peripherals.

Justin Smoak is 49 percent owned. Pick him up for this series at tiny Miller Park. Unlike Bour, Smoak has a noticeable change in his peripherals - a sharp increase in contact rate within the strike zone.

Other Targets: Max Kepler, Kennys Vargas, Justin Smoak, Jed Lowrie, Matt Joyce, Derek Dietrich, Scott Schebler, Tommy Joseph, Chris Young, Ryan Schimpf, Hunter Renfroe, Yangervis Solarte, Logan Morrison, Colby Rasmus, Matt Adams

 

Steals on the Wire

I'm really bored with these stolen base options. Do I really need to explain them all again? None have particularly desirable matchups with the exception of Jose Reyes. Reaching base versus Cosart could be a challenge since they're both ground ball guys. However, once on, Austin Hedges has been among the most preyed upon catchers in the league.

I guess I like Michael Taylor's matchup versus a soft-tossing righty. If he's ever going to make contact, it's against somebody throwing under 90 mph. He gets frisky on the bases, probably because he's rarely aboard.

Other Targets: Jarrod Dyson, Taylor Motter, Ben Gamel, Freddy Galvis, Adam Frazier

 

Skill Positions

Jett Bandy should be the Brewers' choice versus a sinkerballer like Marcus Stroman. Check who start tonight though. Austin Hedges is in a nice spot versus Gsellman. I also noticed I've failed to draw appropriate attention to Cameron Rupp. He's slashing .314/.364/.549 in his last 55 plate appearances (.419 BABIP).

 

More Lineups Advice

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kevin Huerter

Sidelined One Week
Daniel Gafford

Aggravates Right-Ankle Injury on Wednesday
Collin Sexton

Injured in Loss to Knicks
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Suffers Calf Injury on Wednesday Night
Kyren Williams

Expected to Play in Week 14
Davante Adams

Expected to Play Despite Missing Wednesday's Practice
Kyle Tucker

Visits With Blue Jays
Woody Marks

Texans Say Woody Marks Will be Fine
Rasmus Ristolainen

to Miss at Least One More Week
Drew Doughty

Logs Full Practice Wednesday
Emilio Pagán

Reds Bring Back Closer Emilio Pagan on Two-Year Deal
Jeff Skinner

Remains Sidelined Wednesday
Petr Mrazek

Out 2-3 Weeks
Pelle Larsson

Set to Suit Up Versus Dallas
Tyler Seguin

Likely Done for the Season
P.J. Washington

Ruled Out Against Miami
Neal Pionk

Returns to Jets Lineup
Jalen Smith

to Miss Third Straight Game
Duncan Robinson

Sidelined Again Wednesday
J.J. McCarthy

Practices in Full, on Track to Return in Week 14
Daniel Gafford

Set To Play Against Heat
Tre Jones

Ruled Out for Wednesday's Game
LaMelo Ball

Good to Go on Wednesday
Cedric Mullins

Rays Agree on One-Year Deal
Steven Adams

Cleared To Play Against Kings
Deni Avdija

is Available to Play on Wednesday
Kevin Porter Jr.

Available on Wednesday
Bobby Portis

Available to Play on Wednesday
Lonzo Ball

Upgraded To Available Against Portland
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Cleared for Wednesday's Game
Jamal Murray

Cleared To Play Against Indiana
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Available on Wednesday Night
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Ruled Out on Thursday Due to a Personal Matter
Norman Powell

Sidelined Versus Mavericks
Mark Andrews

Agrees to Three-Year Extension With Ravens
Freddy Peralta

Brewers Considering Trading Freddy Peralta
Kyle Schwarber

Reds Serious About Adding Kyle Schwarber in Free Agency?
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Officially Questionable for Thursday Night
Omarion Hampton

"on Track and Looking Good" for Week 14
CFB

Brent Key Signing Five-Year Deal to Remain at Georgia Tech
Joey Bosa

Week-to-Week With Hamstring Injury
Bryce Young

Panthers Expected to Pick Up Bryce Young's Fifth-Year Option
Deshaun Watson

Browns Opening Practice Window for Deshaun Watson
CFB

Brian Hartline Expected to Land USF Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Collin Klein Expected to be Top Target for Kansas State if Head-Coach Job Opens
CFB

Chris Klieman Considering Stepping Down at Kansas State
Aaron Rodgers

Appears to be Healthier Heading into Week 14
Jalen McMillan

Expected to Have his 21-day Practice Window Opened
Mike Evans

' Practice Window Opened, Returning to Practice on Wednesday
Alexander Wennberg

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Michael Callahan

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Tuesday
Michael Rasmussen

Makes Early Exit Tuesday
Scott Wedgewood

Exits Early With Back Problem
Evander Kane

Expected to Be Fine After Skate Cut
Tyler Seguin

Injured Versus Rangers
Sean Monahan

Expected to Play Thursday
Nathan Walker

Out for Eight Weeks
Lian Bichsel

to Sit Out 6-8 Weeks
Viktor Arvidsson

Activated From Injured Reserve
Warren Foegele

Remains Out Tuesday
Valeri Nichushkin

Available After Eight-Game Absence
Gabriel Landeskog

Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog Cleared for Tuesday
Tyson Foerster

to Miss 2-3 Months
CFB

D.J. Durkin Staying at Auburn Under Alex Golesh
CFB

Charlie Weis Jr. Permitted to Coach Ole Miss Offense in College Football Playoff
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Says he's Fine After Suffering Hip Contusion
Omarion Hampton

Likely to Return in Week 14
CFB

Five-Star Quarterback Jared Curtis Flips Commitment From Georgia to Vanderbilt
CFB

Florida Hiring Brad White as Defensive Coordinator
Kyle Schwarber

Giants Have Checked in on Kyle Schwarber
Willson Contreras

Willing to Waive his Full No-Trade Clause?
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers "Hopeful" Brandon Aiyuk Will Play in 2025
Brayden Point

Without Timetable for Return
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Carted Off With Hip Injury on Monday Night
Edwin Díaz

Mets Still Interested in Re-Signing Edwin Diaz
Devin Williams

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Mets
Cole Ragans

Red Sox Targeting Cole Ragans in a Trade?
CFB

Kentucky Hires Oregon Offensive Coordinator Will Stein As Head Coach
Davante Adams

Not Dealing With a Serious Injury
Kyler Murray

Surgery Not on the Table for Kyler Murray
Marvin Harrison Jr.

in Danger of Missing Week 14?
CFB

Kalani Sitake the Top Target for Penn State Coaching Job
Justin Herbert

Having Hand Surgery on Monday
CFB

Josh Heupel Says He's Not a Candidate for Penn State Head Coach Job
CFB

Will Stein, Brian Hartline the Top Candidates for Kentucky Job?
CFB

Nebraska Fires Defensive Coordinator John Butler After One Season
CFB

UCLA Expected to Hire Bob Chesney as Next Head Coach
CFB

Lane Kiffin to Make $13 Million Salary, Ties Kirby Smart
CFB

Buster Faulkner, Joey Halzle Candidates for Florida Offensive Coordinator Job?
CFB

Kentucky Officially Fires Mark Stoops
CFB

Lane Kiffin to be Introduced as LSU's Next Head Coach on Monday
CFB

Florida Poised to Land Jon Sumrall as Next Head Coach
CFB

Alex Golesh Taking Over Auburn Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Arkansas Expected to Hire Ryan Silverfield as Next Head Coach
Zack Wheeler

Likely to Return in May
Ryan Helsley

Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Orioles

RANKINGS

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