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Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for May 3

Brad Johnson's fantasy baseball daily streaming picks for May 3rd. Pitcher and hitter streamers for MLB DFS games, and head-to-head (H2H) waiver wire targets.

Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming and waiver wire advice. Use this column to address your problem categories.

Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Wednesday, May 3rd.

Let's get to it.

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

Editor's Note: Our friends at Fantrax have even more fantasy baseball advice columns and videos to help improve your teams. Be sure to also check them out!

 

Agenda

  1. Pick on Pirates
  2. Today's Weather and Updates
  3. Tomorrow's Picks

 

1. Pick on Pirates

Any time you're looking for stolen bases on the wire, check who the Pittsburgh Pirates are playing - especially if Gerrit Cole or Tyler Glasnow are on the bump. Here's Billy Hamilton demonstrating with three steals against Cole.

 

2. Today's Weather and Updates

It's all clear tonight! St. Louis is scheduled for a soak tomorrow. C'est tout.

 

3. Tomorrow's Picks - Wednesday, May 3rd

Pitchers to Use

It's Charlie Morton day. The market is clearly going to take awhile before they recognize the genius of Morton. If you haven't watched him pitch lately, it's easy to recall his mediocre early-career production. Now he's throwing harder than ever and piling up strikeouts. He hasn't figured out how to piece together a full gem quite yet. Last week, he fanned 12 Athletics. He also allowed four runs on a couple homers. Morton tends to wear out in the middle innings. Pick him for strikeouts, a win, and a chance for more. Morton is opposed by the Rangers.

Blake Snell has the stuff to be a fantasy asset, but his minus command really hampers his ability. He should receive some run support against Adam Conley. The Marlins starter has equally poor command, but his pitches aren't as effective. Snell is a bad bet for a quality start.

If it's the QS you want, try CC Sabathia opposite a floundering Blue Jays offense. The few hitters who aren't on the disable list aren't going anything at all. Sabathia survives on his wiles. There's a decent chance he'll give you six or seven innings with three or fewer runs.

Hector Santiago will face a punchless Athletics offense. Most of their interesting bats are left-handed. They'll sit against Santiago. The fly ball pitcher is off to a hot start. He has a 2.43 ERA in 29.2 innings. Don't get too excited. The underlying peripherals are the same as the last six seasons. At least he has a history of outperforming his career 4.68 FIP (3.78 ERA).

 

Other Targets: Bartolo Colon

 

Pitchers to Exploit

Rookie Davis is making what will probably be his last major league start... at least for the next few weeks. He's managed just 9.2 innings in three starts to go with an 11.17 ERA. Davis has neither the stuff nor the command to survive in the majors. He looks the part physically - right up until he throws a pitch. The feast is served Pittsburgh.

I feel like everybody wants Kevin Gausman to be good, but he just can't manage more than a partial season. For the third straight year, Gausman has been an early-season disaster. His command is worse than ever, as evidenced by his 5.10 BB/9. He's managed only 6.00 K/9 to go with a 7.50 ERA. The hits and homers are flying too. The Red Sox won't let him off easy.

The Brewers volatile offense has a friendly matchup versus Adam Wainwright. The former ace still has a high quality curve ball. He just lacks anything to pair with the offering. Unlike the Red Sox, Milwaukee actually has waiver wire targets for us to add.

I know Antonio Senzatela has a shiny ERA. Get over it. The stuff simply doesn't support the results - especially out of the rotation. Maybe he'll improve. Regression (the bad kind) is much more likely. He's always been considered a future reliever by scouts, and I've seen nothing to the contrary.

 

Other Targets: Adam Conley, Nick Martinez, Mike Pelfrey, Nate Karns, Ricky Nolasco, Jered Weaver

 

Homers on the Wire

Since I can't recommend Michael Conforto anymore, I'll point out that Neil Walker bats cleanup for the Mets. Once regression kicks in on his .216 BABIP, his owners will be happy. He faces Colon.

Josh Harrison hit two home runs yesterday, proof that Great American Ballpark is ridiculous. He bats leadoff for the Pirates. Josh Bell will probably bat second with Jose Osuna occupying the fifth slot. Tiny park, big flies.

Dan Vogelbach isn't playing much despite stomping all over Triple-A pitching. The 24-year-old has yet to make his impression in the majors. He has a couple singles in 17 plate appearances despite hitting the ball hard. Nolasco makes for a low stress matchup.

Domingo Santana is batting third with Ryan Braun banged up. Take advantage of the run production versus Wainwright. Santana has improved in every way except one - a .220 BABIP. He's popped five home runs in 89 plate appearances while trimming his strikeout rate down to a tolerable 25 percent.

 

Other Targets: Hunter Renfroe, Ryan Schimpf, Yangervis Solarte, Cody Bellinger, Andrew Toles, Brandon Moss, Josh Reddick, Jed Lowrie, Max Kepler, Brandon Guyer

 

Steals on the Wire

Rajai Davis is supposed to return on Tuesday which means he'll bat leadoff with the platoon advantage tomorrow. And lest you worry he'll run less versus a southpaw, his past performance says he's an equal opportunity runner. The bigger concern is if he's confident in his health.

Now that Jose Reyes is alive again, he's a must-roster player in nearly all formats. He's only 22 percent owned for a start against his former Colon.

And suddenly Michael Taylor is a starting outfielder once again. He still can't make contact with anything. While his power can be the louder tool, he accesses it so infrequently in games. At least the speed is there every day. He'll probably win the golden sombrero against Robbie Ray.

Nori Aoki isn't much of a power or speed threat. His role as the Astros ninth hitter isn't desirable either. However, Aoki is batting a reliable .306/.353/.387. In this age of power, Aoki provides a high floor, low ceiling pick off the wire.

 

Other Targets: Manuel Margot, Ben Gamel, Hernan Perez, Keon Broxton, Alcides Escobar, Tyler Saladino, Tim Anderson, Delino DeShields, Brett Gardner

 

Skill Positions

If you need a catcher, you have options tomorrow. Tony Wolters gets to face Weaver. That's something, right? Austin Hedges lurks on the other side of the matchup. Whoever starts tonight of Jett Bandy or Manny Pina will probably sit tomorrow versus Waino. Josh Phegley starts against left-handed pitching.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Trae Young

Traded to Washington
Ja Morant

Remains Out on Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Will Suit Up Versus Utah
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Good to Go Against Phoenix
Santi Aldama

Cleared to Play on Wednesday
Sam LaPorta

Plans to be Back for Training Camp
Brandon Miller

Unavailable Versus Raptors
Owen Caissie

Shipped to Miami as Centerpiece of Trade
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Officially Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
Onyeka Okongwu

Sidelined Wednesday
Nathan Walker

Ready to End 16-Game Absence
Rutger McGroarty

Out Indefinitely With Concussion
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Downgraded to Questionable For Wednesday
Kevin Stenlund

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Ty Dellandrea

Ruled Out Wednesday
Matas Buzelis

Set to Suit Up Wednesday
Adam Erne

Misses Wednesday's Action
Tom Wilson

Aliaksei Protas Won't Play Wednesday
Coby White

Sidelined Versus Pistons
Anze Kopitar

Out Wednesday
Draymond Green

Upgraded to Probable on Wednesday
Rome Odunze

Plans to Play on Saturday
LeBron James

Considered Questionable For Wednesday
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
Gabriel Landeskog

Out for Several Weeks
Jamie Drysdale

Makes Early Exit Tuesday
Bobby Brink

Injured in Tuesday's Win
Adam Henrique

Expected to Miss Time
Brad Marchand

Dealing With Lingering Health Issue
Haydn Fleury

Hospitalized Tuesday
Moussa Diabaté

Ryan Kalkbrenner Out, Moussa Diabate Probable Wednesday
Brandon Miller

Listed as Probable Wednesday
Alex Caruso

Absent for Second Consecutive Game
Nicolas Claxton

Available Wednesday
Moritz Wagner

Still Out Wednesday
Franz Wagner

Not Ready to Return Wednesday
Jalen Suggs

Remains Out Wednesday
Draymond Green

Questionable to Suit Up Wednesday
Jalen Smith

Ruled Out for Second Straight Game
New York Giants

John Harbaugh Expected to be Favorite to Become New Giants Head Coach
Mason Marchment

Out Tuesday
Sean Monahan

Available Tuesday
Jason Zucker

Set to Return From 11-Game Absence
Matvei Michkov

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Matthew Schaefer

Cleared for Action Tuesday
Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh Won't Return as Ravens Head Coach
Adam Fox

Landing Back on Long-Term Injured Reserve
Seth Jarvis

Back for Hurricanes Tuesday
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
New York Giants

Giants Expected to Show Interest in Former Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski
Daniel Jones

Colts, Daniel Jones Appear to Have "Mutual Interest" in a 2026 Reunion
Cleveland Browns

Browns Fire Kevin Stefanski After Another Losing Season
Zay Flowers

Goes Off for 138 Yards, Two Touchdowns in Loss
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
CFB

Joey Aguilar Undergoes Surgery to Remove Tumor on Friday
CFB

Texas the "Team to Beat" for Transfer Running Back Isaac Brown
CFB

Rocco Becht to Follow Matt Campbell to Penn State?
CFB

Texas Targeting Cam Coleman in Transfer Portal
CFB

Former Texas Running Back CJ Baxter Visiting Kentucky
CFB

Beau Pribula Visiting Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech

RANKINGS

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