Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for May 5

May 4, 2018

Brad Johnson's fantasy baseball daily streaming picks for May 5, 2018. 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 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 5. Let's get to it.

Agenda

1. Slightly Rigged Redraft Leagues
2. Today's Weather and Updates
3. Tomorrow's Picks

1. Slightly Rigged Redraft Leagues

I am declaring war (link to a silly video) upon shallow format keeper leagues (link to a post on my private blog). If you're playing in a 10- or 12-team league with three or four keeper slots, I'm talking about you. It's a slightly rigged redraft league. Either play redraft or transition to dynasty. If you'd like help going full dynasty, contact me after the season for advice.

2. Today's Weather and Updates - Friday, May 4

New York (both) and Washington have a small chance for disruptive mid-game storms. The first of a series in Monterrey Mexico between the Dodgers and Padres is imperiled by storms.

3. Streamer Picks - Saturday, May 5

Pitchers to Use

Eduardo Rodriguez won't always give you a smooth outing, but you can usually count upon at least a strikeout per inning with a mean 4.00 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Those are perfectly acceptable from a streamer and fringe ownable in 12-team mixed. There's always a chance he spontaneously improves too. Injuries have prevented him from getting into any sort of groove. The very injured Rangers make for a soft matchup.

Trevor Cahill appears to be recapturing the form he showed in early 2017. That included improved command and plenty of strikeouts. A matchup against a powerful but very strikeout prone Baltimore lineup promises rewards for fantasy owners. Like ERod, he's borderline ownable in 12-team mixed.

Other Targets: Tyler Skaggs

Pitchers to Exploit

Tomorrow, the exploit list is an exercise in declining vets. Caleb Smith bucks that trend. He's showing up on a lot of breakout lists, and his ownership is spiking as a result. My biggest concern tomorrow is his fly ball profile at Great American Smallpark. He also has a high walk rate. Runners on base plus fly balls in a tiny venue spells trouble to me. He's not adept at preventing hard contact either. Feel free to participate in my request to sell me on him.

People seem to like Smith's opponent, Tyler Mahle, too. In Mahle's case, I can at least see the argument. Solid command of three pitches with a healthy whiff rate sounds appetizing. Here's why it doesn't work. His outfield defense may be the worst in the league. Since he gives up some of the hardest contact in the league, he needs those outfielders. He has the raw ingredients of somebody who could take a step forward. For now, he's a pure exploit - especially at home. Even against the Marlins.

Other Targets: Jordan Zimmermann, Jason Hammel, Lance Lynn, Ty Blach, Chad Bettis, Bryan Mitchell, Jhoulys Chacin

Homers on the Wire

What if I told you a leadoff hitter with a .355 OBP and a history of platoon mashing was available versus Kevin Gausman. Is that something you might be interested in? What if I told you it was Matt Joyce? The Athletics lineup in general is a trove of useful, cheap acquisitions like Joyce, Mark Canha, and Stephen Piscotty.

Ryon Healy is a career .307/.335/.530 hitter with the platoon advantage. He'll face Skaggs tomorrow. Healy is one of my favorite streaming options when hunting for the elusive double-dong. In barely two weeks of play, he's already had one two homer game.

Other Targets: Chase Utley, Derek Dietrich, Brian Anderson, Martin Prado, Miguel Rojas, Lewis Brinson, Jose Bautista, Adam Frazier, Colin Moran, Yolmer Sanchez, Nick Delmonico, Dexter Fowler, Aaron Altherr, Lucas Duda, Aaron Hicks, Miguel Andujar

Steals on the Wire

At certain times throughout history, namely since entering the league, Aaron Sanchez has been stolen base prone. Part of that is Russell Martin's fault. In any case, Mallex Smith should benefit. The speedster hasn't managed to move up in the order despite a tasty .385 OBP. The good news with that is he should be more willing to run from a down-order position. He's 6-for-9 in stolen base attempts this year. An outburst awaits.

Other Targets: Jose Peraza, Cameron Maybin

More Streamers and Waiver Wire Pickups