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Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for May 8

Brad Johnson's fantasy baseball daily streaming picks for May 8, 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 Tuesday, May 8. Let's get to it.

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

 

Agenda

  1. Foul Fowler?
  2. Today's Weather and Updates
  3. Tomorrow's Picks

 

1. Foul Fowler

I keep listing Dexter Fowler because...

  1. Guy is good
  2. He has a .160 BABIP
  3. Career .334 BABIP
  4. Career best fly ball rate

Fowler keeps tossing up 0-fers intermingled with home runs. Consider: since April 13, he has four home runs and a .095 BABIP. I don't know what's going on here. I do know I bought low on a similarly befuddling Fowler last season, and he abruptly reverted to standard stealth fantasy stud mode. I have every confidence it will happen again. He's 35 percent owned and set to face Jake Odorizzi tomorrow.

 

2. Today's Weather and Updates - Monday, May 7

Warm weather and modest winds rule the day. No restrictions for weather today.

 

3. Streamer Picks - Tuesday, May 8

Pitchers to Use

Favorite of this column, Sean Newcomb, is up to 51 percent owned. He's set to visit the Rays in what should be viewed as a very favorable matchup. Although the Rays technically have performed as an above average offense, I'm not buying that for a second. Too many of their players are due for heavy duty regression - the bad kind. Newcomb can be relied upon for a strikeout per inning mixed with an entirely random ERA and WHIP.

Mike Minor looks like a 4.00 ERA pitcher with entirely acceptable/unexciting peripherals. That's perfectly streamable at home against a tepid Tigers offense. Miguel Cabrera is out, and the rest of the crew is average or worse at the plate. An alternative in the "just a guy" department is Jeremy Hellickson. He's visiting the incredibly strikeout prone Padres. The San Diego offense may not be enough to help Hellickson record strikeouts. This may be the only time all season I recommend him.

Other Targets: naaaa

 

Pitchers to Exploit

If and when Pomeranz flubs his start against the Yankees, I'm expecting to see him cast to the waiver wire in most leagues. I'm still hopeful his velocity will trend back over 90 mph as he moves past his latest injury. He'll eventually face some softer competition.

In a similar vein, I like Luis Castillo long term. Short term, I'm avoiding him at Great American Ballpark versus the Mets. Not that New York is exactly firing on all cylinders. Neither is Castillo. He could earn a win opposite Jason Vargas.

Other Targets: Danny Duffy, Derek Holland, Jason Vargas, Mike Fiers, Lucas Giolito, Andrew Heaney, Jon Gray, Clayton Richard

 

Homers on the Wire

Well, there's no shortage of power options on the wire. Very few stand out as potential difference makers. Aaron Altherr bats cleanup for the Phillies when he plays. Although his seasonal stats look awful, he's also on a fiery .325/.404/.525 line over his last 47 plate appearances. Rather than falling for the early season slump or the recent hot streak, we should remember the big picture. He's an above average hitter with power and a good matchup versus Holland.

I don't know where these 60 percent of leagues that aren't rostering Aaron Hicks can be found, but this seems like a glaring oversight. Hicks has power, speed, and he bats in the middle of the friggin' Yankees lineup. He's opposed by a struggling Pomeranz.

 

Other Targets: Fowler, Mark Trumbo, Danny Valencia, Aaron Hicks, Maikel Franco, Scott Kingery, Ryon Healy, Jesse Winker, Brandon Guyer, JaCoby Jones, John Hicks, Jeimer Candelario, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Renato Nunez, Ronald Guzman, Adam Frazier, Colin Moran, David Dahl, Carlos Gonzalez, Luis Valbuena, Jabari Blash, Nick Ahmed, Daniel Descalso, Howie Kendrick

 

Steals on the Wire

It's Rajai Davis day! At Miller Park. Davis has sneaky pop at times and can feast on the basepaths versus an exploitable Brewers battery.

Travis Jankowski has been drawing leadoff start for the Padres. He's showing improved contact skills and plate discipline. There's a chance he'll stick this time around.

Other Targets: Jose Peraza, Mallex Smith, Delino DeShields, Manuel Margot

 

Skill Positions

Jim Johnson is maybe the latest closer du jour for the Angels. I warned of this day. Who can tell what's happening in a Mike Scioscia bullpen.

Francisco Cervelli is the latest player to realize he should stop hitting crappy ground balls. He should be rostered in all but the most shallow formats. A game at Guaranteed Rate Park is promising.

 

More Streamers and Waiver Wire Pickups




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Josh Naylor

Returning to Diamondbacks Lineup
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Oronde Gadsden

an Active Pass-Catcher This Offseason
Brashard Smith

Speed Could be Put to Use
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Pat Bryant

Off to a Good Start
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs With Islanders for Two Years
Cody Barton

Quickly Becoming a Leader With his New Team
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal With Mammoth
Montaric Brown

has Worked With Starters
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
DET

James van Riemsdyk Joins Red Wings on One-Year Contract
Viktor Arvidsson

Traded to Boston
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Lands With Charlotte
Josh Jung

Sent to Triple-A
Jurickson Profar

Officially Reinstated and Hitting in Five-Hole on Wednesday
Spencer Schwellenbach

Going on Injured List With Fractured Elbow
Maxwell Hairston

Facing Sexual-Assault Lawsuit
Tai Felton

Rookie Season Likely to be Spent on Special Teams
LeQuint Allen Jr.

to Have Receiving Role for Jaguars?
Justin Walley

Turning Heads Going into Rookie Season
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
Jamari Thrash

Establishing Himself as Reliable Option
Grayson Murphy

Could Provide Rotational Pass-Rush Depth
Joe Andreessen

in a Good Position to Compete for Backup Job
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Bhayshul Tuten

Needs to Improve Pass Protection
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Brandon Woodruff

Likely to Pitch on Sunday in Miami
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
PHI

Dan Vladar Links Up With Flyers on Two-Year Deal
EDM

Andrew Mangiapane Signs Two-Year Pact With Oilers
SEA

Ryan Lindgren Joins Kraken on Four-Year Contract
PHI

Christian Dvorak Heads to Philadelphia
Logan Stankoven

Signs Long-Term Extension with Hurricanes
NYI

Jonathan Drouin Joins Islanders on Two-Year Contract
NJ

Devils Hand Connor Brown a Four-Year Contract
SJ

John Klingberg Lands in San Jose
William Eklund

Signs Three-Year Extension with Sharks
Will Cuylle

Agrees to Two-Year Contract with Rangers
Zac Gallen

Fans 10 in Tuesday's Win
Hunter Goodman

Hits Two More Homers Tuesday
Josh Hader

Stays Perfect In Save Conversion On Tuesday
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Shane Baz

Fans 11 Against Athletics
Grant Holmes

Strikes Out 10 in Scoreless Outing
Jeff Green

Signs One-Year Deal to Remain in Houston
T.J. Watt

Trying to Become Highest-Paid Non-QB?
Willson Contreras

Doubtful for Wednesday
George Springer

Clubs Two Homers in Seven-RBI Day
Joshua Palmer

Could be a Sleeper
Los Angeles Lakers

Jake LaRavia Lands with Lakers
Laviska Shenault Jr.

on the Bubble
Orlando Magic

Tyus Jones Signs One-Year Deal With Magic
Raheem Blackshear

to Work Mostly As Special-Teamer
Golden State Warriors

Kevon Looney Heads to New Orleans
Rico Dowdle

Trevor Etienne to Split Carries?
Chuba Hubbard

Should See Majority of Touches in 2025
Milwaukee Bucks

Jericho Sims Staying in Milwaukee
Denver Nuggets

Tim Hardaway Jr. Joins Nuggets
Willson Contreras

Avoids Structural Damage on Hand After HBP
Detroit Pistons

Duncan Robinson Lands With Detroit
Charlotte Hornets

Tre Mann Remaining in Charlotte
Josh Naylor

Scratched From Tuesday's Lineup Against Giants
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
San Francisco Giants

Giants Exercise Bob Melvin's 2026 Option
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Josh Naylor

Back in Action on Tuesday
Yordan Alvarez

Suffers Setback
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Nolan Arenado

Dealing with Finger Sprain
Jacob Wilson

Scratched With Hamstring Soreness
Brandon Woodruff

Ready for Season Debut
Garrett Mitchell

Out for the Rest of the Season
Milwaukee Bucks

Gary Harris Inks Deal With Bucks
Charlotte Hornets

Mason Plumlee Heading Back to Charlotte
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Jakob Poeltl

Agrees to a Contract Extension With Raptors
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Vasilije Micić

Vasilije Micic Dealt to Bucks on Tuesday
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Pat Connaughton

Traded to Hornets
Atlanta Hawks

Luke Kennard Lands in Atlanta
Breece Hall

Aiming to Prove He is "Still One of the Best in the League"
T.J. Watt

Steelers Not Planning to Trade T.J. Watt
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF