🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for May 8

Brad Johnson's fantasy baseball daily streaming picks for May 8th. 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. Use this column to bolster your neediest categories.

Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Monday, May 8th.

Let's get to it.

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

 

Agenda

  1. A Murder of Injuries
  2. Today's Weather and Updates
  3. Tomorrow's Picks

 

1. A Murder of Injuries

It's still the weekend so let's kick things off with a goofy poll. A group of geese is a gaggle. Monkeys form a troop. When a bunch of lions hang out, they're called a pride. What word should we use to describe a cluster of injuries?

We all knew the 10-day disabled list would increase the number of players placed on the shelf. However, I feel like we were under-prepared for the full effect of the new rule. In one league I commission, I am considering adding an additional pair of disabled list slots to deal with the issue. It may be time for fantasy baseball leagues to move from two to four disabled list slots as the default setting.

 

2. Today's Weather and Updates

San Diego has a rare rain day on tap for Sunday. The game could be postponed. Tomorrow should be a beautiful day for baseball.

 

3. Tomorrow's Picks - Monday, May 8th

Pitchers to Use

Let's start with Joe Biagini since he's usable in a very unusual way. The Toronto reliever is making a spot start as the Blue Jays try to survive an injured rotation. Biagini isn't stretched out. We're looking at a three inning start. He absolutely will not earn a win, but there's a decent chance you'll get good ratios. He won't face anybody more than twice. These spots starts always have an extra element of risk since the pitcher's routine is based around relieving.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me every damned time, and you must be Kendall Graveman. At the start of every season, Graveman looks to be on the cusp of a breakout. He's already back to boring ol' Kendall. Although I'm much less enthused about owning him, his matchup against a probably Mike Trout-less Angels offense is usable.

Alex Wood's ownership has climbed to 27 percent. This may be your last chance to acquire him cheaply. The southpaw uses a funky delivery to keep hitters uncomfortable. He has a high strikeout and ground ball rate coupled with a tolerable walk rate. His velocity is up two mph. He's an automatic start in all formats. Wood should receive run support against the Pirates. Keep an eye on how the Dodgers handle today's rainout - Wood could be bumped.

Nick Martinez is a boring spot starter quality arm. He doesn't record strikeouts and allows home runs by the bushel. However, you may wish to give him a look opposite Jered Weaver at Petco Park. It's a friendlier venue for pitchers than his normal stomping grounds, and there's a good chance he'll leave the game with a big lead.

Other Targets: Adam Conley, Blake Snell

 

Pitchers to Exploit

I've received a lot of questions about Antonio Senzatela. A 2.84 ERA over six starts - including some Coors Field appearances - will do drum up fantasy interest. Do yourself a favor, sell or divest now. He's a fastball-slider guy without any true weapons. Regression is going to hit him like a Mack truck. His success can be traced to a low hard contact rate. However, pitchers who can actually control quality of contact usually have a high soft contact rate. That's not the case for Senzatela. He's just been lucky.

I can't believe Rookie Davis is making another start. Perhaps it's because he held the Pirates scoreless in five innings last week. It's not like it was a good outing (three walks, two strikeouts), and it was only the first time he reached the fifth frame. Davis looks like a pitcher, but he doesn't have any of the weapons necessary to retire major league sluggers. The Yankees are going to destroy him.

Kevin Gausman has a history of pitching poorly through the first half of the season. He's off to his worst start ever. Gausman has been hit and homer prone while struggling with his command. His 5.81 K/9 and 5.23 BB/9 don't play in the majors.

The Pirates have tried to use Trevor Williams as a long reliever. He has been... not effective. In 24.1 career innings, Williams has a devilish 6.66 ERA with 7.77 K/9 and 4.44 BB/9. He's been plagued by home runs. Load up on Dodgers.

Other Targets: Nate Karns, Ricky Nolasco, Jered Weaver

 

Homers on the Wire

Yonder Alonso hit two more home runs yesterday. He's now up to 12 percent owned. Are you familiar with the concept of "the tipping point?" If not, google it. Alonso's long past of crappiness has thus far dissuaded most owners from taking a chance on Alonso. He's been the sixth best first baseman, and he's an easy top 15 guy over the rest of season. He should be owned in all but the very smallest leagues. Alonso will face Ricky Nolasco. Of lesser interest are Matt Joyce and Jed Lowrie.

Logan Morrison is the seventh ranked first baseman. He's just 11 percent owned. While Alonso's power outburst can be tracked back to a new swing and 40 percent hard hit rate, LoMo's burst of over-the-wall power is unsupported by a change in peripherals. Continue to aggressively stream him. He'll see Nate Karns. Colby Rasmus has been back a few days. His only hit in 11 plate appearances was a home run.

I'm recommending three Texas outfielders today. A fourth, Nomar Mazara, is too widely owned to recommend as a streamer. However, since the Rangers are visiting a National League park, they'll have to bench one of their outfielders. I'd bet on it being Delino DeShields or Shin-Soo Choo. It would be unfortunate if Choo takes a seat since his lefty swing and ground ball tendencies make him a big home run threat against a fly ball pitcher like Weaver. Carlos Gomez is also a threat to ambush a Weaver fastball over a wall.

You don't have to be hitting as well as Aaron Hicks to be a power option in Cincinnati. The Yankees are using Hicks most days, although he's still too frequently the odd man out in the outfield rotation. He's hitting a ridiculous .355/.468/.710 with 50 percent more walks than strikeouts. Chase Headley is alternative to take advantage of a small park.

Other Targets: Yangervis Solarte, Ryan Schimpf, Hunter Renfroe, Andrew Toles, Randal Grichuk, Tommy Pham, Scott Schebler, Wilmer Flores, T.J. Rivera

 

Steals on the Wire

The Jose Reyes hit barrage continues. Since late April, he's slashing .349/.408/.674 in 49 plate appearances. He has five walks and one strikeout during the streak. Asdrubal Cabrera is the latest Met to hit the skids. Reyes will take over at shortstop. He's 30 percent owned.

Brett Gardner went on a power binge last week. You probably missed him at his best, but he remains a speedy runner with fluke power upside. The Yankees are visiting another park for children. They'll face a Double-A quality pitcher.

The injury bug has bitten deeply into the Cardinals lineup. Kolten Wong has been pressed into leadoff duties for the Cardinals. St. Louis is facing a lefty so we may instead see Aledmys Diaz lead off on Monday. Either way, Wong is one of the few options available for steals. He should much more widely owned than he is - just 10 percent.

Other Targets: Delino DeShields, Manuel Margot, Kevin Kiermaier, Michael Taylor

 

Skill Positions

The Tigers ninth inning situation is coming to a head. Francisco Rodriguez blew another save and now has a 6.35 ERA on the season. The main issue is easy to spot - an elevated fly ball rate combined with his typically high HR/FB ratio. He'll probably be fine going forward, but a couple more blown saves could force a switch. Frankly, there aren't any other ninth inning relievers in that bullpen. Justin Wilson is the closest thing if you're looking to speculate.

Austin Hedges has a matchup against a homer prone pitcher. They're both fly ball guys. In other words, don't be surprised if Hedges hits the ball too high.

If you need a shortstop Didi Gregorius is slashing .344/.382/.406 through 34 plate appearances. Don't expect a repeat of his fluke 20 home runs season, even with help from Yankee Stadium. Even so, he's a viable power threat at Great American Ballpark.

 

More Lineups Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Deandre Ayton

May Skip Meeting With Jazz
Cole Anthony

Iffy for Thursday's Action
AJ Green

at Risk of Missing Another Game
Peyton Watson

Questionable for Thursday
Kyle Kuzma

Questionable for Thursday Due to Illness
Tim Hardaway Jr.

Questionable With Illness
Lauri Markkanen

Picks Up Questionable Tag Ahead of Thursday
Tristan da Silva

Questionable for Thursday
Pelle Larsson

Misses Second Straight Game
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Unavailable Against Nets
Pat Spencer

Ruled Out for Thursday
Norman Powell

Misses Practice, Uncertain for Thursday
Jakob Poeltl

Listed as Probable for Thursday
Al Horford

Ruled Out for Thursday, Nearing Return
Tim Hardaway Jr.

Battling Illness, Questionable for Thursday
Bo Bichette

Willing to Make the Move to Second Base
Brandon Williams

Questionable with Achilles Issue
D'Angelo Russell

Questionable for Thursday
Mitchell Robinson

Tagged as Questionable for Thursday
Josh Hart

Uncertain for Thursday
Brandon Clarke

Active Against Timberwolves
Isaiah Hartenstein

Resting on Thursday Night
Davante Adams

Doubtful to Play Thursday Night
Matthew Tkachuk

Status Uncertain for Winter Classic
Tyson Foerster

Ruled Out for Five Months
Quinton Byfield

Back From One-Game Absence Wednesday
Gustav Forsling

Available Against Kings
Pavel Dorofeyev

Good to Go Wednesday
Shea Theodore

Out Against Devils
Jack Eichel

Misses First Game of the Season Wednesday
Brett Pesce

Back in Action Wednesday
Devin Neal

Ruled Out for Sunday
Christian Watson

"Should be Good" to Face the Bears on Saturday
Geno Smith

has "a Good Chance" to Return in Week 16
Saquon Barkley

Back at Practice on Wednesday
Brady Cook

Will Start Again in Week 16
Patrick Mahomes

Rehabbing ACL, LCL Tears
Rashee Rice

Won't Practice Due to Concussion
Marvin Harrison Jr.

to Take Part in Wednesday's Walkthrough Practice
Drake London

Day-to-Day, Will Practice on Wednesday
CFB

Jeremiyah Love Officially Heading to NFL Draft
Quinn Ewers

Making First Career Start in Week 16
Tua Tagovailoa

Being Benched by Dolphins
CFB

Jake Merklinger Leaving Tennessee for Transfer Portal
Jeremy Ruckert

Jets, Jeremy Ruckert Agree to a Two-Year Extension
Thatcher Demko

Shuts Out Rangers With 23 Saves
Macklin Celebrini

Notches Four Points in Tuesday's Win
Leon Draisaitl

Reaches Special Milestone During Four-Point Night
Shea Theodore

Questionable for Wednesday Night
Jack Eichel

Battling Illness
Darcy Kuemper

Placed on Injured Reserve
Brandon Montour

Hurt on Tuesday
Mike Trout

Angels Open to Mike Trout Playing Center Field in 2026
Saquon Barkley

Misses Practice With Stinger
RJ Harvey

Dealing With Rib Injury
Josh Jacobs

Intends to Play Against Bears on Saturday
Zach Bogosian

Misses Tuesday's Game
Marcus Johansson

Unavailable Tuesday
Artyom Levshunov

Scratched for Tuesday
Mathew Barzal

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Joseph Woll

Returns to Action Tuesday
Mike Matheson

Won't Play on Tuesday
Bam Knight

Cardinals Place Bam Knight on Injured Reserve
CFB

Kansas State's Jayce Brown Intends to Transfer
CFB

Nation's Leading Passer Drew Mestemaker to Enter Transfer Portal
Justin Crawford

Phillies Planning to Start Justin Crawford in Center Field
CFB

Jayden Maiava Signs New Deal to Return to USC
CFB

Aidan Mizell Won't Return to Florida, Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

East Carolina Targeting Jordan Davis as Next Offensive Coordinator
Patrick Mahomes

Targeting Week 1 Return in 2026
CFB

Michigan QB Jadyn Davis Set to Enter Transfer Portal
CFB

Travis Williams Joining Texas A&M Defensive Staff
Darren Waller

Hauls in Two Touchdowns in Monday Night Loss
Rome Odunze

Considered Week-to-Week With Foot Injury
Davante Adams

Considered Week-to-Week With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Dylan Raiola Entering His Name into Transfer Portal
CFB

Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby Plans to Transfer When Portal Opens
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia, Phillies Finalizing One-Year Deal on Monday
Brandon Royval

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
CFB

Baylor, LSU, Miami Among Potential Suitors for DJ Lagway
CFB

Aidan Chiles Will Enter Transfer Portal
Manel Kape

Shines At UFC Vegas 112
Kevin Vallejos

Gets Second-Round Knockout Win
Giga Chikadze

Suffers His First Career Knockout Loss
CFB

Quarterback DJ Lagway Entering Transfer Portal
Cesar Almeida

Gets Dominated
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Wins Sixth Fight In A Row
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Melquizael Costa

Gets First-Round Knockout Win
Marcus Buchecha

Still Winless In The UFC
Kennedy Nzechukwu

And Marcus Buchecha Fight To Draw
Lance Gibson jr

Lance Gibson Jr. Drops Decision In His UFC Debut
King Green

Gets Back In The Win Column
Kenley Jansen

Agrees to One-Year Deal With Tigers
Merrill Kelly

Returns to Diamondbacks on Two-Year Deal
Jorge Polanco

Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Mets
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Return to South Carolina in 2026
CFB

Washington State Expected to Hire Kirby Moore as Next Head Coach
CFB

Kyle Whittingham Stepping Down as Utah Head Coach
Manel Kape

Set For UFC Vegas 112 Main Event
Brandon Royval

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 112
Kevin Vallejos

Set For His Third UFC Fight
Giga Chikadze

In Dire Need Of Victory
Cesar Almeida

Set To Welcome Cezary Oleksiejczuk To The UFC
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Maikel Garcia

Royals Agree on Five-Year Extension
Melquizael Costa

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Looks to Win Second Consecutive Fights
Marcus Buchecha

Looks To Bounce Back
CFB

Sherrone Moore Charged with Home Invasion, Among Other Charges
CFB

Freddie Kitchens Fired from North Carolina Coaching Staff

RANKINGS

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