RADIO
Welcome to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. Use this column to improve upon your neediest categories.
Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Thursday, September 14.
Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Ongoing Baseball Twitter Debate
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Ongoing Baseball Twitter Debate
I'm having too much fun trolling the surprisingly large chunk of baseball twitter that doesn't understand what it means to "bat around." Does it require nine or 10 hitters to bat around? I'll give you a hint. Baseball is its own language, related to but not the same as English.
Because I'm curious how many of you are wrong, a poll:
How many hitters are required to "bat around"
— Brad Johnson (@BaseballATeam) September 13, 2017
2. Today's Weather and Updates
We're all good on the weather front today. Games in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia could be at risk tomorrow. Minneapolis may see some late storms too.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Thursday, September 14
Pitchers to Use
Jake Junis may be the guy to finally defeat the Indians ongoing winning streak. The righty reminds me of the Ross brothers. He throws a steady barrage of high quality sliders mixed with a below average fastball. You'll generally get a good strikeout rate combined with a slightly below average ERA and WHIP.
Junis is opposed by Josh Tomlin. Since returning from the disabled list, the pitch-to-contact righty has picked up right where he left off. He now has a nearly luck neutral 2.57 ERA over his last six starts. That includes 35 innings, 27 strikeouts, and two walks. He's prone to the occasional bad BABIP day.
Other Targets: Mike Foltynewicz, Jose Urena, Mike Montgomery
Pitchers to Exploit
The Tigers are asking unsuccessful long reliever Chad Bell to supply a start. The southpaw has a 5.79 ERA with 7.71 K/9 and 4.38 BB/9. He's suffered from a .344 BABIP and 1.58 HR/9. The thing is, those seemingly unlucky rates are earned. He's allowed 41.1 percent hard contact. Manny Machado, Jay Bruce, and Chris Davis have similar hard contact rates.
Other Targets: James Shields, Daniel Gossett, Amir Garrett, Seth Lugo, Ricky Nolasco
Homers on the Wire
Remember when Justin Bour was a legit home run derby contestant. The slugger has been back in action for three games. So far, he's played every other day. Since returning, he's 3-for-11 with a double. With a matchup against Thompson, a power surge could be right around the corner.
Willie Calhoun performed similarly to Rhys Hoskins in the minors. Overall, he hit .30/.355/.572 with 31 home runs in 534 plate appearances. His strikeout rate was under 12 percent. while making a ludicrously high rate of contact for a power hitter. The biggest difference between Calhoun and Hoskins is plate discipline. Calhoun likes to ambush early count pitches while Hoskins usually works the count and draws walks. Calhoun's playing time is uncertain due to a crowded Rangers offense.
Other Targets: Jeimer Candelario, Tyler Collins, Matt Davidson, Rymer Liriano, Matt Olson, Mitch Moreland, Stephen Piscotty, Jose Martinez, Nick Williams, Freddy Galvis, Tyler Naquin, Derek Dietrich, Justin Bour, Mitch Haniger
Steals on the Wire
Although a few baserunning options exist, none are exactly awe inspiring. Tim Anderson and Yolmer Sanchez have the best matchup opposite James McCann. Neither runs very often though. Anderson has 10 steals and Sanchez has eight.
Other Targets: Michael Taylor, Delino DeShields, Cameron Maybin
Skill Positions
I should be mentioned Robinson Chirinos every day. When seeking catchers, I usually look for a juicy platoon advantage. Chirinos doesn't need help from a platoon. Now that he's out from behind Jonathan Lucroy, he's swatting .268/.377/.550 with 17 home runs in 274 plate appearances. He should be owned in every conceivable format (except NL Only). His ownership sits at a paltry 29 percent.
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