Whether it’s because of an injury or poor performance, there are always opportunities to stream players off the waiver wire. The best players to stream are those who are under-owned and face appealing match-ups for the upcoming week.
Here are five players who are readily available in Fleaflicker leagues and have attractive match-ups during the third week of August.
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Top Hitter Streamers for Week 20
Trea Turner (WAS, 2B/OF) - 52% Fleaflicker
Turner is now owned in more than half of leagues, but that number will only continue to grow as he continues to produce. He is slashing .301/.333/.485 with two homers, 14 R and 12 RBI through 108 PA, and holds a .299 average against righties despite hitting from the right side of the plate. Additionally, he is a threat to swipe a base any time, with 10 SB in 25 games.
This upcoming week, the Nationals have three games in Colorado and four in Atlanta. The Rockies and Braves are scheduled to send out Jorge De La Rosa (.825 OPS vs. RHH), Chad Bettis (.823), Jon Gray (.717), Mike Foltynewicz (.709), Rob Whalen (.787), Tyrell Jenkins (.846) and Joel De La Cruz (.810). De La Rosa is the only lefty of the group, but Turner, a 23-year-old top prospect who hit .370 at Triple-A earlier this year, should have no trouble staying hot over the next few days.
Melky Cabrera (CHW, OF) - 48% Fleaflicker
Cabrera remains under 50% owned despite hitting .317 since the beginning of June. Admittedly, he offers very little in terms of power (nine homers) or speed (one steal), but he is as reliable a hitter as you can possibly find on the waiver wire. The switch-hitting outfielder is batting .346 with two homers against lefties and .290 with seven homers against righties.
After Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco — against whom Cabrera is actually a combined 18-for-43 — the South Siders will see Mike Clevinger, Kendall Graveman, Zach Neal and Ross Detwiler in the upcoming week. Graveman is the only one of the four with more than 30 IP on the season. The 32-year-old Cabrera is an enticing streamer given his ability to collect hits in bunches and the appealing match-ups in his near future.
Javier Baez (CHC, 2B/3B/SS) - 41% Fleaflicker
Baez broke a 3-for-31 streak with two hits and his first homer of August on Friday. Even with the brief cold streak, the 23-year-old is slashing .275/.311/.447 with 12 HR, 35 R, 44 RBI and nine steals on the season.
The Cubs will host the Brewers and Rockies in Week 20. On the mound for those teams will be Chase Anderson (.983 OPS vs. RHH), Matt Garza (.739), Jimmy Nelson (.750), Zach Davies (.635), Tyler Anderson (.765), Tyler Chatwood (.723) and Jorge De La Rosa (.825). There are a mix of lefties and righties in this group, but while Baez is only hitting for average against lefties (.333/.400/.533), he has displayed power against all pitchers (four homers in 90 AB vs. LHP, eight homers in 205 AB vs. RHP). Playing in two home run-friendly parks, Baez is an appealing stream in a week in which he could go on a power surge.
Joe Mauer (MIN, 1B) - 27% Fleaflicker
Mauer is slashing .276/.375/.405 on the year with nine homers, 59 R, 42 RBI and two steals. Those rate stats are well below his career averages, but he is still batting .288 with an OBP north of .400 against right-handed pitching. Additionally, after hitting below .255 in each of the past three months, Mauer appears to have found his swing, going 18-for-45 (.400) with 10 R and nine RBI through 11 games in August.
Over the next two series, the Twins draw four righties in Joel De La Cruz (.780 OPS vs. LHH), Dillon Gee (.852), Edinson Volquez (.784) and Ian Kennedy (.750); one tough lefty in Danny Duffy; and a Braves pitcher yet to be determined. Fantasy owners looking to replace one of the many injured first basemen can look to Mauer for a short-term boost in batting average or on-base percentage.
Brandon Guyer (CLE, OF) - 1% Fleaflicker
Guyer has thrived with his new team, going 7-for-14 with a homer, three runs and six RBI in six games played as a member of the Indians. He owns a .257/.365/.429 line with eight homers on the year, but more importantly, he is batting .351 with five homers in 74 AB vs. left-handed pitching.
This week, Guyer and the Tribe will get to face four lefties in Drew Pomeranz, Jose Quintana, Carlos Rodon and Francisco Liriano. Not the easiest bunch, but Guyer has proven that he can crush southpaws on a consistent basis. Plus, four lefties in a week means solid playing time for the 30-year-old platoon player. Fantasy owners in AL-Only leagues should consider adding Guyer as he looks to remain hot in Week 20.
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