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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, August 31.
Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- A Super Utility Man For You
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. A Super Utility Man For You
Twins shortstop/utility man Jorge Polanco is en fuego. Since the start of August, he's batting .387/.424/.720 (.423 BABIP) with six home runs in 102 plate appearances. He's even chipped in with four steals. Polanco won't continue to mimic Mike Trout, but the switch-hitter may have found another gear. Here he is bopping a pair of impressive home runs last night.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
We're in the clear today. Watch out for rain in Chicago on Thursday.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Thursday, August 31
Pitchers to Use
Robert Stephenson has experienced mixed results, albeit in a fairy small sample. Since the start of August, he's posted a 1.96 ERA (4.27 xFIP) with 10.31 K/9 and 4.91 BB/9. The lack of command is clearly an issue, but it's acceptable so long as he continues to limit hits and home runs. The Reds will host the lowly Mets at power happy Great American Ballpark. New York is now one of the most exploitable offenses in the league. Too bad Jacob deGrom is starting for them.
Since joining the Twins, Bartolo Colon has worked to a 4.04 ERA (5.62 xFIP). He doesn't induce strikeouts or limit home runs. It's all about his Big Sexy wiles. Colon is set to face the White Sox, a team with approximately three major league quality hitters.
Other Targets: Miguel Gonzalez, Marco Estrada, Eduardo Rodriguez, CC Sabathia
Pitchers to Exploit
It's a weird day in which there are more pitchers to use than abuse. Even a guy like Sean Newcomb can be streamed for his 9.20 K/9. However, the Cubs feature a patient offense. Newcomb's shaky command (5.33 BB/9) is likely to burn him.
Other Targets: Ben Lively, Odrisamer Despaigne
Homers on the Wire
It's actually a pretty lousy day for streaming hitters. I guess that's a natural result of having few pitchers to exploit. As we discussed above, Jorge Polanco is mashing the ball lately. He and Max Kepler are decent picks against Gonzalez. I'd like this more if the game wasn't at slightly pitcher friendly Target Field.
You may have heard that Kendrys Morales is ice ice baby. I have some good news to share. He's hitting .310/.333/.483 over his 30 most recent plate appearances. He even had two hits yesterday against Chris Sale. A visit to Camden Yards could get him back in the RBI and HR columns. He'll face Jeremy Hellickson.
Other Targets: Seth Smith, Steve Pearce, Chris Young, Nick Williams, Freddy Galvis, Derek Dietrich, Keon Broxton
Steals on the Wire
On the one hand, Collin McHugh isn't an easy opponent. On the other hand, Delino DeShields is very likely to steal a bag if he reaches base. As a ground ball hitter versus a fly ball pitcher, DeShields has a better than normal chance to line a single or two.
Other Targets: Jose Peraza, Leury Garcia, Cesar Hernandez
Skill Positions
Whoever catches the first game of today's doubleheader - be it Tyler Flowers or Kurt Suzuki - will start against Kyle Hendricks. It's not a perfect matchup, but your catcher options aren't very deep tomorrow. I suppose Miguel Montero is an option too.
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