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Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire all season long. This article, now in its second year, runs seven days a week. It may only be April, but it's never too early to start streaming.
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 Sunday, April 22. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Fast Start
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Fast Start
Anyone who's read my work knows that I preach patience early in the season. Perhaps in part due to this approach, my teams often get out to slow starts, but this year has been different. While you can't win your league in April, it's certainly nice to avoid digging a hole in the opening weeks.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
Thunderstorms are threatening to wipe out Mariners-Rangers tonight, but all other games should proceed unimpeded by any meteorological concerns. It will, however be fairly cold for a few games. Marlins-Brewers, Cubs-Rockies, and Astros-White Sox will all feature game-time temperatures below 50 degrees.
3. Streamer Picks - Sunday, April 22
Pitchers to Use
Nick Pivetta is riding an improved curveball to early success. Last season, he couldn't locate the breaker reliably, and gave up home runs in bunches as a result. Through four starts (21.1 IP), he's yet to allow a homer and has 21 strikeouts against just two walks. He'll take on the Pirates.
Miles Mikolas tossed seven innings of one-run ball in his last start, which came against the Reds on the road. With Joey Votto not producing, Cincinnati currently sports one of the weakest lineups in the league, and Mikolas will be at home for this turn.
Other Targets: Junior Guerra, Francisco Liriano
Pitchers to Exploit
Caleb Smith opened 2018 with an encouraging effort against the Cubs. Since then, however, he's been a mess. Smith has thrown just 10.1 innings in his last three starts, allowing 11 runs and walking 12 batters. He's likely to have a tough time with the Brewers in Milwaukee.
Martin Perez has never lived up his former top prospect status, but early returns this season have been especially awful. He's allowed an unfathomable 29 hits in 12.1 innings, including four homers, and has just seven strikeouts against seven walks. He was last seen getting creamed by the hapless Rays.
Other Targets: Eric Skoglund, Andrew Cashner, Daniel Mengden, Jeremy Hellickson
Homers on the Wire
After a slow start to his rookie year, Jeimer Candelario has 10 hits and three home runs in his last five games. He's facing Eric Skoglund, who has a 9.31 ERA through two starts.
Thought to be a candidate for release, Matt Kemp has instead been one of the best players on an underperforming Dodgers squad. He's hitting .340 with four home runs, two of which have come in his last four games. Kemp will face Jeremy Hellickson, who allowed more bombs last year than all but two qualified starters.
Other Targets: Addison Russell, Max Kepler, Orlando Arcia, Yuli Gurriel, Adrian Gonzalez, Preston Tucker
Steals on the Wire
Mallex Smith is only 3-for-6 on stolen base attempts thus far, but with Kevin Kiermaier out long term, he's going to be playing every day for the foreseeable future. Performing at the plate hasn't been an issue - Smith has logged multiple hits in five of his last 10 games. The steals will come, particularly if he continues to hit at anything close to this level.
Other Targets: Lewis Brinson, Bradley Zimmer, Michael A. Taylor, Franchy Cordero
Skill Positions
Kurt Suzuki has reinvented himself as he approaches his mid-thirties. Always good at making contact, he's figured out how to tap into his power without sacrificing that.
Chris Devenski has gotten the last two save opportunities for the Astros with Ken Giles nursing a balky back. A.J. Hinch hasn't been shy about going away from Giles in the ninth over the last two seasons, and right now it looks like Devo is his preferred option.
