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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.
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 Monday, June 4. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Dealing With Short Slates
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Dealing With Short Slates
There are five total games on Monday, including a doubleheader between the Yankees and Tigers. You might be tempted to fill out your roster for a volume advantage, but you shouldn't do it. Most leagues cap games played and IP, so any quantity advantage you get won't last. Worse, your competitors will use the best possible matchups to make up that volume, while you're stuck with whatever was available to you on a random day in June. You shouldn't shy away from streaming, but don't force it just to have something going on.
2. Today's Weather and Updates - Sunday, June 3
The current forecast says that the game in Baltimore is not happening. Detroit has scattered thunderstorms in the forecast as well, but there should be a window that lets them get the game in, albeit with a delay. Everywhere else looks clear for baseball!
3. Streamer Picks - Monday, June 4
Pitchers to Use
The safest play is not to stream anybody on this slate. If you must, Clayton Richard's 3.60 xFIP suggests that he deserves better than his 4.74 ERA. He doesn't really strikeout anybody (19.7% K%), but should keep his team in the game with his favorable home venue and 56.5% GB%. His 19.1% HR/FB seems bound to regress, but the red hot Atlanta Braves offense might not be the team to start that process. That's why it's safer not to stream anybody.
Other Targets: None
Pitchers to Exploit
Danny Duffy looks completely lost on the mound right now. His 5.71 ERA is largely deserved according to his 5.19 xFIP, and he's walking way too many guys (10.7% BB%) considering his pedestrian strikeout totals (18.6% K%). Duffy had a 25.7% K% as recently as 2016, but his heater has lost two mph since then (95.5mph vs. 93.3mph this year). The Angels should have no problem with him.
I also don't believe in Julio Teheran at all. His 4.03 ERA is okay, but his underlying 4.97 xFIP, 19.6% K%, and 10.9% BB% all suggest that he's just as bad as prior years. He's lost two mph on his heater relative to last season as well (92mph vs. 90mph), so he's trending in the wrong direction. Even the Padres can probably rough him up.
Other Targets: Whoever pitches for Detroit vs. NYY
Homers on the Wire
There was some concern that Jeimer Candelario would lose his favorable slot in the batting order once Miguel Cabrera returned from the DL, and he's not hitting in the heart of their order anymore. However, he's been elevated to the leadoff spot, replacing above average RBI potential with runs scored. This changes how he figures to generate fantasy value moving forward, but he remains worthwhile in all formats.
Other Targets: Aaron Hicks, Miguel Andujar, Albert Pujols, Luis Valbuena, Franmil Reyes, Niko Goodrum, Leonys Martin
Steals on the Wire
I often advise targeting whoever's playing the Braves in this space, as they have proven inept at managing the running game this season. The strategy is particularly viable when a dud like Teheran is on the hill, as it means that mediocre hitters such as Travis Jankowski and Manuel Margot can actually make it to first base.
Other Targets: Jarrod Dyson, Niko Goodrum, Aaron Hicks, JaCoby Jones, Ian Kinsler, Jose Iglesias, Jose Pirela
