For many, the fantasy baseball playoffs are in full swing. That makes every decision much more critical in head-to-head leagues. Furthermore, for those in roto leagues, the streaming picks will be focus primarily on a player's categorical boost. Things can be very challenging at this time of the year. Fortunately, RotoBaller has you covered with daily fantasy baseball streaming picks.
Each day, RotoBaller will provide you with some of the best streaming options to consider in fantasy baseball daily leagues. Additionally, these recommendations can be helpful for fantasy managers setting MLB DFS lineups.
We have a 12-game slate Thursday, with a makeup game between CWS and CLE. . Luckily, there are quite a few streamable players, with 22 teams taking the field. This article will use rostered percentages and position eligibility from Yahoo! leagues.
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Hitter Streamers for 9/23 - Shallow Leagues
Gavin Lux (2B/SS/OF, LAD) - 40% rostered
Matchup: @ RHP Kyle Freeland
Games will be played in Coors Field today, and that's an excellent place to stream from. The implied run total of this game is higher than any game on the slate. Additionally, the Dodgers have a 6.5 IRT, which means Vegas is projecting them to score a boatload of runs. That is where Lux steps in; he's making far more contact than earlier in the season, and the additional balls in play will help bolster your batting average. In turn, the runs and RBI should follow.
Jarred Kelenic (1B/3B/OF, SEA) - 47% rostered
Matchup: @ RHP Chris Bassitt
Let's start by saying welcome back to Mr. Bassitt; great to see him back on the mound after the long layover. Don't get me wrong, Bassitt is a talented SP, but he's going to show some rust and eventually get pulled quickly, and Oakland's bullpen isn't the most lockdown group. However, long IL trips don't help pitchers stay sharp. That brings us to Kelenic, who's finally showing his potential. In September, Jarred had six HR, three SB, and a .929 OPS. He's turning it on exactly when we need it.
Josh Harrison (2B/3B/OF, OAK) - 33% rostered
Matchup: vs. LHP Yusei Kikuchi
Harrison is a bit boring due to the lack of power. However, Josh challenges pitchers by not striking out(13.5%) and getting on base(.366). Given his impressive plate discipline, Oakland elected to bat him leadoff as of late. While he doesn't have blistering sprint speed, his savvy veteran ways helped him pile up a sneaky nine SBs on the season. Furthermore, Oakland has let their players run, and Harrison has five with his new team in half as many ABs as he had with Washington.
Lane Thomas (OF, WAS) - 36% rostered
Matchup: vs. LHP Patrick Corbin
Since being acquired via trade, the Nationals have bat Thomas in the leadoff spot every day. He has repaid the gesture by getting on base often(.385 OBP) and being active on the basepaths(3 SB in 134 AB). Additionally, Thomas has found the majority of his success vs. southpaws. In 40 ABs vs. LHP, Thomas is slashing .475/.571/.775 with a 1.346. Small sample size? Sure, but he's a safe bet to be productive in a few categories.
Hitter Streamers for 9/23 - Deeper Leagues
LaMonte Wade Jr. (1B/OF, SF) - 15% rostered
Matchup: vs. RHP Yu Darvish
Wade has been a sneaky streamer for most of the season. At times, the Giants used him in the leadoff role against southpaws, and he rewarded them with a .342 OBP and .903 OPS. Now, Wade finds himself getting cracks in the four-hole, which is a little better for fantasy purposes because he can pick up more counting stats(runs+RBI). The matchup could go either way; Yu is lights out when he is on, but lately, he's been a perfect target to stream against.
Nick Gordon (2B/SS/OF, MIN) - 3% rostered
Matchup: vs. LHP Steven Matz
Gordon has been getting some run in the bottom part of the Twins lineup. And run is exactly why he's a streaming option. In his previous six starts, Gordon has three stolen bases. Although, he's made the most of his stint in the MLB by flexing some muscles too. He's shown good power to the alleys with two doubles and then took one deep on Tuesday night. A player swinging a hot bat with the ability to fill a stat sheet in late September? Yes, please!
Pitcher Streamers for 9/23 - Deeper Leagues
Glen Otto (SP, TEX) - 3% rostered
Matchup: @ Baltimore Orioles
We are down to the playoffs and to be hyper-selective in our add/drops. While there are some intriguing better-known options under 40% rostered in Yahoo league, they have very challenging matchups. Madison Bumgarner(39% rostered) faces off against Atlanta; no thanks! Alex Cobb(22% rostered) should have problems with Houston's lack of striking out. Finally, Kyle Freeland will be pitching in Coors Field, against the Dodger-ouch! Scratch these off our list.
That brings us to Glen Otto, who is a bit of a more challenging call as well. He's failed to get past the fourth inning since making his gem of a debut in Houston(5 IP, 0 BB, 7 Ks, 0 ER). So, for starters, he needs to work a little deeper into the game to allow for the W. With no openers in sight, maybe we can count on him to go that inning or so.
When it comes do stuff, Otto has the tools to tear apart the Baltimore offense. Against right-handed bats, Otto strikes out nearly 28% of all batters faced, which is 10% more than when he sees left-handed bats. Why is this so significant? Outside of Cedric Mullins, the entire Orioles lineup might be right-handed tonight. That could explain why the O's have a 77 wRC+ and .285 wOBA vs. RHP in the previous two weeks. Is Otto the safest call? Not really, but he's got a good chance at a cheap win and is probably available in your leagues.