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Welcome to the hitting streamers column for the week of 5/6 - 5/12. Whether you're looking to maximize the number of games played, exploit favorable matchups, or fill in for injured players, streaming hitters can be a fruitful strategy for those willing to put in a little work every week.
Keep in mind that this column highlights players owned in approximately 50% or fewer of Yahoo leagues who could present nice streaming options for the upcoming week. This applies to any league but specifically is geared toward head-to-head weekly leagues where matchups are more critical.
If the following names aren't available, don't hesitate to check our famous waiver wire pickups list to find some appealing alternatives. Let's get to it.
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Bats to Stream and Start in Week 6
Seven-Game Weeks: ARI, ATL, CHC, CHW, CIN, CLE, DET, HOU, LAD, MIA, MIN, NYY, SEA, SF, STL, WSH
Streamer of the Week
Jose Martinez (1B/OF, STL): 50% Owned
The Cardinals are finally doing what fantasy owners have been hoping for since last season; they’re playing Martinez every day, defense be damned. Martinez is making it worth their while too with a .375/.414/.488 triple slash in 87 PA. Martinez is one of the safest sources of batting average in today’s game, as evidenced by his 29.2% line drive rate and .356 xBA.
His power has been a little lacking, but Martinez’s .520 xSLG and 89.9 MPH average exit velocity suggest he’s capable of providing more in the power department. It’s a wonder how Martinez is still available in half of Yahoo leagues, but he’s out there plenty. The Cardinals draw seven home games this week against Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and Martinez is a great option for both series.
Behind the Plate
Robinson Chirinos (C, HOU): 39% Owned
Chirinos has quietly been solid at the dish this season, owning a .271/.369/.500 triple slash with three home runs in 85 PA. Houston also gets seven games this week, all at home against two weak pitching staffs in the Rangers and Royals. At least three of those games will come against lefties as well, which is great news for Chirinos since he has a career .838 OPS and .224 ISO versus southpaws. He should get between 4-5 starts this week, and is the top streaming option on waivers.
Also Consider: Welington Castillo (C, CWS): 36% Owned
At the Corners
Brandon Belt (1B/OF, SF): 17% Owned
The Giants have a bizarre seven-game week ahead. They have one game in Cincinnati thanks to a weekend wrap around series, then get three games in Coors Field, and then return home for three against the Reds. Belt will certainly benefit from games in Cincinnati and Colorado, as Oracle Park kills Belt's power. Belt’s 56.3% flyball rate and 25.3-degree average launch angle should play up in those road games, and he faces weak enough Reds’ pitching at home to make him worth a stream.
Ryon Healy (1B/3B, SEA): 35% Owned
Healy has cooled off after a hot start, but the slugger gets a great opportunity to turn things around this week. The Mariners have four lefties on the schedule and have seven games away from pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park. Healy has been better against lefties in his career with a .772 OPS and .188 ISO all time. Healy also bumps up to sixth in the order against a left-handed starter, which will help him with run production and volume this week. He’s a low-end power bat in standard mixed leagues for the upcoming week.
Also Consider: Yonder Alonso (1B, CWS): 14% Owned
Up the Middle
Niko Goodrum (1B/2B/3B/SS/OF, DET): 37% Owned
Goodrum has been one of the lone bright spots for Detroit this season, posting an .816 OPS in 103 PA thus far. His surface stats don’t jump off the page, but a .296 xBA and .546 xSLG suggest room for even more production. Goodrum has also lowered his strikeout rate to 21.4%, upped his walk rate to 16.5%, and increased his average exit velocity to 90.4 MPH. These are the signs of true improvement at the plate, and Goodrum will get a chance to turn peripherals into production this week. He gets three home games against weak Angels’ pitching, and then gets four games in Minnesota. The only tough starter Detroit faces is Jose Berrios, and Goodrum gets a ballpark upgrade going from Detroit to Minnesota. He’s also a nice streamer in daily lineup leagues because he can play every position and his team has seven games.
Jose Peraza (2B/SS, CIN): 48% Owned
A week ago, Peraza looked like toast. He was hitting under .150 with awful plate discipline and 50% flyball rate. Everything was going wrong for him, and he was looking like a draft day bust. He’s been hot since then, however, hitting .318 with two steals and a home run. He’s also struck out just twice in that stretch, encompassing 23 PA. The Reds’ get a seven game this week, one at home against San Francisco, and then three in Oakland and three more in San Francisco. Those aren’t the best hitter’s parks, but with Peraza we’re hoping for singles and steals. He’s been dropped by a number of teams, meaning Peraza is out there in enough leagues where owners could get a legitimate impact stolen base player for the upcoming week.
Also Consider: Kolten Wong (2B, STL): 48% Owned, Jason Kipnis (2B/OF, CLE): 5% Owned, Daniel Descalso (1B/2B/3B, CHC): 4% Owned
In the Outfield
Kyle Schwarber (OF, CHC): 50% Owned
Schwarber had gotten off to a slow start, but he’s been heating up as of late. He’s currently riding a six-game hit streak, and Schwarber is hitting .421 over that stretch. The Cubs have a seven-game week ahead, and only have two lefties on their schedule, Caleb Smith and Gio Gonzalez. Schwarber was dropped in many leagues due to his early season struggles, but he’s turning things around and owners can grab a big time power bat for the upcoming week in half of Yahoo leagues.
Alex Verdugo (OF, LAD): 25% Owned
Verdugo has been crushing it as a part-time player this season, posting a .342/.368/.616 triple slash in 76 PA. His playing time should go up with A.J. Pollock being placed on the 10-day IL, and it’s good timing for Verdugo since the Dodgers get a seven-game week this week, with only two of those games coming against left-handed starters. Verdugo has been more than solid against lefties throughout his career anyway, owning a .830 OPS and .270 ISO all time. He’s one of the better options available in 75% of leagues or more this week.
Leonys Martin (OF, CLE): 3% Owned
Cleveland faces six right-handed starters this week, which is great news for a hitter like Martin. Martin has posted a .821 OPS and .234 ISO against right-handed pitching this year and has hit all five of his homers off righties. He hits in a prime position as well, second in Cleveland’s lineup between Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez. Martin is a sneaky player to add since he’s so widely available and will benefit from his platoon splits this week.
Also Consider: Kevin Pillar (OF, SF): 9% Owned, Leury Garcia (MI/OF, CWS): 13% Owned, Carlos Gonzalez (OF, CLE): 4% Owned
More Streamers and Head-to-Head League Columns
