RADIO
Welcome back to another installment of the hitting streamers column! This edition is for August 31 through September 6.
As will be the case every week, I will offer a couple of worthy streamers for each position (catcher, corner infield, middle infield, outfield) based on the number of games the players have for the upcoming week, favorable matchups, or injury replacements. You may not always see well-known names in this column; my goal is to identify hitters who I think have the best chance to do well for the following week, not just to identify names you may recognize who are available.
This column will highlight players owned in roughly fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues who could present as nice streaming options for the upcoming week. Believe it or not, but we are just around the corner from the fantasy playoffs, so this week will be very important for many of you out there. Every decision counts right now, so let's go find some streamers to help for the final push to the playoffs!
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Behind the Plate
Martin Maldonado (C, HOU) - 34% owned
There aren't a ton of available catchers who have been productive lately, but this guy is a viable option. Martin Maldonado has been hitting pretty well lately, batting .267 over the last seven days. The Astros have been heating up, and they have some nice matchups this week. They get three games against the Rangers (5.16 team ERA) and four games on the road against the Angels (5.41 team ERA). Again, there aren't a ton of great fantasy options at catcher to begin with, let alone available ones. However, Maldonado has been useful at times this season, has great upcoming matchups, and hits in a great lineup, making him the best streaming option this week.
Also Consider: Isiah Kiner-Falefa (C/3B/SS, TEX) 43% owned, Jose Trevino (C, TEX) 5% owned, Yan Gomes (C, WAS) 4% owned
At the Corners
Christian Walker (1B, ARI) - 49% owned
When I last mentioned Christian Walker as a streamer, the hope was that he would finally start hitting for power like he did in 2019. He has finally started doing that, posting a .423 slugging percentage with two home runs over the last seven days. His three games at the Dodgers will be tough, but his three games at the Giants will make up for it. If he can continue to hit the ball hard, Walker could provide nice returns as a streamer this week.
Alec Bohm (3B, PHI) - 23% owned
Here is another top prospect who has gotten to play at the big-league level this season. Alec Bohm has not disappointed since getting called up to the Phillies, posting a .317/.417/.463 slash line over 41 at-bats. This week the Phillies will get seven decent matchups, four against the Nationals (4.97 team ERA) at home and three at the Mets (4.85 team ERA). The Phillies have been hitting well as a team lately, making Bohm an exciting streaming option this week.
Also Consider: Mitch Moreland (1B, BOS) 39% owned, Yandy Diaz (1B/3B, TB) 32% owned, Brandon Belt (1B/OF, SF) 17% owned
Up the Middle
Cesar Hernandez (2B, CLE) - 41% owned
Cesar Hernandez has by far been in this column the most this season; he is not the most exciting player but can get the job done in a pinch. He has been flexing his muscle lately, hitting .300 with two HR and four RBI over the last seven days. This week the Indians will get two average matchups against the Royals on the road and the Brewers at home. Again, Hernandez isn't the most thrilling fantasy option, but he can hit for average and get on base, and has shown some power lately, making him a high-floor streaming option.
Willy Adames (SS, TB) - 20% owned
Willy Adames is a player that a lot of dynasty fantasy players know all about, and he has been proving that he is indeed a top prospect this season. Adames has a solid .287/.374/.521 slash line with three HR and 10 RBI this season and hits in a good Tampa Bay lineup. He'll get three games at the Yankees and three games against the Marlins. Both teams aren't great matchups but have been hittable (Yankees 4.32 team ERA, Marlins 4.31 team ERA). The fact that Adames is so little-owned is surprising; given his talent and performance this season, he is certainly a worthy streamer.
Also Consider: Jon Berti (2B/3B/SS/OF, MIA) 30% owned, Brad Miller (2B/3B/OF, STL) 18% owned, Ryan Mountcastle (SS, BAL) 12% owned
In the Outfield
Harrison Bader (OF, STL) - 2% owned
Harrison Bader was once thought of as a highly-ranked prospect with the ability to combine power and speed at the plate. That hasn't fully worked out for fantasy players, but Bader has been on fire lately, batting .400 with two HR, three RBI, and a stolen base over the last seven days. The Cardinals get seven games this week, three at the Reds and four at the Cubs. The matchups are ok overall, but the game count and Bader's impressive performance lately make him an intriguing streamer this week.
Stephen Piscotty (OF, OAK) - 25% owned
Stephen Piscotty has been driving in runs lately, a lot of runs. He's hitting .333 with an impressive nine RBI in the last seven days. The A's have nice matchups this week in the form of three games at the Mariners and three games against the Padres. Piscotty has been on a role lately, and his good matchups make him a good streaming candidate for this week.
Also Consider: Joc Pederson (OF, LAD) 46% owned, Corey Dickerson (OF, MIA) 13% owned
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