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Welcome to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. Use this column to improve upon your neediest categories.
Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Wednesday, August 9.
Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Back Again
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Back Again
Thanks again to Kyle for stepping in while I went to an unplugged wedding in the mountains. If all goes according to plan, that should be the last conflict I have this season. In other words, you're stuck with me through the end of September.
Here's Joey Votto having a year. And here's Trevor Williams having a day. I don't know if Kyle had kind words to share about Trevor Williams, but I've become a big fan - at least as a streaming quality asset. He profiles as a poor man's Zack Godley.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
Pay attention to Atlanta just in case a pop up storm cell squats over SunTrust Park. It's a low risk. The rest of the league is dry. Tomorrow is more of the same - possible storms in Atlanta and dry everywhere else.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Wednesday, August 9
Pitchers to Use
To be clear, I've listed three pitchers in this "to use" section because there is a certain expectation that I will recommend somebody. Brandon Woodruff is the most interesting of the available options, but it should be understood that he's a volatile pick. He's produced good walk and strikeout rates in the minors. They carried over to his first major league start. Woodruff leans on a 94 mph fastball. He also throws a solid slider and changeup. There's a decent chance he'll earn a win opposite Bartolo Colon.
Sean Newcomb has what might be viewed as a favorable matchup against the Phillies. However, Philadelphia has a top five offense over the last month. While they've certainly had a weak schedule, several of their hitters have come online. Newcomb features a tasty strikeout rate mixed with well below average command. On his best days, he's effectively wild. On his worst, he'll ruin your week.
Other Targets: Asher Wojciechowski
Pitchers to Exploit
Troy Scribner isn't your typical major leaguer. He's a soft-tossing fly ball pitcher. Usually, the guys who top out at 88 mph have plus command and control. Not so for Scribner. I'll assume he's extremely home run prone until he proves otherwise.
Speaking of homer prone pitchers, take your pick of the names listed below. Nearly all of them cough up ridiculous quantities of deep flies.
Other Targets: Antonio Senzatela, Trevor Bauer, A.J. Griffin, Rafael Montero, Yovani Gallardo, Jharel Cotton, Adam Conley, Cesar Valdez, Travis Wood, Jerad Eickhoff, Bartolo Colon
Homers on the Wire
Keon Broxton's recent demotion has him at just 30 percent owned on Yahoo. While he certainly has issues making contact, few players offer such a valuable combination of power and speed. The Twins catchers have done a good job controlling the running game this season, so I'm looking to Broxton as a power source tomorrow.
I've heard tell that Yonder Alonso believes he's made some adjustments to get out of his current offensive funk. Bueno! He'll make his first start for the Mariners on Tuesday night against his old friends in Oakland. Tomorrow, he'll face Cotton.
Other Targets: Brandon Moss, Max Kepler, Yoan Moncada, Tommy Joseph, Maikel Franco, Brandon Phillips, Matt Adams, Hunter Renfroe, Jesse Winker, Howie Kendrick, Mitch Moreland, Lucas Duda, Seth Smith, Trey Mancini, Jed Lowrie, Shin-Soo Choo, Carlos Gomez, Amed Rosario, Gerardo Parra, Derek Fisher
Steals on the Wire
Astros catchers have struggled to constrain base runners this season. Leury Garcia is the most likely of the White Sox hitters to attempt a steal. Perhaps Tim Anderson will join the party too. Neither offer much beyond stolen base potential. Garcia is by far the better of the two options.
Bradley Zimmer is a better version of Broxton, except I figure he's more likely to steal a base tomorrow. There's no reason he should be available in over 60 percent of leagues.
Other Targets: Manuel Margot, Wilmer Difo, Mallex Smith, Jarrod Dyson, Delino DeShields
Skill Positions
Cameron Rupp still hits lefties well despite an otherwise unimpressive season. He's slashing .257/.381/.429 against southpaws with a gaudy walk rate.
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