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 Friday, July 7th.
Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- All Star Break
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. All Star Break
The All Star Break is right around the corner which means fantasy owners get a respite to recharge from three month of grinding. There are things to do besides fantasy baseball? I mean, there are things to do besides fantasy baseball!
Since there won't be any games for us to stream from Monday through Thursday, Streaming Wars will be off next week. We'll return on July 16.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
Philadelphia and Washington D.C. have storms in the forecast. Based on reports, they should get both games in. The same two venues plus New York (AL) and Cleveland may get rain tomorrow.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Friday, July 7th
Pitchers to Use
Charlie Morton will be back tomorrow, and he's only 27 percent owned. As with Trevor Cahill earlier this week, I recommend stashing and observing this first outing. It's likely to be on the short side. Pay particular attention to velocity and command. Morton is opposed by another returnee, Aaron Sanchez. Alas, he is not available on the waiver wire.
It's generally inadvisable to use anybody at Coors Field. However, I think you can get away with using German Marquez versus the occasionally hapless White Sox. They'll be without the designated hitter which will remove one of their few decent bats. While it's true that Marquez is much better when on the road, he's still passable (barely) at home.
Other Targets: Clayton Richard, Nick Pivetta
Pitchers to Exploit
The Twins will call upon Felix Jorge to make a second start. The righty scuffled through his first major league start. He managed to survive five innings while allowing only three runs. In briefly scouting some video, I did not see anything to suggest he'll stick in the majors.
The Cubs have really suffered out on the mound, but they can't blame Eddie Butler. The crappy righty has massively outperformed his talent. He has a 4.18 ERA despite just 5.32 K/9, 4.56 BB/9, and unabashedly mediocre stuff. Regression is coming.
Other Targets: Trevor Williams, Junior Guerra, R.A. Dickey, Jordan Zimmermann, Ricky Nolasco, Kevin Gausman, Derek Holland, Tim Adleman, Jason Hammel, Matt Moore
Homers on the Wire
If somebody cut Kyle Schwarber in your league (he's 80 percent owned), you have about 15 seconds to go pick him up. Ian Happ should an easier find to pair against Williams.
Zimmermann has been a nightmare ever since joining the Tigers. Technically, he looked very good for a few starts before withering into his current form. In any event, Lonnie Chisenhall remains a must-roster four category contributor. He's Yonder Alonso with even less fanfare.
Other Targets: John Jaso, Josh Bell, Tommy Joseph, Aaron Altherr, Daniel Nava, Hunter Renfroe, Lonnie Chisenhall, Mitch Moreland, Carlos Gomez, Shin-Soo Choo, Seth Smith, Matt Davidson, Melky Cabrera
Steals on the Wire
Raimel Tapia has a matchup against one of the worst catchers in the league at gunning down runners. Target Kevan Smith aggressively whenever possible.
Manuel Margot has been back for awhile now, but the Padres matchups haven't been right. A visit to Philadelphia should give the Friars a chance to stretch their legs. Consider Jose Pirela too.
Other Targets: Adam Frazier, Michael Taylor, Bradley Zimmer, Mallex Smith, Delino DeShields, Ketel Marte, Mitch Haniger
Skill Positions
Tom Murphy is due to start hitting the ball at Coors Field.
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