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Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. This article, which began last season, runs seven days a week. We are always ready to stream.
For those who are newcomers to this feature - use this column on a daily basis to improve upon your neediest categories, and target players who may be available on your waiver wire.
Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Saturday, May 12. Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Yankee Stadium Nonsense
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Yankee Stadium Nonsense
Later in this post, I make the case that you can stream available Yankees hitters against nearly any opponent. This J.D. Martinez home run yesterday shall serve as Exhibit A. That ball is caught in, oh, I don't know, 29 other ballparks? It wasn't particularly well hit either. It doesn't take much for a batter to luck into a big fly at Yankee Stadium.
2. Today's Weather and Updates - Friday, May 11
The game in Detroit looks likely to be postponed. Cleveland could be interrupted by storms, but they'll probably finish their game. Just be a little wary with using pitchers. Los Angeles (both teams) and San Diego have about a 25 percent chance for rain - about as high as you'll ever see.
3. Streamer Picks - Saturday, May 12
Pitchers to Use
Alex Cobb may have solved for X, where X equals the ability to retire major league hitters. A matchup against his former teammates at Camden Yards is not without risk. His last two starts have each lasted six innings with just three runs combined. The Orioles lost anyway. Since Baltimore is so bad, even a well-performing version of Cobb isn't likely to earn a win. This is the front end of a doubleheader.
We've gotten two looks like Mike Soroka. In his first start, he pounded the strike zone, induced whiffs, and generally looked like a rookie stud. He followed it up with a shaky command outing against the Giants. It's anyone's guess which Soroka will show up tomorrow. He should benefit from facing the Marlins - the worst offense in baseball.
Other Targets: Zach Eflin, Kyle Gibson, Nick Tropeano
Pitchers to Exploit
Didn't I write about Chase Anderson yesterday? I did, I did write about Chase Anderson yesterday. All of the same points hold true - bad peripherals, impending precipice of regression, Coors Field.
Marco Estrada is basically the same guy he's always been. At some point, the league wised up to his plan of attack. It no longer works. The fly ball pitcher is especially homer prone this season (2.13 HR/9). Too bad you can't really load up on free Red Sox.
Other Targets: James Shields, Doug Fister, Kyle Freeland, Homer Bailey
Homers on the Wire
With a doubleheader tomorrow against a team with a bad pitching staff, load up on Rays bats. C.J. Cron, Carlos Gomez, Brad Miller, Wilson Ramos, and Daniel Robertson are all candidates for 18 innings and nine plate appearances. Of those, I like Cron the most to do some damage.
Aaron Hicks remains a prime waiver wire target due to his blend of talent, supporting staff, and friendly home park. His opponent tomorrow, Andrew Triggs, is one of the better starters available. However, Yankee Stadium can get in the head of any visitor. The only time you shouldn't stream Yankees for home runs is against the very tip-top aces.
Other Targets: Mitch Moreland, Matt Joyce, Mark Canha, Miguel Andujar, Gleyber Torres, Curtis Granderson, Russell Martin, Kendrys Morales, Lourdes Gurriel, Jeimer Candelario, John Hicks, Derek Dietrich, Brian Anderson, Jesus Aguilar, David Dahl, Dexter Fowler, Luis Valbuena, Joc Pederson, Chase Utley
Steals on the Wire
More Rays bats: Mallex Smith, Denard Span, and Matt Duffy. Smith is the best (obvious) play if you need a swipe. It's almost surprising he has just eight steals in 12 attempts. A surge is coming.
I don't usually list Lewis Brinson here because 1. he's not hitting and 2. he's deceptive poor at base thieving. However, an entire series against the Braves could pad his stolen base totals - assuming he successfully reaches base. Atlanta is one of the worst teams at holding runners.
Other Targets: Bradley Zimmer, Lewis Brinson, Jonathan Villar, Travis Jankowski, Jose Peraza
