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, September 22.
Let's get to it.
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Agenda
- Hunting Renfroe
- Today's Weather and Updates
- Tomorrow's Picks
1. Hunting Renfroe
Hunter Renfroe has appeared with some consistency in this column despite a rather tepid season. After driving three home runs yesterday, his numbers are still... pretty unexciting. Overall, he's batting .234/.290/.470 with 24 home runs in 448 plate appearances. Renfroe carried his owners last September. Perhaps he'll repeat the feat? He recently returned from a month-long injury. In his three games back, he has four hits - all home runs.
2. Today's Weather and Updates
Baseball parks are expected to remain dry today and tomorrow.
3. Tomorrow's Picks - Friday, September 22
Pitchers to Use
If you need to stream pitchers, I have great news - there are plenty of options tomorrow. Despite allowing five runs to the Blue Jays last time out, Kyle Gibson appears to be the most compelling option available. He's consistently tossing six or more innings, improving his owners chances for a win or quality start. Gibson struggled with command in his most recent start, but he's usually good at hitting his spots. He's also buffed his strikeout rate in the second half of the season. He has an easy matchup against the Tigers.
Other Targets: Marco Estrada, Brandon Woodruff, Ben Lively, Sean Newcomb, Rodrigo Lopez, Jason Hammel
Pitchers to Exploit
Once a prominent prospect for the Astros, Jordan Lyles is now a 26-year-old journeyman. The sinker specialist induces plenty of ground balls while avoiding walks. Unfortunately, too many pitches cross the heart of the plate - and they're crushed. The Rockies benefit tomorrow.
Other Targets: Jeremy Hellickson, Daniel Norris, Sal Romano, Edwin Jackson, Nick Martinez, Erasmo Ramirez
Homers on the Wire
We've been here before haven't we? There a few specific lineups that stand out as streamable tomorrow - the Athletics, Phillies, Braves, Cardinals, and Padres. With the exception of the Cardinals, they all have one thing in common - they're bottom 10 offenses. Still, they all show signs of life from time to time. The Athletics, for example, have hit pretty well in the second half. Several key Phillies are also mashing. Aaron Altherr is probably the single best target on the wire, although I swear* he only does damage against high quality pitchers.
*this is just a wry observation, not actual analysis. Continue to expect better numbers versus weaker pitching
Other Targets: Hunter Renfroe, Jose Pirela, Mitch Haniger, Jed Lowrie, Matt Joyce, Matt Chapman, Chad Pinder, Maikel Franco, Freddy Galvis, Matt Adams, Ozzie Albies, Mitch Moreland, Jose Martinez, Stephen Piscotty
Steals on the Wire
If you picked up Kevin Kiermaier for today, stick with him for the duration of the Orioles series. The left-handed hitting playmaker gets an uptick in expected power production while at Camden Yards. He's also relatively likely to attempt a steal. He has 14 home runs and 14 stolen bases in 394 plate appearances.
Other Targets: Manuel Margot, Delino DeShields, Shin-Soo Choo, Jose Reyes
Skill Positions
The catcher of the day is... Robinson Chirinos. I'll be honest, I didn't realize he's still under 50 percent owned. That's a travesty. He's been a little slumpy over the last week or 10 days, possibly a sign that he's ready for the offseason to begin.
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