Whether it’s because of an injury or poor performance, there are always opportunities to stream players off the waiver wire. The best players to stream are those who are under-owned and face appealing match-ups for the upcoming week.
Here are five players who are readily available in Fleaflicker leagues and have attractive match-ups during the thirteenth week of the season.
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Top Hitter Streamers for Week 13
Jose Ramirez (CLE, 2B/SS/3B/OF) - 47% Fleaflicker
Even when he is not on this list, at just 47% owned, Ramirez is always a strong streaming option. With multi-position eligibility, a .296/.360/.431 slash line, four homers, eight steals and the ability to hit both lefties and righties, it’s hard to imagine why he isn’t owned in more leagues. He has been especially dominant against righties— .311/.367/.470 line and all four of his homers.
In week 13, the Indians will face the Braves and Blue Jays, who will send out six righties in the seven-game stretch. Five of those righties — John Gant, Matt Wisler, Aaron Blair, R.A. Dickey and Marcus Stroman — hold an ERA above 4.00. Ramirez will see one lefty (J.A. Happ on Sunday), but as a switch hitter, he should still play in that game and could have a chance to reach base a couple of times. Ramirez should definitely be considered when looking for a player to stream this week, as he can fill in anywhere but first base and catcher.
Brandon Moss (STL, 1B/OF) - 42% Fleaflicker
Moss is quietly having a huge bounce-back season in his first full year with the Cardinals. He has 16 HR and 36 RBI through 179 AB, with all 16 bombs coming in 132 AB versus right-handers. He owns the best AB/HR vs. RHP in all of baseball, and only Adam Duvall (18) has more home runs against righties. Moss holds eligibility at first base, but has been playing more outfield lately with Randal Grichuk and Jeremy Hazelbaker in the minors. He is 22-for-72 (.306) with nine homers as an outfielder, and is slashing .354/.436/.875 with seven homers in the month of June.
The Cardinals have upcoming match-ups with the Royals and Brewers. After Danny Duffy on Monday, Moss will get to face six straight righties: Kris Medlen (7.77 ERA), Edinson Volquez (6.82 road ERA, .284 BAA vs. LHP), Chris Young (9.70 road ERA, 14 HR to LHH), Matt Garza (.308 BAA vs. LHH), Jimmy Nelson (5.66 road ERA) and Junior Guerra (4.30 road ERA). For fantasy owners looking to stream some power, Moss is unquestionably the top choice this week.
Cameron Maybin (DET, OF) - 41% Fleaflicker
Maybin was the hottest hitter in baseball upon his return from injury in late May, and while he has cooled down tremendously, he is still slashing .339/.398/.397 through 121 AB (.278/.342/.319 in June). Additionally, the 29-year-old is hitting .372/.481/.488 in 43 AB vs. left-handers. Not to mention that he is already 17th in the American League in stolen bases with eight, despite appearing in just 33 games. Most amazingly, he has slashed .448/.513/.537 at Comerica Park.
In week 13, between series with the Marlins and Rays, Maybin will get to square off against four left-handed starters: Adam Conley, Wei-Yin Chen, Drew Smyly and Blake Snell. Chen and Smyly are both struggling veterans, Conley has been wildly inconsistent, and Snell is a rookie with just three outings under his belt as of the weekend. This is a good opportunity for Maybin to continue his career season.
Mitch Moreland (TEX, 1B) - 27% Fleaflicker
The Rangers’ first baseman has appeared in all but six games this year, and is on pace to collect career highs in at-bats, runs scored and home runs. Through 225 AB, he has smashed 11 HR and hit .235. Moreland is slashing just .229/.303/.435 against righties, but he does have eight homers in 170 AB. Plus, he hit .262/.321/.470 with 40 HR in 779 AB versus right-handers over the previous three years.
This week, the Rangers will take on the Yankees and Twins— two teams who are sub-.500 and are in the bottom ten in opposing batting average against left-handed hitters. Six of the seven pitchers will be righties, and five of those guys have an ERA above 4.80— Ivan Nova (5.18), Michael Pineda (5.82), Ervin Santana (4.83), Tyler Duffey (6.18) and Kyle Gibson (6.05). Playing four games in Yankee Stadium should be an added bonus. Moreland hit four homers in as many games earlier in June, and could be in for a similar power surge over the next few days.
Mac Williamson (SF, OF) - 0% Fleaflicker
With Hunter Pence out for an extended period of time, Williamson has been seeing an uptick in playing time against lefties. He is just 6-for-25 with two home runs vs. LHP, but does have three hits in his last five at-bats against southpaws. Williamson is batting .286 in June with a .946 OPS, and looks to be a potential long-term option for the Giants.
On the docket for the Giants this week are the Athletics and the Diamondbacks. Four of the seven starting pitchers will be lefties— Eric Surkamp (7.20 ERA), Sean Manaea (6.02 ERA, .316 BAA vs. RHH), Patrick Corbin (7.02 ERA at home, 12 HR to RHH) and Robbie Ray (5.89 ERA at home, 11 HR to RHH).
Williamson isn’t a very appealing option in most leagues, but for owners in deep or NL-Only leagues, he could turn in some big performances as a streamer.
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