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 final week of July.
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Top Hitter Streamers for Week 17
Yangervis Solarte (1B/2B/3B, SD) - 38% Fleaflicker
Solarte is hitting .341 with six homers over his last 22 games — .297/.366/.530 with 10 HR on the year — yet is still available in almost 2/3 of all leagues. He is a switch hitter with solid numbers from both sides of the plate (.333 with two homers in 51 AB asa lefty, .285 with eight homers in 151 AB as a righty), and has been one of the more reliable fantasy second basemen since his return from the DL in late May.
The Padres have upcoming series against the Blue Jays and Reds. Those teams will be sending out Aaron Sanchez, Marcus Stroman, Marco Estrada, Keyvius Sampson, Brandon Finnegan and Anthony DeSclafani. Finnegan is the only lefty of the group. Overall, it’s not the most appealing crop of opposing pitchers, but Solarte’s 1.080 OPS in July — during which he has seen Kenta Maeda, Scott Kazmir, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, Madison Bumgarner, Carlos Martinez and Adam Wainwright — shows that he is capable of producing in all situations.
Devon Travis (2B, TOR) - 31% Fleaflicker
Travis is another scorching hot second baseman. He made his season debut on May 25, and after starting the season 9-for-60, he is hitting .349 with five homers and two steals in 106 AB. Travis owns a .277/.316/.446 line on the year with six homers and three steals, and is strangely hitting better against righties (.310 with six homers in 53 AB) than lefties (.208 with no homers in 53 AB). However, he destroyed lefties while maintaining decent numbers against righties last year, so he is likely to improve upon his overall stat line, if anything.
This upcoming week, the Blue Jays are scheduled to face Colin Rea (5.59 road ERA), Andrew Cashner (6.59 road ERA), Luis Perdomo (6.39 road ERA), Vance Worley (5.40 ERA as starter), Yovani Gallardo (6.94 road ERA) and Chris Tillman (3.12 road ERA), all of whom are right-handed. Tillman presents a tough matchup, especially for a righty, but Travis is 3-for-6 lifetime with a homer and six RBI against the Orioles’ ace. The 25-year-old should continue to provide solid value in a top-heavy second base pool.
Jurickson Profar (1B/2B/3B/SS, TEX) - 28% Fleaflicker
Profar’s likelihood of seeing regular at-bats for the rest of the season looked bleak until Shin-Soo Choo and Prince Fielder landed on the disabled list earlier this week. This should allow the 23-year-old to get back into the lineup every day, with one of the infielders — Profar, Mitch Moreland, Rougned Odor or Adrian Beltre — sliding over to the DH spot. Profar is currently in the midst of an 0-for-10 slide, but was previously hitting .328/368/.469 on the year— now down to .304/.351/.435 with four homers. He is a switch hitter, but has had far more success against righties this year— .347 AVG compared to .209 vs. LHP.
This week, the Rangers will host the Athletics and the Royals, who will send out Daniel Mengden (RHP, 9.33 ERA in July), Sonny Gray (RHP, 7.04 ERA in July), Sean Manaea (LHP, 5.13 ERA on the year), Yordano Ventura (RHP, 5.45 ERA since May 1), Edinson Volquez (RHP, 6.00 ERA since June 1), Chris Young (RHP, 7.48 ERA since June 1) and Ian Kennedy (RHP, 5.76 ERA since June 1). Manaea is the only lefty of the bunch, and has struggled mightily against righties all year— .287 BAA. Profar has been a hot commodity in the trade market, and what could potentially be his final week with the Rangers should be a strong one.
Yunel Escobar (3B, LAA) - 17% Fleaflicker
Escobar continues to rake atop the Angels’ lineup, hitting .337 over his last 252 AB since beginning the season 20-for-80. The 33-year-old owns a .317/.364/.411 slash line on the year with three homers, 42 R and 30 RBI. He doesn’t produce much in terms of counting stats, but he does lead all third basemen in batting average. He is hitting .300 against righties, but has had extraordinary success when facing lefties— .370/.416/.568 with two homers in 81 AB.
This upcoming week, the Angels draw four lefties in Brian Flynn, Danny Duffy, David Price and Drew Pomeranz. Granted it’s not the weakest bunch, but Escobar has thrived against all lefties this season. Righties Ian Kennedy, Rick Porcello and Steven Wright are all solid pitchers, but shouldn’t necessarily scare off a fantasy owner. Escobar makes for a solid streaming option this week, especially for owners looking for a boost in batting average or on-base percentage.
Derek Dietrich (2B/3B/OF, MIA) - 7% Fleaflicker
Dee Gordon is looking at a possible return late this upcoming week, so Dietrich’s playing time could be in jeopardy. He has struggled as of late, going 11-for-50 with one homer over his last 17 games, but is still batting .289/.378/.418 on the season. Dietrich also continues to crush righties— .310/.405/.445 with four homers against right-handed pitching.
In the final week of July, the Fish will host the Phillies and Cardinals. On the mound for those teams will be Jeremy Hellickson, Jerad Eickhoff, Zach Eflin, Michael Wacha, Mike Leake, Carlos Martinez and Jaime Garcia. That gives the Marlins’ hitters six righties to begin the week, and even if Gordon returns in the middle of the week, Dietrich could be somewhere in the starting lineup through Saturday to face the remaining right-handers.
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