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 last full week of August.
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Top Hitter Streamers for Week 22
Brandon Moss (STL, 1B) - 48% Fleaflicker
Since returning from the disabled list at the beginning of August, Moss has been on a tear. He has eight homers, 16 R, 20 RBI and a steal to go along with a .298/.337/.643 line. Additionally, the Cardinals’ first baseman and cleanup hitter has a 1.002 OPS and 22 HR in 215 AB vs. right-handed pitchers.
As it happens, the Cardinals are scheduled to face six righties this upcoming week— Zach Davies (.775 OPS vs. LHH), Wily Peralta (.931), Matt Garza, (.890) Anthony DeSclafani (.885), Homer Bailey (.919) and Dan Straily (.670). Plus, Moss is batting over .300 in his career with a homer against each of Garza, DeSclafani and Bailey.
The 32-year-old slugger can provide any fantasy team with a power boost— for the remainder of the season, but especially this week.
Curtis Granderson (NYM, OF) - 48% Fleaflicker
Granderson has become a shell of his former self. He doesn’t really hit anymore, and he certainly doesn’t run. The only thing really keeping him in the lineup for the Mets is his ability to mash home runs against right-handed pitchers. The 35-year-old has hit 16 of his 20 HR off of righties, against whom he is currently sporting a .759 OPS (.666 vs. LHP).
Awaiting the Mets in Week 22 are two very important series against the Marlins and Nationals. After Jose Fernandez, the probable starters for those teams are, for the most part, less than daunting. The Marlins will send out Tom Koehler (.725 OPS vs. LHH), David Phelps (.733) and Jose Urena (.927), while the Nationals will throw A.J Cole, Tanner Roark and a player yet to be determined— likely Lucas Giolito. All seven are right-handed, and while the three for Washington don’t necessarily provide the easiest match-ups, not having to face Max Scherzer or Stephen Strasburg is a win for the Mets.
Owners in deep leagues seeking some added power could look to Granderson over the next few days.
Josh Reddick (LAD, OF) - 45% Fleaflicker
Yes, Josh Reddick is in a major slump. He’s just 2-for-25 in his last nine games played, and hasn’t homered since coming over to the Dodgers at the trade deadline. However, he was hitting .322 with five homers at the time of his injury in mid-May, batted .273 with three homers in July, and smacked 20 HR to go along with a .782 OPS a year ago. Additionally, Reddick’s recent struggles have dropped his ownership below 50%.
The Dodgers close out August with a trip to Coors Field, where they will draw Jon Gray, Tyler Anderson and Jeff Hoffman. Then, they will return home for a three-game series with the Padres, who will send out Jarred Cosart, Clayton Richard and Luis Perdomo. Of the six, Anderson and Richard are both lefties, leaving four relatively favorable right-handers.
Reddick could bounce back this week, and is worth taking a flier on for owners desperate for some cheap production.
Didi Gregorius (NYY, SS) - 35% Fleaflicker
Gregorius is hitting just .247 in August, but he does have six homers— the most in a single month in his career. He is still slashing a respectable .283/.310/.466 with 17 HR, 53 R, 57 RBI and five steals on the year. The 26-year-old’s power comes against righties (14 HR in 330 AB), but he is hitting lefties better— to the tune of a .343/.383/.509 slash line.
This week, the Yankees will see righties Dillon Gee (.849 OPS vs. LHH), Edinson Volquez (.742), Ian Kennedy (.716), Dylan Bundy (.710) and Kevin Gausman (.670), as well as lefty Wade Miley (.699). Kennedy, Bundy and Gausman are all in the top 12 in the AL in FB% vs. left-handed hitters, and Kennedy, Gee and Bundy are all top-20 in HR/9. Gregorius could continue his power surge during this upcoming road trip.
Tyler Naquin (CLE, OF) - 27% Fleaflicker
Naquin has fallen into a bit of a slump since his walk-off inside-the-park home run a week ago, going 3-for-16 over that span. He is also batting just .208 throughout August. However, the 25-year-old still owns a .308/.366/.576 line on the year, and is hitting .318 with 14 HR against right-handed pitching.
A series with the Twins, who recently optioned Jose Berrios and Tyler Duffey and now have two rotation spots up for grabs, is a good opportunity for a hitter to get back on track. The Indians will also see the Marlins, who are scheduled to send out righties Andrew Cashner, Jose Fernandez and Tom Koehler. While Fernandez remains an elite pitcher, it is certainly better to face him away from Miami. If Naquin has been dropped following his recent cold spell, owners in deep leagues should take a chance on a guy who is coming off two straight months with an OPS north of 1.000.
Bonus: Melvin Upton and Michael Saunders have incredibly appealing match-ups at the beginning of the week against Wade Miley and Ubaldo Jimenez, respectively. Both are available in more than half of leagues.
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