This is crunch time for all fantasy leagues. Head-to-head leagues are entering playoffs. Roto leagues are about finding what categories are locked up and focusing on where extra points might be juiced from the lemons on your team.
That means it’s prime stream time. And if you are in a redraft league, you can obviously get really aggressive here over the next few weeks. Heck, in our Razzball writers’ league, I dropped Clayton Kershaw after his bum shoulder had him averaging 88.3-mph on his fastball Tuesday night. I wanted no part of his starts in any of the Dodgers’ last three series – vs SFG, @ COL, and @ SFG. Matchups against a crazy platoon team and pitching in Coors with an 88-mph fastball? No, thanks.
It is once again time to focus on the upcoming weekly schedules to find the best matchups to stream batters. For pitchers, less analysis is needed because you simply look at the two-start list, grimace at your options, and probably pick one. I love using Hashtag Baseball’s schedule grid as it does all of the leg work.
Here are the teams to target next week for finding bats to stream (which will heavily influence my suggestions below):
- Rockies – 3 vs CHC, 4 vs SFG. Yep, that’s seven home games in Coors field. All Rockies hitters are in a tier of their own next week.
- Red Sox – 4 vs NYY, 3 @ TOR
- Brewers – 4 vs MIA, 3 vs WAS. Again, seven home games in a nice home park. Plus the Marlins staff is Sandy-less and the Nationals staff is just… bad.
- White Sox – 3 vs KCR, 4 vs MIN
- Giants – 3 vs CLE, 4 @ COL
With those schedules in mind, let’s get into the pickup suggestions…
The stats and ownership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 9/8.
As always, if you want advice on specific roster decisions you might have, feel free to leave a comment. You can also find me on twitter (X) (@mcouill7).
CATCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Gabriel Moreno (ARI, 40% CBS Ownership) With Mitch Garver graduating out of this piece as his ownership finally pushed above 50%, Moreno has taken over his spot, probably until he hits 50% as well. Gabriel has been blowing his horn since returning from the IL for a shoulder injury on Aug. 13. In 71 plate appearances since then, he’s slashed .323/.380/.600 (162 wRC+) with four homers and one steal. The 23-year-old always came through the minors with high grades on his bat, and it looks like he’s finally settling into his new home with the Diamondbacks Moreno is also a priority acquisition target this offseason in dynasty/keeper leagues as his current season line of .282/.330/.415 is only the tip of the iceberg. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Travis d’Arnaud (ATL, 43% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Alejandro Kirk (TOR, 42% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Bo Naylor (CLE, 21% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Endy Rodriguez (PIT, 20% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Connor Wong (BOS, 9% CBS Ownership) – Wong has certainly cooled off from his hot May with a 118 wRC+, but he’s been quietly solid since the beginning of August with a .250/.305/.447 line and two homers. Beggars can’t be choosers this late in the season given the limited catcher options. Wong and the Red Sox’s upcoming seven game schedule mentioned above is a prime time to hope he can tee off on some Yankees pitchers just trying to get to the end of the season. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Yan Gomes (CHC, 20% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryan Jeffers (MIN, 9% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Freddy Fermin (KCR, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
INFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Ronny Mauricio (2B/SS, NYM, 44% CBS Ownership) – While the other switch-hitting rookie lights up the airwaves in the Bronx, Mauricio is proving he should have been in Queens much earlier in the summer. We would all be impressed with his sheer size in the middle infield (he’s listed at 6’3”, 166 lbs, but that weight might have come five years ago) if we hadn’t been conditioned by Elly De La Cruz and Oneil Cruz to expect giant infielders nowadays. Mauricio doesn’t have enough plate appearances to come close to qualifying for Savant leaderboards, but you can see how red some of his raw stats would be (probably the best feature of the Savant overhaul is seeing these pre-qualification sliders). In a paltry 16 batted-ball events, he already has what’s the eight hardest-hit ball of the season. The skills on Ronny look legit, and I love the way he looks in the box. I’m secretly hoping he isn’t too great down the stretch just to keep his 2024 draft prices down a little bit. (5% FAAB)
Jordan Lawlar (SS, ARI, 38% CBS Ownership) – This week called for a special double up for infielders with Lawlar’s promotion on Thursday when the D-backs decided it was finally time to put Nick Ahmed’s 51 wRC+ bat to pasture. Lawlar should play pretty much every day down the stretch with Arizona in the thick of the Wild Card race. If you have to choose between Mauricio or Lawlar for rest-of-season, it depends a bit on need as you should go Mauricio for power and Lawlar for speed. But overall, Mauricio is likely to be the better overall hitter simply due to the extra seasoning he’s had in the minors while not having the pressure of a spotlight on him constantly (I know, an odd thing to say for a Mets player). However, Lawlar was just called up, so he’s going to be much more expensive despite my expectation for Mauricio to outperform him. (7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: DJ LeMahieu (1B/2B/3B, NYY, 50% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Carlos Santana (1B, MIL, 49% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Edouard Julien (2B, MIN, 42% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Maikel Garcia (3B/SS, KCR, 39% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), J.D. Davis (1B/3B, SFG, 36% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Noelvi Marte (3B/SS, CIN, 31% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Nolan Schanuel (1B, LAA, 28% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Josh Rojas (2B/3B, SEA, 24% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Mauricio Dubon (2B/SS/OF, HOU, 28% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), LaMonte Wade (1B/OF, SFG, 28% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Yoan Moncada (3B, CHW, 26% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Willi Castro (2B/3B/SS/OF, MIN, 25% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ji-Hwan Bae (2B/OF, PIT, 22% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Chris Taylor (2B/3B/SS/OF, LAD, 21% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Hunter Goodman (C?/1B/OF, COL, 19% CBS Ownership) – Goodman is an absolute must-roster for this upcoming week if he is catcher-eligible for your league. The Rockies have a fantastic week of seven home games that he should start most of (he’s started six of the last seven). Even if Goodman is only 1B-eligible, he warrants addition because of the schedule. You can already see the Coors-boosted value happening in his small sample size so far as he sports a 139 wRC+ at home with a much more meager 74 on the road. (5-7% if catcher-eligible, otherwise 3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Oswald Peraza (2B/3B/SS, NYY, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Colt Keith (3B, DET, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Enrique Hernandez (1B/2B/3B/SS/OF, LAD, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Zach McKinstry (2B/3B/SS/OF, DET, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brooks Lee (SS, MIN, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Garrett Cooper (1B, SDP, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brendan Rodgers (2B, COL, 12% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Michael Massey (2B, KCR, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryan Noda (1B/OF, OAK, 12% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Liover Peguero (2B/SS, PIT, 10% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jordan Diaz (1B/2B/3B, OAK, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Tyler Black (2B, MIL, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Donovan Solano (1B/2B/3B, MIN, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Elehuris Montero (1B/3B, COL, 5% CBS Ownership) – Montero will always be emblematic of exactly what ills the Colorado Rockies franchise. He was one of the main pieces acquired back in the Nolan Arenado trade after bubbling up in the Cardinals system during 2018/19. The Rox wasted so much production from him this year as he rotted behind CJ Cron and Michael Toglia in Triple-A with a .359/.411/.718 (157 wRC+) line. This 25-year-old just needs big league at-bats, and he’s finally gotten them here in September. Small sample size warning, but since entering the lineup full-time on Sept. 1, Montero has slashed .333/.478/.611 (181 wRC+) with one homer over 23 plate appearances. And… say the line… THE ROCKIES HAVE SEVEN HOME GAMES NEXT WEEK. (5% FAAB)
Enmanuel Valdez (2B, BOS, 3% CBS Ownership) – In a “wow, who could’ve guessed but everyone?” moment, the Red Sox have had the fifth worst fWAR of any team from the second base position. Still an eternally odd move for the Boston front office, which was trying to compete, to see their middle infield coming into the season and be like, “fuck it.” The team is going to finish within five games of the last Wild Card spot after starting eight different dudes apiece at second and short! Anyways, Valdez looks to be the main man at the keystone as Luis Urias has garnered only one start this past week. The 24-year-old lefty has slashed .385/.429/.615 over 14 plate appearances since being recalled on Sept. 1., but I’m mostly interested in the nice schedule with four home games against the Yankees, seven total games, and only two left-handed starters (Carlos Rodon and Hyun Jin Ryu). (1-3% FAAB)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Mark Canha (1B/OF, MIL, 27% CBS Ownership) – Maybe after all of those years in Oakland, Canha is just a small-market vibes guy? Since arriving in Wisconsin on Aug. 1, he has been on a torrid tear, producing a .305/.393/.457 (132 wRC+) line with three homers, one steal, and 19 RBI while being the catalyst to keep the Brew Crew on top of the NL Central. The Brewers also have a pretty juicy week for all of their hitters lined up with seven home games, including three against the Nationals, a team that ranks second worst in team FIP. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Leody Taveras (TEX, 46% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jack Suwinski (PIT, 43% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Tommy Pham (ARI, 37% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Max Kepler (MIN, 36% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Brent Rooker (OAK, 36% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brandon Marsh (PHI, 30% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jose Siri (TBR, 27% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Will Benson (CIN, 23% CBS Ownership Rate, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Evan Carter (TEX, 21% CBS Ownership) – Wow, what a weekend for top prospects getting called up into the amidst some hot Wild Card races. While Lawlar’s D-Backs currently sit in the third WC spot with the enjoyment to be in the race, Carter will show up in a Rangers clubhouse that probably feels like a funeral home. There’s a lot of pressure for the 21-year-old (by just a handful of days, was able to buy booze for the first time on Aug. 29) to replace Adolis Garcia and thrust the team back into a playoff spot. Yeesh. Carter should bring a pretty balanced profile and be able to use his number-one fantasy tool, speed (26 steals across three minor league levels this year) as he’s never had a walk rate below double digits at any minor league stop. The bids on him will likely outstrip his actual production, but he’s such a stellar prospect, the ceiling feels sky high. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Michael Brantley (HOU, 18% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Parker Meadows (DET, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luis Matos (SFG, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryan O’Hearn (1B/OF, BAL, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), DJ Stewart (NYM, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Matt Wallner (MIN, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Seth Brown (1B/OF, OAK, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Nelson Velazquez (KCR, 11% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Lawrence Butler (OAK, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Drew Waters (KCR, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brenton Doyle (COL, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Akil Baddoo (DET, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jake Alu (2B/3B/OF, WSN, 1% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Xavier Edwards (2B/OF, MIA, 4% CBS Ownership) – Jorge Soler’s recent injury has opened a full-time lineup spot for Mr. Slap Dick Prospect now that the Marlins have thankfully put a kibosh on playing Jon Berti and Garret Hampson. Edwards is exactly the type of guy with some 70-grade speed that can win stolen base points down the stretch. He has yet to post a major league walk after accruing double-digit walk rates in the minors since 2021, so if he can start working counts, look out. (5% FAAB)
Kyle Isbel (KCR, 2% CBS Ownership) – Isbel has returned from his recent hammy injury and is back to playing centerfield for the Royals. This suggestion is only about targeting his matchup against three righty White Sox starters in Chicago next week in hopes of a big day or two. (1-3% FAAB)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Ryan Pepiot (LAD, 45% CBS Ownership) – Pepiot’s time has seemingly arrived finally after battling a nasty oblique injury and bulk reliever designation all season. The 26-year-old absolutely worked the Marlins on Thursday night to the tune of seven shutout innings of one-hit ball with three Ks. Sure, the punchout total is a bit lacking, but this late in the season, seven shutout innings and a win are nearly impossible to come by on the waiver wire. The available pitching options are getting really thin. So much so that Pepiot will probably pushing to 75% ownership here soon, especially with another decent start. His next two scheduled starts are really tempting with a home matchup against the Padres before getting the Tigers at home the following week. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Taj Bradley (TBR, 49% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Kutter Crawford (BOS, 45% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Cristopher Sanchez (PHI, 43% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Paul Blackburn (OAK, 31% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Zack Littell (TBR, 24% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Reese Olson (DET, 21% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Andre Jackson (PIT, 4% CBS Ownership) – Jackson’s last start against the Brewers on Tuesday was certainly a dud as his old walk problem came back with a vengeance. He walked five Milwaukee hitters and only threw 36.1% of his pitches in the zone… ouch. Let’s hope that was an uncharacteristically bad start, maybe the pre-game meal was lacking, or he had invasive thoughts of the most climatic Brewers/Pirates kerfuffle of all-time – Randall Simon vs. Italian. (Good lord, that was 20 years ago?!?) In his previous two outings, Jackson pumped 44.2% of his pitches into the zone against the Royals and Cubs. If he can get back to that level, he should be hovering closer to the 3.66 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 9.2 K/9 he had in 19.2 innings when initially entering his current rotation/bulk reliever role. Jackson also has one of the best widely available two-start weeks out there with two home matchups against the Nationals and Yankees. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Tanner Houck (BOS, 17% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Tylor Megill (NYM, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryne Nelson (ARI, 12% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ryan Yarbrough (LAD, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Zack Thompson (STL, 10% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Touki Toussaint (CHW, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Alex Faedo (DET, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Colin Rea (MIL, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luis Ortiz (PIT, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jose Butto (NYM, 1% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Jake Junis (SFG, 2% CBS Ownership) According to Baseball Prospectus’ weekly speX report (subscription required), Junis has been one of the best pitchers this year. I don’t know about him being among the best pitchers in baseball, but Junis has been sneakily solid during his 79.1 innings with a 3.97 ERA and 10 K/9. That has provided some decent work in those categories while maybe dragging down the WHIP a bit (1.31). He has a pretty tempting two-start lined up with home against the Cubs and on the road against the Rockies. There’s a decent shot you could juice 8-10 strikeouts from those innings. If you can somehow use the start against the Cubs and bench him for the Coors start, even better. (1-3% FAAB)
Will Warren (NYY, 2% CBS Ownership) – With plenty of the young Yankee bats getting playing time to acclimate for 2024, there has to be a good chance Warren gets a start or two in the Bronx down the stretch. There’s even a pretty easy 40-man roster move to bring him up as Anthony Rizzo could easily be moved to the 60-day IL. Warren struggled initially at Triple-A upon his promotion in May but has been superb of late. Over his last seven starts yielding 40 innings, the 24-year-old has a 2.48 ERA and 1.08 WHIP along with 43 Ks. (1-3% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
Tanner Scott (MIA, 46% CBS Ownership) – A super steady week for Scott with three saves over three innings while punching out four with two hits allowed. The Marlins’ closer job is easily his until the end of the season. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Matt Brash (SEA, 31% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Trevor May (OAK, 27% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Bryan Abreu (HOU, 27% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brusdar Graterol (LAD, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Adam Ottavino (NYM, 20% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Tyler Kinley (COL, 2% CBS Ownership) – Only the Rockies would make a meaningless switch at closer this late into a season. You know this is a high-risk road to travel as it involves betting on the Rox having a lead and Kinley battling the Rocky Mountain air. Proceed with caution, but there are likely 2-4 saves from Kinley coming down the stretch. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Hunter Harvey (WSN, 18% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Kevin Ginkel (17% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Gregory Santos (CHW, 17% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jason Foley (DET, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jose Leclerc (TEX, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brooks Raley (NYM, 10% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Mark Leiter Jr. (CHC, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Carlos Hernandez (KCR, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Chris Martin (BOS, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Drew Smith (NYM, 2% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
