Another week in the books. This means the standings continue to adjust, but also larger gaps begin to form. You need to target players on the waiver wire who can hit in certain categories.
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Runs
Nolan Schanuel is nothing special, but he has a strong hit tool, good on-base skills and bats second every day for the Angels. The volume at the top of the order and with his skills lends itself to an opportunity to stream him for runs.
You might even fall into a home run or a stolen base if you are lucky. When I am targeting runs, I like volume from a guy at the top of the order. Schanuel checks those boxes.
Home Runs & RBI
Matt Shaw (3B – CHC) & Colt Keith (2B – DET)
Matt Shaw should be close to coming back up at this point. Over the last 13 games, he has six extra-base hits, three stolen bases and is hitting .308 in the Minors. He has five-category production potential and is coming around after a slow start in Triple-A.
This might be the final chance to get Shaw and stash him ahead of a call-up. While he is not guaranteed to be available to stream this week, I think he might have long-term implications and is worth adding regardless.
If you want a name for just this week, I would look at Colt Keith. He is on a heater and gets a solid set of matchups this upcoming week (including six versus right-handed pitchers). He hits toward the middle of the order and has sneaky pop. The Tigers have been doing well overall, so the RBI opportunities should be there.
Stolen Bases
With so much unknown about the injuries in Los Angeles, Hyeseong Kim could see an extended look and get mostly regular playing time. His speed is lethal. Even in games he does not start, Kim has come in to pinch-run and stolen a base.
Kim is a perfect 15-0 on stolen base attempts between Triple-A and the MLB level. It’s clear he has a green light. The playing time is a question mark, but the speed is not. If you are chasing it, here it is.
Batting Average
Eli White is playing every single day. He is hitting very well and will continue to get run for the team until Ronald Acuna Jr. returns. This is the second week in a row he has made this list.
White has hit .290 or better in each of the last four scoring periods. It comes with some speed, too, so he is not just an empty batting average.
Wins
This is strictly for anyone chasing wins. Ben Lively is someone you may need to hold your nose when he starts, but he is getting a two-start week against opponents he could get a couple of wins against.
Over the last 14 days, the Brewers have ranked 28th versus righties in wRC+, and the Reds have ranked 23rd in wRC+ against righties. These matchups are not going to get much better. While he may be lackluster beyond the wins, it would seem to be a favorable set of matchups for chasing the wins.
Saves
In his first game as the manager, Don Kelley deployed David Bednar in the eighth inning to see the 9-1-2 batters, and then Dennis Santana came in for the save. It was ugly, but he converted it.
Bednar could be the high-leverage reliever moving forward, or it could be Santana’s job to lose. We might get an answer by Sunday night, but keep an eye on it. Regardless, Santana is back in the mix for saves for this team at the moment.
Strikeouts & Ratios (ERA & WHIP)
Kyle Harrison was stretched out and looked great in the Minors this year before getting the call. He is currently in the bullpen, but there is a chance for him to move into the rotation if there is an injury or underperformance.
Harrison has been utilized out of the bullpen for now, and in his three innings since getting called up, he has five strikeouts and has yet to give up a run or even a hit. He can provide strikeouts and ratios at the very least, with a chance to blossom into more sooner rather than later.
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