We’ve officially reached the wonkiest portion of the fantasy baseball season in which the focus moves to weekly (and even daily) matchups to juice every bit of value out of those teams over the last month. It requires a lot of tough decisions, including considering dropping high-end picks that are injured (Freddie Freeman, Kyle Tucker, Austin Riley) or just plain sucking (Julio Rodriguez, Max Fried, Marcus Semien) and going FULL STREAM.
Lucky you, we’ve got the tools to help you out with our Hittertron and Streamonator which can help identify players with great matchups and parse the tough sit/start decisions. The Streamonator treated me well in a league where I was unsure of starting Aaron Civale at home against the Giants this week, but his Streamonator value was in the mid-20’s, allowing me to capture that win with seven Ks over seven shutout innings. (Thanks, Rudy!)
I did my best to pick out some of the suggestions from our streaming tools, but certainly check them out before making final decisions down the stretch as they can change quickly based on lineups and weather (that’s right, we’re in the future, baby!). Notice also that I have a lot of Infielder suggestions below because there are going to be oodles of owners dropping the likes of Freeman and Riley this weekend to move to a stream model, and I wanted to provide plenty of options for those waterfall bids. In addition, we are reaching the glorious part of the season where positional eligibilities have racked up, so there are enough choices to cover whatever is needed.
Alright, with that, let’s get to it, Razzballers!
The stats and ownership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 8/30.
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) and bluesky (@mcouill7.bsky.social).
CATCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Austin Wells (NYY, 43% CBS Ownership) – In the spirit of the stream, Wells is the best choice of available-ish backstops over Del Castillo this week despite cooling to a .208/.333/.375 slash line over the past two weeks. Most of it is schedule-based as Del Castillo has to go to Oracle Park before facing a resurgent Astros pitching staff next week while Wells gets road series against the Cubs and Rangers. Even with my consistent love throughout the summer for Del Castillo (his tag used to be peppered with just my posts, but others have intruded on my territory!), he’s sporting a 30.9% K-rate and unsustainable .483 BABIP, which means now is the time to buy on Wells. The Yankee catcher is still slashing .311/.402/.491 (153 wRC+) in the second half despite the bad two weeks while batting in the heart of the order. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Adrian Del Castillo (ARI, 46% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Keibert Ruiz (WSN, 37% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Travis d’Arnaud (ATL, 30% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Alejandro Kirk (TOR, 21% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Kyle Higashioka (SDP, 9% CBS Ownership) – Hey, I know you are out there picking up catchers. I see it. Two weeks ago, Miguel Amaya’s ownership rate was 2%; Adrian Del Castillo’s was 17%! What has Higashioka done over the last two weeks? Oh, just hit .286 with two taters, four runs scored, and four RBI (that’s pretty much like a 25-homer, mid-50s run/RBI pace for a catcher) while holding down the No. 1 spot on the San Diego catcher depth chart. Ownership rate increase? 1%. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Miguel Amaya (CHC, 19% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Freddy Fermin (KCR, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ivan Herrera (STL, 7% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Drew Romo (COL, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
INFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Jhonkensy Noel (1B/OF, CLE, 48% CBS Ownership) – Big Christmas has been putting on quite the light show while the rest of the Cleveland lineup has dimmed of late, hitting .276 with six bombs, 13 runs scored, and 12 RBI in August so far. Most importantly, Noel has steadied the K-rate at 28.4% while increasing the BB-rate to 9.0% this month. If he can control the zone like that with his absurd power, watch out, not only for the rest of this season but into 2025 and beyond. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Spencer Torkelson (1B, DET, 50% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Gavin Lux (2B, LAD, 48% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ernie Clement (3B/SS, TOR, 48% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Zack Gelof (2B, OAK, 46% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Matt Vierling (3B/OF, DET, 43% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Nolan Schanuel (1B, LAA, 41% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brendan Rodgers (2B, COL, 41% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Connor Norby (2B/3B, MIA, 37% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Joey Ortiz (2B/3B/SS, MIL, 35% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2B/3B/SS/OF, PIT, 30% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Spencer Horwitz (1B/2B, TOR, 29% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Geraldo Perdomo (2B/SS, ARI, 29% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Paul DeJong (3B/SS, KCR, 24% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Whit Merrifield (ATL, 2B/3B/OF, 23% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Nick Gonzales (2B, PIT, 21% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Orlando Arcia (SS, ATL, 18% CBS Ownership) – This is mostly a schedule play as Arcia is now rocking a 74 wRC+ on the season while everything in his profile has taken a step back from a solid 2023 season. However, there are signs of life as the 30-year-old has pushed his wRC+ up to 97 in August, mostly thanks to series against Colorado, Miami, Los Angeles (Angels variety), and Washington happening. But Atlanta gets six home games against the flailing Rockies and Blue Jays this week, making all Braves targets for picking up. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Ty France (1B, CIN, 19% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jonah Bride (1B/3B, MIA, 18% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Will Wagner (2B, TOR, 10% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Andres Chaparro (1B, WSN, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ramon Urias (2B/3B, 8% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Zach Dezenzo (1B/3B, HOU, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Otto Lopez (2B/3B, MIA, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Addison Barger (3B/OF, TOR, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Daniel Schneemann (2B/3B/SS/OF, CLE, 3% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Brooks Baldwin (2B/3B/SS, CHW, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Luke Williams (SS, ATL, 0% CBS Ownership) – Speaking of Atlanta, I’m not sure I’ve seen a team this snakebitten by injury as Gio Urshela is now dealing with a groin strain. If Urshela can’t get back to health soon, Williams will walk right into full playing time with that nice week of six home games. The 28-year-old swiped 15 bags in Triple-A this season and swings an okay-at-best stick. With a decent batting average and a couple of steals possibly being a boon in an NL-Only league, don’t overlook Williams this week. (3-5% FAAB)
Seth Brown (1B/OF, OAK, 3% CBS Ownership) – In the shuffle of the Oakland roster, Brown is finally getting another chance as the strong-side platoon bat at the cold corner. The A’s have a full seven-game slate at home next week and are scheduled to face five righties. I’ve always been enamored with Brown’s power bat, and he’s been much better post-ASB, hitting .293 with five homers and 18 RBI across 31 games. (3-5% FAAB)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC, 46% CBS Ownership) – It takes a stalwart performance to knock MarmosDad and I’s boy, Jo Adell, from this suggestion, but PCA has certainly earned it. The 22-year-old rookie has been on fire in August, slashing .329/.398/.582 (168 wRC+) with four homers, 16 runs scored, 14 RBI, and 6 steals with a reasonable .349 BABIP. If you are sitting on any FAAB money and have PCA on your wire, this is exactly the type of player you were saving that budget for (and hopefully, you already bought him last week when you waded those waiver waters without me) as he can swing multiple categories in roto leagues with full run at centerfield for the Cubs. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Brandon Marsh (PHI, 41% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jacob Young (WSN, 37% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jo Adell (LAA, 34% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Matt Wallner (MIN, 27% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Juan Yepez (1B/OF, WSN, 26% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Lars Nootbaar (STL, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Harrison Bader (NYM, 24% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Victor Robles (SEA, 21% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Ramon Laureano (ATL, 9% CBS Ownership) – Laureano seems to have just needed a change of scenery with a regular lineup spot to find his groove, as the erstwhile Athletic is now slashing .305/.336/.527 (137 wRC+) with seven homers and three steals in 44 games with Atlanta. That’s the pace of like a third or fourth round pick, yeesh. Per those Arcia and Williams notes above, the Braves have the best schedule to stream hitters this week, and Laureano warrants addition in all leagues because no one is booting him from his lineup spot any time soon. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: MJ Melendez (KCR, 19% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Joey Loperfido (TOR, 18% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jesus Sanchez (MIA, 17% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luke Raley (1B/OF, SEA, 16% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Victor Scott (STL, 11% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Austin Hays (PHI, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jordan Beck (COL, 8% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Gavin Sheets (1B/OF, CHW, 7% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Kyle Stowers (MIA, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Griffin Conine (MIA, 1% CBS Ownership) – Another former player’s son that came through the Toronto system! It’s only fitting that he gets his run with his father’s main team, as Conine settles into a strong-side platoon role thanks to Xavier Edwards’ injury list stint. However, the 27-year-old rookie did pick up a start against a southpaw this week, so it’s possible the Marlins just let him play down the stretch to see what they have for 2025. Conine is a classic three true outcomes batter in the Joey Gallo mold with great power, a solid eye for walks, and monster K-rates. (3% FAAB)
Ben Gamel (HOU, 1% CBS Ownership) – Seriously… what the hell? After playing sparingly for the Mets this season, Gamel joined the Astros on Aug. 22 and is now nonchalantly hitting in the middle of the order for a first-place team. His .385 batting average (10-for-26) with Houston is buoyed by a bonkers .588 BABIP so far, but you absolutely must buy Gamel simply because of his lineup spot and playing time opportunity with Chas McCormick’s recent demotion. (7-9% FAAB)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Zebby Matthews (MIN, 44% CBS Ownership) – Wait, Zebby is still available for suggestion after firing a 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHP and 13:2 K:BB in his first 15 innings over three starts? Okay. (5-7% FAAB)
Rhett Lowder (CIN, 22% CBS Ownership) – I’m obviously writing all of this before Lowder’s debut Friday at home against Milwaukee, so that start will give lots of good info before putting in a bid. Last year’s seventh overall pick in the draft has kicked it into a higher gear on the farm this second half, dominating with a 0.51 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 34:7 K:BB in 35 innings across six starts (five at Double-A, one at Triple-A). He features a great three-pitch arsenal with a fastball, slider, and changeup with a groundball-heavy approach. The only question is how it will all fair against big-league bats. If he can capture any of the success akin to his minor league performance this season, Lowder can be a number three or four in a fantasy rotation for September. If you want auditory analysis on Lowder, check out this week’s Cards & Categories episode (along with lots of other tidbits, it is two hours for crying out loud) in which Jeremy Brewer and I overviewed him too. (5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Dean Kremer (BAL, 49% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Frankie Montas (MIL, 48% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Osvaldo Bido (OAK, 46% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Aaron Civale (MIL, 43% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jose Quintana (NYM, 41% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Martin Perez (SDP, 38% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Mitchell Parker (WSN, 36% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Miles Mikolas (STL, 35% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), David Festa (MIN, 33% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Luis Ortiz (PIT, 29% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Albert Suarez (BAL, 29% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), DJ Herz (WSN, 27% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Andre Pallante (STL, 23% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Patrick Corbin (WSN, 9% CBS Ownership) – I can’t believe I’m about to do this… but, here we go. First, Corbin has a cushy two-start week against Miami and Pittsburgh on the road. I might suggest about any starter with that schedule given the weak offenses and great pitcher parks. But the kicker here is that Corbin has been good recently, pitching to a 1.65 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB over 16.1 innings across his last three starts. It seems like once a year, the veteran southpaw finds a small groove that makes him rosterable, and this is it. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Joey Estes (OAK, 16% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Tyler Phillips (PHI, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Keider Montero (DET, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Mitch Spence (OAK, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brant Hurter (DET, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Caden Dana (LAA, 8% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Ty Madden (DET, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Cooper Criswell (BOS, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Randy Vasquez (SDP, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Tyler Alexander (TBR, 2% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Mason Black (SFG, 2% CBS Ownership) – Based on rotation turns and the Giants’ lack of a fifth starter, Black should draw a start this upcoming week. Although the overall Triple-A line looks ugly with a 4.59 ERA, the 24-year-old righty has been better of late, posting a 3.45 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 26 Ks in his last 31.1 innings. Notice that I did leave out the BBs there, because finding the zone been his main issue with 14 walks over that span. So there is a blow up possibility here, but Black offers strikeout upside amongst those shallow NL-Only options. (3-5% FAAB)
J.T. Ginn (OAK, 1% CBS Ownership) – Look above in the Quick Hits, and you might notice that pretty much the entire Oakland rotation is suggested as a possible pickup this week. With a seven-game slate at home against the lowly Mariners and Tigers next week, it’s no coincidence. Ginn, who admittedly is not a great pitcher with a 5.19 ERA and 6.05 FIP in 8.2 innings this season, gets one of the two-start weeks along with Osvaldo Bido. Sometimes a two-start week against weak lineups is all you want and need (see Corbin, Patrick above). (3-5% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
Seranthony Dominguez (BAL, 43% CBS Ownership) – Things got a little bumpy there for Dominguez, but he picked up three saves across three scoreless appearances while allowing just one hit this week against the Astros and Dodgers. He’s locked into the Baltimore closer role with that string of performances. (7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Jason Foley (DET, 39% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jeff Hoffman (PHI, 36% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ben Joyce (LAA, 35% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Griffin Jax (MIN, 30% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Trevor Megill (MIL, 26% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), James McArthur (KCR, 26% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Porter Hodge (CHC, 16% CBS Ownership) – Given my week off, I’m kind of shocked that Hodge’s ownership rate is low enough that he’s likely available in some 15-teamers out there. If that’s the case in your league, certainly add him ASAP as he sports a classic closer arsenal with a solid fastball (109 Stuff+) with a devasting slider (123 Stuff+). Those pitches have translated weird nerd numbers to real life performance too, as Hodge has been solid with a 1.56 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, and 28.1% K-BB rate in 17.1 post-All-Star break innings. He’s addable in leagues of all depths. (5% FAAB)
Edwin Uceta (TBR, 16% CBS Ownership) – Uceta appears to be the leader in the clubhouse for the Tampa Bay closer role, but I don’t say that with much conviction because… Rays. Even if Uceta doesn’t garner every save opportunity while Pete Fairbanks is shelved on the IL, his production this season (0.84 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, 31.6% K-BB rate) is more than solid enough to make him playable for the ratios alone. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: A.J. Puk (ARI, 18% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jorge Lopez (CHC, 17% CBS ownership, 3% FAAB), David Robertson (TEX, 17% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Kevin Ginkel (ARI, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Tyler Holton (DET, 12% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Calvin Faucher (MIA, 11% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Manuel Rodriguez (TBR, 6% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Garrett Cleavinger (TBR, 6% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
