There is always a lot that goes into setting your lineup on a weekly basis and this week is no different. Pennant races across the MLB and fantasy leagues are heating up, and there is a lot to think about. Each week there are matchups and situations to exploit from the hitting perspective, so with that being said, let us take a look at 5 hitters to stream for the current week of fantasy baseball.
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Five Hitters to Stream This Week
Tommy Pham, Arizona Diamondbacks, OF
The Diamondbacks traded for Pham with the intention of playing him every day, and they have been doing so. Pham has slotted right into the middle of Arizona’s lineup and they are giving him plenty of runway. He got off to a rough start with Arizona, but he now has hits in four straight games.
Pham has six RBI in his last five games. He went deep on Friday and then added a home run on Saturday. With an 11.8% barrel rate and 47.2% hard-hit rate, the outfielder has been making quality contact all season. The fact that Arizona has seven games this week is a plus, but three of those games are coming in Colorado. And that is what truly makes Pham one of my hitters to stream for this week.
Elvis Andrus, Chicago White Sox, 2B/SS
I don’t like the fact that Andrus only has five games this week, but there is a lot to like otherwise. His first two games of the week come in Wrigley Field against two hittable Cubs pitchers before things get even better. If you are in a league that allows Friday lineup swaps for hitters, then pay even closer attention. Andrus heads to Coors Field this weekend which makes him one of my hitters to stream.
The veteran infielder is eligible at both middle infield positions, and that also is helpful. Over the last seven days, Andrus is hitting .304 with six RBI and three runs scored in what has been a serviceable second half. After hitting .250 in July, Andrus is batting .324 in August and he does have the ability to steal a base.
While it is hard to look at Andrus as a true impact player, he can fill a hole in your lineup. If you want to take a step forward in taking advantage of Coors Field, hunting for a Gavin Sheets home run could be another option.
Michael Toglia, Colorado Rockies, 1B/OF
The fact Togila has just one hit in his last 24 bats is not going to do anyone any favors. If we want to take the optimistic angle, after the trade of CJ Cron, Colorado is devoid of options, so Toglia has plenty of latitude.
What really catches our attention though, is the fact that Toglia has six games this week at Coors Field. Aside from Merrill Kelly and an inconsistent Dylan Cease, the Rockies also are facing some very hittable pitchers. While it is not much, Toglia is hitting .200 against right-handed pitching this year compared to a .100 average against southpaws. This week, all six starters Colorado is scheduled to face are right-handed. Toglia is a switch-hitter, but both of his home runs have come against right-handers this season.
Prior to his promotion, Toglia showed some power and run production ability in Triple-A with 16 home runs and 63 RBI in 73 games.
Mark Vientos, New York Mets, 3B
Whether it is by default or not, Vientos will see plenty of at-bats this week for a Mets team struggling to play out the string. Despite minor league success, it has been a rough transition to the big leagues for Vientos, but he is a talented bat.
Not many teams have seven games this week, so that brings us to the Mets. There is a clear divide between the upper level of talent, albeit underperforming, and options such as Vientos that require a roster decision. Five hits in 29 at-bats without a run or an RBI is not great, but Vientos has been making better contact as of late.
Despite the poor results, there are some metrics that say we should trust the process with Vientos. The rookie has an average exit velocity of 93.8 miles per hour, a 10.4% barrel rate, and a 54.5% hard-hit rate. With that quality of contact, the results should come with regular playing time.
Cade Marlowe, Seattle Mariners, OF
The Mariners are another team with seven games this week, and they will be facing six right-handed pitchers. That means there should be plenty of opportunity for the left-handed hitting Marlowe to get at-bats.
So far in eight games this month, Marlowe is hitting .417 with a home run, six RBI, and five runs scored. As long as he hits, Seattle will play their rookie outfielder as they fight for a Wild Card berth. In the last two minor league seasons, Marlowe showed that he could be a run producer (86 in 120 Double-A games last year and 47 in 69 games at Triple-A this year). Mix that in with the threat of a stolen base, and Marlowe could be a hot hand to ride.