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
Yan Gomes, C, Chicago Cubs
Yan Gomes and the Cubs go from Coors Field to Arizona this week. That gives Chicago one of the best schedules of the week, and if you are looking for help at the catcher position this week, Gomes becomes a viable option. And at this point of the season, who couldn’t use a little help behind the plate?
Over the last seven days, Gomes is hitting .353 with three RBI. The other key fact to note here is that Gomes did it in 17 at-bats, so he is receiving regular playing time. On the season, Gomes has a solid .270 batting average while driving in 49 runs in 353 plate appearances. The Cubs are in a good position to do some damage in Coors Field. While the Rockies are playing out the string, Chicago is in prime Wild Card position.
The combination of these facts makes Gomes one of my hitters to stream for the week. At this point in the season, there really should be no hesitation when churning the back end of your roster.
Brendan Rodgers, 2B, Colorado Rockies
As I list Rodgers as one of my hitters to stream this week, I am well aware of his struggles at the plate. After a late start to the year, Brendan Rodgers is hitting just .208 on the season. That can be traced back to the small sample size and the injury Rodgers suffered prior to the season.
While we wait for Rodgers to find his groove, he is certainly in a good spot for that to take place. This week, Rodgers spends all seven games at home in Coors Field. So not only do we get favorable hitting conditions, but we also get seven games. In facing the Cubs and Giants, Rodgers should also not run into much resistance from the pitching perspective.
Ronny Mauricio, SS, New York Mets
As we get deeper into September, there often becomes a divide among fantasy teams heading in opposite directions. That means we sometimes see prospects, such as Ronny Mauricio, fall through the cracks.
While certainly talented, Mauricio had an up-and-down season in the minor leagues. It could labeled as both cause and effect as to why the Mets had no previously promoted their top prospect, but he is here now. There are multiple positives to someone like Mauricio at this point in the season.
New York promoted the young infielder to give him everyday reps. Additionally, unlike other September options, there is real keeper value here for those in those types of leagues. Players like Mauricio who can help both now and later are ideal. And then when you factor in his skill level and the fact that the Mets have seven games this week, things get that much better.
Despite their lack of success, the Mets do have some strong pieces in their lineup. Mauricio brings both power and speed to the table and could ultimately be a four-category contributor. While he is hitting .310 in 30 plate appearances, there are still some batting average concerns. He won’t be a complete bust there, but there are still some questions to answer.
Everson Pereira, OF, New York Yankees
When looking for hitters to stream, let’s stick with the theme. In Everson Pereira, we have another top prospect who figures to get a lot of playing time in the coming week. It certainly helps that the Yankees are playing a full slate of seven games, but with Jasson Dominguez now sidelined, there should be plenty of at-bats.
New York is a team in transition, and it made sense to promote Pereira. In the remaining few weeks of the season, the Yankees can now get a good look at what Pereira is capable of. While the outfielder has yet to make an impact in seven games at the major league, he had a strong season prior to that point. Pereira hit .291 and Double-A and .312 in Triple-A over 81 games. In that stretch, Pereira has 18 home runs and 11 stolen bases while driving in 64 runs.
At this point in the season, it is worth a shot to see what Pereira can do.
Brice Turang, 2B/SS, Milwaukee Brewers
As you search for hitters to stream, targeting specific categories always comes into play. Perhaps the biggest place where that comes into play is with stolen bases.
Over the past seven days, Turang has three stolen bases while coming to the plate 21 times. Turang also hit .286, and we can’t overlook the fact that he is eligible at both middle infield positions.
The stolen bases might be the extent of Turang’s contributions as he is batting just .223 on the season. But with 21 stolen bases, he could swing the fate of a very important category. Or at the very least, Turang might be responsible for a few points in the standings.