FANTASY PLAYS: Players to pick up, stream this week in MLB

PLAYERS TO PICK UP

DOMINGO GERMAN, SP, New York Yankees (41 percent owned in Yahoo) – It’s looking like the Yankees have found something in German. The surface stats (4.77 ERA) don’t pop out, but his underlying numbers show he’s performing better than the stats. He’s generating a lot of swing-and-misses, and he has a great offense backing him up.

FREDDY PERALTA, SP, Milwaukee Brewers (25 percent) – Peralta got the call earlier this week, and he looks to remain in the Milwaukee rotation for the foreseeable future as the group lacks talent. He relies on his fastball a lot, so he’s going to have to start mixing in some secondary pitches to continue his success. He should be considered a SP5.

SHELBY MILLER, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks (6 percent) – Miller is coming off Tommy John surgery right into a two-start week. He’s a risky play next week, but he’s worth the stash to see if he can put it together in the pitcher-friendly environment as a backend starter.

KEVIN KIERMAIER, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (21 percent) – Let’s face it – the stolen-base specialists have let everyone down this year. Keirmaier was activated from the disabled list earlier this week, and while he struggled early in the year, he offers speed, but also contributes across the board. He’s an OF4 in category and roto leagues.

TWO-START PITCHERS TO STREAM

REYNALDO LOPEZ, SP, Chicago White Sox (24 percent) – It’s tough to trust Lopez on a week-by-week basis, but he has two above-average matchups next week against the Twins and the Rangers.

FRANKE MONTAS, SP, Oakland Athletics (23 percent) – Long term, Montas is a reliever, but for this year he’s worth streaming when he has good matchups. He has one against Detroit and then a weekend matchup against the Indians. He’s shown enough that he’s worth the gamble.

FELIX HERNANDEZ, SP, Seattle Mariners (46 percent) – Hernandez has only allowed three combined earned runs in his past two starts. It’s more impressive that those starts were against the Yankees and Red Sox. The success should continue against the Orioles and Royals.

HITTERS TO STREAM

MAX MUNCY, 1B/3B/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (63 percent) – Why isn’t Muncy at least 80 percent owned? Pick him up for next week for his good matchups, and keep him in your lineup moving forward.

ERIC THAMES, 1B/OF, Milwaukee Brewers (47 percent) – The Brewers have six games against the Reds and the Royals. Only one is against a lefty. Thames could have a huge week ahead of him.

JON JAY, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks (31 percent) – All Jay has quietly done is produce for the Diamondbacks since his trade to Arizona. The D-backs have seven games against Miami and San Francisco. He can give you a boost in batting average next week.

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This column was provided to The Associated Press by the Fantasy Sports Network, http://FNTSY.com