Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Stream Reds & Mariners This Week

The perception of teams having difficulty hitting is supported by statistical information, particularly concerning several unexpected clubs. Historically, the Pirates, Rockies, and White Sox have frequently posted a wRC+ under 90 or 95, a benchmark often used to identify the ten lowest-ranking teams by wRC+. In 2026, teams surprisingly registering a wRC+ below 95 encompass the Phillies, Padres, Reds, Red Sox, and Mets. Conversely, the Pirates, Mariners, Nationals, and Cardinals are positioned within the top ten for wRC+.

This point is emphasized due to the potential need to replace underperforming batters with streaming alternatives in certain league setups. Before long, our projections for these clubs and individual players may require revision, considering their foundational statistics.

For Week 8, no teams are scheduled for five games, while four teams will play a full seven-game schedule. This upcoming week appears suitable for deploying strong-side platoon players from multiple clubs via waivers.

Examining advanced team pitching statistics from 2025 and 2026 provides valuable insight into the effectiveness of a club’s mound corps. This is particularly noticeable in 2026, where the Astros, Rays, and Phillies exhibit several anomalous data points. Due to Hunter Brown’s injury and Framber Valdez’s departure, the Astros have depended on Spencer Arrighetti, Peter Lambert, Lance McCullers Jr., and Mike Burrows. Despite Houston’s elevated average adjusted performance, fantasy managers ought to stream opposing hitters, considering the team’s single-digit strikeout-to-walk percentage.

The Phillies’ mound contingent consistently draws attention due to their elevated WHIP and batting average on balls in play permitted. While Jesús Luzardo, Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler, and Aaron Nola demonstrate a respectable K-BB% exceeding 15%, only Wheeler maintains a BABIP below .342. This indicates that the Phillies’ rotation members frequently yield balls put into play, resulting in inconsistent results.

Conversely, the Rays’ pitching corps has experienced a reduction in strikeout proficiency, though they have benefited from favorable fortune in BABIP and strand rate. Nevertheless, Tampa Bay’s hurlers have consistently surrendered hard-hit balls, a fact corroborated by their expected ERA (xERA) data from Statcast. In Week 8, the Rays will play a three-game series against the Blue Jays in Toronto, followed by three home games versus the Marlins. The Rays’ home stadium is generally advantageous for pitchers, ranking seventh in strikeout park factor, fifth in ERA, and fifth in wOBA allowed.

Intriguingly, the Nationals, White Sox, and Angels have benefited from favorable BABIP and strand rates. Nevertheless, the abilities of the Nationals, White Sox, and Angels’ starting hurlers have been subpar, as shown by their low strikeout-to-walk percentages. It is noteworthy that the White Sox’s home venue is among the bottom ten in Statcast Park Factors, which could potentially aid their starters—although Munetaka Murakami’s presence might disrupt this trend.

The Angels might be an anomaly early in the season, given their improved xERA in 2026, which corresponds with their starting pitchers yielding fewer hard-hit balls. While José Soriano and Jack Kochanowicz have outperformed their foundational statistics, Reid Detmers is the Angels’ top pitcher in terms of skill-based metrics (K-BB%). Some encouraging aspects can be identified within the White Sox and Angels’ starting rotations, but this is less true for the Nationals, even with Cade Cavalli and Foster Griffin being noteworthy in deeper leagues.

Schedule of Seven Games in Week 8

• Astros (4 vs. SEA, 3 vs. TEX)

  • Houston batters are anticipated to encounter right-handed starting pitchers in all seven contests against the Mariners and Rangers. This could present a difficult challenge for these hitters, even with the advantage of a high number of plate appearances. Outfielder Zach Cole (discussed further below) is expected to benefit most significantly as a strong-side platoon choice. In 2025, Cole accumulated 19 home runs, 18 stolen bases, and a .279 batting average across two minor league levels, albeit accompanied by a .418 BABIP. Cole’s skill set includes elements of power and speed, but his hitting ability and contact rate (65% at Triple-A in 2025) are anticipated to be major concerns. Though probably a limited data set, Cole demonstrated improved contact rates (75.4%) in the minor leagues during 2026. Should Cole manage sufficient contact, he could become an unexpected waiver wire acquisition in deeper leagues.

• Dodgers (4 vs. SF, 3 at LAA)

  • Los Angeles batters are projected to encounter six out of seven right-handed starting pitchers in Week 8. Expect Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland, typically lower in the Dodgers’ batting order, to receive increased opportunities, as the majority of their lineup remains stable. Since his April call-up, Freeland has started in two of the six games against left-handed pitchers. Kim appears to be a more advantageous fantasy option than Freeland, given his propensity for stolen bases.

• Mariners (4 at HOU, 3 vs. SD)

  • Seattle’s team is expected to face right-handed starting pitchers in every game of Week 8. This signals an increased value for popular players Dominic Canzone and Luke Raley (discussed further below), who are Seattle’s main strong-side platoon selections. Following Raley’s initial three home runs in the season’s first three games, he only added three more over his subsequent 30 appearances. Nevertheless, Raley’s performance on Friday, with two home runs and seven RBI, is likely to boost his market value. Canzone should be acquired in deeper leagues, while Raley presents a higher degree of risk.

• Giants (4 at LAD, 3 at ATH)

  • A recurring pattern emerges where teams playing seven games in Week 8 are slated to encounter numerous right-handed starting pitchers. The Giants are anticipated to face six right-handed starting pitchers in their seven games, with Jeffrey Springs being the sole left-hander scheduled. San Francisco promoted highly-rated prospect Bryce Eldridge, who is expected to serve as a strong-side platoon player. In the minor leagues, Eldridge consistently made hard contact, evidenced by a 9-10% barrel rate per plate appearance over the last two seasons. He will be a desirable waiver wire pick in most league types due to his prospect appeal. The Giants require an offensive boost, and Eldridge may need to perform exceptionally to secure regular playing time.

Waiver Acquisitions for Leagues of Moderate Size and Depth

Casey Schmitt, Giants (42% Ownership)

Schmitt stands out as one of the Giants’ premier offensive performers, evidenced by an impressive 137 wRC+. In 2026, he exhibited an improved contact rate of 80.3%, surpassing his career average of 76.2% by four percentage points. Schmitt’s barrel rate per plate appearance surged to 11.3% in 2026, almost twice his career average of 6.4%. He has been consistently making solid contact with offspeed and breaking pitches, suggesting a potentially impactful adjustment in 2026.

Schmitt has maintained a tendency to pull the ball (48.5%) while achieving ideal launch angles, marked by a personal-best 52.6% flyball rate. This combination of increased power and an advantageous batting approach (favoring pulled balls and flyballs) is expected to result in a career-high home run total for Schmitt in 2026.

Schmitt has gained traction in deeper formats but warrants consideration in shallower leagues, particularly given the expected volume of play in Week 8.

Brooks Lee, Twins (40% Ownership)

I nearly covered Lee in last week’s analysis but chose not to, due to some uninspiring observations. Nevertheless, Lee has performed well in May in terms of batting average, recording a .371 average, which is largely attributed to a .448 BABIP. Regrettably, Lee has not hit any home runs and has only one stolen base in May, but he has maintained excellent plate discipline, with an 87.5% contact rate in May, significantly above his season-long average of 81.3%, aligning more closely with his career standard.

Consider adding Lee if your roster requires assistance in batting average.

Cole Young, Mariners (23% Ownership)

High playing time is anticipated for Young in Week 8. The Mariners will be up against a weakened Astros pitching staff for the initial part of the week. Young was noted previously, but warrants another mention. While Young’s .259 batting average is supported by a .333 BABIP, he demonstrates superior plate discipline, evidenced by a 77.2% contact rate. Young has adopted a marginally more assertive batting approach, reflected by a four-percentage-point increase in his swing rates and almost a seven-percentage-point rise in chase rate in 2026 (30.7%) compared to 2025 (23.3%).

In 2026, he has exhibited average to slightly above-average power capabilities, indicated by his bat speed (71.9 mph) and barrel rate per plate appearance (5.0%). Young is expected to reliably contribute to batting average and other counting statistics, along with some power and speed.

Waiver Wire Targets for Deeper Leagues (Under 20% Owned)

Spencer Steer, Reds (17% Ownership)

During the previous offseason, Spencer Steer generated considerable excitement following his 20 home runs and 25 stolen bases in 2024. Steer’s output declined to 21/7 in 2025, a period that aligned with Sal Stewart gaining prominence. Steer has been a daily presence for the Reds, batting in the heart of their order. Although his career barrel rate per plate appearance stood at 4.9%, it has dramatically increased to 10.7% in 2026. Steer’s plate discipline (78.9% contact rate), batting approach (a personal-best 29% pulled air rate), and power are foundational skills to leverage.

Anticipate Steer to perform effectively, particularly in home games at the start of the week against the Nationals.

JJ Bleday, Reds (13% Ownership)

The Reds are expected to encounter four right-handed starting pitchers in six games, potentially resulting in varied playing time for Bleday. Bleday started against one left-handed pitcher last week, despite the Reds having faced only two since his promotion. Should he maintain his hitting performance, he might secure consistent playing time, which is particularly advantageous given his second spot in the batting order. Bleday is likely on a hot streak, and managers in deeper formats should capitalize on this momentum. Historically, he showed challenges with plate discipline, as indicated by his 70.9% contact rate in 2025.

Fortunately, Bleday demonstrates the ability to hit the ball with significant force upon contact. Bleday’s career barrel rate per plate appearance, which was typically 5.3%, soared to 11.8% in the initial 2026 data. This improvement is more credible for Bleday, as his bat speed dramatically increased to 75.3 mph in 2026 from 71.7 mph in 2025. Bleday is expected to be a power contributor in deeper leagues during Week 8.

Dominic Canzone (4% Ownership)/Luke Raley (14% Ownership), Mariners

Given that the Mariners are scheduled to face seven right-handed starting pitchers, it’s advisable to consider Canzone and Raley. Canzone is the preferred option, but Raley garnered attention after launching two home runs on Friday against the White Sox. Both Canzone and Raley have demonstrated considerable power abilities. This is clear from Canzone’s 74.3 mph bat speed and a 10.1% barrel rate per plate appearance in 2026.

The same applies to Raley, though he exhibits a more inconsistent performance with a 75.4 mph bat speed and a 12.0% barrel rate in 2026. While both Raley’s bat speed and barrel rates represent personal bests, his contact rate of 53.7% is a career low (a concerning statistic).

Canzone should still be prioritized, whereas Raley represents a more speculative acquisition.

Zach Cole, Astros (1% Ownership)

Similar to Canzone and Raley, Cole should not be overlooked in deeper leagues, particularly as the Astros are anticipated to encounter right-handed starting pitchers in all seven contests. Since his promotion, he has played against one of the two left-handed starting pitchers. Cole displayed impressive bat speeds (75.3 mph) and a 9.2% barrel rate per plate appearance during his limited MLB tenure. Given Cole’s difficulty making contact, evidenced by a career 60.2% contact rate in the majors over a small sample of 65 plate appearances, he may be similar to Raley as a speculative power addition in deeper leagues.