- Friday's slate opens with the traditional "Chicago Cubs are home for the weekend" matinee. The series is a rematch from last weekend when the Cubs traveled to the desert for a set against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Last time out, Arizona starter Humberto Castellanos (1% rostered in ESPN leagues) set his 2022 high-water mark, punching out five Cubs in 5⅓ innings, but he also surrendered a pair of homers. However, the Cubs have slugged homers at the sixth-lowest rate versus right-handers while also fanning the most. This sets Castellanos up for another strong performance, and he merits some streaming consideration.
- Streaming pitchers is an inexact science. All one can do is trust the process and hope things work out in a positive manner, accepting some hiccups along the way. Tyler Wells (9% rostered) looked to be in a great spot in his most recent outing, facing a weak Detroit Tigers lineup, but he surrendered three runs in four frames. On Friday, Wells draws a vulnerable Tampa Bay Rays squad in Baltimore. The visitors have a below-average wOBA facing right-handers while whiffing at the fifth-highest clip in those games. Wells has been very comfortable pitching in the renovated Camden Yards, rendering just two earned runs across 15 stanzas.
- After limiting the Oakland Athletics to one hit over six scoreless innings in his major league debut, Chase Silseth (4%) earned another start, this time facing those same Athletics. The first encounter was on the road, but this time it will be in Angels Stadium, where the Angels have won 12 out of 19 games. Before he was called up, Silseth was dominant at Double-A Rocket City, striking out 37 over just 26 frames. Meanwhile, Oakland has the 10th-highest strikeout rate facing right-handers.
- The New York Mets play half their games in one of the most pitcher-friendly venues in the league, so they'll welcome a weekend visit to Coors Field. Many of their better batters are obviously unavailable in most ESPN leagues, but it's worth checking out Brandon Nimmo (70%), Eduardo Escobar(68%) and Mark Canha (62%) in shallower formats. Dominic Smith (2%) and J.D. Davis (1%) are two chief targets, with Smith likely to start Friday against right-hander German Marquez and Davis probably getting the nod on Saturday with southpaw Austin Gomber on the hill.
While many will be looking to Coors Field for their streaming hitters and DFS points, the Tigers are an under-the-radar option as they face Aaron Civale, who has surrendered six earned runs in three of his past four outings. DFS prices will allow everyone in a stack. Jeimer Candelario (50%), Jonathan Schoop (45%), Robbie Grossman (42%) and Willi Castro (2%) are the best batters to target for a boost in daily leagues. Other standalone hitters in favorable spots include Alek Thomas (21%) and Chas McCormick(2%).
Fantasy baseball daily notes: for Friday
- Thread starter biggins
- Start date
layers need to be vaccinated in order to enter Canada, so the news likely means Drury is unvaccinated and cannot enter the country. He should be available again when the Reds return home Monday to face the Cubs. Matt Reynolds and Alejo Lopez could see more playing time during his absence this weekend.
