Fantasy baseball pitcher rankings, lineup advice for Friday’s MLB games

Check out our daily fantasy baseball starter pitcher rankings, hitter upgrades and downgrades to help you make smart fantasy baseball lineup decisions, and MLB betting tips every day. MLB game odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook, and Fantasy Advice is geared towards ESPN 10-team, standard-scoring leagues.

Note: This file will be updated with any nightly pitching changes or game postponements due to weather, along with the addition of the latest MLB game odds as of the posted time of publication.

What you need to know for Friday’s MLB games

By Todd Zola

• Friday presents the usual 15 games, with all being evening events. It’s a frustrating slate for streaming pitchers, but there are a few to consider. Spencer Strider (15% representation in ESPN leagues) should be stretched out to work at least five frames when the Atlanta Braves host the Pittsburgh Pirates. The visitors drag the fifth-lowest wOBA and strikeout rate against right-handers into the affair.

• For the season, the Seattle Mariners were a below-average offense with a left-hander on the mound, although they did manage to get four runs in two innings against Rich Hill at Fenway Park last month. The rematch is at T-Mobile Stadium, but that’s a park upgrade for Hill (5% of players). Look for Hill to exact revenge on the rising Red Sox, whose right-heavy lineup should be able to score against southpaw Marco Gonzales.

• Tylor Megill (61%) returns after missing a month due to tendonitis in his right bicep. Starting a pitcher after a long layoff is always a risk, but Megill draws a struggling Los Angeles Angels lineup that could still do without Mike Trout. The Angels are the league’s fourth most fanatic against right-handers, so Megill should be deployed immediately and picked up if available.

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Met right-hander Tylor Megill is scheduled to be taken off the injury list to take on the struggling Angels on Friday night, and fantasy executives should be intrigued not just by this outing but the rest of his season. Video by Eric Karabell

• There are three under-the-radar offenses that involve weak pitching to target for streaming or DFS purposes, beginning with the Tampa Bay Rays at home against Minnesota Twins left Devin Smeltzer. Manuel Margot (43%), Yandy Diaz (33%), Harold Ramirez (1%) and Isaac Paredes (1%) all enjoy the draw advantage. Paul Blackburn has struggled in his last two starters, albeit against the Astros and Red Sox. Still, the Cleveland Guardians were surprisingly productive, making Steven Kwan (41%), Amed Rosario (39%), Josh Naylor (38%), Andres Gimenez (33%) and Oscar Gonzalez (2%) solid options. Finally, a trio of right-handed Kansas City Royals are in a favorable position with Baltimore Orioles left-hander Bruce Zimmermann on the mound. Don’t hesitate to trust Hunter Dozier (24%), Michael A. Taylor (1%) or Emmanuel Rivera (1%).

• There are also a few stand alone hitters to pick from. Josh Rojas (36%) qualifies in four positions so he can easily be fit for his matchup against Kyle Gibson. Teammate Alek Thomas (12%) is also getting hot. Nick Senzel (2%) doesn’t have the drawing advantage over the St. Louis Cardinals’ Andre Pallante, but the Reds outfielder is showing signs of a breakout and could be more than just a pick-up for a game. Kole Calhoun (17%) has cooled off from his recent heating, but he’s still in fine form against Chicago White Sox right-hander Davis Martin.

Beginning pitcher rankings for Friday