Fantasy baseball daily notes: Pitcher and hitter rankings for Friday
Here are Friday’s selections to fill any weaknesses, all available in more than half of all ESPN leagues.
Yusei Kikuchi (L), rostered in 43% of ESPN leagues, Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros: This matchup is favorable regardless, but it’s even better if several Astros regulars are unable to clear COVID-19 protocol in time for the game. Houston’s offense is off to a good start and they don’t fan much, but Kikuchi as opened the 2021 campaign with a pair of quality starts, punching out 16 in 12 frames.
Drew Smyly (L), 21%, Atlanta Braves at Chicago Cubs: The Cubs hold the dubious distinction of being last in runs per game while leading the pack in strikeouts through Wednesday’s games. Smyly will try to rebound from a subpar effort which followed a sparkling season debut. He’s allowed three long balls over 11 frames but has 11 strikeouts with just one free pass in that span.
Anthony DeSclafani (R), 16%, San Francisco Giants at Miami Marlins: Confidence can’t be measured but it appears DeSclafani is taking well to leaving The Great American Ballpark for vaster pastures. Friday’s tilt is a road affair, though LoanDepot Park is also a great place to pitch. The Marlins are in the lower third of the league early on with a righty on the hill.
Mike Foltynewicz (R), 3%, Texas Rangers vs. Baltimore Orioles: The long-term prognosis of those having surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome remains bleak, but there are several examples of pitchers with short term success. After a dismal 2020, it appeared Foltynewicz time as a major league pitcher may be coming to an end. However, the righty who had the procedure in 2015 defied the odds and is throwing a respectable 94 mph, down a couple of ticks from his salad days. Friday presents a juicy home date with an Orioles lineup fanning at the fifth highest clip against righthanders.
Bullpen: With more leagues incorporating holds in their scoring, let’s check in on the league leaders through Wednesday’s games. Topping the league is the Tyler Rogers (Giants) with six, followed by Blake Treinen (Dodgers) with four. Several are tied with three including Hansel Robles (Twins), Cody Reed (Rays), Darwinzon Hernandez (Red Sox), Victor Gonzalez (Dodgers), Pete Fairbanks Rays) and Stefan Crichton (Diamondbacks).
For the latest team-by-team closer situations, please consult our Closer Chart.
Note: W-L, ERA and WHIP are 2021 statistics
Catcher — Alejandro Kirk (R), 4%, Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals (LHP Mike Minor): Neither Kirk nor fellow backstop Danny Jansen is off to a good start though Kirk’s pedigree suggests it’s only a matter of time before he gets going. Minor has been slow out of the gate, walking five over his initial 10 innings.
First Base — Hunter Dozier (R), 33%, Kansas City Royals vs. Toronto Blue Jays (LHP Steven Matz): Dozier is another batter yet to fins his stride, though he’s been bothered by a bruised thumb incurred in the season opener. Matz is off to a good start, but it takes more than 12 1/3 innings to overlook a 4.83 ERA and 1.36 WHIP since 2017.
Second Base — Jonathan India (R), 48%, Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians (LHP Logan Allen): While India’s .812 OPS to begin his career is impressive, even more so is the leather he’s flashed around the keystone as he has the reputation of being a below average defender. Speaking of which, India now qualifies at second base in most leagues, supplementing the third base eligibility with which he opened the season.
Third Base — Jeimer Candelario (S), 38%, Detroit Tigers at Oakland Athletics (RHP Frankie Montas): Thus far, Candelario is doing his best to show last season’s breakthrough was more than a two-month blip as he’s picked up where he left off, slashing a tidy .326/.415/.478 over the first dozen games.
Shortstop — Elvis Andrus (R), 19%, Oakland Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers (RHP Jose Urena): It took more time to find a suitable shortstop than the other position combined, and yet Andrus is still the top option. Mostly, it’s due to a veteran matched up against one of the lesser arms on the card, with a little nod to the chance of bagging a steal.
Corner Infield — Travis Shaw (L), 20%, Milwaukee Brewers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (RHP JT Brubaker): Over the long haul, chasing stats in the book is a dangerous ploy as streaks can turn on a moment’s notice. However, it’s clear Shaw is comfortable and confident to open the season, and he does enjoy the platoon advantage in a great hitting venue.
Middle Infield — Jazz Chisholm (L), 19%, Miami Marlins vs. San Francisco Giants (RHP Anthony DeSclafani): Chisholm is drawing attention for the carefree, or perhaps cocky manner he plays. Some of that emanates from the developing power he possesses, and DeSclafani has always been vulnerable to lefty swingers.
Outfield — David Dahl (L), 10%, Texas Rangers vs. Baltimore Orioles (RHP Jorge Lopez): Dahl will no doubt miss Coors Field, but don’t overlook the fact he’s a talented player whose career has been curtailed with injuries. He’s healthy now with a good chance to do damage facing one of the poorest righthanders in the majors.
Outfield — Josh Naylor (L), 2%, Cleveland Indians at Cincinnati Reds (RHP Jeff Hoffman): With the Indians on the road against their cross-state rivals, Naylor may not play though Jake Bauers is the likelier candidate to be benched without a designated hitter. Naylor’s power has yet to manifest, not just this season but in general. However, he’s hitting more fly balls which should eventually translate to homers.
Outfield — Ender Inciarte (L), 1%, Atlanta Braves at Chicago Cubs (RHP Zach Davies): Inciarte is in line for more playing with Cristian Pache shelved with a sore groin. Davies has allowed 15 base runners in just 7 1/3 stanzas and the Cubs are one of the better clubs to target when chasing a steal or two.
Hitter ratings account for the opposing starting pitcher’s past history (three years’ worth as well as past 21 days) as well as ballpark factors. “LH” and “RH” ratings account only for left- and right-handed batters, respectively. Weighted on-base average (wOBA) is the primary statistic used in the calculation. Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst. So, for example, a 10 is a must-start rating, while a 1 should be avoided (if possible); a 1-2 is poor, 3-4 is fair, 5-6 is average, 7-8 is very good and 9-10 is excellent.