This is one of the rare Friday slates when every team isn't in action, as the Angels and Astros are traveling south of the border in advance of their two-game weekend set in Monterrey, Mexico. Stateside, the docket features Clayton Kershaw looking to build on his early success, while fellow southpaw Chris Sale seeks his first win after starting the 2019 campaign 0-5.
On the offensive side of things, another highly regarded prospect will make his debut. Weather is still a factor, so be sure to check lineups as they're posted.
Good luck this weekend -- here are some suggestions to get things off on the right foot.
Pitching
Pitchers to stream
Sonny Gray (R), rostered in 29 percent of ESPN leagues, Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants: Don't look now but Gray is good again. The narrative is he couldn't handle the New York pressure. Regardless if this is the case, the veteran righty is carrying career-best strikeout and walk rates into May, while allowing just one homer in 29 2/3 innings. On paper, the Giants pose minimal threat to the rejuvenated Gray.
Jerad Eickhoff (R), 15 percent, Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals: Eickhoff's return to MLB action has gone swimmingly, save for blip in Coors Field, but that will happen. He catches a break, drawing the Nationals while Anthony Rendon is sidelined. In 17 innings, Eickhoff has fanned 20 with just five free passes.
Brandon Woodruff (R), 15 percent, Milwaukee Brewers vs. New York Mets: Revenge game! In his last time out, Woodruff pitched his best game of the season, limiting the Mets to one run in five frames, fanning six with just one walk along the way. Woodruff's 5.17 ERA is misleading as his ERA estimators suggest he's pitched better, specifically his 3.65 FIP and 3.68 SIERA. The right-hander's 27 percent strikeout rate lines up well with a Mets lineup fanning at an above-average clip.
Jorge Lopez (R), 2 percent, Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers: Lopez makes the cut despite allowing four earned runs in each of his past three starts. He's in play due to facing the Tigers, one of the least productive and easiest lineups to punch out in the league.
Bullpen
Save opportunities correlate best to team wins and team ERA. The Marlins obviously don't check the first box, but collectively, their starters are pitching better than expected, helping Sergio Romo to post four saves since April 19. Nick Anderson doesn't pose a threat to Romo's ninth-inning duties, but he deserves a shout-out, fanning an eye-popping 27 in 13 frames with one walk.
Hitting
Catcher
Roberto Perez (R), under 1 percent, Cleveland Indians vs. Seattle Mariners (LHP Yusei Kikuchi): Kikuchi's introduction into MLB has been uneventful, as he settled in around league average through April. He's coming off his first one-inning start, something Seattle plans to do so Kikuchi's innings are kept in check. The lefty isn't dominant, fanning just 25 in 33 2/3 innings. This bodes well for Perez, who struggles with contact but has pop when he does connect.
First base
C.J. Cron (R), 39 percent, Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees (LHP James Paxton): Paxton is in a groove, doing a good job keeping the ball in the yard when baseballs are clearing the fence at a record pace. However, as a fly ball pitcher, Paxton is in danger of seeing his homers allowed rise, especially at home. Since 2017, Cron's slugging against lefties is .537, compared to .442 versus right-handers.
Second base
Wilmer Flores (R), 12 percent, Arizona Diamondbacks at Colorado Rockies (LHP Tyler Anderson): Anderson was glad to see the calendar flip to May because his April was horrid, posting an 11.34 ERA and 2.16 WHIP, fueled by six homers in 16 2/3 frames. Flores has a history of hitting southpaws well, so he's one of the better plays, facing a weak lefty in Coors Field.
Third base
David Freese (R), 1 percent, Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres (LHP Eric Lauer): Freese missed Wednesday's contest after fouling a ball off his ankle. However, the injury isn't considered serious with the expectation he returns after Thursday's off day. Like Flores, Freese is in play whenever enjoying the platoon edge.
Shortstop
Ronny Rodriguez (R), under 1 percent, Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals (RHP Jorge Lopez): Rodriguez has taken advantage of consistent playing time since April 23, registering a 1.048 OPS, featuring two homers and a steal. At least so far, Lopez is displaying the same inconsistency plaguing his poor 2018 campaign.
Corner infield
Nathaniel Lowe (L), 7 percent, Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles (RHP Dan Straily): While Lowe isn't the prospect referenced in the introduction, he's still intriguing. The 23-year-old first baseman was called up after slashing 300/.438/.543 for Triple-A Durham. He procured a hit in each of his first three games, including a double. With seven homers allowed in 18 2/3 innings, Straily is a prime candidate to surrender Lowe's first long ball.
Middle infield
Nick Senzel (R), 43 percent, Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants (RHP Tyler Beede): Finally, Senzel's long-awaited arrival is on deck. An infielder by trade, Senzel will be chasing flies in Cincinnati. His bat has been major league-ready for a while. He offers the fantasy enthusiast the much-sought-after power/speed combination that should thrive in the Great American Ballpark.
Outfield
Gregory Polanco (L), 26 percent, Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Oakland Athletics (LHP Brett Anderson): Even though he's still receiving rest days after coming back from surgery, it's surprising Polanco is so widely available. When healthy, he's a top-75 player. Grab him before he finds his groove.
Danny Santana (S), 21 percent, Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays (RHP Trent Thornton): Santana is playing well over his skis, and streaks aren't predictive. That said, the journeyman is getting regular playing time and taking full advantage. After some early success, Thornton has been sluggish lately.
Nick Williams (L), 1 percent, Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals (RHP Jeremy Hellickson): After spending much of April on the bench, Williams has been playing against right-handers as of late. He hasn't done much yet, but facing Hellickson has put a lot of batters on the right track.