Raise your hand if you thought Caleb Smith would be the second-ranked pitcher on the docket in late May, bumped from the top spot after Chris Sale's Thursday start was rained out? Yeah, me neither, but he's earned it. Granted, it helps that the slate is devoid of conventional fantasy aces. Still, Smith's early-season success is one of the noteworthy stories of the first two months of the 2019 campaign.
Another is how well the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays have played as the American League playoff contenders square off in St. Petersburg. In fact, that series overshadows the weekend series set in the Bronx with the Boston Red Sox visiting their longtime rival New York Yankees.
In terms of fantasy, there are several solid pitchers available for shallower leagues. Deeper leagues have to incur some risk, but there are options. Hitting is strong across the board, as there are several weak arms on the board. Good luck this weekend.
Here are Friday's recommendations to start strong, all available in at least half of ESPN leagues.
Pitching
Joey Lucchesi (L), rostered in 49 percent of ESPN leagues, San Diego Padres vs. Miami Marlins: Lucchesi has a curious repertoire for a strikeout pitcher, using mainly a hard, 91 mph sinker and a 79 mph changeup and mixing in a four-seam fastball with the same velocity as his sinker. Instead of missing bats via heat, Lucchesi relies on deception, both from his quirky motion and big, 12 mph delta off his change. When on, this can be effective, but it does leave the southpaw vulnerable. This is less of a concern on Friday, as Lucchesi draws a Marlins offense sitting last in the league in terms of production facing left-handers.
Tyler Skaggs (L), 45 percent, Los Angeles Angels at Seattle Mariners: Skaggs is coming off consecutive outings of 5 2/3 frames with seven whiffs, two free passes and no homers in both. In the first, he allowed six hits, resulting in four runs (three earned). In the second, he scattered just three safeties in a scoreless effort. If he keeps up the underlying metrics, Skaggs' 4.40 ERA and 1.34 WHIP should continue to creep downward. The Mariners will be a challenge as they're above average in wOBA (weighted on base average) versus lefties but offer a generous 26 percent strikeout rate in that scenario.
Brad Peacock (R), 44 percent, Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics: If it weren't for a seven-run shellacking at the bats of the Minnesota Twins on May 2, with a good outing Peacock could be in line for pitcher-of-the-month honors. In his four subsequent efforts, Peacock feathered 23 frames of one-run ball, fanning 32 with just six strutting to first via a base on balls.
Tyler Mahle (R), 8 percent, Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals: Mahle has whiffed an impressive 59 in 56 1/3 stanzas, walking just a dozen. However, he has administered 10 homers, explaining a 3.45 xFIP compared to his actual 4.15 ERA. On paper, the Nationals are a favorable matchup, as they're 23rd in home run rate against right-handers. However, they've hit better lately.
Andrew Cashner (R), 5 percent, Baltimore Orioles vs. San Francisco Giants: No, I haven't lost my marbles. Not only do the Giants tote the third-weakest lineup against righties into Camden Yards, but Cashner hasn't been the dumpster fire he was last season. Granted, he has surrendered 10 long balls in 59 1/3 innings. However, he's also fanned a reasonable 48 in that span.
Jon Duplantier (R), 1 percent, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Mets: With Luke Weaver on the IL, the Diamondbacks have recalled Duplantier, one of the organization's top prospects -- and one of best in the game. If he fares well on Friday, the 24-year old right-hander may stay in the rotation, at least through Weaver's return. Duplantier has appeared in five games this season as a reliever, tossing 12 frames with 12 strikeouts. He draws a good matchup for his first start, facing a below-average Mets offense against RHP.
Bullpen
The Tampa Bay Rays will as Jalen Beeks to keep then in Friday's game, as the lefty is in line to handle bulk reliever duties against the Twins. In some instances, Beeks is in play, but not Friday with Minnesota's dangerous bats on the docket.
Something to keep in mind is we're nearing the time when teams can sign Craig Kimbrel without losing a draft pick, as the MLB draft commences Monday, June 3. Kimbrel is rostered in 64 percent of ESPN leagues, a number that will swell quickly as rumored destinations leak over weekend.
Hitting
Catcher -- Elias Diaz (R), under 1 percent, Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers (RHP Jhoulys Chacin): Although it's unfortunate Francisco Cervelli is experiencing yet another concussion, Diaz has stepped up, batting .299 in May, chipping in with eight runs and seven RBIs. It might not seem impressive, but in today's catcher landscape, Diaz is fantasy-worthy.
First Base -- Ryan McMahon (L), 6 percent, Colorado Rockies vs. Toronto Blue Jays (RHP Edwin Jackson): The Rockies have yet to settle on a predictable rotation with McMahon and Brendan Rodgers, though McMahon has seen the bulk of the recent action versus right-handed pitching. The bottom line is you want as many Colorado sticks as possible against Jackson, be it McMahon Rodgers or Raimel Tapia, who has been hitting leadoff with Charlie Blackmon sidelined.
Second Base -- Kolten Wong (L), 48 percent, St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs (RHP Yu Darvish): Speaking of leadoff, Wong was atop the Cardinals lineup on Thursday. The reason was a rest day for Dexter Fowler, but since Fowler's early success has flipped the script, St. Louis skipper Mike Shildt might keep Wong in the top spot. That said, Wong is also in a rut, including another poor effort on Thursday. Regardless where he's situated Friday, Wong is in play for those looking for the elusive stolen base, as he has the skills to take advantage of the Redbirds' "10" stolen base ranking on Friday's Hitting Forecaster.
Third Base -- Renato Nunez (R), 5 percent, Baltimore Orioles vs. San Francisco Giants (LHP Drew Pomeranz): Nunez has launched six homers since May 20, while Pomeranz has surrendered nine long balls in just 37 2/3 frames.
Shortstop -- Freddy Galvis (S), 13 percent, Toronto Blue Jays at Colorado Rockies (RHP German Marquez): Galvis is in a sneaky-good spot all weekend, as he's a fly ball hitter, always a good thing in Coors Field. At 41 percent, Galvis is above his career 39 percent fly ball rate.
Corner Infield -- Howie Kendrick (R), 11 percent, Washington Nationals at Cincinnati Reds (RHP Tyler Mahle): Even with Matt Adams back, Kendrick's scorching bat remains in the Nationals lineup, as he's riding a modest, four-game hitting streak over which he's slashing a silly .643/.624/1.214.
Middle Infield -- Jack Mayfield (R), under 1 percent, Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics (RHP Mike Fiers): With both Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa out, Mayfield was summoned to lend a hand up the middle. He has some pop as evidenced by slugging 10 homers and 14 doubles in 178 plate appearances for Triple-A Round Rock before getting the call.
Outfield -- Brian Goodwin (L), 9 percent, Los Angeles Angels at Seattle Mariners (RHP Mike Leake): This is the spot usually given to Kole Calhoun, who is still in play, however Goodwin has quietly filled in admirably for Justin Upton. Goodwin plays primarily against right-handers, against whom he has registered a tidy .814 OS.
Outfield -- Oscar Mercado (R), 9 percent, Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox (RHP Dylan Covey): Entering Thursday's action, Mercado had hit safely in nine of his past 10 games, albeit with just two steals. Look for the pilfers to proliferate over the weekend as the White Sox are one of the weakest clubs at controlling the running game.
Outfield -- Christin Stewart (L), 4 percent, Detroit Tigers at Atlanta Braves (RHP Mike Foltynewicz): Foltynewicz can be tough, but he's also susceptible to power from the left side. Stewart isn't the prototypical two-hole hitter, but when you're hunting for a home run, all that matters is the extra trip to the dish he'll likely enjoy.