It's another nearly full Friday with the Red Sox and Phillies victims of the quirky 2019 schedule. There's only one matinee among the 14 games on the docket with the Cubs entertaining the Pirates at 4:05 p.m. ET.
The pitching highlights are in the Senior Circuit with Max Scherzer looking to add to his Cy Young r!sumé, opposed by Mike Soroka in his quest to be the National League's top rookie. The other marquee matchup features Clayton Kershaw taking the mound in Citi Field against Noah Syndergaard.
With respect to fantasy, the streaming ledger isn't great, but there are options. As has been the case all season, a plethora of bats are there to do your bidding. Here are some recommendations, all available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues.
Pitching
Yusei Kikuchi (L), rostered in 48% of ESPN leagues, Seattle Mariners vs. Chicago White Sox: Kikuchi's freshman campaign has been a roller coaster with no rhyme or reason. He'll stifle a potent offense, then get lit up by a second-division lineup. On paper, this is a favorable matchup as the White Sox tote a below-average wOBA (weighted on base average) and generous 25% strikeout rate on the road versus lefties into Safeco Field.
Chris Bassitt (R), 40%, Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers: It's been a stellar second half for Bassitt as his 2.78 ERA and 1.15 WHIP since the break have the Athletics in the thick of the chase for a wild-card berth. An away affair in Arlington will be a good test, but Bassitt's recent performance warrants a streaming spot.
Sandy Alcantara (R), 16%, Miami Marlins at San Francisco Giants: Alcantara is finishing his rookie season with a flourish, registering a 2.48 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over his past four starts, fanning 30 with just nine walks over those 30 frames. On Friday, the 24-year-old righty draws the league's third weakest offense with a right-hander on the hill.
Mike Leake (R), 15%, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Cincinnati Reds: Leake won't rack up many strikeouts (only seven in his past four starts spanning 25 innings) but he generally pitches deep into games (20 starts with at least six innings) and should be favored at home. The axiom is never try for a win, but if you're in a head-to-head league and behind in the category, Leake is in play.
Bullpen: Just as it seemed Matt Magill would finish the season as the Seattle Mariners' closer, Anthony Bass has notched the past two saves. It's also worth noting the Texas Rangers have swung back to Jose Leclerc, who has logged three saves the past week.
Hitting
Catcher -- Martin Maldonado (R), 1%, Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals (LHP Danny Duffy): Overall, Maldonado is a below-average batter, though he hits southpaws a little better than righties. That said, he provides a means to get a piece of one of the most potent lineups in the league, facing the lowest-ranked hurler in today's Pitching Forecaster.
First Base -- Garrett Cooper (R), 9%, Miami Marlins at San Francisco Giants (RHP Tyler Beede): Jon Berti has deservedly received a lot of attention as he continues to produce, especially in the steals department. However, Cooper has also been getting it done with three homers this month. He may lack the platoon edge, but with an .858 OPS in that scenario, he's comfortable facing same-side pitching.
Second Base -- Kevin Newman (R), 36%, Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs (LHP Jon Lester): Speaking of stealth steals, Newman has five bags the past three weeks. Lester isn't as poor as perceived controlling the running game, though his 10 steals allowed is tied for 19th most among qualified pitchers.
Third Base -- Luis Arraez (L), 19%, Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians (RHP Aaron Civale): Arraez may not be helping the Twins add to their historic home run pace, but he is getting on base and scoring runs, slashing .371/.416/.505 with a righty on the bump.
Shortstop -- Danny Mendick (R), under 1%, Chicago White Sox at Seattle Mariners (LHP Yusei Kikuchi): Mendick isn't an elite prospect though a .279/.368/.444 for Triple-A Charlotte earned the 25-year-old infielder a late-season look. He also has a little speed, swiping 19, albeit in 20 chances. Mendick likely won't play every day but he should be in the lineup with a lefty toeing the rubber.
Corner Infield -- Mark Canha (R), 40%, Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers (LHP Brock Burke): Canha's defensive versatility has kept his productive bat in the lineup even after the return of Ramon Laureano. Laureano is also in play as both he and Canha enjoy the platoon edge on Burke, whose 12 strikeouts in 23 innings portend a correction to an artificially low 3.52 ERA.
Middle Infield -- Jason Kipnis (L), 12%, Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins (RHP Jake Odorizzi): There are definitely sexier options out there but Kipnis has popped 14 of his 17 homers facing righties. Meanwhile, Odorizzi is allowing a .330 wOBA to lefty swingers.
Outfield -- Willie Calhoun (L), 30%, Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics (RHP Chris Bassitt): Bassitt has been frugal with the long ball, but even so, the way Calhoun is swinging the bat, the 24-year-old sluggers warrants attention. Calhoun blasted nine long balls in August. He entered Thursday's action riding a modest five-game hitting streak, batting .333/.360/.667 over his prior 25 plate appearances.
Outfield -- Trent Grisham (L), 2%, Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals (RHP Adam Wainwright): Grisham was already playing a lot, but with Christian Yelich done for the season, his production is even more needed by a Brewers club trying to garner a wild-card spot. He's been up to the task, slashing 257/.316/.467 overall with a five-hit game and a homer since Yelich has been sidelined.
Outfield -- DJ Stewart (L), under 1%, Baltimore Orioles at Detroit Tigers (RHP Jordan Zimmermann): It's tough identifying a Baltimore batter as the Orioles are mixing and matching their entire roster down the stretch. One thing for certain is you want some exposure to Zimmermann, one of the weaker arms in the league. Stewart gets the nod since he has the platoon edge on Zimmermann, but to be honest, it's not essential as Zimmermann is vulnerable to both sides of the plate.