If we titled each edition of the Daily Notes, Friday's would be "Subject to Change." It's rather unsettling writing 15 player blurbs in between checking Twitter to make sure the players are still on the same team. That said, if anything manifests, we'll make the necessary adjustments in the traditional morning update and throughout the day if needed.
As it currently stands, there are some intriguing arms to stream, though they have relatively high rostership level so it's best to act quickly. With respect to hitters, deadline deals will affect availability, but the best approach is clicking in the best options and pivoting later if something transpires.
Good luck as we head into the weekend. Here is the standard array of players designed to maximize your lineup's potential.
Pitching
Tarik Skubal (L), 36%, Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles: By season's end, Skubal may be listed as a streamer more than any other hurler. On one hand, this reflects solid numbers, but on the other it suggests he wasn't consistent enough to be rostered by more than half of all ESPN leagues. The left-hander's main issue has been homers, with 22 surrendered in 99 2/3 innings. However, Baltimore will tote the second lowest home run rate versus southpaws into Motown.
Tony Gonsolin (R), 49%, Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks: Gonsolin will no doubt surpass the 50% cutoff by gametime on Friday, but as of this writing he's a tick below the threshold. After tossing 5 1/3 frames last time out, the righty should be able to work without any pitch count limitation. Even though the Diamondbacks offense has picked up its production lately, this is still one of the least venomous lineups in the league.
Kolby Allard (L), 4%, Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners: Allard is still very much a work in progress. He's struggled lately, but he faced three tough offenses in the Athletics, Blue Jays and Astros. On Friday, Allard draws a middle-of-the-pack Mariners lineup with a slightly above-average strikeout clip when a left-hander is on the hill.
Patrick Sandoval (L), 44%, Los Angeles Angels vs. Oakland Athletics: In a time where starting pitchers are throwing fewer innings than ever, Sandoval is keeping it old school with three straight outings of at least seven stanzas. Last time out, he fell one out short of a complete game. Oakland has a potent attack, but Sandoval has been pitching extremely well, fanning 64 over his last 50 1/3 frames.
Bullpen: In what is likely the first in many bullpen shuffles, Paul Sewald may be the leading candidate to lock down the ninth inning for Seattle. Available in 79% of ESPN leagues, the right-hander has posted a tidy 2.30 ERA and an 0.99 WHIP, punching out 54 in 31 1/3 innings while collecting four saves (through Wednesday's action).
For the latest team-by-team closer situations, please consult our Closer Chart.
Hitting
Catcher -- Cal Raleigh (S), 2%, Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers (LHP Kolby Allard): Consider this "Seattle Catcher" as Luis Torrens may do the squatting with a lefty on the hill. Either way, the Mariners backstop will enjoy the platoon advantage and both Raleigh and Torrens have been productive since the break.
First Base -- Gavin Sheets (L), 4%, Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland (RHP J.C. Mejia): Sheets has batted only .231 since the break, but he's slugged three homers and is in a good spot for a productive game facing Mejia. The Indians right-hander displayed some promise as a reliever, but has struggled mightily as a starter, especially lately, registering an 11.12 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP in four July starts.
Second Base -- Willi Castro (S), 9%, Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles (RHP Matt Harvey): Castro is as much a conduit to getting exposure to Harvey as it is based on his own merit. That said, Castro is slashing .296/.286/.593 since the break, helping the Tigers lead the league in runs per game in July.
Third Base -- Yandy Diaz (R), 13%, Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox (LHP Martin Perez): With Chris Sale set for one more rehab start before making his long-awaited 2021 debut and Boston in the market for another starting pitcher, Perez could be pitching for his rotation spot. Diaz won't care, all that matters to him is enjoying the platoon edge and has been hitting more fly balls lately, tapping into his latent power.
Shortstop -- Andres Gimenez (L), 15%, Cleveland at Chicago White Sox (RHP Lance Lynn): As of now, this is just a hunch as Gimenez has been crushing it for Triple-A Columbus and is the logical replacement after Cleveland sent Cesar Hernandez to the White Sox. Over the past week, Gimenez has slashed .360/.484/.520 with two stolen bases for the Blue Jackets.
Corner Infield -- Bobby Dalbec (R), 8%, Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays (LHP Josh Fleming): Dalbec is definitely subject to change as the Red Sox are rumored to be in the market for a first baseman. That said, with Rafael Devers a possibility to miss Friday's contest with tightness in his left quadricep, Dalbec could fill in at the hot corner. The 26-year-old sophomore continues to be in a rut, though he's displayed good power against lefties all season.
Middle Infield -- Kolten Wong (L), 47%, Milwaukee Brewers at Atlanta Braves (RHP Touki Toussaint): We're so close. I promise I'll stop mentioning Wong if he eclipses 50% rostership. But if he remains below, and continues to produce, Wong will be featured. After all, since the break, he's hit safely in each game he's started, slashing .316 /.386/.395 with a steal in that span.
Outfield -- Brent Rooker (R), 2%, Minnesota Twins at St. Louis Cardinals (LHP Wade LeBlanc): Riding streaks is risky, but Friday's matchup is enticing so chasing Rooker's three homers over the past week is worth it. LeBlanc has served up six long balls in only 35 1/3 frames and Rooker will have the platoon edge.
Outfield -- Myles Straw (R), 24%, Houston Astros at San Francisco Giants (RHP Kevin Gausman): Getting on base will be a challenge, but if he does, Straw will likely be on the move. The Giants are easier to run on than past seasons and Straw has been perfect in four stolen base attempts since the break.
Outfield -- Connor Joe (R), 1%, Colorado Rockies at San Diego Padres (LHP Ryan Weathers): Call this the deep league special as Joe has been playing against lefties. He's obviously better at home, but as a means to throw a bone to those playing in deeper formats, Joe is worth having on your radar with a lefty on the bump.