Mike Sheets
Jun 27, 2024, 02:50 PM ET
Look for our fantasy baseball starting pitcher rankings, hitter upgrades and downgrades daily to help you make smart fantasy baseball lineup decisions and for MLB betting tips. MLB game odds are provided by ESPN BET, and fantasy advice is geared toward ESPN 10-team leagues with standard scoring.
Note: This file will be updated with any overnight pitching changes or weather-related game postponements, along with the addition of the latest MLB game odds as of the indicated time of publication.
Phillies' Sanchez is a must-add
The Philadelphia Phillies entered Thursday's action with the second-best record in the National League and, while their offense has certainly played a big part, putting up a 113 wRC+ that ranks fourth-best in baseball, it's their pitching that's been the real standout. Philadelphia's rotation sports an MLB-best 2.96 ERA, with a collective 10.2 fWAR that's significantly higher than the next-best team (the Detroit Tigers at 8.6).
With Zack Wheeler as the clear-cut ace, Aaron Nola being the team's longest-tenured starter and Ranger Suarez emerging as the top starter in fantasy so far this season, it's little surprise that Cristopher Sanchez has more or less flown under the fantasy radar. Despite owning a 2.67 ERA that's second-best in the NL (behind only Suarez at 2.01), Sanchez is currently rostered in only 33% of ESPN leagues.
Sanchez certainly has his limitations as a fantasy asset, as he doesn't miss a ton of bats (7.5 K/9), but he has solid control (2.5 BB/9), keeps the ball on the ground (60% GB), and has held batters to a 5.1% Barrel rate, which ranks sixth-best in baseball. The left-hander has also been "lights out" of late, spinning a 1.91 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP across his last seven starts.
Best of all, Sanchez is set to take the mound on Friday versus the Miami Marlins, who have been the worst in baseball versus left-handed pitching this season, ranking dead last with a 68 wRC+. Sanchez is a no-brainer streaming option in this matchup.
Everything else you need to know for Friday
Max Scherzer is still in line to start Friday against the Baltimore Orioles despite experiencing some right thumb soreness following his season debut on Sunday. The veteran righty reportedly threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday and, although he was still dealing with some lingering soreness, the Texas Rangers plan to keep him on schedule. Against a dangerous Orioles lineup that leads the league in both home runs and runs scored, it's not a bad idea to leave Scherzer on your bench for this one and wait to ensure he's truly healthy.
Even with a slight hiccup at Coors Field last week, Mitchell Parker of the Washington Nationals (13% rostered in ESPN leagues) holds a 3.30 ERA over his first 13 MLB starts. That Coors start aside, the 24-year-old lefty has held opponents to three-or-fewer earned runs in each of his other 12 outings. Parker should stay the course on Friday against a middle-of-the-road Tampa Bay Rays offense, putting him firmly on the streaming radar.
Jameson Taillon (13%) of the Chicago Cubs fits the profile of the type of hurler that's often overlooked in fantasy. Despite holding a 2.90 ERA through 12 starts with strong control (2.1 BB/9), he just doesn't miss enough bats (7.0 K/9) to generate a ton of interest. Those type of pitchers do make for solid streaming options, though. Consider streaming Taillon on Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers, who sport a below-average 93 wRC+ in June.
If you're looking for offense, take a look at some Los Angeles Angels bats against Kenta Maeda of the Detroit Tigers. The right-hander has had a rough go of it this season. His season-long ERA sits at 6.00, with a 7.11 mark over his past six starts. He has also surrendered a bloated .390 wOBA to right-handed batters. Luis Rengifo (67%), Taylor Ward (60%), Logan O'Hoppe (50%), Zach Neto (7%), and Nolan Schanuel (2%) are all in the streaming conversation against Maeda.
It's never too late to start a free fantasy baseball league. Leagues drafted this week will start scoring fresh the following Monday. Come and join the fun!
Starting pitcher rankings for Friday
Reliever report
To get the latest information on each team's bullpen hierarchy, as well as which pitchers might be facing a bit of fatigue and who might be the most likely suspects to vulture a save or pick up a surprise hold in their stead, check out the latest Closer Chart, which will be updated every morning.
Hitting report
Plan ahead in fantasy baseball with help from our Forecaster projections. Each day, we will provide an updated preview of the next 10 days for every team, projecting the matchup quality for hitters (overall and by handedness) as well as for base stealers.
Best Sub-50% rostered hitters for Friday
Best and worst hitters from the day are generated by THE BAT X, a projection system created by Derek Carty using advanced methods like those used in MLB front offices, accounting for a variety of factors including player talent, ballparks, bullpens, weather, umpires, defense, catcher pitch-framing, and lots more.
Matt Vierling (DET, RF -- 11%) at Zach Plesac
Andrew Benintendi (CHW, LF -- 10%) vs. Dakota Hudson
Tyler Freeman (CLE, 3B -- 12%) at Alec Marsh
Andrew Vaughn (CHW, 1B -- 14%) vs. Hudson
Tommy Pham (CHW, LF -- 4%) vs. Hudson
Ryan O'Hearn (BAL, 1B -- 34%) vs. Jon Gray
Randal Grichuk (ARI, LF -- 0%) vs. JP Sears
Mark Canha (DET, LF -- 13%) at Plesac
Colt Keith (DET, 3B -- 5%) at Plesac
Hunter Renfroe (KC, RF -- 2%) vs. Triston McKenzie
Worst Over-50% rostered hitters for Friday
Ryan Jeffers (MIN, C -- 53%) at Logan Gilbert
Elly De La Cruz (CIN, SS -- 99%) at Sonny Gray
Teoscar Hernandez (LAD, RF -- 93%) at Logan Webb
Cal Raleigh (SEA, C -- 71%) vs. Bailey Ober
Christopher Morel (CHC, CF -- 62%) at Jakob Junis
Carlos Correa (MIN, SS -- 68%) at Gilbert
Jordan Westburg (BAL, 2B -- 87%) vs. Gray
Dansby Swanson (CHC, SS -- 57%) at Junis
Anthony Volpe (NYY, SS -- 86%) at Yusei Kikuchi
Lane Thomas (WSH, RF -- 60%) at Zach Eflin
