George Bissell has been writing for Rotoworld since 2018. He previously wrote for Baseball Prospectus.
All you need to know for your lineup construction
It’s a fully loaded 15-game slate Friday with southpaw’s Justin Steele and Tarik Skubal headlining the most intriguing foundational building blocks from a pitching standpoint.
Additionally, there are several stacking opportunities in the NL West, including tasty matchups in both Arizona and Colorado, to consider constructing the core of lineups around.
There are zero trouble spots on the radar, a relief for fantasy managers who have dealt with several rainouts this week, including a costly one Thursday that washed out a hitter-friendly contest at Coors Field in Colorado.
Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles 1B (shoulder)
Mountcastle is day-to-day after an MRI came back clean following his removal from Wednesday’s game against the Cardinals with left shoulder discomfort.
Shohei Ohtani, Angels DH (oblique)
There’s zero incentive for the Angels to take any chances at this juncture of the season, which has led to Ohtani missing 10 consecutive games with right oblique tightness. It’s difficult to forecast whether he’ll return for Friday’s series opener against the Tigers.
Mickey Moniak, Angels OF (back)
Moniak has missed seven straight games after being scratched from last Thursday’s lineup due to back tightness. He’s theoretically day-to-day but is hardly a lock to return for Friday’s series opener against the Tigers.
Jarred Kelenic, Mariners OF (foot)
Kelenic sat out Wednesday’s game for precautionary reasons due to right foot soreness, but there’s a strong possibility he’ll be ready for Friday’s tilt against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
Mitch Garver, Rangers C (foot)
Garver is day-to-day with a left foot contusion after X-rays came back negative following his removal from Thursday's game against the Blue Jays.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., Marlins OF (knee)
There isn’t a ton of clarity here after Chisholm Jr. was removed from Wednesday's game against the Brewers with right knee discomfort. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day entering Friday’s series opener against the division-rival Braves.
Christian Yelich, Brewers OF (back)
Yelich is expected to return for Friday’s series opener against the Nationals after missing six straight contests due to lower back soreness.
Mark Canha, Brewers OF (wrist)
Canha is day-to-day with left wrist soreness after an MRI on Thursday came back clean for any structural damage.
Ronny Mauricio, Mets SS (illness)
Mauricio remained absent from the Mets’ lineup for the second consecutive contest on Thursday afternoon due to illness. He was available off the bench, so it stands to reason that he’ll be cleared to return for Friday’s series opener against the Reds.
Brett Baty, 3B Mets (groin)
Baty underwent an MRI on Thursday that revealed a mild left groin strain and should be considered day-to-day for now.
Willson Contreras, Cardinals C (hand)
Contreras has been absent from the Cardinals’ lineup since being lifted from Tuesday’s game with a right-hand contusion.
Michael Conforto, Giants OF (hamstring)
Conforto is expected to be activated from the injured list for Friday’s series opener against the Rockies at Coors Field following a three-week absence due to a left hamstring strain.
Xander Bogaerts, Padres SS (calf)
Bogaerts sat out Wednesday’s game against the Dodgers with calf tightness after fouling a ball off his ankle on Tuesday night, which led to some bruising and lingering tightness in his calf. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.
Manny Machado, Padres 3B (elbow)
Machado continues to deal with tennis elbow, which has limited him to designated hitter duty the last few weeks.
There aren’t a ton of high-profile starting pitchers Friday, which make NL Cy Young Award candidate Justin Steele the obvious foundational building block for building a lineup. The 28-year-old left-hander has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 25 of his 27 starts this season, recording a 2.49 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 159/33 K/BB ratio across 159 innings of work.
He’s been on a roll, managing at least six strikeouts in 10 of his 11 outings since the All-Star break. He’s in line for a tasty road matchup Friday evening against a Diamondbacks’ lineup that ranks 22nd in baseball this season with a pedestrian .706 OPS against left-handed pitching.
Perhaps the most intriguing option outside of the top-five highest-priced options is Skubal, who not only possesses immense strikeout upside, but is also in line for an extremely favorable matchup against an Angels’ lineup that could potentially still be without superstar Shohei Ohtani.
The 26-year-old southpaw, who has notched at least seven strikeouts in five consecutive starts dating back to August 18, holds a solid 3.47 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 75/13 K/BB ratio across 62 1/3 innings (12 starts) since returning in early July to Detroit’s starting rotation.
Sean Newcomb, A’s LHP, vs. Padres: $5,700
Newcomb has quietly emerged as a savvy streaming option, tossing four scoreless frames with five strikeouts last Saturday against a loaded Rangers’ lineup. The A’s acquired the 30-year-old former top pitching prospect last month in an under-the-radar trade with the Giants and has reeled off a microscopic 0.75 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 15/6 K/BB ratio across 12 innings (six appearances, one start).
He’s in line for an extremely favorable matchup Friday night when he squares off against Cleveland’s lineup, which ranks dead last in baseball this season with a .653 OPS against left-handed pitching.
Twins vs. White Sox (RHP Jesse Scholtens)
Scholtens has allowed five earned runs or more in three of his last five starts and will face off against a red-hot Twins’ lineup in the midst of a playoff chase. It’s a combination of factors that could lead to plenty of runs going up on the board Friday evening.
Royce Lewis, Edouard Julien and Jorge Polanco are the most obvious choices here, but Alex Kirilloff represents an extremely cheap option, and might be worthy of a look from fantasy managers, as he should be in the lineup to face Scholtens in this one.
Astros vs. Royals (RHP Zack Greinke)
In addition to a ghastly 1-15 record, Greinke has struggled to a bloated 5.47 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 84/19 K/BB ratio across 126 2/3 innings (26 appearances, 23 starts) in what will likely be his final season in the majors.
More importantly, he’s coughed up 19 homers during that span and will square off against a loaded Astros’ lineup on Friday night, which has been one of the hottest in baseball since the Midsummer Classic.
The usual core building blocks are all in the mix, but Chas McCormick and Yainer Diaz, who have certainly played like big boys this season, are sneaky options for fantasy managers in this one, assuming manager Dusty Baker writes their names on his lineup card.
Cubs vs. Diamondbacks (RHP Brandon Pfaadt)
Pfaadt has had serious issues keeping the ball in the yard during his first taste of the majors, serving up a staggering 20 round-trippers in just 80 2/3 innings (16 appearances, 15 starts). Chicago’s lineup is stacked with several left-handed sluggers that appear poised to do some damage Friday night in Arizona, with Cody Bellinger representing the most obvious building block.
Giants vs. Rockies (RHP Chase Anderson)
Like we were going to skip over Coors Field on a Friday night, seriously? The San Francisco lefty stack is arguably the most appealing build for fantasy managers with LaMonte Wade Jr., Mike Yastrzemski, Joc Pederson and Michael Conforto, who is expected to return from the injured list for Friday’s series opener, all serving as excellent options.
Get insights for your Tuesday lineup construction
Yankees at Red Sox (Game 2) - 7:10 PM
Nationals at Pirates - 6:35 PM
There's lingering concern for the doubleheader at Fenway Park, especially in the nightcap, after Monday's series opener was postponed. There are similar worries for Nats-Pirates with scattered storms forecasted throughout the evening in Pittsburgh. They're not complete stay-away situations, but there's definitely increased risk.
Shohei Ohtani, Angels DH (oblique)
While the Angels continue to assert that Ohtani is on the precipice of returning, he’s missed eight straight games. It sounds like he’ll avoid a trip to the injured list, but he’s hardly a lock to return for today’s game in Seattle.
Oswald Peraza, Yankees 2B/3B (knee)
Peraza is day-to-day with left knee inflammation, which makes it unlikely he’ll play in both games of Tuesday’s twin bill at Fenway Park.
Jose Siri, Rays OF (hand)
Siri suffered a fractured right hand when he was hit by a pitch during Monday’s series opener against the Twins and is likely facing a multi-week absence.
Isaac Paredes, Rays 3B (hand)
Paredes has sat out two straight games due to a right-hand contusion stemming from a hit by a pitch over the weekend. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day.
Brandon Belt, Blue Jays 1B (back)
Belt was removed from Monday's game against the Rangers with lower back muscle spasms. The veteran slugger has missed nine of the last 11 games.
Jeimer Candelario, Cubs 1B/3B (back)
Candelario sat out Monday’s series opener against the Rockies following an early exit from Sunday’s game due to back tightness.
Christian Yelich, Brewers OF (back)
Yelich has missed three straight contests after being scratched for Saturday's game against the Yankees due to lower back soreness. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day.
Francisco Alvarez, Mets C (arm)
Alvarez got the night off Monday against the Diamondbacks after X-rays came back negative for any fractures following a hit by a pitch on the right hand Sunday.
Peralta finds himself atop Tuesday’s starting pitching slate after Monday’s complete-game shutout of the Marlins by teammate Brandon Woodruff. It’s an extremely favorable matchup in an extreme pitcher’s park, which bodes well for the 27-year-old right-hander’s chances to work deep into the contest.
There aren’t a ton of appealing options otherwise Tuesday, which makes Verlander an even more appealing building block in a tasty matchup against the floundering Athletics. He hasn’t faced Oakland’s lackluster lineup this season and is coming off a strong seven-inning effort against the division-rival Rangers.
Cabrera certainly turned some heads his last time out with eight strikeouts over four shutout frames against a loaded Dodgers’ lineup. The 25-year-old right-hander was one of the premier starting pitching prospects in baseball just a few years ago, but hasn’t quite put it all together at the highest level. Given his immense strikeout potential, and recent success, he’s a worthwhile dice roll for fantasy managers against Milwaukee’s pedestrian offense.
Sean Manaea vs. Guardians: $5,700
He likely won’t work deep into Tuesday’s start against the Guardians, but the Contrarian Edge Optimizer is a big fan of Manaea as a savvy option. The Optimizer grades him as a top-10 option, despite being one of the lower-cost options out there.
The 31-year-old southpaw is facing a Guardians’ lineup with a MLB-worst .658 OPS against left-handed pitching this season. There won’t be a ton of volume here, but Manaea figures to gobble up at least a couple frames and should pile up strikeouts against Cleveland.
Cubs at Rockies (RHP Chris Flexen)
Flexen was lit up for six runs over 2 1/3 innings his last time out against the Diamondbacks and Chicago's lineup offers the type of left-handed firepower that can get him into serious trouble early at Coors. Southpaw sluggers Cody Bellinger and Ian Happ make a ton of sense for fantasy managers as core lineup building blocks with veteran backstop Yan Gomes making for an attractive option at catcher.
Padres at Dodgers (RHP Lance Lynn)
Lynn has served up a staggering 12 homers across 40 innings (seven starts) since coming over to Los Angeles at the trade deadline. That gives San Diego's lineup, which exploded for 11 runs on 14 hits during Monday's series opener, an opportunity to mash at Dodger Stadium.
Check out Underdogs and PrizePicks for huge 15-game slate
It’s an absolutely loaded Monday slate, with a staggering 15 games on tap, including a twin bill between the Braves and Phillies. Unfortunately, electrifying Yankees rookie outfielder Jasson Domínguez’s torn UCL in his right elbow, which will require Tommy John surgery that will likely keep him out until mid-2024, overshadows the start of an intriguing series between the Yankees and Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Glasnow, who matched a career-high with 14 strikeouts Wednesday in his previous start against the Red Sox, has eclipsed eight strikeouts in only eight of 17 outings this season. He's done it just once in his last five starts dating back to Aug. 14.
However, the Twins have struck out a major league-leading 550 times in 52 games since the All-Star break. The combination of Glasnow's swing-and-miss stuff and Minnesota's propensity to whiff make topping 8Ks a realistic outcome.
The Marlins are one of a handful of lineups that don't take a ton of free passes, ranking 29th in walks with just 112 in 51 contests since the All-Star break. Woodruff has pitched extremely well of late, surrendering two earned runs or fewer in five of his six starts since returning from a lengthy injured list stint on Aug.6.
The 30-year-old right-hander has also handed out only nine free passes across 35 2/3 innings during that span. His stellar control paired with Miami's aggressive offensive approach make it highly unlikely that he's going to issue multiple walks Monday evening.
Ruiz has compiled a solid .744 OPS against left-handed pitching this season, but he's 1 for 7 with three strikeouts against Astros left-hander Framber Valdez. But the 24-year-old speedster has held his own against southpaw, which makes his extremely small sample size against Valdez even more of an outlier.
Ruiz has stuck at the bottom of Oakland's lineup, which limits his opportunities, but the lengthier track record suggests he's got a decent shot at coming through Monday night with at least one hit against Houston.
Quintana has completed six innings (18 outs) in seven of his nine outings since making his season debut July 20. The Diamondbacks' offense is certainly capable of catching fire, but there's a possibility they come out of a gate a bit slow following a cross-country flight to New York, especially with Ketel Marte and Jordan Lawlar likely to sit out due to injury.
It’s not a big risk to roll the dice on the National League MVP Award front-runner in the midst of a transcendent offensive campaign, but he has zero extra-base hits in 11 career plate appearances against Taijuan Walker, who will take the ball for the Phillies during the front-end of Monday's doubleheader in Philadelphia.
However, the 25-year-old superstar outfielder is in the midst of another sizzling-hot stretch at the dish, posting a 1.132 OPS with five homers and 10 RBI in nine games since the start of September. Citizens Bank Park is extremely hitter-friendly, and the Braves are rolling with their main offensive catalyst doing the heavy lifting.
Has a struggling Severino figured things out? George Bissell breaks down the Sept. 8 MLB DFS slate and thinks he could be a sneaky option.
Brewers at Yankees, 7:05 p.m.
There's inclement weather in the forecast in New York, but the most likely outcome appears to be a delayed start and play. There's some risk here, but it's unlikely there will be an in-game delay that would impact starting pitchers.
Dodgers vs. Nationals - 7:05 pm
There's also a chance of a delay in Washington, but it's almost impossible to forecast when that will take place. Regardless, both MacKenzie Gore and Emmet Sheehan aren't among the stronger options on Friday's slate among starting pitchers.
Baltimore vs. Boston - 7:10 pm
It's going to be extremely humid at Fenway Park, so it's highly likely the ball will be flying. There's a strong possibility this is a high-scoring series opener.
Mookie Betts (foot)
X-rays came back negative after the Dodgers star fouled a ball off his foot during Thursday’s series finale against the Marlins. Fantasy managers should prepare for the possibility that he winds up sitting out Friday’s series opener against the Nationals.
Shohei Ohtani (oblique)
Angels manager Phil Nevin told reporters Thursday there’s a chance Ohtani is ready to return Friday against the Guardians after missing four consecutive contests due to right oblique tightness.
Austin Riley (illness)
Riley is expected to return to Atlanta’s lineup for the opener against the Pirates after sitting out Thursday’s contest against the Cardinals due to a stomach bug. There should be some clarity on his status well in advance of first pitch.
Lane Thomas (back)
Thomas figures to be ready for the Nationals in the opener against the Dodgers after missing a pair of contests this week due to back inflammation. Back issues can be complicated matters, but he’s had a couple days of extra rest to hopefully put the issue to bed.
Luis Rengifo (biceps)
Rengifo was removed Thursday against the Guardians with a left biceps strain and appears likely to wind up on the injured list. It’s a tough break as the 26-year-old has been hot at the dish of late, posting a .972 OPS over the last month.
Alex Verdugo (hamstring)
Verdugo is expected to return to Boston’s lineup for Friday’s series opener against the Orioles following a three-game absence due to left hamstring tightness.
Tim Anderson (neck)
Anderson is day-to-day after being scratched from Wednesday’s lineup due to neck stiffness. It would be Elvis Andrus starting at shortstop on Friday night if he’s not ready to return.
Matt Vierling (elbow)
Vierling was removed from Thursday’s contest against the Yankees with a right elbow contusion after being hit by an errant pickoff throw to first base.
Editor's Note: Place your DFS lineups with confidence with Fantasy Sports Logic's Contrarian Edge Optimizer. This incredibly robust tool features projections from several industry leaders, but also blends them together in a separate proprietary set of projections. Take a 7-day test drive for just $1 and check out features like Contrarian Mode, Stack Attack, upload custom projections and much more!
Friday’s slate offers few quality matchups with both top-priced options Blake Snell and Kodai Senga facing strong offenses in challenging road tilts. The Rangers have been in an extended free-fall, but trade acquisition Jordan Montgomery has pitched extremely well since coming over from the Cardinals, compiling a solid 3.60 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 30/7 K/BB ratio across 35 innings (six starts). He'll face off against a struggling Oakland lineup that ranks 29th in runs scored since the All-Star break.
Perhaps the most intriguing option for fantasy managers is rookie southpaw Kyle Harrison, who offers immense strikeout potential and will face a Rockies’ lineup that struggles away from Coors Field’s high-octane offensive environment, and also ranks as one of the worst in baseball this season against left-handed pitching with a .668 OPS against southpaws.
There will undoubtedly be some variance for the 22-year-old top pitching prospect from a run-prevention standpoint, but he's piled up a staggering 21 punch outs in 15 1/3 innings over three starts since being called up last month from Triple-A Sacramento. He might be the best option on Friday's slate, especially from a pure upside standpoint.
Eury Pérez has blossomed into one of the premier young pitchers in baseball this season, compiling a sparkling 2.86 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 95/25 K/BB ratio across 78 2/3 innings (16 starts). However, he’s worked beyond the fifth inning just twice in five starts since returning to Miami's starting rotation mix last month.
He's notched at least five strikeouts in each of those outings, but he's facing a strong Philadelphia lineup at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park, which limits his realistic ceiling on Friday night.
Luis Severino vs. Brewers: $5,500
Hear us out. Severino has been abysmal this season, but he appeared to figure some things out of late, allowing just four runs on 11 hits with an 11/1 K/BB ratio across 11 innings over his last two starts against the Tigers and Astros, respectively.
It would be challenging to recommend him against a familiar foe, but he’s facing a Milwaukee lineup that hasn’t seen him this year and has been one of the worst in baseball since the Midsummer Classic, posting a dreadful .702 OPS, which ranks fifth worst in baseball since the All-Star break.
It’s a decent matchup, especially with Colin Rea taking the ball for the Brewers on Friday evening, and it’s difficult not to recommend him as a sneaky option at such a manageable salary.
Mets vs. Twins (Dallas Keuchel)
Keuchel looked cooked during his brief time in the majors last year and hasn’t fared much better this season for the Twins, posting a bloated 5.06 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 8/7 K/BB ratio across 21 1/3 innings (five appearances, four starts).
The Mets have several right-handed platoon bats they can stack against the veteran southpaw on Friday evening in Minnesota, including rookie sluggers Ronny Mauricio, Francisco Alvares and Mark Vientos, in addition to veteran breakout DJ Stewart, assuming he's ready to go after missing a pair of contests earlier this week due to lower back tightness.
Giants vs. Rockies (Ty Blach)
It'll be lefty Ty Blach drawing the starting assignment on Friday night at Oracle Park in San Francisco, which sets the stage for the Giants' righty-mashing options to step into the starting lineup. The most notable stacking options here are Wilmer Flores, Mitch Haniger, Thairo Estrada, J.D. Davis and Luis Matos. It's flown a bit under the radar, but Flores has been one of the premier hitters in baseball since the All-Star break, posting a robust .973 OPS with 13 homers and 27 RBI in 45 games since mid-July.
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