After a couple of abbreviated slates, Friday offers the full 15-game schedule, all contested under the lights. It's playoff time in head to head formats and crunch time in rotisserie leagues, with chances to make up ground dwindling by the day.
Friday is very favorable in that regard, replete with hitting and pitching options. Here's who made the cut, all available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues.
Pitching
Homer Bailey (R), rostered in 13% of ESPN leagues, Oakland Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers: Perhaps it was a change in scenery, or a move to one of the pitcher-friendliest venues in the league. Regardless, Bailey is coming off a productive August where he posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 32 whiffs in 35 innings. Even more impressive is that featured a seven-run blow up administered by the Cubs. On the other hand, Bailey stifled the vaunted Yankees lineup twice, holding them to three runs (all on homers) in a combined 11 1/3 frames. On Friday, Bailey draws a home date with the tame Tigers offense.
Brendan McKay (L), 8%, Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays: McKay is lined up to face the Blue Jays on Friday, though it's not clear if he'll start or work bulk innings after an opener. To be honest, it would be preferred he work as the primary pitcher and not start, availing the chance at a win without tossing five frames. Regardless, McKay should rack up some whiffs against a young but still maturing Blue Jays lineup.
Pablo Lopez (R), 6%, Miami Marlins vs. Kansas City Royals: The edge in the battle of the Lopez's (Jorge starts for the Royals), the edge goes to the Marlins righty. Not only is he a better pitcher, he enjoys home field advantage against an already lesser lineup, further weakened by being devoid of the designated hitter. That said, Lopez is looking to regain the form displayed in the first half, before missing over two months with a sore shoulder. Last time out, Lopez only lasted three stanzas, surrendering three homers resulting in six runs to the Nationals.
Tyler Mahle (R), 3%, Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks: Mahle has been a fantasy tease the past few seasons, flashing dominance but never sustaining it. He's up to his old tricks, whiffing five with no walks in 6 1/3 innings in his last start, his first one since July 19. Mahle's season-long ERA is 4.72 but his xFIP is 3.83 while his SIERA is 4.03, indicating he's pitched better than perceived.
Bullpen
On August 13 Mark Melancon notched his first save as the Atlanta Braves closer. Since, he's logged seven more with a win, punching out 13 in nine innings. Yet, he's available in 73% of ESPN leagues.
David Price was scratched from his Friday start with a recurrence of left wrist soreness, forcing the Red Sox to deploy the first of two consecutive bullpen games against the New York Yankees. Jhoulys Chacin has been tabbed as Friday's opener. Boston has 17 relievers on their extended roster, so expect liberal use of the bullpen. Despite Boston relievers having posted the league's best ERA in August, Yankees bats are looking at a potentially productive weekend.
Hitting
Catcher -- Jorge Alfaro (R), 26%, Miami Marlins vs. Kansas City Royals (RHP Jorge Lopez): Alfaro has quietly turned in a good campaign, batting .272 with 14 homers through Wednesday's action. Sure, 80 combined runs and RBI are light, but that's a team context thing. For a spot starter in the event your regular backstop has a tough matchup, Alfaro facing a guy with a 6.61 ERA and 1.51 WHIP is a fine option.
First Base -- Ji-Man Choi (L), 3%, Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays (RHP Clay Buchholz): One of the dangers of using platoon players in September is the increased likelihood they'll be lifted for a pinch-hitter with more bench options available. This is definitely the case with the Rays as they'll make liberal use of their extended roster down the stretch. Even so, Choi lines up well with Buchholz as the veteran righty has allowed six homers in just 36 innings.
Second Base -- Hanser Alberto (R), 21%, Baltimore Orioles vs. Texas Rangers (LHP Brock Burke): On the surface, it's been a lost year for the Orioles. However, Baltimore fans should be encouraged by the emergence of Alberto, along with Anthony Santander, Pedro Severino, Renato Nunez and John Means -- all are 26 years old or younger. Alberto has been particularly refreshing, leading the team in batting average, crushing southpaws with a .418 mark in 195 plate appearances.
Third Base -- J.D. Davis (R), 34%, New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies (RHP Zach Eflin): While the Mets have been in freefall after a post-break surge, Davis continues to excel, slashing a solid .279/.343/.508, victimizing righties and lefties equally.
Shortstop -- Leury Garcia (S), 11%, Chicago White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels (LHP Dillon Peters): Here's the weekly reminder Garcia remains a stealth source of runs, pacing for over 100. Even amid a slump, he's continuing to tally runs, crossing the dish five times despite a .537 OPS the past week.
Corner Infield -- Abraham Toro (S), 1%, Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners (LHP Tommy Milone): Earlier, the perils of using a platoon streamer were discussed. The flip side is switch-hitters are even more desired this month as there is less of a chance of being lifted unless they demonstrate extreme platoon splits. Toro's playing time should be safe when the starter exits, at least until Carlos Correa returns towards the end on the month.
Middle Infield -- Colin Moran (L), 8%, Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals (RHP Miles Mikolas): Another player trait amplified in September is multi-position eligibility. Having lineup flexibility helps maximize points-scoring efficiency. To that end, Moran quietly eclipsed 10 games at the keystone, adding eligibility in many leagues.
Outfield -- Dexter Fowler (S), 8%, St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates (RHP Joe Musgrove): Fowler continues to play just well enough to stay in the Cardinals lineup. On Friday, the veteran fly chaser steps in against Musgrove, one of the second halves more disappointing hurler, posting a 5.60 ERA and 1.30 WHIP since the break.
Outfield -- Jake Cave (L), 3%, Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians (RHP Adam Plutko): Cave has cooled the past week, but by and large he's been a useful replacement for Byron Buxton. On Friday, he presents an opportunity to grab a piece of the game's most productive lineups.
Outfield -- Victor Reyes (S), 2%, Detroit Tigers at Oakland Athletics (RHP Homer Bailey): Continuing the switch-hitter's theme, Reyes isn't hitting for power with only one long ball in 195 plate appearances, he's batting .315 with three pilfers over the past three weeks. If you need steals, Reyes is a latent source the final few weeks.