We're scheduled to have a full day of MLB action on Friday, though one matchup will get underway in the afternoon (Diamondbacks-Cubs). There are several rain threats (Twins-Orioles, Braves-Indians, Giants-Pirates, Royals-Yankees, and White Sox-Tigers), so make sure to check the weather reports before locking in any fantasy baseball lineups, be them DFS or season-long. This will be especially important in DFS contests, as three of the top four hurlers in today's pitcher rankings are in one of those five games. (Update, Twins-Orioles and Braves-Indians have already been postponed.)
One of those pitchers is Corey Kluber (vs. Braves), who's had an uncharacteristically wild start to the season. Atlanta has the highest BB percentage against righties this year, so if Kluber doesn't find the strike zone, he could be in for another short night. We're betting on a return to form, but it's still worth noting. Similarly, Braves rookie Touki Toussaint (@ Indians) has struggled with control throughout his professional career, and about the only thing the Indians have done well at the plate against righthanders this year is take walks (10th-highest BB percentage). Consider Toussaint a boom-or-bust pick made even riskier by the weather concerns. Carlos Rodon (@ Tigers) gets the other side of that coin, as the Tigers have the third-lowest BB percentage against lefties.He's due to finally give up a homer soon, but the rest of the peripherals are in his favor.
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In addition to the handful of top pitchers, there are several solid lower-priced sleepers/streamers. Jordan Lyles (vs. Giants) has likely overachieved this season, but his matchup on paper can't be beat. Miami's Caleb Smith (vs. Nationals) doesn't have a great matchup, but the young lefty looks to be on his way to a true breakout this year and has among the highest strikeout upside on the slate. Anibal Sanchez (@ Marlins) and CC Sabathia (vs. Royals) also should pay off at their middling price tags, though taking pitchers in Yankee Stadium is always a risk.
Vincent Velasquez (@ Rockies) also makes for an interesting flier, as the Rockies have really struggled vs. righties this year. Of course, they've mostly played on the road and just got back lefties David Dahl and Ryan McMahon (who hit two homers last night), so this feels like a classic early-season situation where the numbers are lying
Today's Starting Pitcher Rankings: Friday, April 19
(O) = Opener
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Opponent | Opp. wRC+ vs. LHP (rank) | Opp. wRC+ vs. RHP (rank) |
| 2 | Justin Verlander | Astros | @ Rangers | N/A | 114 (7th) |
| 4 | Madison Bumgarner | Giants | @ Pirates | 49 (30th) | NA |
| 5 | Marco Gonzales | Mariners | @ Angels | 52 (29th) | N/A |
| 6 | Marcus Stroman | Blue Jays | @ A's | N/A | 101 (T-17th) |
| 7 | Carlos Rodon | White Sox | @ Tigers | 74 (T-22nd) | N/A |
| 9 | Jordan Lyles | Pirates | vs. Giants | N/A | 55 (29th) |
| 10 | Caleb Smith | Marlins | vs. Nationals | 145 (4th) | N/A |
| 11 | German Marquez | Rockies | vs. Phillies | N/A | 110 (10th) |
| 12 | Anibal Sanchez | Nationals | @ Marlins | N/A | 65 (26th) |
| 13 | CC Sabathia | Yankees | vs. Royals | 78 (20th) | N/A |
| 14 | Ross Stripling | Dodgers | @ Brewers | N/A | 105 (14th) |
| 15 | Kyle Hendricks | Cubs | vs. D-backs | N/A | 96 (19th) |
| 16 | Eduardo Rodriguez | Red Sox | @ Rays | 101 (T-13th) | N/A |
| 17 | Merrill Kelly | D-backs | @ Cubs | N/A | 118 (T-4th) |
| 18 | Matt Strahm | Padres | vs. Reds | 122 (9th) | N/A |
| 19 | Adam Wainwright | Cardinals | vs. Mets | N/A | 104 (15th) |
| 20 | Jordan Zimmermann | Tigers | vs. White Sox | N/A | 109 (11th) |
| 21 | Anthony DeSclafani | Reds | @ Padres | N/A | 82 (22nd) |
| 23 | Aaron Brooks | A's | vs. Blue Jays | N/A | 83 (21st) |
| 24 | Vince Velasquez | Phillies | @ Rockies | N/A | 44 (30th) |
| 25 | Jakob Junis | Royals | @ Yankees | N/A | 118 (T-4th) |
| 26 | Jhoulys Chacin | Brewers | vs. Dodgers | 117 (10th) | 131 (1st) |
| 27 | Felix Pena | Angels | vs. Mariners | N/A | 125 (T-2nd) |
| 28 | Drew Smyly | Rangers | vs. Astros | 154 (3rd) | N/A |
| 29 | Jason Vargas | Mets | @ Cardinals | 74 (T-22nd) | N/A |
| 30 | Ryne Stanek (O) | Rays | vs. Red Sox | N/A | 76 (24th) |
wRC+ is defined by Fangraphs as "[measuring] how a player’s wRC compares with league average after controlling for park effects. League average for position players is 100, and every point above 100 is a percentage point above league average. For example, a 125 wRC+ means a player created 25% more runs than a league average hitter would have in the same number of plate appearances. Similarly, every point below 100 is a percentage point below league average, so a 80 wRC+ means a player created 20% fewer runs than league average." For more on the stat, click here.