Check out all of our starting pitcher rankings and other lineup selection tools here to help you make smart fantasy baseball lineup decisions. All fantasy advice is geared toward ESPN 10-team leagues with standard scoring.
Note: All information is accurate as of the time of publication. For updates, as well as any breaking news that might impact today's MLB slate, be sure to check out the latest fantasy baseball buzz.
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ESPN's 2026 Draft Guide | Betting notes for Friday
Pitchers to stream on Friday
After a brief stint in the bullpen, David Peterson returned to the Chicago Cubs rotation and logged his third quality start since joining the club. With Edward Cabrera returning to the IL, this time for a blister on his finger, Peterson should remain a starter at least through the end of the month. He's set to face the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. The lefty isn't dominant, but he has a chance to fan more than usual facing an offense with the fourth-highest strikeout rate against southpaws.
Christian Scott is the ideal option for a fantasy manager needing upside, especially if a head-to-head playoff berth is on the line. His 29.2% strikeout rate is the 15th highest among pitchers logging at least 35 innings since the break. Below-average control limits his upside, but Scott has the potential for a double-digit strikeout effort. The New York Mets take on the Houston Astros at Citi Field. For the season, the Astros sport a slightly above-average strikeout rate, but they're more vulnerable lately, especially on the road.
Blade Tidwell started the season in the San Francisco Giants bullpen, but he was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento in late April where he was stretched out as a starter. The 25-year-old right-hander was summoned after the trade deadline and inserted into the rotation. He has a 3.92 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over four starts, but that includes walking five while yielding six runs to the Colorado Rockies in a home affair. That outing appears to be a blip, lining Tidwell up for a solid home matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He'll face an impatient road offense, missing sparkplug Ketel Marte at the top of the order.
Hitters to stream on Friday
The Miami Marlins remain within striking distance of a National League wild card berth. They open an important home series with the Washington Nationals on Friday. First up is a matchup against southpaw Jackson Kent, who sports an 8.03 ERA and 2.11 WHIP over his first three major league starts. Walks have been the main issue, with 11 over 12 1/3 innings. The rookie punched out 14 over that span, which, combined with the walks, has kept him from completing five innings so far. The Nationals' bullpen is well below average, lining up Marlins' bats for a productive evening. Heriberto Hernandez, Kyle Stowers and Jakob Marsee are the primary targets.