Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale came off the COVID list to start Friday's game against the Baltimore Orioles and he pitched very well, allowing just one run on two hits and no walks with one strikeout in five innings. With this win, Sale now has a 4-0 record to go with a 2.40 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 30 innings across six starts this season. With Boston looking to maximize his participation with a playoff spot on the line, he should be an excellent fantasy play the rest of the season.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Michael Lorenzen allowed one run in the ninth inning in a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. Lorenzen struck out one on the way to picking up his fourth save of the season. The veteran right-hander hit a batter before giving up an RBI single to Matt Beaty but he then got Albert Pujols to line out to end the game. Lorenzen now has a 1-2 record, 3.18 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, four saves, and 20 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings of work. He has been operating behind normal closer Mychal Givens of late but Lorenzen should see the occasional save chance going forward, as he did on Friday.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu struggled in his start on Friday, allowing five runs in two innings pitched in the club's 7-3 loss to the Twins. The veteran pitched into the third frame, but after a single, double, and back-to-back homers, he was ultimately yanked without recording an out. His line finished with him allowing five hits and a walk with two strikeouts in the brief 48-pitch effort as he seen his record drop to 13-9 on the year. Ryu has mostly struggled in the second half which has led to his ERA and WHIP climb to 4.34 and 1.21, respectively. He'll be a borderline start in his next matchup versus the Rays next week.

Kansas City Royals third baseman Adalberto Mondesi isn't starting on Friday. Kansas City will take on the Seattle Mariners and right-handed starter Chris Flexen but will do so with Mondesi on the bench. The infielder is hitting .266 with a .301 on-base percentage, six home runs, and nine stolen bases in 85 plate appearances this season. Hanser Alberto is starting at third base in his place and is batting ninth against the Mariners. In 235 plate appearances, Alberto is hitting .266 with a .286 on-base percentage, two home runs, and two stolen bases this season. You're probably better off looking elsewhere for streaming help at third base.

Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Nelson Cruz isn't in the lineup on Friday. The Rays will take on the Detroit Tigers and right-handed starter Casey Mize but will do so with one of their best hitters on the bench. Cruz is hitting .273 with a .343 on-base percentage, 31 home runs, and three stolen bases in 539 plate appearances this season. Austin Meadows, who generally starts in the outfield, is hitting fourth and starting at designated hitter against Detroit. It'll be Randy Arozarena, Kevin Kiermaier, and Brett Phillips starting from left to right in the outfield on Friday. Phillips could be worth a look as a streaming option for managers in deeper leagues where on-base percentage is part of the scoring. In 265 plate appearances this season, the 27-year-old is batting .214 with a .312 on-base percentage, 12 home runs, and 14 stolen bases. Phillips is hitting seventh against the Tigers on Friday.

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against right-hander Casey Mize and the Detroit Tigers. Zunino is batting .203 with a .291 on-base percentage and 31 home runs in 344 plate appearances this season. It'll be Francisco Mejia catching and batting ninth on Friday. Mejia is batting .251 with a .307 on-base percentage and six home runs in 245 plate appearances for the Rays this year. Fantasy managers are probably better off looking elsewhere for streaming help at catcher.

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Ketel Marte isn't starting for a Friday matchup with the Houston Astros and right-hander Brandon Bielak. The veteran is batting .323 with a .384 on-base percentage, 12 home runs, and a stolen base in 315 plate appearances this season. He'll get the day off with Jake McCarthy hitting ninth and starting in center field instead. In 33 plate appearances for the Diamondbacks this season, McCarthy is hitting .214 with a .313 on-base percentage and a stolen base. You're probably better off looking elsewhere for streaming help on Friday.

New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez is on the bench for Friday's game against the Cleveland Indians. Sanchez is batting .206 with a .311 on-base percentage and 21 home runs in 402 plate appearances this season. Kyle Higashioka will get the start instead against Cleveland's starter, right-hander Zach Plesac. Higashioka, who is hitting ninth on Friday, is batting .178 with a .251 on-base percentage and 10 home runs in 187 plate appearances this season. Fantasy managers in search of streaming help behind the plate are probably better off looking elsewhere.

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Yandy Diaz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk during Thursday's 5-2 win over the Detroit Tigers. He smacked a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning to give the Rays a 1-0 lead. It was his 11th long ball of the season. The 30-year-old has now logged multi-hit efforts twice over his last five games. Diaz is slashing .255/.356/.382 with 11 home runs, 53 RBI, and 57 runs scored over 497 plate appearances in 2021. The Rays infielder remains a strong option in OBP formats and can be used as a streamer in most leagues.

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Thursday's 5-2 win over the Detroit Tigers. He blasted a two-run shot in the sixth inning to extend the Rays lead 5-2. The 30-year-old has now homered in back-to-back games. Zunino is slashing .203/.291/.554 with 31 home runs, 59 RBI, and 58 runs scored across 344 plate appearances in 2021. The 2021 All-Star continues to be an elite source of power as four of his seven hits in September have been home runs. Zunino remains a strong starting option in most league formats.

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris allowed one run across two innings to earn the relief win on Thursday against the Cubs. The former closer has had an up-and-down season, but he's been better lately and is a candidate to earn saves as closer Ian Kennedy has struggled mightily. Kennedy has a 6.32 ERA since joining the Phillies on August 1. In that same span, Neris has a 1.54 ERA and has posted an elite 40% strikeout rate. He has plenty of closing experience and has always been a favorite of manager Joe Girardi. Neris worth a speculative add in deeper roto leagues.

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (elbow) left Thursday's win over the Cubs after being hit by a pitch in the left elbow/triceps area, according to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Andrew Knapp came in at catcher after Realmuto posted another solid game as he collected an RBI and scored a run. According to manager Joe Girardi, X-rays on Realmuto were negative, but his status for Friday's game is up in the air as Realmuto has been dealing with other nagging injuries late in the season. Philly can ill-afford to lose its All-Star catcher, but an injured list stint feels unlikely for Realmuto. Fantasy managers should have a contingency plan in place in the event Realmuto is out.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper had another monster game on Thursday as he launched a three-run homer and had two doubles in a wild 17-8 win over the Cubs. Harper is among the hottest hitters on the planet; over his last 22 games, the NL MVP candidate has 10 homers, 10 doubles, 26 RBI, and a 1.434 OPS as he's doing all he can to drag the Phillies to the postseason. This hot streak couldn't come at a better time for fantasy managers as Harper is sure to be on a bunch of championship rosters given his torrid second-half pace. The Mets pitching staff is the next crew faced with the daunting task of getting Harper out.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera went 2-for-5 with three RBI, two runs scored, and a walk to help beat the Cubs on Thursday. Herrera drove in a run during a seven-run fourth inning, then came around to score as the Phillies erased a seven-run deficit. He wasn't done there, however, as Herrera belted a two-run double in the seventh to help put the game out of reach for Chicago. It's been rocky at times, but Herrera has put together a nice season batting .257 with a .313 on-base percentage thanks to a minuscule strikeout rate. He's a start-worthy outfielder in fantasy heading into a weekend series with the Mets.

San Francisco Giants third baseman Evan Longoria was at it again in Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Padres, going 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run. Longo launched an eighth-inning Tim Hill offering into the left-field seats for his 13th HR of the season. The veteran has hit well when healthy this season and has a .333/.429/.727 slash line with three HR and 15 RBI in September. He could be a sneaky fantasy option for managers looking for a hot bat to finish the season strong.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Kevin Gausman fell to 14-6 in Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Padres. Gausman pitched 5 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits (including a solo home run) and a walk with seven strikeouts. It was one of his worst starts of the season in terms of runs allowed, which speaks to how well he has pitched. He will take his 2.78 ERA and 1.03 WHIP into a rematch with the Padres next week, where he should definitely be started by fantasy managers.

Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Jean Segura went 3-for-6 with three RBI and three runs scored in a wild 17-8 win over the Cubs on Thursday night. He's not the most heralded Phillie, but Segura has pieced together another strong season in red and white as he's slashing a healthy .298/.358/.443 with 12 homers, nine steals, and 72 runs scored batting ahead of Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto in the batting order. Segura can be started in fantasy leagues of all sizes and formats with decent matchups with the Mets over the weekend.

New York Yankees outfielder Joey Gallo belted his 35th homer of the year in Thursday's loss to the Orioles. Gallo gave New York a 1-0 lead in the second inning with a 101.8 MPH, 363 MPH blast, which was a bit muted by his Statcast standards. Still, the slugger has now homered four times in the last week and seems poised to finish the season strong for both the Yankees and his fantasy managers. Up next is a favorable matchup against Cleveland. Gallo owns a 1.023 OPS with six homers in 13 career games against the Indians.

Detroit Tigers third baseman Jeimer Candelario went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in the team's 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. The home run was his 15th of the year and his fifth already this month. The 27-year-old has been swinging a hot bat so far in September. He had his first two-homer game of the year last Sunday and he's slashing .283/.345/.679 overall this month. Over 137 games on the year, he has a .273/.349/.450 slash line with 62 RBI and 71 runs to go along with his 15 home runs. He has limited upside for fantasy purposes, but he can help out fantasy managers in deep leagues and AL-only leagues who need a boost in batting average.

Detroit Tigers infielder Niko Goodrum was one of the lone offensive standouts in the team's 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. He went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in the game and he was also caught stealing in his only attempt. The home run was his seventh of the year and his first since July 10, though he missed over a month due to injuries from mid-July to early September. Goodrum has been really struggling at the plate in September. He had gone just 4-for-34 through his first 12 games of the month before breaking through on Thursday. He was a solid source of stolen bases earlier this year, tallying 12 steals from April through June. However, he hasn't managed to steal a single base since the start of July.