chanting Randy Lerner out, but Garde insists

While Friday night is always a big DFS night, head-to-head players will want to take note as the slate of available streaming options is as dense as its been all season. Theres something for everyone, so grab a pencil and take copious notes as we run through the full slate of action.PitchingEliteNumbers can be funny. Last season, Chris Sale boasted a strikeout and walk rate virtually identical to that of Clayton Kershaw but because the Chicago White Sox lefty recorded a meager 13-11 record with a 3.41 ERA, he finished a distant fourth in the American League Cy Young award voting. This season, Sales peripherals, especially strikeouts, are significantly off from 2015 but a 15-6 mark with a 3.15 ERA have him in the throes of the Cy Young debate. Next up for the lanky lefty is a Seattle Mariners held to just one run over the final two games of their early-week series. However, for the past month the Mariners have hit southpaw pitching to the tune of a productive 0.352 weighted on base average (wOBA) so Sale will have to be sharp for Game 2 of a weekend set in U.S. Cellular Field. That said, despite their success against lefties, Sale will hold the platoon edge over the better visitors hitters. Those playing one lineup may want to look elsewhere but if you enter multiple squads, youll want some exposure to Sale.Another lefty facing a tough matchup with strikeout upside is Drew Smyly leading the Tampa Bay Rays into Minute Maid Park. For the past month, the Houston Astros have not had a problem bashing southpaws as evidenced by a 0.376 wOBA in that scenario. One reason for that is fanning at a 20 percent clip as opposed to their seasonal 23 percent mark. Like Sale, theres a lot of risk to pay up and put all your eggs in the Smyly basket, but the pathway is there for a big game.The final hurler landing in the elite tier is Corey Kluber, taking the ball for the Cleveland Indians against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. Despite Klubers penchant for fanning a hitter an inning, this is a risky matchup against a productive lineup but without the punch out upside of the other aces.SolidAs mentioned in the introduction, the streaming tier is heavily populated, leaving a sparse solid group. Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander and Jeff Samardzija all profile better for cash than GPP action. The King opposes Sale and the White Sox while the Detroit Tigers righty takes on the Los Angeles in Comerica Park. Samardzija and the San Francisco Giants host an Atlanta Braves club thats actually hitting well, averaging 4.4 runs a game after the break as opposed to just 3.7 previous to the All-Star hiatus.Assuming no setbacks, Steven Wright finally makes his return from the disabled list for a home affair against the Kansas City Royals. This is an intriguing matchup as the Royals like to swing the bat but arent replete with power hitters. This could go either way which makes the Boston Red Sox knuckleball artist a boom-or-bust GPP play.David Phelps sets up as one of the top GPP plays on the board as the Miami Marlins host the San Diego Padres in Marlins Park. Since entering the rotation, the righty has spun a 9.7 K/9 in four starts, including fanning 17 in his last two outings, spanning 11 1/3 innings. After working six frames last time out, Phelps should be stretched out to toss at least as many, if not more facing a weak Friars lineup that whiffs 25 percent of the time against right-handers.StreamersA whopping 19 of the 30 probable starters fall in the streaming range as dictated by their projected Game Score landing between 46 and 52. As usual, the focus will be on those available in more than half of ESPN leagues, and theres a ton to choose from with 16 qualifying. However, if someone of interest is skipped, thats what the comments section is for, along with hitting up @ToddZola on Twitter.Were at the time of the season where some teams have opted to punt ratios in an effort to pump up whiffs and wins. If this is your plan, Francisco Liriano is your man. The Toronto Blue Jays host the Minnesota Twins and their 23 percent whiff rate versus left-handers. The visitors counter with their own southpaw, Pat Dean, meaning run support shouldnt be an issue.Mike Fiers is also in play if youre looking for some extra punch outs with the Rays visiting the Astros. With Smyly on the hill for the guests, Fiers road to victory isnt as clear as that of Liriano.Luke Weaver is looking for his first career win, recording a no decision and loss in his first two major league efforts. With the St. Louis Cardinals welcoming Ross Detwiler and the Oakland Athletics into Busch Stadium, the 23-year old rookie righty should have some runs to work with.Mike Montgomery grabs another spot-start with John Lackey on the disabled list. The leftys first start came on Coors Field, lasting only 4/13 frames. The Chicago Cubs are likely to turn to their bullpen early, but if Montgomery can scratch through five innings, his offense is certainly productive enough so be could leave with a lead.Bartolo Colon usually doesnt ring up too many hitters but with the Philadelphia Phillies heading to Citi Field, theres little risk he blows up so for those looking for innings and ratio support, the New York Mets veteran is in play.Were heading toward the lower limit of the rankings, increasing the risk which necessitates some deep diving into the statistical pool. Braden Shipleys had a big problem keeping the ball in the yard. But with the power-deficient Cincinnati Reds visiting the desert, the Arizona Diamondbacks rookie righty has a fighting chance against a club in the bottom third in home run percent versus right-handers.Well wrap up the lengthy streaming section with veteran Ryan Vogelsong taking the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates in Miller Park. The Bucs veteran has pitched into the sixth for three straight games, completing it thrice. A repeat against the Milwaukee Brewers and Matt Garza should leave Vogelsong in good shape for a rare win.AvoidWeve got a trio of hurlers in the automatic avoid range, namely Matt Garza, Ross Detwiler and Dean. As poor as the New York Mets have played lately, its still tough to endorse using Adam Morgan against them, so he should be avoided. The other arm that poses too much risk unless extremely desperate is A.J. Griffin matching up with the left-handed heavy Cleveland Indians in Arlington.HittingDean has surrendered seven homers, all to right-handed batters, in only 46 innings. Thats music to the ears of the powerful Toronto Blue Jays, one of the top teams in terms of home run against southpaws. Jose Bautista is back in the leadoff spot followed by Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion and Russell Martin, who remains as the clean-up hitter. This order could change if Devon Travis is ready to return, or the second baseman could be slotted at the bottom. Other options include Troy Tulowitzki and Kevin Pillar.The Cleveland Indians sticks have hit a dry spell but are a threat to break out at any time. The lefty-heavy lineup is in a good spot facing A.J. Griffin in Globe Life Park. Carlos Santana, Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Lonnie Chisenhall and Tyler Naquin comprise a formidable set of lefty and switch-hitters.Matt Garza isnt giving up many homers, but hes also not missing many bats which is resulting in a bunch of hits allowed. Thats exactly the sort of hurler on which the Pittsburgh Pirates can feast. Josh Harrison leads things off with Gregory Polanco cleaning thngs up. Starling Marte and Andrew McCutchen will mistakenly be low-owned as they lack the platoon bump. Similarly, David Freese and Josh Bell are in play as contrarian options.The right-handed contingent of the St. Louis Cardinals are in line for a productive evening with journeyman southpaw Ross Detwiler on the Busch Field bump. Tommy Pham and Stephen Piscotty get it started. Both Matt Carpenter and Brandon Moss have success left-on-left so dont sleep on them. Jhonny Peralta, Randal Grichuk and Jedd Gyorko round out the righty Redbirds.The better New York Mets hitters hit from the left side, so a full-on stack against southpaw Adam Morgan isnt recommended. However, pairing Yoenis Cespedes and Wilmer has the potential to pay off in a big way.Most likely to go yard: Edwin EncarnacionEncarnacion is the MLB home run leader over the past calendar year. Hes in a great spot to start the next 365 days off in a like manner, facing Griffin in homer-friendly Rogers Centre.Most likely to swipe a bag: Jonathan VillarLooks like its a chalk day but you cant go wrong pegging a prolific pilferer like Villar to run on the Pittsburgh Pirates poor battery. Try to say that 10 times fast.Clyde Drexler Jersey . 4 Villanova with a 96-68 drubbing on Monday. Wragge hit 9-of-14 from behind the arc, matching Kyle Korvers school record for 3-pointers in a game set in 2003, as Creighton (16-3, 6-1 Big East broke a conference record with 21 treys in the rout. Mario Hezonja Jersey . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. https://www.blazerslockerroom.com/Kent-Bazemore-City-Edition-Jersey/ . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. Bill Walton Jersey .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Caleb Swanigan Blazers Jersey . He was followed closely by David Clarkson, donning red, seconds later. Clarksons actions one night earlier, leaping off the bench in defence of Kessel during a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres, will cost him the first 10 games of the regular season.Aston Villa boss Remi Garde admitted defeat to Stoke was difficult to take as they edged ever closer to relegation from the Premier League.Villas survival mission looks ever more impossible as they remain seven points adrift of the pack after a Marko Arnautovic double helped City to a 2-1 victory at the Britannia Stadium.Their 17th league defeat in 27 matches this season was a familiar tale, with defensive deficiencies and attacking ineptitude paving the way for the loss Although Garde felt his side recovered from their 6-0 thrashing against Liverpool in their previous match, he admitted their soft centre eventually cost them.It was a very difficult defeat [to take], the Frenchman told Sky Sports.I think we played quite well in the first half, we defended well and created chances, but we know that it is difficult for us to create chances at the moment. A Villa supporter holds a banner protesting against owner Randy Lerner We started slowly in the first 15 minutes of the second half and conceded the penalty and then the second one was a strange goal [which] for me is the fragility of the team.The travelling Villa supporters vented their anger at the clubs owner by chanting Randy Lerner out, but Garde insists it did not distract his players.Not at all a distraction for me, he said. I was concentrating on the game and I think the players [were] doing the same. Leandro Bacuna says a sloppy start to the second half was costly This is not part of our job to comment on the situation.dddddddddddd My job is to concentrate on the job. I try to keep this team as high as I can with the tools that I have got and Im only focused on that. Im not here to comment on any other things.Weve improved our team spirit on what we have done, or not done, in this game.We were at the same level we were at before the Liverpool game, but then we were without our attacking forward, so didnt create enough.Also See:Stoke 2-1 Aston VillaAs it happenedGarde questions squads commitmentVilla fixtures ' ' '