GAME I'M WATCHING: Friday
(Each day, Tristan shares the game he plans to watch from the cozy seat on his couch. Sorry, the hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jack aren't included.)
• Tigers at White Sox, 8:35 p.m. ET: It's the opener of yet another critical series for the defending-champion Chicago White Sox, but the headline story in this one won't necessarily be a battle of American League Central powerhouses, but rather the return of Detroit rookie Justin Verlander, who had his last start skipped due to fatigue. The right-hander remains tied for the major-league lead with 14 wins, but coming off a nine-day rest period, it would have been nice if he were facing an easier matchup than this. Verlander has already lost to Chicago twice this season with an 11.42 ERA in two starts, so don't read too much into his numbers on Friday, but keep an eye on his velocity and command.
SPOTLIGHT STARTERS: Friday
(Each day, we spotlight one of tomorrow's scheduled starting pitchers owned in 50 percent or fewer of ESPN.com fantasy leagues who warrants consideration.)
• Aaron Cook, Rockies (vs. Cubs, 1.5 percent owned): There aren't many pitchers who don't make useful plays against the light-hitting Cubs, but in Cook's case, what makes him even more appealing is that he'll be facing Rich Hill, a curveball specialist, in Coors Field, a park that limits the effectiveness of that pitch. Cook has a 3.81 ERA and .273 batting average allowed in 12 home games this season, and he won his only career start against the Cubs, limiting them to a run in seven innings last Aug. 20.
(Each day, Tristan shares the game he plans to watch from the cozy seat on his couch. Sorry, the hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jack aren't included.)
• Tigers at White Sox, 8:35 p.m. ET: It's the opener of yet another critical series for the defending-champion Chicago White Sox, but the headline story in this one won't necessarily be a battle of American League Central powerhouses, but rather the return of Detroit rookie Justin Verlander, who had his last start skipped due to fatigue. The right-hander remains tied for the major-league lead with 14 wins, but coming off a nine-day rest period, it would have been nice if he were facing an easier matchup than this. Verlander has already lost to Chicago twice this season with an 11.42 ERA in two starts, so don't read too much into his numbers on Friday, but keep an eye on his velocity and command.
SPOTLIGHT STARTERS: Friday
(Each day, we spotlight one of tomorrow's scheduled starting pitchers owned in 50 percent or fewer of ESPN.com fantasy leagues who warrants consideration.)
• Aaron Cook, Rockies (vs. Cubs, 1.5 percent owned): There aren't many pitchers who don't make useful plays against the light-hitting Cubs, but in Cook's case, what makes him even more appealing is that he'll be facing Rich Hill, a curveball specialist, in Coors Field, a park that limits the effectiveness of that pitch. Cook has a 3.81 ERA and .273 batting average allowed in 12 home games this season, and he won his only career start against the Cubs, limiting them to a run in seven innings last Aug. 20.
