ESPN

What an interleague Friday this one is! We've got White Sox-Cubs, the "Battle of Chicago;" Cardinals-Red Sox, a rematch of the 2004 World Series; Reds-Yankees, featuring a matchup of early-season standouts Edinson Volquez and Mike Mussina; and Giants-Royals ... OK, so that one isn't quite as exciting. Besides Mussina, though, we've got two other 10-game winners, Aaron Cook and Cliff Lee, taking the hill.

Time	Visitors		L/R	Record	ERA	WHIP		Home		L/R	Record	ERA	WHIP
2:20 p.m.		John Danks	L	4-4	2.90	1.25	@		Ted Lilly	L	7-5	4.76	1.33
7:05 p.m.		Kyle Lohse	R	8-2	3.77	1.21	@		Tim Wakefield	R	4-4	4.19	1.31
7:05 p.m.		Edinson Volquez	R	9-2	1.64	1.17	@		Mike Mussina	R	10-4	3.87	1.22
7:05 p.m.		Ervin Santana	R	8-3	3.40	1.08	@		Adam Eaton	R	2-4	4.57	1.39
7:05 p.m.		Roy Halladay	R	8-6	3.09	1.03	@		Zach Duke	L	4-4	4.24	1.52
7:10 p.m.		Roy Oswalt	R	5-7	5.04	1.45	@		Matt Garza	R	5-3	4.06	1.31
7:30 p.m.		Erik Bedard	L	4-4	4.14	1.35	@		Jorge Campillo	R	2-1	2.17	1.00
7:35 p.m.		Kevin Millwood	R	5-3	4.75	1.64	@		Tim Redding	R	6-3	4.10	1.31
8:05 p.m.		Radhames Liz	R	1-0	4.32	1.02	@		Jeff Suppan	R	4-4	3.68	1.46
8:10 p.m.		Matt Cain	R	3-5	4.39	1.38	@		Luke Hochevar	R	4-5	4.66	1.49
8:10 p.m.		Randy Johnson	L	4-4	4.76	1.40	@		Scott Baker	R	2-2	3.71	1.18
9:05 p.m.		John Maine	R	6-5	3.87	1.32	@		Aaron Cook	R	10-3	3.29	1.27
10:05 p.m.		Mark Hendrickson	L	7-5	5.74	1.56	@		Rich Harden	R	4-0	2.53	1.18
10:05 p.m.		Eddie Bonine	R	1-0	10.13	1.69	@		Cha Seung Baek	R	1-2	4.84	1.34
10:40 p.m.		Cliff Lee	L	10-1	2.55	1.09	@		Clayton Kershaw	L	0-1	3.75	1.58

All times are ET.

Out
Paul Konerko, 1B, White Sox (oblique)
Brad Penny, SP, Dodgers (shoulder)
Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals (concussion)

Day-to-day
Jason Bartlett, SS, Rays (foot)
Milton Bradley, OF, Rangers (quadriceps)
Coco Crisp, OF, Red Sox (hand)
Ryan Doumit, C/OF, Pirates (concussion)
Jim Edmonds, OF, Cubs (foot)
Ken Griffey Jr., OF, Reds (illness)
Kevin Hart, RP, Cubs (concussion)
Brandon Inge, C/3B/OF, Tigers (oblique)
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, Padres (back)
Xavier Nady, OF, Pirates (shoulder)
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies (quadriceps)
Kevin Youkilis, 1B/3B, Red Sox (back)

Hitters: You might think that with Paul Konerko on the DL, the White Sox will try Jim Thome at first base in a National League park, but don't be so hasty. Thome didn't play in the field once during the team's May 16-18 series in San Francisco, and he has recently battled back trouble. Manager Ozzie Guillen has already said Thome probably won't play any first base in NL parks, so keep him reserved. Other designated hitters likely to sit Friday: The Indians' David Dellucci (faces a left-hander), the Tigers' Jeff Larish (no reasonable place to play) and the Blue Jays' Matt Stairs (faces a left-hander). With Richie Sexson rumored on the cutting block, the Mariners' Jose Vidro could sneak in a start at first base, not that he's fantasy-worthy for Friday. The Orioles' Aubrey Huff, based on his lifetime .438 batting average (7-for-16) and one home run against the Brewers' Jeff Suppan, should find a spot in the lineup, probably at first base ahead of Kevin Millar since third baseman Melvin Mora is 3-for-7 with a homer in his career against Suppan. The Rangers' Milton Bradley would likely start in right field so long as his quadriceps injury has healed; check his status. And finally, the Angels' Garret Anderson, a noted interleague terror, should get a start at Gary Matthews Jr.'s expense, as Anderson is a lifetime .462 hitter (6-for-13) with a homer against the Phillies' Adam Eaton. ... That Ryan Ludwick has amassed .338/1.075 rates against right-handers -- and .333/1.144 road rates -- for the season indicates he's well worth using against the Red Sox's Tim Wakefield. ... Keep riding J.D. Drew's hot streak, as he's hitting .441 (26-for-59) with nine home runs and 21 RBIs in his past 17 contests. Plus, this is a home game against a right-hander for him, and he's over .300/1.000 rates in both splits for his season. ... Scott Rolen is 5-for-8 lifetime against the Pirates' Zach Duke and a .377 hitter with seven homers, 36 RBIs and a 1.133 OPS in 38 career games at Pittsburgh's PNC Park. ... Though the Blue Jays' Roy Halladay poses a tough matchup for any Pirates hitter, Ryan Doumit has been on too much a tear to sit, having batted .314 (11-for-35) with four home runs in 10 games since returning from the DL. He's also a .337/1.007 hitter against right-handers, making him an effective must-start so long as he's cleared to play. ... Miguel Tejada has experience, and good experience against the Rays' Matt Garza. He's 3-for-7 with two home runs lifetime against the right-hander. He's also a .408 hitter (31-for-76) in his past 19 games at Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field (2006-07). ... If you hopped on the Luke Scott bandwagon thanks to Will Harris' Thursday recommendation, be sure to stay on board for Friday! Not only is Scott hitting .295 with a .948 OPS against right-handers this season, he's a .283 hitter with four homers and a 1.095 OPS in 18 career games at Milwaukee's Miller Park. ... Bobby Crosby is 4-for-7 lifetime against the Marlins' Mark Hendrickson. ... Curtis Granderson has two hits in six at-bats in his career against the Padres' Cha Seung Baek, and both of them were home runs. ... Matt Kemp continues to tear up left-handed pitching -- it's one thing he excels at -- with .329/.938 rates against that side. As such, keep him in there against the Indians' Cliff Lee.

Pitchers: I'm admittedly skittish about giving the go-ahead to John Danks, knowing the Cubs represent the game's most potent offense both at home and against left-handers (in terms of team OPS). In the lefty's defense, though, he has a 1.72 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in six road starts, and the Twins are the only team to have scored more than three runs against him in his 14 starts (they did it twice!). That's a hot streak tough to ignore, so I'll settle it this way: If your league has an innings/starts cap, play it safe. If not, go for it! ... Mike Mussina might seem a shaky bet battling the Reds and major league ERA leader Edinson Volquez, but it's tough to think about sitting a guy who's 9-1 with a 3.25 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in his past 11 starts. Mussina's past two home starts have been absolute gems, so even if he can't steal the "W" away from Volquez, he should keep the score close and be of use to you in ERA/WHIP/K's. ... Of course, Volquez is an stronger bet for his battle with Mussina. He already flustered the comparably potent Red Sox this past Saturday and has 11 consecutive quality starts, and these Yankees might not be prepared for a pitcher with this filthy an arsenal. ... Ervin Santana hasn't been problematic on the road this year, with a 5-1 record, 3.50 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and six quality starts in eight turns, so an assignment at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park shouldn't be too terrifying. Besides, he faces Adam Eaton, so even if his ERA/WHIP is only so-so, a "W" sure seems possible. ... Erik Bedard has been nothing short of extraordinary in his interleague career, with a 6-1 record, 2.04 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 13 such starts, with nine of the past 10 being quality starts. As you'll read below in the "Waiver Wire" section, I'm expecting a low-scoring affair, but I don't play for wins; Bedard (and his opponent) should be fine sources of ERA/WHIP/K's. ... This is one time I'm lukewarm on Matt Cain, and it's partly due to his underwhelming 2-3 record, 4.61 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in his past eight starts. He's a much better home pitcher than road, the Royals are loaded with lefty hitters and I actually like his opponent's matchup better given the choice (as you'll read below). ... In case you weren't aware, Randy Johnson is 4-2 with a 2.12 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in eight road starts since the beginning of last season, while his opponents, the Twins, sport a terrible .656 team OPS against left-handers. Sounds like a fabulous matchup to me! ... John Maine's last start at Colorado's Coors Field, on May 25, seems about right as a statistical ceiling for him (6 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 8 K's). Don't count on more, but the reason I recommend him only in deep-mixed and NL-only leagues instead of a must-start across the board is that he's battling the underrated Aaron Cook. ... Cook, by the way, is 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in four starts against the Mets since 2005, including a masterful complete-game, 4-1 victory against Maine on May 25. I'd call a repeat more likely than a reversal of fortune. ... Though I continue to stress he's a sell-high candidate, Rich Harden makes for a must-start against the strikeout-happy Marlins (MLB-high 613). ... Though the Dodgers' one true strength as an offense is that they hit left-handers well (.784 team OPS), I'm leaning more toward the fact that they're mired in a horrendous funk when I say to go ahead and start Cliff Lee.

Hitters: For as long as Alfonso Soriano remains sidelined, Reed Johnson is going to be the Cubs' leadoff hitter against left-handers, as he's a .319 hitter with an .872 OPS against that side for the season. ... Skip Schumaker can handle righties, with .356/.939 rates against that side, so count on him being in the lineup, either in left field or as the DH. ... David Eckstein is a .314/.929 hitter against left-handers this season, and a lifetime .375 hitter (6-for-16) against the Pirates' Zach Duke. ... Expect Darin Erstad to get a start at first base or left field (either Lance Berkman or Carlos Lee should DH) against right-hander Matt Garza. Erstad is a .308/.805 hitter against right-handers, and a fine NL-only choice. ... Willy Aybar has been playing regularly at first base with Carlos Pena sidelined, and he'll be facing a left-hander who struggles on the road. His .440/1.260 rates against southpaws say he makes a fine spot start. ... I know Russell Branyan is a strikeout risk against the Orioles' Radhames Liz, but his 2008 numbers at home (.371 BA, 1.521 OPS) and against right-handers (.360/1.439) are too good to ignore. He could hit a homer, walk and strike out twice and it'd still be a game worth having used. ... Mark Ellis is an effective must-start based on two key factors. One, he's 4-for-8 with three home runs lifetime against the Marlins' Mark Hendrickson. Two, he's on a monstrous tear lately, batting .422 (16-for-38) with three home runs, 10 RBIs and six multi-hit efforts in his past nine contests. ... Don't be afraid to use Marcus Thames in spite of his facing a right-handed pitcher at spacious Petco Park in San Diego. He's actually a scorching .292 hitter with a 1.004 OPS against righties this season and has eight home runs while starting 10 of the Tigers' past 12 games. Plus, the right-hander he'll be facing is the so-so Cha Seung Baek, not a scary matchup at all. ... Ryan Garko seems to be picking things up, batting .344 (22-for-64) with 17 RBIs in his past 17 games. As he's a .333/.931 hitter against left-handers, Garko is well worth a look against the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw.

Pitchers: Matt Garza is a sparkling 4-0 with a 2.19 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in six starts at home this season, and the Astros haven't shown us much of anything as an offense this month. ... Jorge Campillo has pitched well enough in a starting role -- 2.78 ERA, 1.02 WHIP -- and the Mariners have performed poorly enough against right-handers -- MLB-worst .662 team OPS -- that he's well worth exploiting the favorable matchup. Again, it's a tough call for the "W," but play Campillo's ratios/K's. ... With his funky delivery and mid-90s heat, Radhames Liz has been a bit frustrating a pitcher for teams to face thus far. Not that a matchup in Milwaukee facing a red-hot Brewers offense represents a great choice, but that's a team that does strike out a good share. Liz warrants a look in deeper AL-only leagues. ... There might not be a pitcher in baseball who loves working at Milwaukee's Miller Park than Jeff Suppan. He's 16-3 with a 2.85 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 30 career starts there, and he'll face the Orioles, whose offense is nothing more than league-average. ... Luke Hochevar has a 3.70 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in four home starts this year and he showed markedly improved command in his past two turns, both of which came on the road against potent offenses (Yankees, Diamondbacks). The Giants don't hit righties nearly as well as they do lefties, so that sounds like a great matchup to me. ... Not that I expect him to grab a "W" battling Randy Johnson, but Scott Baker has a 3.00 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in three starts since returning from the DL, while the Diamondbacks represent a league-average offense both on the road and against right-handers. Use Baker for ERA/WHIP/K's help, as he should keep this thing close. ... With Mike Gonzalez notching a save on Wednesday, he appears a prime candidate to get the bulk of the ninth-inning work for the Braves. The Mariners' lineup might handle lefties better than righties, but it's still a chance worth taking.

Three Friday games are weatherproof: Astros-Rays, Orioles-Brewers and Diamondbacks-Twins. Beyond that, though, there isn't any forecasted precipitation that seems like it'd be a threat to any one game. There's a chance of scattered showers in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Colorado, New York and Pittsburgh, but not one of those cities has greater than a 30-percent chance of rain, and none seems like it'll face a torrential downpour. And after all, it's interleague play time, so you know these games would be rescheduled promptly, probably on Saturday, if postponed.

Tristan H. Cockcroft covers fantasy sports for ESPN.com. You can e-mail him here.