MLB lineups for Friday, April 7th: Oneil Cruz, Jazz Chisholm starting, Bobby Witt Jr. out

After four weather-related postponements on Thursday, the MLB schedule gives us just about a full slate for Friday, including several teams finally playing their home openers of the 2023 season. Who’s in? Who’s out? Who should you have in your fantasy lineup? Here’s your MLB starting lineup report for Friday, April 7th, complete with fantasy streaming advice.

MLB starting lineups for Friday, April 7th

Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets, 1:10 p.m. ET

Jazz Chisholm owners can breathe a sigh of relief, as the Marlins outfielder is back in the lineup after suffering a stinger in his right shoulder on Wednesday. Jesus Sanchez draws the start in left field against righty Tylor Megill, while Jon Berti continues to fill in for the injured Ben Zobrist and could be a sneaky source of steals.

Alas, while the Mets called up top prospect Francisco Alvarez after Omar Narvaez’s injury, it’ll be Tomas Nido getting the start at catcher for New York.

Texas Rangers vs. Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m. ET

Utilityman Josh Smith is back for Texas after being hit by a pitch in the face earlier in the week, while Mitch Garver gets a start at catcher and Brad Miller draws a start against the righty Marcus Stroman.

The Miles Mastrobuoni experiment continues in right field with Seiya Suzuki on the mend, while the trio of Nico Hoerner/Dansby Swanson/Ian Happ remains entrenched atop Chicago’s lineup.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 3:05 p.m. ET

TJ Friedl and Jake Fraley continue to find themselves in the heart of Cincinnati’s lineup against right-handers, batting second and third respectively to face Philly starter Zack Wheeler.

This Phillies lineup, meanwhile, is a far cry from the expectation in the spring. Darick Hall being put on the 10-day IL with a thumb injury means that Kody Clemens will slot in as Philly’s first baseman, while Brandon Marsh is back after tweaking his ankle on Wednesday.

New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles, 3:05 p.m. ET

DJ LeMahieu fills in at the hot corner for the injured Josh Donaldson (hamstring), while Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero man the corner outfield spots — Cabrera in particular is a name to watch as he’s up to sixth in the lineup and should see plenty of playing time amid New York’s many injury risks.

No Kyle Stowers for the Orioles today, as Ramon Urias continues to see playing time — while Gunnar Henderson’s slow start hasn’t affected his lineup placement at all.

Seattle Mariners vs. Cleveland Guardians, 4:10 p.m. ET

Ty France and Eugenio Suarez have been bumped up behind Julio Rodriguez atop the Mariners order, while Jarred Kelenic gets the start in left against Aaron Civale.

The red-hot Josh Naylor is back in the lineup for the Guardians after a day off on Wednesday, while Andres Gimenez now finds himself all the way down at seventh in the lineup — the Guardians offense is much deeper this year than it was last year, which could affect Gimenez’s steals and counting stats.

Houston Astros vs. Minnesota Twins, 4:10 p.m. ET

Chas McCormick appears to have finally unseated Jake Meyers in center field for Houston, and it’s about time.

Trevor Larnach keeps that third spot in the order on lockdown, at least against right-handed pitching, and is somehow still underrated in fantasy circles — it’s time to move on from that fringe draft pick you had high hopes for and embrace the guy batting in the middle of a solid lineup. Max Kepler remains out for Minnesota, while Joey Gallo draws another start and could make for a strong DFS play.

Chicago White Sox vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 4:12 p.m. ET

Yoan Moncada is back in the lineup for the White Sox after a day off on Thursday, while Oscar Colas will draw another start in right field — although he is batting ninth (don’t expect that to remain the case for long; if you can buy low on the Cuban star, do so). Andrew Benintendi gets a day off with a lefty on the mound for Pittsburgh.

There’s also good news on the injury front for Oneil Cruz, whose facial injury suffered in a collision with Rafael Devers on Wednesday won’t be enough for him to miss time — he’s leading off Friday against Chicago.

Kansas City Royals vs. San Francisco Giants, 4:35 p.m. ET

Kyle Isbel is back from paternity leave, while a day off for Bobby Witt Jr. means Michael Massey has earned his way towards the top of Kansas City’s lineup and could be a sneaky source of speed.

David Villar in the three-hole for the Giants is a new development, and keep an eye on Blake Sabol — he’s started strong this year, and any catcher-eligible player who gets innings at other positions is instantly worthy of fantasy consideration.

Oakland Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 6:40 p.m. ET

Ryan Noda gets the start at DH for Oakland with righty Zach Eflin on the mound.

Lefty Ken Waldichuk on the mound for Oakland means no Josh Lowe or Luke Raley for the Rays while Isaac Paredes hits third.

San Diego Padres vs. Atlanta Braves, 7:20 p.m. ET

Lefty Jared Shuster on the hill for Atlanta means Nelson Cruz at DH and Jose Azocar in right field for Rougned Odor.

Michael Harris II’s move to the injured list with back soreness means that Sam Hilliard will now patrol center field for the Braves, while Eddie Rosario is back in left with righty Nick Martinez on the mound for the Padres.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 8:10 p.m. ET

Alec Burleson continues to eat into Dylan Carlson’s playing time, and now he’s batting second against the right-hander Brandon Woodruff.

It’s a full youth movement in Milwaukee, as Brice Turang, Garrett Mitchell and Joey Wiemer are all in the lineup to face Jack Flaherty — and all of them provide interesting fantasy potential due to their speed and access to playing time.

Washington Nationals vs. Colorado Rockies, 8:40 p.m. ET

Alex Call is leading off while Lane Thomas drops down to seventh in the order against the right-handed Jose Urena.

Elehuris Montero draws another start with lefty MacKenzie Gore on the hill for the Nationals, while Jurickson Profar appears to have solidified the leadoff spot for Colorado.

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels, 9:38 p.m. ET

The recently recalled Jordan Luplow finds himself in the starting lineup for Toronto against Tyler Anderson, as the righty has mashed lefties in his career.

Jake Lamb gets the start at first against righty Chris Bassitt, and he’s hitting in a plum spot.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 9:40 p.m. ET

L.A. will finally get Miguel Vargas back from his finger injury, although Miguel Rojas remains out as he battles a groin tweak — Chris Taylor gets the call at shortstop.