Check out all of our starting pitcher rankings and other lineup selection tools here to help you make smart fantasy baseball lineup decisions. All fantasy advice is geared toward ESPN 10-team leagues with standard scoring.
Note: All information is accurate as of the time of publication. For updates, as well as any breaking news that might impact today's MLB slate, be sure to check out the latest fantasy baseball buzz.
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ESPN's 2026 Draft Guide | Betting notes for Thursday
Pitchers to stream on Thursday
After a case of gopheritis knocked Seth Lugo out of the circle of fantasy trust last season, he's keeping the ball in the yard this season and issuing fewer walks. The result is eight quality starts in 12 outings, including each of his last three. The Kansas City Royals open a four-game road set with the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Lugo will face a lineup with a strikeout rate, walk rate, home run rate and wOBA a tick worse than league average.
J.T. Ginn continues to be both lucky and good, tempered by a high walk rate. He has posted four quality starts over his last five outings, but unless he learns how to miss more bats or issues fewer free passes, he's a regression candidate. That said, most of this is due to struggles at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park, and next up is a road affair when the Athletics wrap up a series in Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs. After starting the season with one of the most productive lineups in the league, the Cubs have scored the sixth-fewest runs per game over the last month.
While it's not 100% certain there is a cause and effect, in four appearances as the bulk reliever, Brayan Bello recorded a 0.71 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 22 punchouts and just three walks over 25 1/3 innings. It's not clear if he'll follow an opener again when the Boston Red Sox host the Baltimore Orioles, but since he hasn't allowed an earned run over his last 12 innings, Bello merits streaming consideration.
Pitcher to avoid on Thursday
When the New York Yankees meet the Cleveland Guardians in the Bronx, Carlos Rodon will be making his fifth start since returning from offseason elbow surgery to remove loose bodies and shave a bone spur in his throwing elbow. The southpaw's stuff matches pre-injury levels, but he is struggling mightily with location. The Guardians' lineup is extremely patient and doesn't strike out much, which is a bad matchup for Rodon. It shouldn't be long before the lefty regains streaming status, but for now it's best to avoid him.
Hitters to stream on Thursday
It's finally warming up in the Northeast, with game-time temperatures for Thursday's matinee between the Red Sox and Orioles forecast to be in the high 80s with a gentle breeze blowing toward center field. Trevor Rogers is set to take the hill for the visitors, and after three solid outings to begin the season, the lefty has recorded a 10.01 ERA and 1.89 WHIP. Many of the Red Sox's more productive hitters don't have the platoon advantage, but righties Ceddanne Rafaela, Willson Contreras, Andruw Monasterio, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Caleb Durbin line up for a productive afternoon.
