Latest fantasy baseball pitcher rankings lineup advice tips mlb daily notes june 17 games

ESPN FantasyJun 16, 2026, 03:48 PM ET
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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.

Other resources: RP depth chart | 2026 Rankings
ESPN's 2026 Player Rater | Betting notes for Wednesday

STARTING PITCHERS FOR WEDNESDAY

Pitchers are ranked in order of their Forecaster/Daily Notes projected fantasy points (FPTS), using ESPN's standard scoring system (2 points per win, minus-2 per loss, 3 per inning, 1 per K, minus-1 apiece per hit or walk allowed, minus-2 per earned run allowed).

T: The pitcher's handedness. OPP: Opposing team. RST%: The pitcher's roster percentage in ESPN leagues. W%: The individual starting pitcher's win probability using ESPN projections. IP: Projected innings pitched. H+BB: Projected hits plus walks allowed. ER: Projected earned runs allowed. K: Projected strikeouts.

If a team is planning on using an "opener" to start their game, but will rely on a "bulk pitcher" to follow him on the mound after 1-2 innings, the bulk pitcher is listed and indicated with an asterisk.

FPTS	Pitcher	T	Opp	Rst%	W%	IP	H+BB	ER	K
14.2	Shohei Ohtani	R	TB	99.8%	45%	5.9	6.5	1.8	6.3
13.3	Carlos Rodon	L	CWS	64.2%	38%	5.9	6.7	2.1	6.2
13.3	Nolan McLean	R	@CIN	87.5%	48%	6.1	7.1	2.4	6.3
12.8	Peter Lambert	R	DET	9.7%	40%	5.6	6.7	1.8	5.8
12.0	George Kirby	R	BAL	91.1%	41%	6.0	7.1	2.5	6.0
10.7	Anthony Kay	L	@NYY	4.8%	27%	5.5	6.7	2.1	5.4
9.3	Sandy Alcantara	R	@PHI	75.4%	36%	5.8	7.5	2.9	5.1
9.2	Casey Mize	R	@HOU	38.5%	20%	5.1	6.2	2.2	4.9
9.1	Kyle Bradish	R	@SEA	60.5%	25%	5.3	7.0	2.5	5.4
8.7	JR Ritchie	R	SF	3.2%	31%	5.3	6.5	2.5	4.4
8.6	Gavin Williams	R	@MIL	95.7%	26%	5.2	7.2	2.7	5.6
8.3	Brandon Sproat	R	CLE	1.4%	29%	5.1	6.5	2.5	4.5
8.3	Robbie Ray	L	@ATL	50.2%	30%	5.5	7.6	3.0	5.3
8.2	Shane McClanahan	L	@LAD	58.6%	15%	4.6	5.7	1.9	4.3
8.2	Griffin Canning	R	@STL	0.8%	31%	5.4	7.5	2.6	4.8
7.9	Andrew Painter	R	MIA	7.6%	31%	5.6	7.6	3.1	5.0
7.9	Eduardo Rodriguez	L	LAA	46.3%	32%	5.6	8.0	3.2	5.4
7.4	Kyle Leahy	R	SD	3.3%	25%	5.1	7.0	2.6	4.4
7.3	Javier Assad	R	COL	4.5%	28%	4.9	6.7	2.4	4.0
7.2	Nick Lodolo	L	NYM	48.0%	18%	5.4	7.8	3.2	5.6
7.0	Sean Sullivan	L	@CHC	0.0%	19%	4.5	5.8	2.2	3.8
6.4	Zack Littell	R	KC	5.0%	15%	4.4	5.6	2.4	3.6
5.9	Sam Aldegheri	L	@ARI	0.3%	29%	5.2	7.9	2.9	3.9
5.8	Braxton Ashcraft	R	@ATH	85.4%	35%	5.3	7.9	3.9	5.5
5.6	Luinder Avila	R	@WSH	0.3%	14%	4.2	5.9	2.2	3.6
5.6	Max Scherzer	R	@BOS	2.5%	18%	4.6	6.3	3.0	4.3
4.9	Jake Bennett	L	TOR	0.3%	8%	3.7	5.2	2.1	3.3
1.9	Aaron Civale	R	PIT	3.7%	12%	4.5	7.2	4.0	4.0

Pitchers to stream on Wednesday

Javier Assad's first two outings since entering the Chicago Cubs rotation have been quality starts with no earned runs allowed over those 12 1/3 innings. He backed it with 10 strikeouts and just one walk over that span. Next up is a home date with the Colorado Rockies and a below-average road offense facing right-handers, fueled by a high 25% strikeout rate.
Eduardo Rodriguez had trouble finding the plate in his last outing, issuing five walks in just 2 2/3 innings, but over his previous seven starts, he recorded a 2.15 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with only 11 free passes over 46 frames. Look for the lefty to rebound when the Arizona Diamondbacks host the Los Angeles Angels. He's not dominant, but Rodriguez should take advantage of the Angels' 25% road strikeout rate facing southpaws.
Peter Lambert helped keep the Houston Astros pitching afloat in the absence of Hunter Brown, and now he follows Brown in the rotation as the club tries to get back into the AL Wild Card race. Lambert has a home date with the Detroit Tigers, another club trying to overcome a slow start and get back in the playoff picture. The Tigers are below average facing right-handers and could be without 2B Gleyber Torres.

Pitchers to avoid on Wednesday

It won't be as favorable as Las Vegas, but it's warming up in Sacramento, and the the ball is carrying at Sutter Health Park. Pittsburgh Pirates' right-hander Braxton Ashcraft is enjoying a breakthrough season and may emerge as a matchup-proof starter, but the Athletics' offense is dangerous at home. With over half of the fantasy week left on the docket, those playing in formats with games started or innings limits, it's best to avoid Ashcraft.

Hitters to stream on Wednesday

Like most of the Athletics rotation, Aaron Civale has struggled at home. On Wednesday, he'll come off the 15-day IL to face the Pirates in Sacramento. He's not fully stretched out, which could burden the Athletics' subpar bullpen. With the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers enjoying a day off, target Pirates' hitters to fill lineup holes, especially Spencer Horwitz, Ryan O'Hearn, Nick Gonzales and Tyler Callihan.