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 Thursday
Pitchers to stream on Thursday
Jared Jones is coming off one of his best games of the season, fanning nine in six frames last time out against the Los Angeles Angels. He's the top option on an abbreviated, five-game schedule when the Pittsburgh Pirates visit the Chicago White Sox. Jones will face a lineup with the ninth-highest home run rate versus right-handers, but overall, the White Sox are a league-average offense with an above-average strikeout rate.
If you were told that the most productive offense facing right-handers was from Pennsylvania, most would assume it was the Philadelphia Phillies, but it's the Pirates. The Phillies are 22nd. Cristian Javier and the Houston Astros visit the City of Brotherly Love for an interleague affair. Over his last three outings, Javier fanned 20 in 13 1/3 innings.
Martin Perez's penchant for keeping the ball in the yard has produced a 3.25 ERA, which is over a run below the associated estimators. This is usually a risky streaming profile, but the lefty is in play on a limited slate. It helps the Atlanta Braves host the Tampa Bay Rays, so Perez draws a lineup with the second-lowest home run rate against southpaws.
Hitters to stream on Thursday
Aaron Judge's return to the New York Yankees lineup will help everyone, but it could benefit Spencer Jones a little more, given that Judge hits fifth, so he'll often be in a position to knock Judge in. On Thursday, Jones also enjoys a favorable matchup with the Colorado Rockies, who are starting Ryan Feltner in the Bronx. The right-hander struggles equally at home and on the road.
Dominic Canzone has handled lefties and righties with equal aplomb this season, but it is still advantageous to enjoy the platoon edge. There was a time streaming against Jacob deGrom was a nonstarter, but the veteran isn't as reliable as he was in his salad days. Don't be swayed by the reputation; Canzone is in a good spot when the Seattle Mariners host the Texas Rangers.
