Review our complete starting pitcher rankings alongside our array of lineup selection resources to assist you in making intelligent fantasy baseball decisions. This advice is specifically tailored for standard scoring 10-team leagues on ESPN.
Please note: The details provided here are correct as of the publication date. To stay informed on late-breaking updates and news that could alter today’s MLB matchups, make sure to monitor the newest fantasy baseball reports.
Additional tools: Relief pitcher depth chart | 2026 Projections
ESPN’s 2026 Player Rater | Betting analysis for Thursday
Thursday’s top streaming pitcher options
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Out of his 18 appearances this season, Brandon Young has delivered nine quality starts. Although he records a relatively low strikeout rate of 19.4%, his walk rate aligns with the league average and he excels at preventing home runs. Consequently, Young represents a dependable streaming candidate as the Baltimore Orioles welcome the Los Angeles Angels to Camden Yards. The 27-year-old righty goes up against an offense that leads the majors in strikeout rate when facing right-handed pitching, paired with low walk and home run percentages.
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Earlier this week, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired Dustin May in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. May’s upgraded command and rising strikeout numbers stem from a revised selection of pitches. There is typically some hesitation when a player is traded right after making adjustments, as observers wonder if the acquiring club will alter his style or keep things consistent. Fortunately, the Brewers have a track record of helping pitchers optimize their performance and are expected to leave his approach intact. May is set to make his post-trade debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates, an opponent whose offense is considerably less formidable in the absence of Ryan O’Hearn.
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While Bailey Ober was once a standard plug-and-play streaming option, health setbacks and poor performances previously removed him from fantasy consideration. However, his strong showing last month—yielding a 3.98 ERA and 1.28 WHIP—has restored his status as a viable fantasy option. The Minnesota Twins travel to play the Kansas City Royals, presenting Ober with a favorable matchup. The Royals possess a subpar wOBA against right-handed pitchers and will be missing Vinnie Pasquantino from their lineup.
Thursday’s top streaming hitter options
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Because the Arizona Diamondbacks bypassed starting pitching upgrades at the trade deadline, left-hander Kohl Drake takes over the fifth spot in their rotation. Through his opening 13 big-league frames, Drake has racked up 12 strikeouts, but he has also conceded five walks and three home runs. As the San Diego Padres arrive in Arizona for a division matchup, their right-handed batters stand to benefit from favorable platoon matchups, with Luis Rengifo, Ty France, and Xander Bogaerts serving as prime targets.
