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
Kade Anderson's first two starts have been serviceable. His third lines up to be his breakthrough effort when the Seattle Mariners host the Athletics. Over his first two outings, the rookie left-hander fanned a modest eight hitters and allowed five walks. Next up is an offense with the ninth-highest strikeout rate against lefties over the past month. The depleted Athletics lineup will go from one extreme to the other, being away from Sutter Health Park and playing in T-Mobile Park.
J.T. Ginn also benefits from the Athletics playing in one of the best pitching parks in the league. He'll oppose Anderson in what portends to be a low-scoring affair. The Mariners sport the third-lowest wOBA facing right-handed pitching, and for the past month they've fanned a generous 25% of the time. Meanwhile, Ginn has 11 quality starts and fans just under a batter per inning on the road.
Jake Bennett has won two straight games, going six scoreless in the Bronx in one to help the Boston Red Sox salvage one game from their recent four-game set with the New York Yankees. A road affair with the Baltimore Orioles is on tap. The left-hander faces a club with below-average production and a high strikeout rate facing southpaws.
Hitters to stream on Thursday
Chandler Simpson leads the majors in steals since the break and has the third most for the season. Thursday is a great day to add him to lineups in need of stolen bases, with the Tampa Bay Rays in Arlington for a matchup with the Texas Rangers. Cal Quantrill takes the hill for the home team, and he has been on the hill for 10 steals, the second most on the staff. No one has been caught this season with Quantrill toeing the rubber.
Bryce Eldridge has 15 home runs over 93 games, with seven coming in 39 games since the break. The San Francisco Giants are in the Steel City for an early matinee with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The initial forecast calls for it to be hot and humid with the wind blowing out to right center. Carmen Mlodzinski will likely appear, either as a starter or bulk reliever. Either way, he's not likely to log more than five frames, so the Giants will face several relievers. The conditions and scenario put Eldridge on the top of the list for power.