Fantasy baseball pitcher rankings, lineup advice for Thursday’s MLB games

Look for our fantasy baseball starting pitcher rankings, hitter upgrades and downgrades daily to help you make smart fantasy baseball lineup decisions and for MLB betting tips. MLB game odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook, and fantasy advice is geared towards ESPN 10-team leagues with standard scoring.

Note: This file will be updated with any overnight pitching changes or weather-related game postponements, along with the addition of the latest MLB game odds as of the indicated time of publication.

What you need to know for Thursday’s MLB Games

By Mike Sheets

• It might be prudent to bench Luis Severino (87% rostered in ESPN leagues) in a tough home matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays. That said, the 28-year-old right-hander showed some encouraging takeaways in his 2022 debut, his first start since 2019. Despite lasting only three innings against the Boston Red Sox, Severino averaged 96.1 mph on his fastball (up 1.7 mph from 2021) and topped out at 100.3 mph, fanning five batters and walking none. Some patience may be required, but there’s hope for a bounce-back season.

• Connor Joe (14% rostered), who has been slotting in as the Colorado Rockies’ leadoff hitter whenever there’s a southpaw on the mound, is one of Thursday’s more intriguing streamers and DFS options with left-hander Justin Steele starting for the Chicago Cubs. Eligible at both first base and outfield, Joe has consistently produced double-digit walk rates across his professional career, and he’s already clubbed two homers and swiped a bag in five games in 2022. Elias Diaz (8%) is another interesting name if you need help at the catcher spot.

• With Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn both sidelined, the pitching depth of the Chicago White Sox is being tested. As a result, they’ll be rolling out Jimmy Lambert against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, which presents a nice stacking opportunity for Seattle’s bats. Not only do the Mariners get to square off against one of the day’s most exploitable hurlers, but they also get a big park upgrade, as Guaranteed Rate Field is significantly more homer-friendly than T-Mobile Park.

• After stumbling to a 5.36 ERA across 24 starts in 2021, JT Brubaker picked up where he left off in his 2022 debut, surrendering four earned runs to the St. Louis Cardinals in just three frames. Needless to say, he’s a hurler we want to attack in Thursday’s matchup versus the Washington Nationals. Most of Washington’s big bats are already rostered, but switch-hitting leadoff man Cesar Hernandez (9%) is widely available and should have some run-scoring opportunities while setting the table for Juan Soto, Nelson Cruz, and Josh Bell. Lane Thomas (2%), who offers a bit of power and speed, is another name to consider in deeper formats.

Starting pitcher rankings for Thursday