Ready to dominate your fantasy baseball league? Look no further for **expert lineup advice and betting tips** to maximize your success this Thursday! Our comprehensive resources, including **starting pitcher rankings** and lineup tools, can help you craft the perfect strategy. Don’t forget to check out our insightful **[MLB betting tips](https://www.espn.com/chalk/)** updated every morning, providing odds courtesy of **[ESPN BET](https://espnbet.app.link/uiWE8nPBnJb)**. All advice here is tailored for **ESPN 10-team leagues** with standard scoring rules.
💡 Note: All information is accurate as of the publication time. For the latest updates, including what you might have missed from last night and any breaking news that could impact your fantasy lineup today, be sure to visit our latest **[fantasy baseball news](https://www.espn.com/fantasy/baseball/story/_/id/44288339/espn-fantasy-baseball-buzz-injuries-promotions-demotions-trades-prospects-lineup-changes-mlb-news-analysis)**.
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🔥 Pitching Notes for Thursday
Thursday’s **five-game slate** presents a challenge for fantasy managers; the top five pitchers rostered in over half of ESPN leagues dominate the rankings. The standout choice is **AJ Smith-Shawver**, who faces a tough away matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Next on the list is **Shane Baz**, starting for the Tampa Bay Rays against the Houston Astros. Despite his rocky May—featuring a **7.82 ERA and 1.86 WHIP**—he’s coming off his best performance of the month, making him the best option among the low-rostered pitchers against a team with below-average wOBA against right-handers.
Lastly, consider **Emerson Hancock**. He’s riding high after his fourth quality start in eight outings and is set to pitch at home against the Washington Nationals. T-Mobile Park is known as a **pitcher’s paradise**, offering a significant edge over hitters, with only one of Hancock’s quality starts occurring at home. The Nationals struggle against right-handed pitchers, adding to Hancock’s appeal.
⚾ Hitters to Stream on Thursday
With **[J.T. Ginn](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/4414002/jt-ginn)** on the IL and **[Osvaldo Bido](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/5132624/osvaldo-bido)** sent to Triple-A, the Athletics are looking to **Jacob Lopez** to step up. While he began the season in the bullpen with a **3.86 ERA** and *2.57 WHIP*, his last start featured seven innings of one-run ball and eight strikeouts. Look for batters in the **Rogers Centre**, as the righty-swinging **[Toronto Blue Jays](https://www.espn.com/mlb/team/_/name/tor/toronto-blue-jays)** will enjoy a favorable matchup against Lopez. Players like **Anthony Santander**, **Bo Bichette**, and **George Springer** are available in roughly a third of ESPN leagues, while **Alejandro Kirk** and **Ernie Clement** are easier to snag.
Wednesday’s rainout in Philadelphia has set up a **doubleheader** for Thursday. While this usually presents an excellent opportunity for hitters, the four probable starters are strong. Check for the availability of the Phillies’ **Nick Castellanos**, **Alec Bohm**, and **Bryson Stott**. Meanwhile, **Michael Harris II** could see action for the Braves.
💰 Betting Tips
The best and worst batter-pitcher matchups and betting projections come from **THE BAT X**, an advanced analytical system designed by Derek Carty, which utilizes sophisticated metrics similar to those employed in major league front offices. The projections consider a multitude of factors: player capabilities, ballparks, bullpens, weather, umpires, and more. For detailed betting insights, **[EV Analytics](https://evanalytics.com)** offers projections for every player, team, and matchup.
💡 Note: Expected Value (EV) measures the quality of a bet by weighing the probability of success against the odds offered by sportsbooks. For instance, if you were to wager $1.00 on a bet with an Expected Value of $25 across 100 rounds, you’d likely finish with a $25 profit on your total investment of $100.
To ensure you have the latest information, remember that betting odds typically get set after the previous day’s games conclude. Look out for updated betting tips tomorrow morning!
