- Rich Hill (5% rostered in ESPN leagues) continues to get it done at 42 years old, delivering a 2.89 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP across six starts. His career-worst 18.6% strikeout rate keeps dwindling, which decreases his margin for error, but his 6.2% walk rate is his best mark of the last seven years. While Hill has pitched beyond the fifth inning just once this season, Thursday's matchup against the Seattle Mariners puts him in good position for another extended outing. The Mariners offense has been merely league average in May while posting a bottom-five ISO (.120).
- Thursday presents us with an enticing opportunity to stack bats against the Carlos Hernandez of the Kansas City Royals, who has been arguably the worst pitcher in baseball this season. The right-hander has been blasted for a 9.11 ERA with more walks than strikeouts in six starts. The big bats on the Chicago White Sox are already rostered, but Andrew Vaughn (42%), AJ Pollock(22%), and Gavin Sheets (3%) are all available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues.
- After firing six shutout frames in his MLB debut, things didn't go as well for George Kirby (37%) in his second big-league start. His slider wasn't getting whiffs, and his defense faltered behind him. Still, the rookie managed to limit the damage, allowing just one earned run over four frames. The Boston Red Sox lineup may look intimidating on paper, but their 88 wRC+ ranks 24th in baseball, so it hasn't exactly been firing on all cylinders. You don't need to go out of your way to get Kirby into your starting lineup, but the 24-year-old is still worth streaming consideration on Thursday's shortened slate.
- If you're seeking offense, Juan Yepez (21%) continues to play every day and bat cleanup in the St. Louis Cardinals lineup. More importantly, the 24-year-old continues to rake, hitting .333/.400/.533 with a pair of homers through his first 12 games. Yepez is seeing time in the outfield in addition to first base, so he should gain dual eligibility soon. Thursday's matchup against Chris Bassitt isn't particularly favorable, but Yepez is still a young bat worth rostering.
- After firing six shutout frames in his MLB debut, things didn't go as well for George Kirby (37%) in his second big-league start. His slider wasn't getting whiffs, and his defense faltered behind him. Still, the rookie managed to limit the damage, allowing just one earned run over four frames. The Boston Red Sox lineup may look intimidating on paper, but their 88 wRC+ ranks 24th in baseball, so it hasn't exactly been firing on all cylinders. You don't need to go out of your way to get Kirby into your starting lineup, but the 24-year-old is still worth streaming consideration on Thursday's shortened slate.
What you need to know for Thursday
- Thread starter biggins
- Start date
