- Spencer Strider has been nothing short of dominant this season (13.9 K/9, 2.45 ERA, 2.60 xFIP), but he's currently rostered in just 49% of ESPN leagues. His leash has been getting extended and he went over 100 pitches (106) for the first time in his professional career in his last start. THE BAT X projects him as the 21st-best overall pitcher in baseball on a per-inning basis. The matchup against the San Francisco Giants isn't perfect, but Strider still projects as the third-best overall option of the day. Grab him if he's still available and don't let him go.
- If Strider has already been scooped up, Rich Hill (6% rostered) is very likely to be available to you. He faces the lowly Detroit Tigers today in the only game with temperatures under 70 degrees, giving him one of the best matchups you can get. He's not the pitcher he used to be and doesn't go very deep into games anymore, but this premium matchup still marks him as the sixth-best pitcher today and the best among those that are widely available.
- If you're looking for a streamer that may be worth holding long-term (and Strider is gone), Roansy Contreras would be your guy. He's one of the better pitching prospects in baseball (throwing 97 mph) and has looked good (3.84 xFIP) in his eight major-league appearances, five of which have been starts. He gets a quality matchup against a bottom-five offense (the Chicago Cubs) who are taking a big park hit going into PNC Park. He's worth rostering longterm in medium-depth leagues.
- If have Dylan Cease on your roster, you may want to consider keeping him on your bench today. He faces an elite, high-powered Toronto Blue Jays offense in the game's best park for homers on a 91-degree day. THE BAT X projects a 4.74 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP in this spot, so unless that sounds appealing, you should sit this one out. Blue Jays hitters are actually quite sneaky, projecting as one of the top offenses of the day despite facing an elite pitcher.
- Seven offenses project for over five runs today, according to THE BAT X, and the most surprising (and most widely available) of them is the Pittsburgh Pirates. They face Chicago's Matt Swarmer and the weak Cubs bullpen in 89-degree weather. Outside of Bryan Reynolds and Ke'Bryan Hayes, the whole team is basically available in most leagues. Top prospect Oneil Cruz (7%) was just recalled from the minors, Jack Suwinskihas been hot (1%), and the likes of Michael Chavis (1%) and Daniel Vogelbach (1%) are strong options as well.