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
ESPN's 2026 Draft Guide | Betting notes for Monday
Pitchers to stream on Monday
Brandon Young is the top-ranked streaming option on Monday's ledger, but on other days, he may not even make the cut as the schedule does not offer the usual array of favorable matchups. On the surface, his 3.33 ERA is impressive, but the associated 4.42 xFIP and 4.50 SIERA warn of a correction. The Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays play the finale of a wraparound series at Tropicana Field. Young's lack of strikeout prowess isn't much of a factor since the Rays put the ball in play. His success is primarily due to keeping the ball in the yard, which is risky to trust against the top of the Rays' lineup.
Walker Buehler making the cut is also less about his production and more about the lack of options, with some consideration given to the matchup. The resurgent San Diego Padres open a road set against the New York Mets. To be fair, the Mets are playing better baseball lately, but for the season, they still sport the fourth-lowest wOBA against right-handed pitching.
Even though he's ranked a little lower, Andre Pallante could be the top option. The St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds will play a doubleheader, with Pallante slated for one of the contests. His modest 17.1% strikeout rate leaves him vulnerable, but the Reds sport the highest strikeout rate and second-lowest wOBA with a righty on the hill. Pallante may also face some non-regulars if Reds' manager Terry Francona opts to have everyone play in the twin bill.
With the lack of streaming options and an abbreviated Monday slate which features a doubleheader, the best approach is focusing on having a full lineup of bats, then catching up on pitching later in the week. There will inevitably be better options in the coming days.
Hitters to stream on Monday
The Cardinals are closer than the Reds to the third wild card spot in the National League, so they are better targets to appear in both ends of the split doubleheader at Great American Ball Park. On paper, they also have more favorable pitching matchups. Even after crushing three homers in his major league debut, Joshua Baez is available in just over half of all ESPN leagues. Ivan Herrera is available in only 25%, but it's worth the effort to check his status. Nathan Church and Masyn Winn are the other options.
There is a good chance the Reds face a righty in one game and a lefty in the other, making it less likely that a hitter starts twice. Among batters available in more than half of ESPN leagues, JJ Bleday, Eugenio Suarez, Dane Myers and Noelvi Marte have the best chance to pull double duty.