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MLB DFS Picks: Starting Pitcher Rankings for Thursday 6/25/26

MLB DFS Picks: Starting Pitcher Rankings for Thursday 6/25/26

MLB DraftKings Fantasy Advice DFS MLB DFS

Published:

By: Sam Connon

The 2026 MLB regular season is approaching its midpoint. There’s another jam-packed slate on the books for Thursday, so there is no better time to dive right into the Daily Fantasy action. Pitchers are already ranked by price, with the ones who are projected to perform better eating up more of your budget, but I am here to add my two cents. I have my own DFS rankings for the top 10 starting pitchers in the six-game Thursday night contest that locks at 6:40 p.m. ET.

Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $100K Bat Flip [$25K to 1st]

MLB DFS Pitcher Rankings — Thursday, June 25

RankNameTeamOpponentSalary
1. Cristopher SanchezPhiladelphia PhilliesWashington Nationals$11,500
2. Cam SchlittlerNew York YankeesBoston Red Sox$10,500
3. Connelly EarlyBoston Red SoxNew York Yankees$8,000
4. Kevin GausmanToronto Blue JaysTexas Rangers$8,500
5. MacKenzie GoreTexas RangersToronto Blue Jays$7,300
6. Troy MeltonDetroit TigersHouston Astros$7,000
7. Freddy PeraltaNew York MetsChicago Cubs$7,500
8. Matthew BoydChicago CubsNew York Mets$7,200
9. Tatsuya ImaiHouston AstrosDetroit Tigers$6,300
10.Cade CavalliWashington NationalsPhiladelphia Phillies$6,100

Best MLB DFS Value Picks, Pitchers

LHP MacKenzie Gore, TEX (@ TOR)

Salary: $7,300

2025 Stats: 30 G, 30 GS, 159.2 IP, 5-15, 4.17 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 185 K, 64 BB, 2.9 WAR
2026 Stats: 16 G, 16 GS, 84.0 IP, 4-6, 4.07 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 92 K, 37 BB, 1.8 WAR, 15.4 FPPG
2026 FanGraphs ROS Projections: 16 G, 16 GS, 87.0 IP, 5-5, 3.77 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 99 K, 35 BB, 1.5 WAR (Steamer)

RHP Troy Melton, DET (vs. HOU)

Salary: $7,000

2025 Stats: 16 G, 4 GS, 45.2 IP, 2.76 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 36 K, 15 BB, 0.1 WAR
2026 Stats: 5 G, 5 GS, 31.2 IP, 4-0, 2.56 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 19 K, 9 BB, 0.0 WAR, 17.6 FPPG
2026 FanGraphs ROS Projections: 24 G, 7 GS, 56.0 IP, 3-3, 4.18 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 47 K, 18 BB, 0.5 WAR (Steamer)

LHP Connelly Early, BOS (vs. NYY)

Salary: $8,000

2025 Stats: 4 G, 4 GS, 19.1 IP, 1-2, 2.33 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 29 K, 4 BB, 1.1 WAR
2026 Stats: 15 G, 15 GS, 81.2 IP, 6-5, 3.64 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 79 K, 31 BB, 0.4 WAR, 15.6 FPPG
2026 FanGraphs ROS Projections: 13 G, 13 GS, 71.0 IP, 4-4, 4.11 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 69 K, 28 BB, 1.0 WAR (Steamer)

More MLB DFS Content & Picks

Check out more MLB daily fantasy content throughout the season on DraftKings Network.

Good luck with your MLB DFS lineups today!

Sam Connon
Sam joined DraftKings in 2025 following five years with Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network. He has covered the UCLA Bruins, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Rays, MLB, MiLB and NBA, on top of earning awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and College Media Association during his time as a student at UCLA.
Disclaimer

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.