Since the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Chicago White Sox was postponed due to weather, Thursday’s slate in the majors features only three games. Regardless of whether you play in a season-long or dynasty league, or if you’re into DFS contests, here is everything you need to know regarding the MLB slate on Thursday, April 2.
Why David Peterson Is Worth Streaming in Fantasy Baseball
Dylan Cease won’t be pitching since the Blue Jays won’t see action Thursday, and Cole Ragans is universally rostered across all leagues. The same goes for Robbie Ray, who would probably be the next-best option on the slate. If you’re unable to get either Ragans or Ray, you should consider streaming a pitcher for today’s slate, and that’s where David Peterson comes in.
Peterson and the New York Mets will take on the San Francisco Giants in the Bay Area. The Giants have been showing signs of a potential turnaround, but they have struggled against elite pitchers.
Peterson doesn’t fall into that category, but he tossed 5.1 scoreless innings in his first start of the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Saturday. There’s potential for a quality start here against a Giants lineup that has posted a .558 OPS so far in 2026, the second-worst mark in the majors.
Why Taj Bradley Is a Sleeper Pitching Target on Thursday
The matchup against the Kansas City Royals is far from ideal, as Kansas City has enough potential in its lineup to destroy any pitcher. The Royals have posted a collective .719 OPS that ranks ninth in the majors so far, and Bradley has had control and command issues in the past. However, it makes sense to back Bradley after he tossed 4.1 innings of one-run ball against the Baltimore Orioles, striking out nine.
Walks will probably remain an issue, but the strikeout potential is attractive, especially against a lineup that features several power hitters such as Salvador Perez, Jac Caglianone, and Vinnie Pasquantino, just to name a few. If you’re looking for a specific prop regarding Bradley against the Royals, the strikeouts line could be one to watch, with a strong bet on the over if it’s around 7.5.
Why James McCann Is a Hitter to Target in Thursday’s DFS Contests
There aren’t many hitters you could say are in a clear-cut, favorable position ahead of Thursday’s three-game slate. However, the name of James McCann stands out due to the impressive numbers he’s posted against Reynaldo Lopez in the past. McCann is hitting .438 with a 1.063 OPS in 16 previous at-bats against Lopez in his career.
Other names to watch in terms of potential hitters to stream are Willy Adames, who owns a career .853 OPS against Peterson, and Byron Buxton, who owns a 1.010 OPS while hitting .333 against Cole Ragans. However, neither pitching matchup is as attractive as the one the Arizona Diamondbacks will have against the Atlanta Braves. There’s far more potential in the Arizona lineup compared to what the Minnesota Twins could do against the Royals, for instance.
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