Top 10 Fantasy Starts: May 21
Our algorithm's top 10 fantasy baseball starts for Thursday, May 21, 2026. 4 platoon advantages in today's slate.
⚡ The live Top Starts rankings update every hour as lineups and probables are confirmed — the order may shift throughout the day.
Here are today's top 10 fantasy baseball starts, ranked by our algorithm using career splits vs today's probable starters, current season performance, and platoon matchups. 4 platoon advantages in today's slate.
Pick #1
Shea Langeliers
C · Athletics · Bats R
Matchup: vs José Soriano (RHP) · Away
José Soriano comes in with a 2.41 ERA and 1.07 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .545 AVG / 1.765 OPS in 12 PA vs Soriano
.545 AVG / 1.765 OPS in 12 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #2
José Ramírez
3B · Cleveland Guardians · Bats S
Matchup: vs Casey Mize (RHP) · Away
Casey Mize comes in with a 2.43 ERA and 1.05 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .500 AVG / 1.645 OPS in 11 PA vs Mize
.500 AVG / 1.645 OPS in 11 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #3
Mike Trout
CF · Los Angeles Angels · Bats R
Matchup: vs Luis Severino (RHP) · Home
Luis Severino comes in with a 4.45 ERA and 1.57 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .429 AVG / 1.556 OPS in 9 PA vs Severino
.429 AVG / 1.556 OPS in 9 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #4
Tyler Freeman
RF · Colorado Rockies · Bats R
Matchup: vs Eduardo Rodriguez (LHP) · Away
Eduardo Rodriguez comes in with a 2.53 ERA and 1.26 WHIP this season. He gets the platoon edge as a righty batter facing lefty Eduardo Rodriguez.
Key stats: .444 AVG / 1.222 OPS in 9 PA vs Rodriguez
.444 AVG / 1.222 OPS in 9 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #5
Brent Rooker
DH · Athletics · Bats R
Matchup: vs José Soriano (RHP) · Away
José Soriano comes in with a 2.41 ERA and 1.07 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .462 AVG / 1.511 OPS in 17 PA vs Soriano
.462 AVG / 1.511 OPS in 17 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #6
Lawrence Butler
RF · Athletics · Bats L
Matchup: vs José Soriano (RHP) · Away
José Soriano comes in with a 2.41 ERA and 1.07 WHIP this season. He gets the platoon edge as a lefty batter facing righty José Soriano.
Key stats: .313 AVG / 1.103 OPS in 17 PA vs Soriano
.313 AVG / 1.103 OPS in 17 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #7
Zack Gelof
3B · Athletics · Bats R
Matchup: vs José Soriano (RHP) · Away
José Soriano comes in with a 2.41 ERA and 1.07 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .667 AVG / 1.467 OPS in 5 PA vs Soriano
.667 AVG / 1.467 OPS in 5 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #8
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
1B · Toronto Blue Jays · Bats R
Matchup: vs Carlos Rodón (LHP) · Away
Carlos Rodón comes in with a 5.63 ERA and 1.63 WHIP this season. He gets the platoon edge as a righty batter facing lefty Carlos Rodón.
Key stats: .500 AVG / 1.167 OPS in 6 PA vs Rodón
.500 AVG / 1.167 OPS in 6 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #9
Jo Adell
RF · Los Angeles Angels · Bats R
Matchup: vs Luis Severino (RHP) · Home
Luis Severino comes in with a 4.45 ERA and 1.57 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .167 AVG / .834 OPS in 6 PA vs Severino
.167 AVG / .834 OPS in 6 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #10
Nick Kurtz
1B · Athletics · Bats L
Matchup: vs José Soriano (RHP) · Away
José Soriano comes in with a 2.41 ERA and 1.07 WHIP this season. He gets the platoon edge as a lefty batter facing righty José Soriano.
Key stats: .200 AVG / .873 OPS in 11 PA vs Soriano
.200 AVG / .873 OPS in 11 PA vs this pitcher
Rankings update every 2 hours as lineups and probables are confirmed. Always check for last-minute scratches.
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