SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings – 4/10 & 4/11

With the 2021 season, I’m changing how I’m doing my starting pitcher streamers and daily matchup rankings

Instead of being featured in the SP Roundup, I’ll be highlighting my SP streamer picks for today and tomorrow inside this article, while also introducing four tiers and adding notes to each table.

The four tiers are as follows:

 

Auto-Start – Just do it. Don’t overthink this, start the man.

Probably Start – I’m likely starting these arms, though I recognize there is more risk than we’d like there to be. Either it’s a tough matchup for a good pitcher or a weak lineup for a volatile arm.

Questionable Start – There are situations where I’d take the chance, either with strong enough upside on the ability side, or a poor offense that a pitcher could take advantage of.

Do Not Start – The reward is not worth the risk. Don’t do it.

 

Obviously, there will be circumstances where pitchers should move between teams for your situation specifically and these new tiers should act as a little more help than the straight table from last year.

Please keep in mind that streaming is far from a perfect play. In fact, if they work out over half the time, I’d consider it a success. These matchup rankings & streamer picks are going to be wildly different than the actual results through the year, so please, have sympathy before the scathing comments and tweets. I’m only trying to help!

Make sure to read the notes if you’re wondering why I’m favoring certain pitchers over others – I won’t get to everyone and hopefully I answer what questions you will have.

There is a second table for tomorrow’s starting pitcher matchups as well, helping everyone get a jump on their nightly pickups. Please note that these matchups are subject to change, though, and there will be times when I have the incorrect pitcher going. I thank you for your future understanding.

Finally, I have highlighted in Green my streaming pick of the day – Yellow if I wouldn’t actually want to stream them (I have to pick one every day!) . These are defined as “rostered in 20% or fewer leagues,” which really emphasizes the point that I’d be happy if over 50% of these worked. I could do the whole sub 30/40% rostered, but there’s no fun in that. You can use the rankings to realize who would be those picks, instead.

 

Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• It’s a small Tier 1, but you should feel very comfortable will all these arms, even Ian Anderson going against the solid Phillies lineup. He’s done nothing but produce.
• And yes, I’m excited to watch more Jacob deGrom. How could you not be?

 

• The Twitch chat debated about Urquidy vs. Pineda and it’s a close call. You should feel confident with both and I’m leaning Jose Urquidy based on the high pitch count from his first start + deeper repertoire than Michael Pineda.
• Even though he struggled with his heater in his first start, you should still throw Chris Paddack out there against the Rangers. I’d be surprised if Paddack didn’t figure out his four-seamer through the season and Texas still doesn’t terrify me.

 

• The lines between Tier 2 and Tier 3 are closer than usual today as I heavily debated slotting Yusei Kikuchi into the third tier, even with his exciting start against San Francisco – The Twins are no joke, y’all.
• Meanwhile, kicking off Tier 3 is Carlos Martinez, whose only struggle last time was allowing too many HR to a power-heavy Reds offense. His velocity is at 94 mph and makes for a clear Streaming Pick of the Day against Milwaukee.

 

• Even though he gets the Mets, Trevor Rogers showcased increased velocity last start and could pull off a strong performance. There’s clear risk – it’s the third tier! – so make the play based on your situation
• The same goes for Logan Webb, who is the other side of the coin: a great matchup with Rockie Road but wasn’t at his best in game one. Take the chance if you need it.
• Steven Matz looked great in his first outing and now has a challenge against the Angels. I can see it working out – especially if Ohtani isn’t hitting.

 

• I’d love to put Frankie Montas in the second tier, but the Astros give me major hesitation. His ability suggests better ranks in the future and he may have enough in the tank to persevere.
• Yes, Jeff Hoffman is here as the already questionable Diamondbacks crew has been weakened by the removal of Ketel Marte. His slider was great last time and hopefully he can replicate it.

 

• Please note, the Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals game has been postponed. Sorry, Mike Minor and Dylan Cease.

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• It’ll be a fun matchup with Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer dueling in Los Angeles – all we can hope for a is a 2-1 game determined by the bullpens.
• I was tempted to put Marcus Stroman in Tier 1 as well, but he hasn’t quite performed like a true ace yet.

 

• Tier 2 also has German Marquez who gets one of his lovely starts pitching against the Giants in Oracle Park. If you’re not starting him for this, why even roster Marquez?
• Carlos Rodon and Drew Smyly round out the end of the tier and I wrestled with their order. In the end, I’m impressed with Rodon enough that the better matchup should be the tiebreaker. Besides, the Phillies are scary.

 

• Jose De Leon kicks off Tier 2 as my streaming pick of the day for two reasons. The Diamondbacks are an atrocious offense + his sinker was filthy last time out. I like these chances, but I still recognize the lack of track record and not-so-great secondary stuff from De Leon.
• Another solid option would be Anthony deSclafani facing Rockie Road. You saw what Johnny Cueto did on Friday night and Tony Disco can pull this off.

 

• I know it’s weird to see Nick Pivetta as an option to consider, but he did feature a 95 mph heater and go 50% breakers + these are the Orioles. There are worse Sunday streams.
• Here’s to hoping Adrian Morejon’s splitter can step up and take advantage of a date in Texas.

 

• With the rain-out on Saturday, Mike Minor starts Sunday and while I think he stuff was there in the first outing, he rolls a tough matchup against the ChiSox. High risk/reward here.
• Don’t forget, Trevor Williams was on top of his game in that first outing and could replicate it against the Pirates. There’s value to be had.

 

• In the bottom tier, there are many arms and matchups that you should very clearly avoid. Still, I wouldn’t completely rule out Jose Urena against Cleveland. It’s a case of “who will break first?” between Urena’s command and Cleveland’s lack of offense.
• Alex Cobb had his splitter working in the first outing and the Jays have surprisingly floundered a good amount across the first week. There’s a chance this works.

 

• I don’t love a stream against the Twins, but I do recognize that Chris Flexen and his cutter could squeeze out value here for those in desperate leagues.
• Brett Anderson isn’t going to turn heads, but there’s always a possibility he gets the grounders he needs to produce across five frames.

 

Photo by Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire | Design by Quincey Dong (@threerundong on Twitter)