SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings – 5/9 & 5/10

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

 

• Quick note: The Cincinnati vs. Cleveland game has already been postponed.
• There’s a chance Jacob deGrom doesn’t make this start as the Mets are waiting to give confirmation. It would be a wonderful two-start week if he doesn’t pitch on Sunday…
• Despite his recent struggles, I still have Lucas Giolito as the #3 paly of the day. I expect him to rebound and get back into a rhythm while Aaron Nola gets a tougher matchup against Atlanta.

 

• I’ve elevated Kenta Maeda into the top tier as he performed better last time out and gets an easy afternoon against the Tigers. Hopefully this is another step on his redemption tour.
• Huascar Ynoa has been pitching so well that I’m willing to place him in the top tier. I understand if some want to proceed with caution on a Sunday, but with his heavy slider approach and a 97 mph fastball, I think this should work out well.

 

• In the second tier, we have the recently redeemed Kyle Hendricks squaring off against the Pirates after cruising against the Dodgers. Here’s to hoping that sinker command is here to stay.
• Domingo German is tossing 93/94 mph and looked great against the Astros, 3 ER aside. The nationals do have Juan Soto back in their ranks, but it’s not enough of a deterrent to start Domingo.

 

• Zack Greinke hasn’t looked like a true ace this season, but through the full year, you’ll be happy with what you get. The Jays are without George Springer are outside Dunedin, making this an easier matchup to endure.
• For Shane McClanahan, I expect the quality of innings to be worth your time, even if it comes with fewer than five frames. I know I speak for everyone when I say I really wish he gets to go at least five innings with any sort of consistency soon.

 

• Matthew Boyd left his previous start with a knee injury and I’m worried that it interrupted his early-season rhythm. The Tigers may be a bit cautious in this start as well, possibly removing him sooner than we’d like. Take note.
• Despite a rough outing against the Mets, I’d still start Adam Wainwright. It’s Rockie Road, y’all.

 

• The streaming pick of the day is Dane Dunning as he’s been granted a gift against the mediocre Mariners lineup. I don’t love Dunning longterm, but his sinker/slider combo should be good enough for a Sunday stream.
• If you’re looking for strikeouts, don’t overlook Nick Pivetta against the Orioles as he managed to keep his slider down against the Tigers last time out.

 

• If you need something for tomorrow, I think there’s a decent shot Eric Lauer pulls off another decent start as he flexed a 90 mph cutter last time out. He gets a cozy matchup against the Marlins and may take advantage of it.
• Some may also consider Jose Quintana after he earned 17 whiffs on his curveball against the Rays in his previous start. He still only pitched 3.1 innings in that game, though, and the Dodgers are no joke. Be careful.

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• What a day this is. Tyler Mahle sits alone atop the ranks as not only does he have tier ability, but he gets a date with Pittsburgh. Enjoy the #1 rank, bucko.
• Alex Wood and Kyle Gibson are the other two solid options for the day, as Wood will be thrilled to get Texas after enduring Coors. Gibson’s on the other side and could keep his Vargas Rule alive as he’s been unstoppable as of late.

 

• In the third tier, I’m leading off with Martin Perez, who turns into my streamer pick of the day as he gets the Orioles. Not my favorite play to make, especially on a Monday as I wouldn’t want to risk getting into a hole early.
• The other considerable choice is Luis Garcia as he faces the Angels. It’s not a bad repertoire with some strikeout upside, but I’m not completely sold that it warrants a start. He’s getting close to earning my hype but I just need to see it for a little longer. I can get people wanting to take a chance on Garcia over Perez, though the matchups swing the pendulum the other way for me.

 

• In the final tier, I have the possible start of Dinelson Lamet as he heads to Coors. If he is starting, the likelihood of a short start is high, and when paired with the volatility of Coors, it makes for a clear Still ILL.
• I don’t like any of the options here and it feels weird even putting Mitch Keller as the #2 of anything, but hopefully he has both his slider and curveball in this one, allowing him to survive the Reds. He’ll certainly get his chance to perform, at the very least.

 

• Lastly, I can see some consider Luke Weaver as he gets the Marlins, but be cautious. Weaver hasn’t had his fastball/changeup command working save for one start in April and who knows if it’ll be there on Monday.

 

Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire | Design by Quincey Dong (@threerundong on Twitter)