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.
2021 Streamer Record: 42-32
Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
- Welcome to another ace day as Jacob deGrom, Gerrit Cole, and plenty more of the Top 30 battle it out on Wednesday. There are some tough matchups here, but don’t overthink it. Start your studs.
- Aaron Civale and Zack Greinke make it into the top tier as they get a pair of wonderful dates in the Orioles and Rangers. Let them fly.
- In the second tier, we’re all feeling confident with Anthony DeSclafani fresh off his complete-game shutout against the Nationals. The Sneks aren’t a team to fear and more production should be on its way.
- Brady Singer isn’t my favorite arm to hold through the year, but against the Tigers? Sure, he’s more likely than not to give you a beneficial evening.
- In the third tier is our streaming pick of the day, Merrill Kelly. His velocity was past 93 mph last time out and the Giants in Oracle Park makes for a solid matchup as a right-hander.
- Bailey Ober is an interesting option as he faces the lowly Mariners. I’m not in love with his repertoire, but there’s enough here to consider as a stream vs. Seattle.
- It’s tough to see Blake Snell at the bottom of the tier, but he’s been incredibly volatile + Coors is, well, Coors.
- Griffin Canning had his breakers last time out and I’m hoping he’s able to keep the momentum against the Athletics on Wednesday. There’s still risk here as the A’s can put up runs in a heartbeat.
- In the final tier, Keegan Akin and Johan Oviedo lead off as they have a small chance to capitalize against Cleveland and Miami. I don’t have enough confidence to remove their “Do Not Start” labels, but I’d consider them in deeper leagues.
- Ross Stripling and Garrett Richards once again start on the same day and have to deal with a considerable offense that lowers their chances of potential success. I’d avoid them both.
Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
- Look at how far Shohei Ohtani has come, earning the #3 spot as he has been granted the gift of the Tigers for a day. His velocity is down, though I believe it’s by design as he doesnt’ go max-effort and has lowered his walk numbers across his last five starts.
- Marcus Stroman earns the #4 spot as he’s been a steady arm for managers everywhere through the year. The Cubs are decent, but not scary enough to avoid.
- In the second tier, I’m leading off with Charlie Morton, even if he disappointed all of us against the Marlins. He still has his curveball and heater intact, though, and should rebound against the Cardinals.
- Rich Hill hasn’t had the pitch counts we want as of late, but he gets the Mariners. This should be well worth your time.
- It’ll be a fun matchup watching Dylan Cease and Jose Urquidy duke it out and I’m leaning on Cease to return the more productive outing, despite the tougher matchup. His slider has been excellent and all it will take is one of his changeup, four-seamer, or curveball to tip the scales in his favor.
- While Kyle Hendricks hasn’t been the sexiest of arms as of late (roughly a 4.00 ERA and 16% strikeout rate across his last four starts), he’s a solid play against the middling Mets.
- The third tier is a small one and begins with German Marquez as he hosts Milwaukee. On the road? I’m game, but in Coors, Marquez is fresh off a diaster against the Reds (on the road, FWIW) and could stumble again.
- Wade Miley has been a rock for those fortunate to pick him up, though San Diego could shatter his foundation. That offense is no joke.
- In the final tier, I’m forced to make Justin Dunn my streaming pick of the day and I’ve given him the abhorred RED label as I’d avoid this one completely. He was shaky in his Still ILL last week and I would look to future days for my weekly streaming plays.
- I’m excited to watch Matt Manning make his MLB debut after we’ve been talking about him for what seems like years. I’m all for picking him up, but I’d leave him on the bench as we hope for the best. We just don’t know what we’re going to get and Manning hasn’t been the sharpest through the minors this season.
Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire | Design by Quincey Dong (@threerundong on Twitter)
Looks like Gallen is coming off the IL to be starter in place of Smith. Assume it’s an ILL situation… but if it’s a desperation situation assume he’s probably on that line between Joe M. And Uncle Charlie?