SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings – 6/27 & 6/28

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: 48-36

 

Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• Sunday comes with a ton of options for your fantasy teams, but first are the clear plays you should be making everywhere. Yes, I’m putting Gerrit Cole third – the Red Sox are plenty steps better than the Marlins or Sneks and Cole isn’t pitching as dominant without the Spider Tack
• The only tough matchup is Tyler Mahle against Atlanta, and he’s proven himself worthy this year to get the full green light.

 

• The second tier kicks off with Zac Gallen as he squares off against the Padres. I can imagine some pushback here, but Gallen is getting more stretched out and has brought increased velocity in his return. He’s beginning to look like the Top 15 ace we expected in March.
• A trio of my favorites follow, including Patrick Sandoval, who I’m shocked I get to call the streaming pick of the day. His changeup and slider are simply too good to pass up on Sunday.

 

• The third tier is a little larger than usual as I can grasp some of the bottom options as desperate plays for a Sunday. Tarik Skubal leads the pack as he’d normally be in a tier above, but we can’t ignore the danger that is Houston.
• Sammy Long is the backup streaming option as his curveball returned 42% CSW last time out. It’s a fantastic pitch and as Long gets more innings, he could turn into a decent option through the year.

 

• J.A.Happ is as boring as they come, but Cleveland does little to instill fear. There could be value here.
• It’s hard placing Adbert Alzolay, who has only had one start to get back in rhythm from his blister injury and has to face the Dodgers.

 

• The bottom of the tier gets dicey, but even Eric Lauer has a chance for success as he hosts Rockie Road. We’ve seen him have success before, he can do it again.
• And why not, maybe Tyler Anderson has one of those miracle outings as well, working changeups and cutters against a middling Cardinals squad.

 

• The final tier is nothing to write home about. I am curious about the long term prospects of Kyle Muller, but he’s on a low pitch count and faces a solid offense in Cincy. I wouldn’t chance this.
• It’s hard not to consider Triston McKenzie as a true Hail Mary play, I just think the odds are too low for this to pan out in your favor.

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• It’s three aces + Zack Greinke on Monday, as Greinke should be trusted to produce against the Orioles. Let them all fly, even with the Bauer spin rate concerns.
• The second tier is a bit tight as well as Wade Miley is hard to turn away these days. Kyle Hendricks has been his best self as of late as well and gets a cushy date with the Brewers.

 

• The third kicks off with a beloved arm in Anthony DeSclafani. Some may want to trust him against the strong Dodgers crew, though Tony Disco has been a bit shaky against strong offenses before. It’s up to you as you start your week.
• Matt Manning is the streaming option for Monday as he’s essentially a Toby these days. That works against a mediocre lineup in Cleveland.

 

• It’s been better for Kenta Maeda lately, but he’s faced two weak offenses and hasn’t had both his splitter and slider working in either. Now against a strong ChiSox crew, it’s a gamble if he’ll pull through.
• I was tempted to place Danny Duffy in the thrid tier, but he tossed under 50 in his return from the IL + he came in relief on Friday for another 15. Don’t be alarmed at the relief appearance – I’m assuming it was his bullpen day and they elected to use it to get more pitches in game – but it does mean Duffy still has a limited pitch count. I’d avoid for just one more start.

 

• I would love to feel confident in Caleb Smith against the Cardinals, but he’s still struggling to find his slider and changeup + he’s fluctuated between 90-92 mph a bit too much. Let’s wait to get more confident here.
• Eli Morgan had a wonderful changeup last time out and it could return this time out against the Tigers. The floor has been established incredibly low and I’d proceed with heavy caution.

 

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