Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings Fantasy Baseball: 4/16 & 4/17

Here are today and tomorrow’s daily SP Streamer rankings for fantasy baseball.

Every day of the 2024 baseball season, I’ll be looking at today and tomorrow’s slate of scheduled starting pitchers and ranking their matchups for your fantasy baseball streams.

There’s a lot that goes into this and you can hang out with me on Playback.tv/pitcherlist to talk about the specific ranks as I make them every weekday morning from 10am – 12pm ET. If you have questions about these ranks, please ask during the morning Playback AMA. Those are my office hours as I generally don’t answer comments on the site.

There are four tiers to these rankings with 12-teamers in mind:

Auto-Start – Just do it. Don’t overthink this, start the man. This includes “if I have them rostered, I’m starting them” pitchers.

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-not-elite pitcher or a weak lineup for a volatile arm. These pitchers have a 50% or greater chance of performing well in my view and I’m starting them in the majority of situations.

Questionable Start – Think of this tier as “I don’t want to start these pitchers in a vacuum, but you could do worse.” Streamers found in this tier are not pitchers I’m targeting and are only if you are in dire need of one. To play it safe with streaming, just start the Probably Start streamers.

Do Not Start – The reward is not worth the risk. Don’t do it. Seriously, these pitchers have a very slim chance of success or sometimes none at all.

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 throughout 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, there are my streaming picks of the day, and please keep in mind that I am forced to pick a streamer every day. Those highlighted in Green are that day’s streaming pick in the second tier and I’d roll with them everywhere. Those in Yellow are in the third tier and should be okay if you’re searching for something on a given day, but I don’t recommend streaming unless you’re in need. Finally, those are Red are those I really don’t want to start (they are labeled as “Do Not Start”, after all) but have no other choice. Don’t stream these guys until you are truly desperate. A streaming pick is defined as “rostered in 20% or fewer leagues according to Fantasy Pros. This 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.

(Opener) – Outlines that a pitcher is being opened for that day & the pitcher listed will follow the opener.

As I do my rankings, I thought it would be helpful to showcase a table of how we’re ranking offenses (in Alphabetical order):

I’m sure it’ll change through the year + there are differences to be made about teams vs. LHP or RHP, but it works as a general table that y’all should keep in mind.

Alright, let’s get to it.

 

This year, with our new daily fantasy baseball projections powered by PLV, I’ll be competing against PL Bot to pick the best streaming option each day.

To get access to PL Bot’s picks each day, sign up for PL Pro here.

The streaming record is determined by “Was this a productive game for 12-teamers if I started them?” Roughly a PQS with a Win and a strikeout per inning with a sub 1.20 WHIP, with a minimum of 5 IP. Close calls are decided by Playback chat.

 

Nick’s 2024 Streamer Record: 12-7

My pick yesterday: Martín Pérez @ NYM

PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 12-7

PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Louie Varland @ BAL

Want PL Bot’s pick today? Sign up for PL Pro here.

 

My streaming pick of the day is Underlined and Italicized.

 

Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto-Starts

 

Grayson Rodriguez vs. MIN – Aces gonna ace.

Logan Gilbert vs. CIN – It’s in Seattle. You’re going with this.

Jared Jones @ NYM – How could we possibly sit Jones right now?

Dylan Cease @ MIL – Cease has a new cutter and I’m hoping we see more of it here.

Aaron Civale vs. LAA – He’s been cruising and the Angels aren’t a terrifying squad.

Hunter Greene @ SEA – Greene has earned this tier against the middling Mariners lineup.

 

Probably Starts

 

Brady Singer @ CHW – Singer has made it work recently and gets the White Sox. I’m still skeptical long term, sadly.

Ranger Suárez vs. COL – This is a perfect Toby matchup.

Jordan Hicks @ MIA – Hicks’ sinker has found the zone and holds one of the best Str-ICR marks. The Marlins aren’t much of a deterrent.

Tanner Bibee @ BOS – Bibee hasn’t been so sharp lately and this is Fenway, but we’re not at a place to bench him.

Garrett Whitlock vs. CLE – Whitlock’s extension is here and even at home, we’re going with this.

Jon Gray @ DET – It’s a great matchup, but does Gray have enough in the tank to take full advantage?

Yusei Kikuchi vs. NYY – I absolutely adore where Kikuchi is with his three-pitch mix, even against the Yankees.

Carlos Rodón @ TOR – He hasn’t impressed as we hoped he would, though if we have Rodón, we’re sticking him in our lineups.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Lance Lynn @ OAK – I know it’s the Athletics, but Lynn can’t be trusted firmly.

José Soriano @ TBR – His first outing was solid after early hiccups. I’d give it a proper go this time around.

Ryan Weathers vs. SFG – His heater has stuck above 96 mph, but how good are his slider and changeup?

Jose Quintana vs. PIT – The command is in a good place and the Pirates aren’t too scary.

Reynaldo López @ HOU – I dig López so far this year and maybe the Astros aren’t the toughest offense ever…?

Casey Mize vs. TEX – We’re still waiting for Mize to find his slider groove. It could snap into place here, even against the Rangers.

JP Sears vs. STL – He’s a Cherry Bomb, who soared last time out with sliders in the zone instead of fastball domination. I’m curious what we get here.

Ryan Yarbrough (Opener) vs. WSN – It’s a decent Win chance for the Fratty Pirate, who is likely to be opened for, allowing for a solid Vulture Win.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Chris Paddack @ BAL – Paddack doesn’t do a ton to make me encouraged for a start, especially against the mighty Orioles crew.

Wade Miley vs. SDP – It’s his second outing and we’re hoping they let him go a full five.

Erick Fedde vs. KCR – He’s a Toby against a strong offense.

UPDATE: Jonathan Cannon vs. KCR – It’s another MLB debut for the White Sox. Cannon is a sinker/cutter guy in the low 90s and at first glance, doesn’t have the ceiling you’re looking for, especially on the White Sox.

Hunter Brown vs. ATL – Brown looked atrocious last time out against the Royals, not just with his fastball, but moreso with terrible secondaries over the plate. And now Atlanta? Yeah, no.

Tommy Henry vs. CHC – We’ve seen Henry come through in a game or two, but the Cubs are a tough team to endure.

Austin Gomber @ PHI – Col story, Bro.

Kyle Hendricks @ ARI – I wonder how long the Cubs let him start.

Patrick Corbin @ LAD – It’s Corbin. It’s the Dodgers.

 

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto-Starts

 

Freddy Peralta vs. SDP – Aces gonna ace. He looks as good as anyone right now.

Pablo López @ BAL – Aces gonna ace. Not at his sharpest lately, but one of the few capable of seven strong these days.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. WSN – Aces gonna ace. ELEVATE YOUR HEATERS.

Tarik Skubal vs. TEX – Aces gonna ace. The Rangers aren’t fun + Skubal’s velocity has been down lately. I’m not sure we’ll see 97+ again.

Max Fried @ HOU – Aces gonna get a tough matchup after finally looking normal again.

Cristopher Sánchez vs. COL – It’s Rockie Road and Sánchez should pull this off easily.

Reid Detmers @ TBR – His four-seamer is still legit + the Rays don’t scare me.

Bryce Miller vs. CIN – I’m hoping Miller can be more than “do something against my fastball” and the road Reds aren’t a massive threat.

Michael Wacha @ CHW – It’s a great matchup for Wacha, especially after a command hiccup.

Kevin Gausman vs. NYY – Seeing Gausman this low is no fun, but it’s the Yankees + Gausman’s velocity & splitter have been off. It’s a strange moment and if you want to put him in Probably, I completely understand. I’d say go for it.

Michael King @ MIL – I trust that King’s sweeper will return to form, while his changeup is looking fantastic.

 

Probably Starts

 

Zack Littell vs. LAA – The Angels aren’t scary, though Littell’s ability is a little questionable.

Tanner Houck vs. CLE – Houck looked terrible last time out as he hurled everything down the pipe. This should be an improvement.

Marcus Stroman @ TOR – It’s Stroman. We don’t overthink Stroman.

Dane Dunning @ DET – This is a lovely streaming option against a poor lineup.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Andrew Abbott @ SEA – A solid stream and the Reds are shifting Nick Martinez into the bullpen after stating in the preseason they were not going to do that. I don’t love his heater and curve at the moment, though he certainly has shown peaks that are worth our time.

Paul Blackburn vs. STL – Blackburn has yet to allow a run. Vargas Rule it all you want.

Steven Matz @ OAK – It’s the Athletics, though Matz doesn’t have the whiff stuff we’re looking for.

Brandon Pfaadt vs. CHC – I’m not a fan of Pfaadt’s approach with a major sweeper focus and a four-seamer that doesn’t do enough. When his changeup appears, things go his way, but it’s impossible to tell when that’ll happen.

Luis Severino vs. PIT – If Severino has his cutter again + can command his four-seamer effectively, there may be a tangible arm to chase. I’ve lost faith in his slider and change, sadly.

Jordan Wicks @ ARI – Wicks is so close to becoming a dude as he’s going BSB with his new four-seamer that carries above-average iVB. All that’s left is comfort with his slider/cutter.

Tyler Wells vs. MIN – Is this the start that gets us back on the Wells train? The Win chance is always present if he can survive for at least five frames.

 

Do Not Starts

 

A.J. Puk vs. SFG – It has gone terribly for Puk thus far, though there is promise in that arm if he can command his breaker and heater. The Giants open the door for a chance if you’re searching for one.

Keaton Winn @ MIA – I can see this one working out, but Winn’s splitter isn’t reliable for whiffs + the rest of his arsenal does little to impress.

Bailey Falter @ NYM – There are moments that Falter can elevate effectively and mix in the rest of his stuff. But even then, it’s not a night of bliss.

Erick Fedde vs. KCR – He’s a Toby and the Royals are too threatening these days.

J.P. France vs. ATL – France has a Win chance each time he starts, but hot dang, that’s Atlanta.

Ryan Feltner @ PHI – Feltner isn’t in Coors, at least…?

Ben Lively @ BOS – Oh snap! I shouldn’t actually be excited but it’s cool to see a familiar face. I wonder if he’ll go slider-heavy again.

Jake Irvin @ LAD – Irvin has limited ability and it’s the Dodgers. Yikes.

 

Featured Image by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram) –