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Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings Fantasy Baseball: 4/28 & 4/29

Nick Pollack ranks the starting pitcher streamers for today & tomorrow.

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 by tier):

Nick’s Loose Team Offense Rankings (Updated 4/22)

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: 23-8

My pick yesterday: Casey Mize vs. KCR

PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 19-11

PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: JP Sears @ 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

 

Tarik Skubal vs. KCR – Aces gonna ace.

Pablo López @ LAA – Aces gonna…hopefully have a redemption start.

Jared Jones @ SFG – Jones is nearing the AGA tag and I was tempted to put him above López given the latter’s recent struggles.

Logan Gilbert vs. ARI – Gilbert still makes me shaky, but who cares. You’re starting the man.

 

Probably Starts

 

Zack Littell @ CHW – It’s the CrySox and Littell is good enough to exploit them.

Kevin Gausman vs. LAD – We’re still weirded out by Gausman and it’s the Dodgers.

Michael Wacha @ DET – Wacha has a lovely matchup and shouldn’t have last week’s command.

Michael King vs. PHI – King had a rough out and now gets the Phils. I’d brush off his last one and expect a step forward.

Marcus Stroman @ MIL – The Brewers aren’t enough to deter a start from the normally solid Stroman.

Tanner Houck vs. CHC – Houck has been fluctuating a touch, and this start is a bit contentious inside Fenway + facing a solid Cubs offense, even if they are missing Suzuki and Bellinger.

Reid Detmers vs. MIN – Detmers has flaunted his command flaws recently and I’d have some trepidation here.

Albert Suárez vs. OAK – It’s the Athletics and despite Suárez’s velocity drop and questionable secondaries, I’m starting him as my streamer, if only for the Win chance.

Brandon Pfaadt @ SEA – He’s a Toby and the Mariners aren’t threatening.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Ryan Weathers vs. WSN – This is a decent streaming option, though it’s not guaranteed he has his full repertoire working.

Erick Fedde vs. TBR – He just earned 11 strikeouts but we all know that isn’t going to stick.

Tobias Myers vs. NYY – I kinda believe in Myers…? Elite four-seamer shape + location in his first start and a full slate of secondary pitches with solid command.

Keaton Winn vs. PIT – Winn is looking interesting with his splitter and heaters, though I’m not a massive believer he does enough consistently.

Jose Quintana vs. STL – Does Quintana have his best command at the moment?

 

Do Not Starts

 

Lance Lynn @ NYM – He’s a strikeout option, but the ratios are just too shaky.

Dane Dunning vs. CIN – Sure, this could be a Win, but at what cost?

Jordan Wicks @ BOS – It’s Fenway and I still haven’t seen the peak of Wicks quite.

Bryce Elder vs. CLE – You’re going for a Win chance here for Atlanta.

Andrew Abbott @ TEX – The Rangers are too scary to start against and Abbott isn’t his mid-summer self.

Ryan Yarbrough (Opener) @ TOR – Here’s a decent Win chance…? Michael Grove is expected to open, ignore him.

Paul Blackburn @ BAL – He’s had moments and hey, Alec Marsh did well twice.

Patrick Corbin @ MIA – It’s the Marlins! It’s Corbin…

UPDATE: Hayden Wesneski @ BOS – It’s a spot start for the injured Wicks and this has all the reasons to go poorly.

Ben Lively @ ATL – Lively looked great with his high heater last time with elite extension. Annnnnd it’s Atlanta.

Framber Valdez @ COL – It’s a Still ILLin high altitude Mexico City.

Taijuan Walker @ SDP – It’s also a Still ILL and Taijuan ain’t it.

Austin Gomber vs. HOU – COL story, bro. IN MEXICO CITY.

 

Enjoy these rankings? Support my work and Pitcher List by getting PL+ or PL Pro! You’ll get an Ad-Free website, access to our incredible non-toxic baseball Discord community, my weekly PL Pro exclusive SP FAAB Forecast podcast, a full suite of fantasy baseball tools, and much more. Get 10% off yearly with code SPSTREAMERS here.

 

Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto Starts

 

Joe Ryan @ CHW – Aces gonna ace.

Max Fried @ SEA – Aces gonna ace.

Cristopher Sánchez @ LAA – His changeup is fantastic and the Angels are meh.

Grayson Rodriguez vs. NYY – He’s coming off a rough outing and the Yankees could be a tough day at the park.

Ryan Pepiot @ MIL – He’s looking great with his heater, you’re starting him.

 

Probably Starts

 

Trevor Rogers vs. WSN – He’s pulled off the BSB in each of his last two starts and the Nationals make for a great time to flex it.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Garrett Crochet vs. MIN – I know, three great, three rough. I think he’ll be better this time out with his slider in a redemption start.

Jameson Taillon @ NYM – He’s a Toby facing a middling Mets team.

Nick Lodolo @ SDP – The strikeouts should be there as long as the curve is working. Still a Cherry Bomb.

Bailey Falter @ OAK – It’s the Athletics and Falter’s four-seamer is looking as good as ever.

Luis Severino vs. CHC – The Cubs are a bit injured and Severino’s four-seamer and cutter may be enough.

Kenta Maeda vs. STL – He’s a Cherry Bomb with a blegh floor.

Bryce Miller vs. ATL – It’s Atlanta.

Steven Matz @ DET – This could be six frames of a production against the Tigers…or destroy your week.

Clarke Schmidt @ BAL – Schmidt has looked better lately, though he may not have enough to endure the mighty Orioles offense.

Griffin Canning vs. PHI – Canning’s four-seamer was excellent in his last start, I’m worried it’ll find more of the zone along with his secondaries to make it not worthy.

 

Do Not Starts

 

James Paxton @ ARI – Paxton’s heater is down to 93 mph and I wouldn’t want to face the Sneks.

Matt Waldron vs. CIN – Don’t Trust A Knuckleballer.

Jake Irvin @ MIA – It’s the Marlins – there’s always a chance.

Yariel Rodríguez vs. KCR – Are the Jays allowing Yariel to go a full five frames?

Joe Boyle vs. PIT – Can he throw enough strikes? Please?

Bryse Wilson vs. TBR – Wilson has rare moments of bliss.

Tommy Henry vs. LAD – Henry has returned 2 ER or fewer in three outings thus far, but not against The Dodgers.

Daniel Lynch IV @ TOR – Absolutely not.

 

Enjoy these rankings? Support my work and Pitcher List by getting PL+ or PL Pro! You’ll get an Ad-Free website, access to our incredible non-toxic baseball Discord community, my weekly PL Pro exclusive SP FAAB Forecast podcast, a full suite of fantasy baseball tools, and much more. Get 10% off yearly with code SPSTREAMERS here.

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

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

Nick Pollack

Founder of Pitcher List. Creator of CSW, The List, and SP Roundup. Worked with MSG, FanGraphs, CBS Sports, and Washington Post. Former college pitcher, travel coach, pitching coach, and Brandeis alum. Wants every pitcher to be dope.

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