Here are today’s daily SP Streamer rankings.
Every day of the 2023 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 Twitch.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 Twitch 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.
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,” 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.
(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.
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. Close calls are decided by Twitch chat.
Nick’s 2023 Streamer Record: 46-36
My pick yesterday: Logan Allen vs. OAK
PL Bot’s 2023 Streamer Record: 43-39
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Jake Irvin vs. ARI
Want PL Bot’s pick today? Sign Up for PL Pro here.
With the new formatting for the notes, I’ve made the streaming pick of the day Underlined and Italicized.
Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto-Starts
Logan Webb vs. ARI – It’s tough to choose the man at the top today and I went with Webb as the safest arm of the lot despite arguably the toughest matchup. As long as the changeup is working, he’ll be fantastic.
Logan Gilbert @ BAL – The splitter hasn’t been as good as we saw early in the year, but I imagine he’ll get the feel back and dominate once again, especially with the left field in Camden.
Zach Eflin vs. KCR – Eflin is in a great place and the Royals are one of the worst around. He still has his nights being off with his cutter and sinker, though. (The curve is ole reliable at this point.)
Chris Bassitt vs. OAK – It seems like the best play, though Bassitt is most prone to a clunker among the group.
Jesús Luzardo vs. PIT – It’s been lovely to see Luzardo actually have productive WHIPs as of late and I still dig his fastball command with two legit secondaries.
Lucas Giolito vs. BOS – Giolito has been in purgatory all year where he has rarely been at his peak, however his command has been strong and should be good enough against the Red Sox.
Joe Musgrove vs. WSN – Musgrove is dealing with elbow pain and hasn’t ascended the way we want him to this year with his curve and slider. I miss the 50%+ slider & curve usage days.
Probably Starts
Brayan Bello @ CHW – I love his change and fastballs and the only weakness is the slider…which often comes to life for RHP against the White Sox.
Shane Bieber vs. MIL – The whiffs are not there and it’s rough. The Brewers aren’t scary, but Bieber’s lack of dominance opens the door for disappointment.
Questionable Starts
Emmet Sheehan vs. HOU – I had a tough time ranking this tier and by all means, go with your gut over me. Usually do that, too, I’m just here to give another perspective. Anyway, Sheehan has a solid fastball and hopefully a slider that works better in his second outing. The Astros are a hot/cold team and Sheehan could escape with a Win with quick innings off the back of his lateral fastball.
Taijuan Walker vs. NYM – I have no idea what we’re going to get from Walker. Will it be 94+ ? 40%+ splitter usage? A cutter that actually is effective inside the zone? WHO KNOWS.
Kodai Senga @ PHI – As long as the forkball is there, this will be effective. I still don’t trust the slider/fastball being sustainable for success.
Kyle Gibson vs. SEA – Gibson has been coming through in good matchups as of late, but you never really know what he’s going to do.
Luis L. Ortiz @ MIA – It’s a slider that hopefully scores a high CSW mark while the fastballs need to find the zone without punishment. And maybe a changeup…? Nah, don’t lean into that.
AJ Smith-Shawver @ CIN – We had a rainout Wednesday and Atlanta pushed him to Friday. I’m a little skeptical of his fastball performance inside the zone, though I’m excited to see more of him on the bump. GABP is a scary place to pitch.
Kenta Maeda @ DET – It’s a “STILL ILL” for Maeda and I’m thrilled to have him pitching again. Look for the slider o-swing% and fastballs around the edges to suggest if he’s close to his 2020 self. What about the splitter? In time.
J.P. France @ LAD – He’s a Toby facing a tough offense. Starts like these aren’t the reason we roster France.
Wade Miley @ CLE – If Miley can feature the same command he had in his return from the IL, he could cruise for five frames again. I worry he may be a little limited and one start of good command is not trustworthy.
Do Not Starts
Luis Severino vs. TEX – The fastballs have been better than the results, while the slider and change are lagging behind. I’d take the chance against a poor offense, but the Rangers? Yeah, we bench this and hope we have confidence for next time.
UPDATE: Clarke Schmidt vs. TEX – It’s Texas and Schmidt doesn’t have an elite offering that can save the day.
Zach Davies @ SFG – The changeup is everything…and yet even when he had a great one last time, the results didn’t follow. This isn’t it.
Joey Wentz vs. MIN – He was exceptional last time out, but I wonder if it was a noisy situation of foul balls – Wentz normally has those pitches return balls in play (not whiffs), and it allowed him to get to two strikes more often –> more strikeout opportunities –> nine total strikeouts. There’s a chance it replicates, though.
Dane Dunning @ NYY – I just don’t like Dunning’s stuff. It’s not the worst but I feel like it’s not worth the risk.
James Kaprielian @ TOR – If he’s pumping four-seamers and sliders into the zone with consistency, this could work out. He did so better last time at the cost of velocity, which I’m not sure is a sustainable adjustment and the Jays could wallop him quickly.
Patrick Sandoval @ COL – It’s Coors and The Irish Panda hasn’t had his changeup + slider in a game for ages.
Zack Greinke @ TBR – Greinke does what Greinke does.
Kyle Freeland vs. LAA – Freeland has these moments of magic and you do whatever you want.
Luke Weaver vs. ATL – He’s had a Birthday Party here and there.
Patrick Corbin @ SDP – It’s Corbin against the hot Padres. Absolutely not.
Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto-Starts
Pablo López @ DET – It’s the Tigers and how could we not start López here.
James Paxton @ CHW – It’s a touch worse as a LHP and it doesn’t really matter. Paxton is killing it.
Merrill Kelly @ SFG – Kelly has had a legit breakout campaign with low changeups and fastballs. This is fun.
Freddy Peralta @ CLE – The heater is legit and despite the recent surge of the Guardians, I still think this is a good matchup for Freddy.
Bryce Miller @ BAL – It’s a lovely park to pitch in while Bryce has shaken off his back-to-back disasters.
Michael Wacha vs. WSN – Eight straight dominant outings = there’s no way we’re not anticipating #9.
José Berríos vs. OAK – The sinker focus is changing the game for Berríos and it’s the Athletics.
Bobby Miller vs. HOU – He’d be far higher if it weren’t for the Astros as he gets the worst matchup of the tier. I adore the kid.
Probably Starts
Lance Lynn vs. BOS – This whole tier is shaky and yet we’re likely starting them all. It starts with Lynn fresh off a 16 strikeout performance. If the secondaries are legit a second time, he’ll continue to soar.
Justin Steele @ STL – This game is in London and creates a whole lot of questions about the offensive environment.
Tanner Bibee vs. MIL – We haven’t seen peak Bibee for a while, though with his deep repertoire, he has many paths to making this work against Milwaukee.
Jon Gray @ NYY – He was horrific after his blister issue that forced ten days of rest between starts as he faced the Jays. It’ll be an easier matchup in the Bronx, but it’s been weeks now since we’ve seen Gray flirt with excellence.
Questionable Starts
Reese Olson vs. MIN – I like Reese’s slider and changeup and the fastballs could induce outs against a middling offense.
Dean Kremer vs. SEA – Kremer has the ability to go six and returned a 40% CSW with his four-seamer last time out.
Osvaldo Bido @ MIA – I don’t hate what Bido does, it’s just not all that dependable. The Marlins help raise his floor but this isn’t that safe of a stream.
Do Not Starts
Luis Severino vs. TEX – The fastballs have been better than the results, while the slider and change are lagging behind. I’d take the chance against a poor offense, but the Rangers? Yeah, we bench this and hope we have confidence for next time.
Adam Wainwright vs. CHC – It’s in London and I really dislike starting Wainwright these days. Then why is he so high? Because all of this is so dang rough.
Sean Manaea (Opener) vs. ARI – I don’t trust Manaea in the slightest, but at least he has a chance to earn a Win here…even if it’s against Kelly.
Cristopher Sánchez vs. NYM – How long is he going to go? Is it worth it?
Ronel Blanco @ LAD – He has the ability to go 5/6 for a Win while the floor is also painful.
Griffin Canning @ COL – I adore Canning, just not inside Coors.
Josiah Gray @ SDP – He hasn’t been a solid play for a long time and the Padres are not the team you want to face.
Carlos Carrasco @ PHI – Carrasco isn’t the guy he used to be.
Bryan Hoeing vs. PIT – Maybe?
Hogan Harris @ TOR – Harris has been pitching well, but the Win chance is very low and the Jays are rough.
Jared Shuster @ CIN – He’s not getting the strikeouts we want.
Yonny Chirinos vs. KCR – Chirinos is very rarely worth your time, even against the Royals.
Graham Ashcraft? vs. ATL – It’s such an obvious Still ILL for a guy who massively struggled earlier in the year.
Chase Anderson vs. LAA – Never chase Chase.
Jordan Lyles @ TBR – He holds the worst ERA among all qualified pitchers + it’s the Rays.
Featured Image by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram)