Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings Fantasy Baseball – 7/25 & 7/26

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 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.

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.

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. Close calls are decided by Twitch chat.

 

Nick’s 2023 Streamer Record: 63-47

My pick yesterday: Logan Allen vs. KCR

PL Bot’s 2023 Streamer Record: 55-55

PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Patrick Corbin vs. COL

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

 

Tyler Glasnow vs. MIA – Aces gonna ace.

Corbin Burnes vs. CIN – Burnes could be earning that AGA label again after this one.

Blake Snell vs. PIT – Aces gonna get his command in check after seven walks. That was dumb.

Pablo López vs. SEA – I debated for a long time about López vs. Kirby in this duel. Take your pick, I’m going with Pablo’s strikeouts over Kirby.

George Kirby @ MIN – And yes, I know that Kirby just fanned ten. It’s likely not sustainable.

Justin Verlander @ NYY – The Yankee offense is pretty easy to stream against these days.

Julio Urías vs. TOR – Urías just got trounced and it’s the Jays and yet, I still go with him. He didn’t pitch as poorly as the line suggested.

Andrew Abbott @ MIL – He just took down the Brewers with the best command I’ve seen from him all year. It came with a new focus on sweepers and I’m here for it.

 

Probably Starts

 

Charlie Morton @ BOS – I initially had him in the top tier, but his volatility and lack of “clearly a near ace” pulls him down here. There’s more risk than we want there to be.

Alex Cobb vs. OAK – He hasn’t had splitter whiffs for a bit and his last start came without the new slider. It’s frustrating and yet, it’s the Athletics. Let’s not let the one game sample pull us away from this.

Eduardo Rodriguez vs. LAA – Erod looks to be in another command groove after shaking off the rust of the IL.

Griffin Canning @ DET – An easy streaming pick here with Canning racking up all the strikeouts as of late.

Kyle Hendricks @ CHW – I dig Hendricks’ command, which came back last time with his changeup.

Domingo Germán vs. NYM – The curveball is still elite while the fastball and change are good enough.

Chris Bassitt @ LAD – The Dodgers are scary, but we still start Bassitt. He’s the Toby you set and forget.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Edward Cabrera @ TBR – I liked what I saw last start and the Rays are cooling down a bit, but there’s still plenty of risk here. Be careful.

Taijuan Walker vs. BAL – There’s still some Taijuan magic in here and yet I’d like to not risk it against the Orioles.

Steven Matz @ ARI – The sinker is elevated with intent at 95 mph and I love it. The changeup still needs to get further down and the curve needs to be, um, decent. It makes for a contentious play here with a high risk/reward. Cherry Bomb city.

Aaron Civale vs. KCR – Wait, isn’t he supposed to be in the second tier? I think you forgot that he was four ticks down on his fastball last start. I’m terrified there’s a hidden injury here and I’d like to bench this one. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s skipped.

Merrill Kelly vs. STL – It’s a Still ILL for Kelly…if he’s getting the start. It’s still unclear.

Kyle Gibson @ PHI – Who knows. WHO KNOWS.

Michael Kopech vs. CHC – He’s been terrible and yet we all know there’s still a possibility Kopech comes out with legit strikeout ability. I’m not starting him at all, but if you’re chasing strikeouts with a chance for decent ratios, it’s Kopech.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Nick Pivetta vs. ATL – I hope the Red Sox are actually letting Pivetta start properly instead of having an opener, and yet, it’s Atlanta. If Pivetta has that same slider command from last time, he’ll still rack up the strikeouts.

J.P. France vs. TEX – He’s a Toby and you don’t start them against the Rangers. There is a solid chance at a Win, though.

Trevor Williams vs. COL – I know it’s Rockie Road but Williams has too low of a chance to give you what you want, regardless of opposition.

Ken Waldichuk @ SFG – He’s a Young Gun and who knows, maybe this is the start he executes the BSB as we want him to.

Rich Hill @ SDP – Hill always has a chance. Just a terribly small one.

Austin Gomber @ WSN – Never Gomber.

Zack Greinke @ CLE – Greinke does what Greinke does.

Cody Bradford @ HOU – If it’s Bradford, I don’t imagine it to be long as he’s been in relief recently.

 

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto-Starts

 

Spencer Strider @ BOS – Aces gonna ace.

Zac Gallen vs. STL – Aces gonna ace. Please figure out the low curves and changeups again.

Joe Ryan vs. SEA – This is the matchup to get the sweeper and splitter working again.

Zach Eflin vs. MIA – Obviously.

Framber Valdez vs. TEX – LHP fare better against the Rangers and even with the recent struggles, he’s another start removed from his recent injuries. AGA tag on the line…

Bryce Miller @ MIN – He’s pumping in fastballs and getting enough strikes with his secondaries.

Freddy Peralta vs. CIN – He should be performing better than he has as of late and the Reds are not so hot right now?

Sandy Alcantara @ TBR – The Rays are cooling off and Alcantara’s changeup command is as good as we’ve seen all year.

 

Probably Starts

 

Carlos Rodón vs. NYM – I was tempted to put him in the top tier but I understand some want to see him dominate for a start before auto-starting him. Me? I’m starting him everywhere.

Gavin Williams vs. KCR – I’m obviously starting Williams and I’m shocked he’s under 20% rostered. It’s Kansas City + his high heaters open the door for his secondaries to land low and dominate. Please get those breakers down.

Seth Lugo vs. PIT – It’s the Pirates (even if they keep having these ridiculous HR games) and Lugo is a strong Toby arm. Hard to deny this start.

Marcus Stroman @ CHW – Stroman has had his ups and downs, but it’s the White Sox and you shouldn’t focus too much on the start-ot-start volatility of Stroman. He’s as consistent across the full year as they come.

Kyle Bradish @ PHI – He’s on too good of a roll to stop now as the slider is an elite pitch. As long as the fastballs don’t get hit into play, he’ll be solid.

Jack Flaherty @ ARI – Flaherty is in a good enough spot that you’re fine starting him against the Diamondbacks. I like this one the least of all the others in the tier, but it’s a clear step up from Tier 3.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Lance Lynn vs. CHC – I don’t know anymore. As long as he avoids the longball, he’s fine, but who knows. Strikeouts should flow like spice, at the very least.

Patrick Sandoval @ DET – It’s a great matchup, but Sandoval has struggled mightily with his change and slider consistency throughout the season.

Michael Lorenzen vs. LAA – Lorenzen has had the most beautiful season long schedule of any starter. He’s only faced two elite offenses (ATL and @COL) and I’m conflicted about the Angels. On one hand, they have a super high strikeout rate. On the other, they are 3rd in wRC+ across the last 14 days, even without Trout. With Lorenzen’s low strikeout ceiling, this is a ratio play and I’m not sure it’s worth it to chase.

Johan Oviedo @ SDP – The rest of these starters are highly contentious, starting with Oviedo. He’s come through with his slider plenty this year, though it all comes down to sneaking fastballs into the zone. Fortunately, the Padres allow a ton of called strikes, making this a decent option.

Hogan Harris @ SFG – He just produced against the Astros, but the skills were rough. I don’t trust it, even against the lowly Giants.

Yusei Kikuchi @ LAD – His new curveball is interesting and if he has the same four-seamer command as his last start, it won’t matter that he’s facing the Dodgers.

José Quintana @ NYY – The four-seamer command was better than expected in his last outing and it’s up to the changeup and curve to separate at the bottom of the zone. The Yankees don’t scare me at the moment, either. I imagine it’ll take another start or two for Quintana to lock in, but he could awaken here.

Tony Gonsolin vs. TOR – The Jays are in a slump offensively, but Gonsolin is so dang boring.

Ranger Suárez vs. BAL – Suárez was a touch better last time and could go on another second-half run overnight, but I wouldn’t bank on this one being the trigger against the Orioles.

Andrew Heaney @ HOU – It’s the Astros and Heaney is a desperate strikeout play.

Jake Irvin vs. COL – It’s Rockie Road and if Irvin is sitting 95-96pm, there’s a chance for six productive innings.

Brayan Bello vs. ATL – I cannot emphasize enough how good Atlanta’s offense is right now.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Alec Marsh @ CLE – I didn’t like the four-seamer in his last outing and the Guardians don’t strikeout

Alex Wood vs. OAK – I know it’s Oakland, but Wood hasn’t come through a whole lot against poor lineups and he shouldn’t go long here.

Ben Lively @ MIL – He’s been a little better than I’ve given him credit over the last few weeks and yet I still don’t want to chance it.

Peter Lambert @ WSN – Absolutely not.

 

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