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: 51-42
My pick yesterday: Bryan Woo @ SFG
PL Bot’s 2023 Streamer Record: 48-45
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Bryan Woo @ SFG
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
Shohei Ohtani @ SDP – The results have been there but the sweeper hasn’t…? It’s weird and let’s ignore it.
Joe Musgrove vs. LAA – He’s solid and had a better slider last time out.
Jesús Luzardo vs. STL – Luzardo has been on a lovely run as the poor luck has regressed a bit. He still makes a few too many mistakes with the breaker, but the change and fastball are cooking.
Logan Gilbert @ SFG – His four-seamer and splitter have taken a backseat lately. They should come back around soon.
Probably Starts
Aaron Nola @ TBR – Sorry Nola, you’ve been too inconsistent and the Rays are stupid good.
Chris Bassitt @ CHW – He just fanned twelve. You can’t sit him, right?
Zach Eflin vs. PHI – Eflin has been a rock throughout the year. A good ole pet rock.
Kenta Maeda vs. KCR – It’s the Royals and Maeda’s splitter has been much better than anticipated.
Emmet Sheehan vs. PIT – Sheehan gets a great matchup and has a sinker/slider approach that works well.
J.P. France vs. COL – It’s Rockie Road for a Toby on a winning ball club. I dig it.
Lucas Giolito vs. TOR – Giolito is in a good place at the moment and I’m upset he gets the Jays.
Kyle Hendricks @ MIL – The change and sinker command are fantastic, I just wish we saw that curve return.
JP Sears @ DET – It’s hard to know when you can trust him, but it’s the Tigers. This has to be the time.
Shane Bieber vs. ATL – Atlanta is really good and while Bieber has had a bit of a resurgence, the slider/curve took a step back last time out. Be careful.
Questionable Starts
Kodai Senga @ ARI – You never know what you’re going to get from Senga.
Wade Miley vs. CHC – The cutter has allowed Miley to get through the fifth constantly and the Cubs are meh.
Tarik Skubal vs. OAK – I’m thrilled Skubal is returning to the bump and even against the Athletics, it’s a Still ILL. The pitch count will be low, emotions will be high, and we don’t know where he’s at.
Clarke Schmidt vs. BAL – He’s fine. I don’t think there’s enough excitement in Schmidt’s repertoire, sadly.
Keaton Winn vs. SEA – He throws a ton of splitters and then pumps 96/97 mph. He’s an interesting one and a considerable stream for deeper leagues.
Kyle Gibson @ NYY – It’s Gibson. You know the deal.
Dane Dunning @ BOS – I don’t trust Dunning’s recent success and the Red Sox can punish quickly.
UPDATE: Brandon Bielak vs. COL – The Astros are pushing France back a day to start Bielak and while there’s a chance if the changeup is cooking, the ceiling is too low for me to go after in most scenarios.
Do Not Starts
Kolby Allard @ CLE – He just fanned eight and I have zero belief he’ll repeat it. He’s not that good y’all. But the four-seamer got so many whiffs! And allowed a ton of hard contact, too, as it lost vertical movement from last year. It’s not a new pitch.
Adam Wainwright @ MIA – It’s Miami, but it’s also Waino. Don’t.
Zach Davies vs. NYM – Even with a decent changeup, Davies floundered.
Zack Greinke @ MIN – Greinke does what Greinke does.
Patrick Corbin vs. CIN – Corbin is actually looking a little different with his arsenal and I’m a little curious what we see. Then again, It’s Corbin.
Kyle Freeland @ HOU – Freeland. Yeah.
Luis L. Ortiz @ LAD – Ortiz’s command is not what you want it to be and the Dodgers are a scary crew.
Brett Kennedy? @ WSN – The Reds need a starter and despite getting shelled in his last Triple-A game, Kennedy may get the start. He’s a 92 mph heater + good changeup pitcher. We don’t like those.
Chris Murphy (Opener) vs. TEX – I imagine this will be a variety of arms for the Red Sox and it’s the Rangers.
Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto-Starts
Max Scherzer @ ARI – Aces gonna ace. He gets the worst matchup of the top tier but he’s Scherzer.
Pablo López vs. KCR – Please get the changeup working…
Bobby Miller vs. PIT – Miller had two rough outings, a middling one, and now gets the Pirates. There’s still room to grow with his secondary strike rates, but that sinker is glorious with a ton of O-Swing and fantastic command. I see legit Top 10 upside for Miller in the second half if that slider creeps closer to the zone and the changeup or curve become reliable pitches. Sorry for the tangent, go start him against the Pirates. My bad.
Justin Steele @ MIL – His four-seamer is more like a cutter and comes with plenty of precision. The slider finally woke up last start as well and the Brewers shouldn’t give him a rough time.
José Berríos @ CHW – He’s on a roll and the White Sox aren’t enough to stop us.
Probably Starts
J.P. France vs. COL – It’s Rockie Road for a Toby on a winning ball club. I dig it.
Alex Cobb vs. SEA – The splitter didn’t get whiffs last time and the Mariners looked at Cobb to say Hold My Beer.
Jon Gray @ BOS – I have a hope that Gray is steadily getting his feel back for his four-seamer, though he’s not quite there yet. The slider is still solid, though.
Michael Soroka @ CLE – Soroka had a better slider in his return to the bigs and with his fastball command, we go with this.
Questionable Starts
Eduardo Rodriguez vs. OAK – It’s a Still ILL, even against the Athletics. I understand starting him regardless, it’s your call.
Seth Lugo vs. LAA – Lugo is solid, the Padres defense is great, and the Angels are without Trout.
Lance Lynn vs. TOR – We’re gonna get eight strikeouts with 4 ER, aren’t we.
Brayan Bello vs. TEX – I dig Bello, I hate facing the Rangers as a right-hander. If the slider were cooking, I’d have more faith, but just as a sinker/changeup guy, I think we pass.
Hogan Harris @ DET – It’s an interesting streaming option, though Harris doesn’t carry a massive ceiling to force me to do it. Good for 15-teamers.
Dean Kremer @ NYY – He’s a bit of a Cherry Bomb with his volatility, but if the four-seamer and cutter are cruising at the top, the Yankee offense could roll over.
Randy Vásquez vs. BAL – You’re hoping for five innings of inside heaters that stifle the Orioles for 2 ER and a 1.20 WHIP.
Graham Ashcraft @ WSN – His slider was filthy last time out, though the cutter command needs a lot of work. We know the floor and it’s terrifying.
Adrian Houser vs. CHC – The Cubs are meh and could give in to Houser’s plan of chucking fastballs and generating outs.
Tommy Henry vs. NYM – The slider has made him a strong arm across his last three outings and the Mets aren’t as scary as the offenses leading the bottom tier.
Do Not Starts
Taijuan Walker @ TBR – Walker has had some weird magic as of late, but this is Tampa Bay. You avoid Tampa Bay.
Josiah Gray vs. CIN – The sinker may be the ticket to his success, but the Reds are hot and I just can’t trust Josiah to come through here.
Bryan Hoeing vs. STL – There’s an outside chance that Hoeing and his sinkerball can squeeze five innings of production here.
Steven Matz @ MIA – Hey it’s Matz! Against the Marlins! Why is he down here then. You know why. Ah. Right. He hasn’t been good for a long time, let’s wait and see.
Yonny Chirinos vs. PHI – Maybe I’m too low on Chirinos as the splitter is making a small comeback, but the Phils have thump and make this too risky for the small reward.
Patrick Sandoval @ SDP – He hasn’t had both his changeup and slider working on the same day, and even though the Padres are not the stacked lineup we thought they were, I don’t want to chase the massive anxiety that is starting The Irish Panda.
Darren McCaughan @ SFG – He’s taking over for Bryce Miller in the Mariners rotation and sports a sloooooow sweeper and changeup at 81 mph each with 90/91 mph sinkers. It’s not the ceiling you want and this could be fewer than five frames.
Alec Marsh @ MIN – There’s some intrigue here for Marsh but we need to see him dominate before he gets any sort of consideration.
Osvaldo Bido @ LAD – Bido has a shot if he can jam Dodgers batters with his heaters and get some slider whiffs.
Cal Quantrill vs. ATL – It’s Atlanta, but if Quantrill gets the sinker inside and off the plate with cutters jamming left-handers, maybe there’s a chance?
Chase Anderson @ HOU – It’s Chase against the Astros. You don’t need me.
Featured Image by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram)