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: 53-42
My pick yesterday: J.P. France vs. COL
PL Bot’s 2023 Streamer Record: 50-45
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: J.P. France 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
Framber Valdez vs. SEA – He’s coming off an ankle injury, but if they say he’s fine, he’s fine.
Tyler Glasnow vs. PHI – You spin the wheel each time Glasnow pitches.
George Kirby @ HOU – It’s Houston, but Kirby has been too solid not to start him.
Freddy Peralta vs. CHC – Peralta was far better in his last outing and the Cubs are not a deterrent of an offense.
Julio Urías vs. PIT – He’s just one start removed from the IL and wasn’t sharp in the slightest.
Nathan Eovaldi @ BOS – I sure hope the 96 mph velocity is still there.
Marcus Stroman @ MIL – Stroman hasn’t been in as good of a groove as we saw across the first two months, but still very much worth your time.
Eury Pérez vs. STL – Ignore the start against Atlanta and start the youngin’ while you still can.
Tanner Bibee vs. KCR – Bibee has more work to do with his repertoire (yes, even last outing) and yet, it’s the Royals. Let him fly, of course.
UPDATE: José Berríos @ CHW – Things are good for Berríos and the White Sox aren’t enough to bench him.
Probably Starts
Jack Flaherty @ MIA – His breakers were working against the Yankees, but we’ve seen how volatile he can be.
Yusei Kikuchi @ CHW – The curve and slider were still in the zone last time out even during the blip and those skills have turned Kikuchi into a solid arm across the last month.
Michael Lorenzen vs. OAK – It’s a Toby against a horrid offense. We start those.
Questionable Starts
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.
Kyle Bradish @ NYY – He’s been performing well and yet I’m hesitant as I still don’t like the fastballs and his curve often goes on vacation.
UPDATE: Lance Lynn vs. TOR – Wednesday’s game was postponed and Lynn starts today. The strikeouts will likely be there but at what cost?
MacKenzie Gore vs. CIN – The strikeout upside is there, we just don’t know what this Cherry Bomb will look like.
Luis Severino vs. BAL – He’s in the third tier simply because we can all understand that Severino’s slider and change could look marvelous in the blink of an eye. I suggest benching in most cases, though.
Ryne Nelson vs. NYM – His fastball/change approach could be the answer for Nelson. I wouldn’t call myself a zealot, but I’m curious to see how this plays out.
Do Not Starts
Brandon Williamson @ WSN – He’s like a Wade Miley apprentice. Not really the thing I want to chase.
Cristopher Sánchez @ TBR – His slider and change have complemented the sinker decently well, but this is the Rays.
Carlos Carrasco @ ARI – I’m sorry Carrasco, even with your slider and change looking good, you’re still not doing a whole lot for fantasy teams and the Diamondbacks are not a crew to casually mess with.
Kutter Crawford vs. TEX – It’s the Rangers, even if we’re encouraged by the long-term outlook of Crawford’s four-seamer paired with sliders. Please throw 30%+ sliders and sweepers.
Johan Oviedo @ LAD – There’s a shot if Oviedo has his precise four-seamer. Obviously not one to take, of course.
UPDATE: Spenser Watkins vs. SEA – The Astros are wisely taking it slow with Framber, moving him to Saturday’s game and giving Watkins the pearl. Yes, I also didn’t realize he wasn’t with the Orioles anymore.
Jordan Lyles @ CLE – Oh Lyles. You deserve one Win, at least.
Tanner Banks vs. TOR – Cease was pushed to Friday and you want to stay far away from this outing.
UPDATE: Tampa Rays Bullpen – Glasnow was pushed back a day and it should be a good ole bullpen for the Rays. Who doesn’t love that?
Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto-Starts
Zac Gallen vs. PIT – Aces gonna ace against the Pirates. Awwww yes.
Luis Castillo @ HOU – It’s the Astros and it’s also Summer Castillo. But he’s been meh lately! The fastball and slider haven’t. Don’t worry.
James Paxton vs. OAK – Paxton could be starting Saturday instead of Friday, so pay attention to this. It doesn’t matter when he pitches, though, as Paxton has been gold and gets a delicious date with the Athletics.
Zack Wheeler @ MIA – Wheeler hasn’t been as his peak, but this is the Marlins. You have to go with this.
Corbin Burnes vs. CIN – Burnes needs to get the cutter down and earn more whiffs on curves and changeups. Fortunately, he’s been taking steps in the right direction and even against a hot Reds team, you’re doing this.
Justin Verlander @ SDP – Verlander has improved his slider and four-seamer across the last month and the Padres are…weird.
Andrew Abbott @ MIL – I’ve talked a lot about Abbott lately, and regardless of those thoughts, he’s been striking so many out and now gets the Brewers. Duh. Sidenote: I’m mostly just excited for the camera angle we’ll get. Going from Cincy to Milwaukee as a lefty honestly feels like the first time I’ll get to truly watch him.
Dylan Cease vs. STL – The slider is everything and while he wasn’t pristine with it last time, I wouldn’t count it out here.
Hunter Brown vs. SEA – Hunter is still figuring out how to best wield his arsenal and the Mariners are often an offense to help pitchers sort out their secondaries.
Sandy Alcantara vs. PHI – I believe in Alcantara’s arsenal and I wouldn’t let a stumble against the ridiculous Atlanta offense sway you.
Tyler Glasnow vs. ATL – Speaking of Atlanta, Glasnow sits at the bottom of the ranks as a major ratio risk.
Probably Starts
Bailey Ober vs. BAL – Oberizzi has painted the top of the zone red like no other and his changeup has been everything it needs to be.
Yu Darvish vs. NYM – He hasn’t pitched for a while due to illness and with his innate volatility + the Mets offense in the mix, he gets demoted to the second tier for this outing.
Jordan Montgomery @ CHW – The Bear has been performing incredibly well over the last month and the White Sox aren’t going to stop you from putting him into your lineup.
Carlos Rodón vs. CHC – I know, I know. NICK! You said Julio Urías wasn’t a Still ILL and look what happened to him! Rodón has absolutely crushed his rehab starts with just three hits allowed in 10.2 IP (even if it’s lower velocity, he’s ramping up and I’m not concerned) and the Cubs aren’t scary. I don’t think the floor is as low as it normally is. Have fun, start the man.
Andrew Heaney @ WSN – We just saw Heaney finally get his slider down in his last start, catalyzing a huge strikeout effort. I guess we’re taking the chance he can replicate against the Nationals.
Tony Gonsolin vs. LAA – Gonsolin hasn’t been a strong arm for you, but the Angels are without Trout and Ohtani is dealing with a blister. Gonsolin isn’t my favorite arm by a mile, but I can’t ignore that he has a good shot at basic production here.
Aaron Civale vs. KCR – It’s a Toby against the Royals. It’s why you have them rostered.
Questionable Starts
Charlie Morton @ TBR – Morton carries far more upside than Gonsolin and Civale, but the floor here is terrifying as Morton already carries baggage himself, but the Rays offense is one of the premier lineups in the bigs. Be careful.
Griffin Canning @ LAD – As I often say, this tier equates to “I don’t want to start them, but there is a path to production.” Canning has felt his secondaries lately and there’s a chance it’s enough to survive the Dodgers.
Cole Irvin @ MIN – I can’t say I’m thrilled I get to have Irvin as my streaming pick of the day, but I do like getting the chance to highlight that Irvin has the tools to skirt through 5/6 innings against a middling offense.
Alek Manoah @ DET – Oh snap. He’s BACK. I suggest a spec add here and seeing what happens. He was so terrible at the start of the year, but don’t forget he was a defacto Top 25 arm the previous two seasons. The talent is still there and there’s a decent chance all he needed was a proper reset button.
Do Not Starts
Daniel Lynch @ CLE – Bottom tier?! He has a 2.00 ERA with his new changeup in the last three games! And an 11% strikeout rate as the changeup has been super fortunate in play as of late. This is a trap.
Luis Medina @ BOS – Think Frankie Montas without the splitter. It outlines a starter who can get outs with sinkers and sliders but doesn’t have a putaway pitch. The value here lies in QS leagues if you’re in dire need, and even there I’d still bench.
Rich Hill @ ARI – Hill has come through at times this year, but not a whole lot lately and the Diamondbacks are solid.
Jameson Taillon @ NYY – Welcome back to New York, Jameson. I hope you can figure out how to get back on track.
Ross Stripling vs. COL – It’s a great matchup, but Strip isn’t stretched out and this could be another piggyback outing. Don’t go for it.
Austin Gomber @ SFG – Never Gomber.
Alex Faedo vs. TOR – Oh hey, it’s Faedo! That’s cool. He gets Toronto and he’s hyper reliant on slider domination that is more volatile than we like.
Trevor Williams vs. TEX – It’s T-Ells against the Rangers. Yep.
Featured Image by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram)
Nick’s undervaluing of Eovaldi is annoying now.