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 Playback chat.
Nick’s 2023 Streamer Record: 72-56
My pick yesterday: Paul Blackburn @ WSN
PL Bot’s 2023 Streamer Record: 66-62
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Ryne Nelson vs. SDP
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
Spencer Strider @ NYM – Aces gonna ace. Last start was weird.
Tyler Glasnow vs. CLE – If he’s starting, you start him. He may be limited a bit as a precaution, though all signs point to a proper start as of Friday.
Brandon Woodruff @ CHW – He’s two games away from the AGA label as he returned from the IL last week with a near 90 pitch count.
Pablo López @ PHI – One more game from the AGA label…
Sandy Alcantara vs. NYY – He’s been much better over the last month and even his previous outing against Texas came with a solid WHIP, plenty of strikeouts, and only two HRs as the blemish. He’s there.
George Kirby vs. BAL – Please tell me the slider is back for more.
Zac Gallen vs. SDP – Gallen may seem low after finally clicking into place with his four-seamer and curve, but I want to see it for one more time (or twice) before thrusting him back up the ranks.
Probably Starts
Nestor Cortes @ MIA – This may be a bit high given his limited pitch count of his last start, but the skills are too lovely to pass on against a middling Marlins team.
Cole Ragans vs. STL – GET. ON. BOARD. If you need convincing, I implore you to watch my favorite video of the year. Yes, that’s all of his last outing.
Brayan Bello vs. DET – It’s Detroit and this feels like a safe start for Bello, even if the cutter/slider and four-seamer aren’t ready to come out of the oven.
Gavin Williams @ TBR – I would be a little hesitant, but the man just fanned twelve Blue Jays batters and the Rays have been a little more volatile than usual. That said, I did watch all of this one for YouTube as well and you can tell how I’m not as enthused by Williams as I am Ragans. The four-seamer is a great pitch when elevated, but his overall command is spotty. I don’t love the feeling of questioning if he’ll be able to locate each pitch he throws.
Steven Matz @ KCR – The Royals have been better lately and don’t strikeout as much as you’d want. Matz has been a solid Holly, though, and I trust the fastball up + change down, with the curve-earning strikes.
Chris Bassitt vs. CHC – The Cubs are dangerous and yet we start Bassitt. Just do it.
Justin Steele @ TOR – Steele vs. Bassitt is a bit of the Spider-Man meme to me, and I’m more concerned about Steele’s recent trend than the steady nature of Bassitt.
Brandon Williamson @ PIT – Williamson had himself a game earlier this week, showcasing a solid changeup on top of decent four-seamer and cutter command. Pittsburgh has its moment, but I think I go with this, taking the chance that Williamson made a sustainable tweak for the future.
Tony Gonsolin vs. COL – Gonsolin is still a Toby and carries a fantastic Win chance against the poor Rockie Road offense.
Andrew Heaney @ SFG – I debated this one and settled on the solid Win Chance + pitching in San Francisco mixed with better-than-expected results from Heaney lately to push him into the second tier.
Questionable Starts
Taijuan Walker vs. MIN – Many are treating Walker like a Vargas Rule and I completely get that. On the other hand, Walker’s skills have been declining as of late and it may be smart to get off before the inevitable crash.
Luis Medina @ WSN – He was terrible last time out and the Nationals don’t strike out, but Medina did cruise in his four starts prior. I think it’s a good enough matchup to take a shot that he regains the skills over the idea his flash in the pan is over.
Michael Soroka @ NYM – Soroka is getting a spot start for the doubleheader after fanning eight with a strong slider in his last Triple-A start. His fastball was a bit off, though, while the velocity dipped 1-2 ticks. The Win chance is good enough to elevate him in this tier, but it’s not as good as it looks on paper against the demoralized Mets.
UPDATE: Allan Winans @ NYM – When I saw Allan earlier in the season, I kinda dug what he did with his slider and overall command, but the fastball is a little underwhelming. I kinda like what he does more than Irivin and Scholtens + pitching for Atlanta is one of the best situations you could be in. Not a bad dart throw for Saturday.
Cole Irvin @ SEA – Irvin has a solid Win chance for those who need six frames here. Otherwise…meh. This isn’t a high-ceiling start.
Jesse Scholtens vs. MIL – Scholtens has had back-to-back six inning games and the Brewers are meh (they’ve been better recently up to average instead of poor). Don’t like this much, but I get it if you need a dart throw.
Kodai Senga vs. ATL – Senga has been great, but the Atlanta offense has a 150 wrc+ across the last two weeks. It’s TERRIFYING.
J.P. France vs. LAA – France rejoins the Astros rotation as they move to a six-man situation and there’s a shot he pulls this off against the Angels.
José Quintana vs. ATL – Like we brought up with Senga, Atlanta is phenomenal. If Quintana has his command, he can navigate the lineup, but it doesn’t come with the same strikeout upside as Senga.
Tyler Anderson @ HOU – Anderson’s changeup has been cooking, but the Astros make the floor awfully low.
UPDATE: Jhony Brito (Opener) vs. MIA – With Cortes likely out for the year with a rotator cuff strain (he just looked SO good!), Brito is likely getting the bulk innings here. He’s not expected for more than five, but with an opener, there’s a decent Win chance here.
Do Not Starts
Alex Cobb vs. TEX – He’s had his splitter working just once since his return from the IL and it’s the Rangers. No thanks.
Jake Irvin vs. OAK – It’s Oakland and yet, Irvin’s secondaries are too lacking, even if his four-seamer’s average velocity exceeded 96 mph last time out.
Matt Manning @ BOS – He’s not what you want him to be as the velocity dropped to 92/93 mph instead of 95 mph without slider whiffs backing him up. I know Boston isn’t looking hot right now, but Manning’s ability supersedes that.
Luis L. Ortiz vs. CIN – Is he actually starting? We’ve seen him hinted at before only to not make the start. And if he does, how long does he go? And will he have good enough fastball and slider command?
Rich Hill @ ARI – This likely won’t last very long.
Peter Lambert @ LAD – It’s the Dodgers, even if Lambert chopped up his opponent last time out.
UPDATE: Andre Jackson vs. CIN – He’s getting the start over Ortiz and I don’t expect him to go long.
UPDATE: Denyi Reyes vs. ATL – It’s Atlanta, his velocity dropped two ticks last time out in Triple-A to low 90s, and, it’s Atlanta. You already said that. It needed to be repeated.
UPDATE: Tampa Bay Bullpen vs. CLE – Glasnow is pushed back to Monday, making this a bullpen game. What else is new for the Rays.
Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto-Starts
Gerrit Cole @ MIA – Aces gonna ace.
Freddy Peralta @ CHW – The skills are as good as we’ve ever seen.
Julio Urías vs. COL – He was pushed over 90 pitches last time out and it’s Rockie Road.
Probably Starts
Zach Eflin vs. CLE – Eflin is cruising and the Guardians don’t scare us.
Logan Webb vs. TEX – We love Webb, but it’s Texas. Not fun.
Bryce Miller vs. BAL – Miller flexed his new slider last time out with stupid good command.
Sonny Gray @ PHI – Gray is doing everything you want him to do right now.
Eduardo Rodriguez @ BOS – Erod showcased a four-seamer/changeup approach I haven’t seen from him since 2019 + Boston isn’t swinging a menacing bat.
Seth Lugo @ ARI – Lugo is a solid play against offenses like Arizona with the Padres defense behind him.
Dylan Cease vs. MIL – He’s as chaotic as ever and yet, it’s the Brewers and we all know he can turn it back on in a heartbeat.
Kyle Bradish @ SEA – The Mariners are likely to give into Bradish’s ideal breaker-heavy approach.
Tanner Bibee @ TBR – It’s the Rays, but Bibee has been absolute gold for your fantasy teams.
Eury Pérez vs. NYY – I love what Perez does, though the Marlins may limit him around 80 pitches.
Dane Dunning @ SFG – It’s a fantastic matchup in San Francisco with Dunning featuring strong sliders and cutters lately.
Kutter Crawford vs. DET – The Tigers love chasing out of the zone and hopefully that makes Crawford’s kutter as good as it can be.
Questionable Starts
Mitch Keller vs. CIN – Keller hasn’t been at his best and I’d avoid all of these for Sunday moreso than usual for the third tier. That said, Keller has shown flashes of his former self and hosting the Reds in Pittsburgh is a solid matchup.
Kodai Senga vs. ATL – Senga has been great, but the Atlanta offense has a 150 wrc+ across the last two weeks. It’s TERRIFYING.
Chase Silseth @ HOU – He was incredible last time, though the hero was his splitter as it returned 12 whiffs. I need a larger sample to buy into it, especially against the Astros.
Jameson Taillon @ TOR – He’s been more of a Toby and I have some intrigue with the Jays floundering against high four-seamers – Taillon began executing that ability effectively last time out.
José Urquidy vs. LAA – Urquidy isn’t fully stretched out yet and his command needed a little “squeeze” as he was near the zone but too far off the edge in each direction. I imagine it’ll be better here, but with a capped ceiling given his likely limited pitch count.
Hyun Jin Ryu vs. CHC – The Cubs are hot, but we haven’t seen Ryu get a proper chance to shake off the rust yet. He may be a solid six-inning play here.
Ken Waldichuk @ WSN – It’s weird to place Waldichuk this “high”,but he fanned seven Rangers last time out with a much better slider and flirting with the BSB. It’s a desperate play, but one that may continue his trend up.
Do Not Starts
Brandon Pfaadt vs. SDP – Pfaadt struggled against the Dodgers and now gets the Padres. He could come through, but I wouldn’t chase it anywhere.
Ranger Suárez vs. MIN – We saw a better changeup from Suárez last time out, but the rest still needs work. In addition, this could be Zack Wheeler instead, who would obviously be the #2 play for Sunday if so.
Yonny Chirinos @ NYM – The Win chance is still decent with Atlanta on his side, but the stuff isn’t.
Luke Weaver @ PIT – I like that Weaver is experimenting with the Canibal McSanchez approach, though we’re still in the wait-and-see phase.
Trevor Williams vs. OAK – #NeverTrevor.
Kyle Freeland @ LAD – He’s out of Coors…but gets the Dodgers.
Featured Image by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram)