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: 69-52
My pick yesterday: Colin Rea vs. PIT
PL Bot’s 2023 Streamer Record: 61-60
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Adam Wainwright 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
Corbin Burnes vs. PIT – This should be the start that Burnes gets his AGA label back. Just get the cutter down and earning whiffs, okay?
Justin Verlander @ NYY – Kinda funny to see him still pitch in New York after getting traded. This has all the makings of an adrenaline fueled, playoff-esque start that will massively help your fantasy teams. It’s Verlander pitching for a team he loves in a competitive situation.
George Kirby @ LAA – The Angels are a stronger crew than they used to be, but Kirby has his four-seamer and slider cooking.
Andrew Abbott vs. WSN – Abbott took a stumble last time out, but he should rebound here. I really hope that sweeper becomes the pitch it should be.
Kenta Maeda vs. ARI – His splitter has been fantastic and all I want is the slider to earn whiffs as well to show he can survive the nights when the splitter is off.
Blake Snell vs. LAD – It’s been a ridiculous run for Snell, which has been fantastic despite a 10%+ walk rate. The Dodgers are a team that could exploit that, but you have to let it ride.
Probably Starts
Cristopher Sánchez vs. KCR – He’s at the very least a Vargas Rule, though I think we’re seeing a run through the end of the year reminiscent of 2021 Ranger Suárez. The schedule is sooooo good.
Steven Matz vs. COL – It’s Rockie Road and Matz has done a fantastic job getting his sinker upstairs. Just get the changeup down, please. What about the curveball? Ehhh, just get some strikes and we’re good.
Aaron Civale @ DET – It’s Civale’s debut for the Rays after getting his fastball velocity back to normal last time out. You have to think he’ll enjoy the improved offense behind him and keep the velocity up with the added adrenaline.
Tarik Skubal vs. TBR – Skubal stumbled against the Marlins, though I think his fastball command will be back to normal here. Did you realize it holds an 18% SwStr rate this year?
Questionable Starts
José Berríos @ BOS – Berríos has been a steady arm for you, though heading to Fenway is a terrifying proposition these days.
Nick Pivetta vs. TOR – Speaking of Fenway, Pivetta will host the Jays and despite featuring the best slider command we’ve seen from him in a long time (ever?), it’s still the Jays and Pivetta has a long track record of volatility.
Paul Blackburn vs. SFG – This may be me wishcasting Blackburn to keep up his heavy slider usage. At the same time, the Giants are one of the worst offenses around and pitching in O.Co is always a blast.
Ross Stripling @ OAK – Stripling doesn’t have his old changeup, but he could still go 5-6 frames in a wonderful matchup in Oakland for a winning team.
Kyle Gibson vs. NYM – You never know what you’re going to get from Gibson, even if he’s on a hot stretch.
Jon Gray vs. MIA – Gray was struck by a comebacker and the Rangers took his time for another start. His slider was looking great last time out and if the four-seamer precision returns, it could be a lovely August run.
Tyler Anderson vs. SEA – The changeup is looking good and the Mariners will feed into his desire for swings out of the zone. The only question is if he can execute it enough.
Bryce Elder @ CHC – Elder came through against the Brewers, but this is the red hot Cubs. Be careful here.
Do Not Starts
UPDATE: Bailey Falter @ MIL – Falter gets his first start for the Pirates and we’ve seen him take down poor offenses in the past. He may have a bit more adrenaline than usual, too.
Noah Syndergaard vs. CHW – Thor came through in his first start for the Guardians…without a strikeout. This isn’t it.
Ryne Nelson @ MIN – I don’t buy the current success of Nelson. Sorry. This is a trap, but if you want to Vargas Rule it, go ahead. I just don’t see an exceptional offering here.
Tylor Megill @ BAL – The Mets are bringing Megill back into the rotation and while the fastball velocity is coming closer to what we saw at the start of 2022, I haven’t seen fantastic command or slider/change improvements in his Triple-A outings.
Nestor Cortes vs. HOU – I’m thrilled to see Cortes finally ready to return to the majors. Not for this start, of course, as the Astros are as mighty as any and it’s a Still ILL.
Alec Marsh @ PHI – Marsh’s fastball is worrisome and the slider isn’t enough for me to buy in.
Luis L. Ortiz @ MIL – Hey, he’s back! He’s likely taking Rich Hill’s spot in the rotation. I wonder how long the Pirates will let him go and if he’s changed in any way since we last saw him starting.
Ryan Yarbrough @ SDP – It’s the Fratty Pirate’s debut for the Dodgers, their consolation prize for missing Eduardo at the deadline. Maybe the defense helps him and he can sneak a Win here, but the Padres demolish left-handers. UPDATE: It looks like Michael Grove is starting this one, but I’d expect Yarbrough to appear shortly after.
Trevor Williams @ CIN – #NeverTrevor.
Michael Kopech @ CLE – Kopech’s velocity fell to just 93 mph last time out. Oh dear.
Ty Blach @ STL – Blach is not a pitcher you want to consider starting.
Ryan Weathers @ TEX – Weathers is not a strong arm and Texas is rough.
Hayden Wesneski vs. ATL – With Stroman on the IL, Wesneski enters the rotation. I’m curious what we get in the long term, and facing Atlanta makes this an obvious avoid.
UPDATE: George Soriano @ TEX – He’s getting the chance to start for the Marlins. Super curious how he looks in the rotation, but this is Texas, y’all.
UPDATE: Joan Adon @ CIN – He’s getting another shot in the rotation. He better have one h*ck of a slider.
UPDATE: Javier Assad vs. ATL – Hayden was called upon for relief on Friday, forcing Assad to take the start instead.
UPDATE: Red Sox Bullpen vs. TOR – Pivetta was pushed to Sunday, leaving a mystery game of pitchers for the Sawx against a strong Jays crew.
Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto-Starts
Tyler Glasnow @ DET – On a day that is incredibly weird for streaming rankings, Glasnow is so far and away the best play. Thank you Glasnow, now don’t let us down. Good luck, we’re all counting on you.
Zac Gallen @ MIN – Gallen has been weird and not featuring his old approach of low four-seamers with curves/changes underneath. I wonder if that returns here or if he keeps leaning into the BSB that may not be for him.
Brandon Woodruff vs. PIT – I thought a while about this one and ultimately felt “go for it”. It’s a Still ILL, but it’s a poor offense, he tossed 72 pitches in his last rehab outing, his changeup was filthy and locations were solid, velocity was normal, and Max Fried showed why aces are generally immune to Still ILL rules. There are always exceptions.
Sandy Alcantara @ TEX – It’s Texas. It’s also Sandy after 1 ER in 17 innings in his last two starts. It also was a little worse in his last start from an execution standpoint, and yet, I really don’t think any of us can actually take him out of the lineup right now. Talk about a fun, tense game.
Probably Starts
Kyle Bradish vs. NYM – I’ve had a lot of skepticism around Bradish’s June/July stretch and he’s allowed 8 ER in his last two games combined, but that’s overlooking 7 IP of 3 ER against the Jays included. You go with it against a demoralized Mets squad.
Taijuan Walker vs. KCR – It’s Taijuan magic against a terrible Royals crew.
Luis Medina vs. SFG – Our streaming pick of the day is Medina, who has featured a stellar breaker across four straight starts now and hosts a horrible Giants lineup inside O.Co. If the lower-than-studs Win chance turns you away vs. those below, I understand that and make your pick accordingly. I’m being a bit aggressive here as I believe in the breakers and see a higher floor than those against strong offenses.
Chase Silseth vs. SEA – I nearly put Silseth above Medina, but his recent sample is smaller and the Mariners are a better offense. That said, if Silseth has that new breaking ball working, the Marliners will roll over and give him all the chases he wants. The Angels provide him with a solid Win chance, as well.
Bryce Miller @ LAA – We’ve seen a ton of longballs off the bats of Miller’s opponents lately, but it’s just two starts of disappointment and I believe Miller will be better moving forward. It’s a bit scary with the Angels, though. I get it if you’d rather sit him.
Chris Bassitt @ BOS – Bassitt is a solid arm, but Fenway is not a fun place to pitch. Completely up to you here, I’m in favor of starting Bassitt regularly and not thinking about picking spots, personally.
Justin Steele vs. ATL – Steele has been such a rock for you, but hot dang that Atlanta offense is insane. I think you can understand why Walker, Medina, and Silseth are as high as they are relatively today.
Questionable Starts
Lance Lynn @ SDP – He had a fantastic debut for the Dodgers, but the Padres are tougher day at the park. Maybe limiting the cutter is a real shift, but the alternatives of breaking balls wasn’t all too helpful (though the increase of four-seamer may have been the answer). We’ll see.
Carlos Rodón vs. HOU – Rodón has yet to make trusting managers feel great about holding onto him for so long and the Astros are terrifying. That said, I believe Rodón is wearing the TIARA and if he’s able to earn enough slider strikes to open the lane for his four-seamer upstairs, he’ll dominate regardless of those who step into the box.
Charlie Morton @ CHC – He’s a Cherry Bomb and the Cubs are a fearsome bunch, even if Fried took them down on Friday.
Nick Pivetta vs. TOR – I love that Pivetta has come through as of late, but the Jays can mess up a pitcher and there’s a long track record of volatility from Pivetta.
Andrew Heaney vs. MIA – Speaking of volatility, Heaney is the poster child who just looked fantastic and yet we have no idea if that’ll repeat against the Marlins.
Johan Oviedo @ MIL – I could be too low here on Oviedo, though the Brewers have surprised us from time to time and Oviedo’s 1 ER games are sandwich by 5+ ER clunkers. That’s a Cherry Bomb.
José Quintana @ BAL – His command was off last time out and I’m hoping it was a blip and not a showcase of degradation. I’m not if pitching in Waltimore helps or hurts him – the park helps, the opposing offense does not.
Do Not Starts
Matt Manning vs. TBR – The skills of 95 mph and slider whiffs did not return. No thanks.
Alex Wood @ OAK – The matchup is great, the results from Wood even against weak teams have not been.
José Urquidy @ NYY – It’s a Still ILL for Urquidy, who wasn’t flexing a wonderful ceiling before his departure.
Jesse Scholtens @ CLE – Scholtens will at least get a chance to go more than five frames.
Jake Irvin @ CIN – Same with Irvin, who has a tougher matchup in Cincy.
Lyon Richardson vs. WSN – It’s an MLB debut and he’s only thrown three innings in each of his games since the start of July. I wouldn’t expect a long start here, but I am curious what he brings to the table with 97.4 mph four-seamers in his sole Triple-A start and an obvious BSB approach that could turn into something real. Looking forward to watching this one…just why does it have to be Cincy’s camera angle?!
Zack Greinke @ PHI – Greinke does what Greinke does.
Rich Hill vs. LAD – Hill has these magical moments and maybe this is one of them.
Austin Gomber @ STL – You don’t want to start Gomber.
Dallas Keuchel vs. ARI – Oh wow. At least they’ll let him go as long as he can.
Xzavion Curry vs. CHW – I don’t expect five frames here from Curry.
TBD Cardinals SP vs. COL – Who knows? Don’t chase it.
Featured Image by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram)