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, with a minimum of 5 IP. Close calls are decided by Playback chat.
Nick’s 2023 Streamer Record: 88-69
My pick yesterday: Michael King vs. MIL
PL Bot’s 2023 Streamer Record: 80-77
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Michael King vs. MIL
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
Gerrit Cole vs. MIL – Aces gonna ace.
Pablo López vs. NYM – Aces gonna ace.
Corbin Burnes @ NYY – Burnes has thrown us for a loop all year…and yet you can’t deny this one.
Zach Eflin vs. SEA – Eflin’s command was gone last time out and this is the Mariners. I imagine he just needs a reset.
Grayson Rodriguez @ BOS – Grayson has become the guy we envisioned in March. Fenway ain’t fun, though.
Clayton Kershaw @ WSN – His velocity was far down last time as his shoulder was barking at him. I wonder if he actually makes this start and if so, if he’ll get an early hook.
Tanner Bibee @ LAA – Bibee has been gold for your squads, even if the command weirds me out.
José Berríos vs. KCR – He’s allowed 2 ER in each of his last three starts and yet, you’re doing this. Small sample size, small sample size…
Cole Ragans @ TOR – It’s the first true test for Ragans and are you actually benching him? I didn’t think so.
Hunter Greene vs. STL – The arsenal is where we want it to be and the Cardinals are not turning me away. I can’t imagine not starting Greene here.
Probably Starts
Jon Gray vs. OAK – His fastball is good enough to allow the slider to soar against the Athletics.
Jesús Luzardo @ PHI – With Sandy hitting the IL, the Marlins are truncating their six-man rotation, forcing Luzardo to face the Phils instead of the Brewers. Sigh. He’s come through as of late, tossing fewer sliders over the heart of the plate, and even against an elite Phillies offense, I think I’m doing it in most cases.
Bryce Miller @ TBR – This is the last start we’re letting Miller fly for this season with Seattle’s rugged schedule the rest of the way (or is Texas not elite anymore…?) and with Bryce’s four-seamer fluctuations, this isn’t as much of a lock as you want it to be.
Brayan Bello vs. BAL – Bello’s new slider is interesting, though likely not the true dominant pitch we want to be. Regardless, his sinker and change are good enough for the Orioles.
Kyle Hendricks vs. ARI – He’s our Spider-Man in a good matchup.
Allan Winans vs. PIT – Ayyyy he’s back! He let us down the last time he started, but this is the Pirates and with a great Win chance and easy lineup, it makes for a solid stream.
Tylor Megill @ MIN – I’m pushing him into the second tier as I like Megill’s four-seamer and slider combo at the moment. He’s in a solid rhythm and I’d stream him here, hoping this lasts throughout the month.
Questionable Starts
Brandon Pfaadt (Opener) @ CHC – I still can’t decide if I like Pfaadt’s repertoire or if it’s too mid for me to consider regularly. The Cubs have thump in their lineup, turning this into a coin flip.
J.P. France vs. SDP – France was far better than the horrible Red Sox outing, though the Padres are dangerous. This is a Win chance start if you want it.
Ranger Suárez vs. MIA – It’s not a bad matchup, but I haven’t seen Suárez get into his classic rhythm yet. The changeup needs work.
Peter Lambert @ SFG – It’s Oracle Park and a terrible Giants lineup. There’s a higher chance than you think that Lambert produces across six frames.
Sawyer Gipson-Long vs. CHW – It’s an MLB debut on a desperate Sunday. The pros: The White Sox are poor and Gipson-Long has a filthy slider he can exploit them with. The cons: Sawyer came in relief his last two games in Triple-A, his fastball was at 94 mph in relief, but 91/92 as a starter, and it’s an MLB debut that generally comes with jitters and the worst version of the Shag Rug. Good luck.
Do Not Starts
Kenny Rosenberg vs. CLE – He’s a boring lefty with a good changeup and slow heater. He returned a Quality Start last time out and could do it again…? Probably not.
Jesse Scholtens @ DET – We’ve seen moments of bliss from Scholtens, but the probability of production is far too low here, even against the Tigers.
Miles Mikolas @ CIN – Mikolas just isn’t worth it. The ratio hit can be so cruel.
UPDATE: Daniel Castano @ PHI – He’s returning to the Marlins rotation to preserve the six-man rotation, pushing Luzardo to Monday. Castano is stretched out, granting a chance for productivity here, though it’s an elite offense you should likely avoid.
Luis Medina @ TEX – The Rangers aren’t as venomous without Adolis in the lineup + their bats have gone relatively cold. If his slider is still cooking, he may have some shocking value for those in dire need of strikeouts.
Trevor Williams vs. LAD – Team #NeverTrevor.
Keaton Winn vs. COL – If I believed the Giants were going to let Winn actually start and go at least five frames, he’d be under Medina. I highly doubt that, sadly.
Luis L. Ortiz @ ATL – It’s Atlanta, even if Ortiz’s changeup has propelled him lately.
Rich Hill @ HOU – Hill doesn’t go long and it’s the Astros. Please don’t.
UPDATE: Matt Waldron @ HOU – He’s the knuckleballer. We don’t trust those.
Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto-Starts
Tyler Glasnow @ MIN – Aces gonna ace.
Brandon Woodruff vs. MIA – Aces gonna ace.
Sonny Gray vs. TBR – He’s been too consistent for you.
Logan Gilbert vs. LAA – The fastball is getting better and the slider is still there.
Jesús Luzardo @ MIL – He’s getting the Brewers after all and back in rhythm.
Framber Valdez vs. OAK – I’m shocked the curve and cutter have been shelved lately, but he’s still come through and it’s the Athletics.
Probably Starts
Clayton Kershaw vs. SDP – Velocity was down last time out, he’ll have a limited pitch count, and the Padres are great against LHP.
Gavin Williams @ SFG – It’s the Giants, though Williams’ command is always in question.
José Quintana vs. ARI – He’s been as good of a Toby as you could hope for.
Dean Kremer vs. STL – Kremer has been solid with his only weakness being his four-seamer command. He should be fine.
Chris Bassitt vs. TEX – Bassitt is opponent agnostic. Don’t overthink it.
Charlie Morton @ PHI – It’s a tough call given the volatility of Morton and the quality Philadelphia offense.
Clarke Schmidt @ BOS – The Red Sox are strong in Fenway, yet Schmidt has been gold across the last two months.
Questionable Starts
Brady Singer @ CHW – He was rusty in his return last week and gets another shot against the White Sox. He’s a Cherry Bomb and belongs in the third tier.
Dylan Cease vs. KCR – Cease wasn’t able to survive against the Royals last time out but he could recover here.
Jordan Wicks @ COL – I like Wicks and recognize that Coors isn’t as scary as it used to be. The changeup may be able to keep his head above water.
Kutter Crawford vs. NYY – I don’t love it, but I recognize his fastball and cutter could be enough.
Alex Cobb vs. CLE – Cobb has been dealing with an injury for a while and his splitter is awfully inconsistent.
Do Not Starts
Reid Detmers @ SEA – The Mariners are killing it and Detmers isn’t pitching like he used to, with a large velocity drop.
Andre Jackson vs. WSN – There’s a shot, but the ceiling isn’t worth it in my view.
Kyle Wright @ PHI – It’s a clear Still ILL against an elite offense.
Zach Davies @ NYM – If the changeup is good enough, fine, but I just don’t want to chase it.
Josiah Gray @ PIT – Bleegggggh.
Taijuan Walker vs. ATL – It’s Atlanta and Walker isn’t in a good place.
Michael Lorenzen vs. ATL – It’s Atlanta and Lorenzen isn’t in a good place.
Dakota Hudson @ BAL – Hudson always has a weird chance for success, is it worth it?
Kyle Freeland vs. CHC – Sure, whatever Freeland.
Andrew Heaney @ TOR – He’s a Cherry Bomb against a strong crew.
Ken Waldichuk @ HOU – It’s the Astros + Waldichuk isn’t in a good place.
Pedro Avila @ LAD – It’s the Dodgers.
Featured Image by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram)