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: 98-72
My pick yesterday: Brandon Pfaadt @ NYY
PL Bot’s 2023 Streamer Record: 85-85
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Gavin Stone vs. 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
Zack Wheeler vs. NYM – Aces gonna ace.
Brandon Woodruff @ MIA – Aces gonna ace.
Jesús Luzardo vs. MIL – He’s looked like an ace…except for a start against Milwaukee. Redemption should come his way.
Sonny Gray vs. LAA – Sonny’s ERA has shockingly stayed down across the year and it’s the Angels.
Probably Starts
Carlos Rodón vs. ARI – It’s hard not to buy into what Rodón is doing with 96+ mph on his fastball in his last two games (for the first times this year!), catalyzing 19 strikeouts combined. UPDATE: This game was postponed.
Nick Pivetta vs. CHW – Pivetta is in a good place and gets the White Sox, who should abide to his slider’s O-Swing%.
Jordan Wicks vs. COL – Wicks’ stuff is solid and Rockie Road is a lovely matchup.
Jordan Montgomery vs. SEA – He just had the greatest night I’ve ever seen with his curveball. It won’t be the same here, but at least he’s coming into it in as good of a place as you could hope for…okay maybe not with the changeup, but we’ll take it.
Questionable Starts
Clayton Kershaw vs. SFG – It’s unclear how long Kershaw will go for, which pushes him down here. You have to imagine the Dodgers are being ultra careful with Kershaw.
Hyun Jin Ryu @ TBR – He’s a Toby and the Rays are not elite.
Logan Gilbert @ TEX – It’ll come down to Gilbert’s four-seamer and it’s a risky proposition against the Rangers.
Kyle Wright @ WSN – The results haven’t been there in his first two starts, but I’m encouraged by his curveball + fastball command that returned failure given the elite Phillies offense. Now that it’s a terrible Nationals lineup, I think this is the start Wright showcases his ceiling. UPDATE: This game was postponed.
Connor Phillips vs. PIT – He throws hard and has a fantastic slider…when he features it for strikes. He’s a Cherry Bomb for this reason, but the ceiling against the Pirates makes this a fun streaming option.
J.P. France vs. KCR – He just got trounced by the Royals and he’s been generally volatile start-to-start. That said, it’s the Astros and he’s shown the ability to go six frames often in the past.
John Means @ CLE – After two starts back on the bump, I’m not as encouraged by Means’ arsenal as much as I wanted to be. There’s a Toby in here for a winning club, though, which makes him worthwhile in a number of formats.
Cal Quantrill vs. BAL – Now we’re getting to the part of the third tier that I’m actively avoiding, beginning with Quantrill who suddenly went sub 25% sinkers + cutters out of nowhere. I guess he’s a curveball + splitter guy now and I’m worried he won’t be able to go six for a Win against the best team in the American League.
Dylan Cease @ BOS – He’s a Cherry Bomb against the Sawx who are elite in Fenway. This is a desperate strikeout play.
José Quintana @ PHI – I’ve been suggesting y’all avoid this start against the Phils, though Quintana can squeeze out production if his command is there.
Do Not Starts
Joey Wentz @ OAK – There’s some upside here for Wentz, especially against the Athletics. It’s a longshot, but he did go seven strikeouts last time out in fewer than five frames. If he gets a full five this time, it may be worthwhile.
Zack Littell vs. TOR – Are the Rays going to get him a Win? Is his slider located down? Will he even go five innings?
Zach Davies @ NYY – Davies barely threw his best pitch last time out and I don’t understand it at all. It’s a dart throw. UPDATE: This game was postponed.
Pedro Avila (Opener) vs. STL – It seems like the Padres will open with Nick Martinez and have Avila follow, which opens the door to vulture a Win here.
Kenny Rosenberg @ MIN – He has a decent changeup and the Angels have given him the leash to go six frames.
Andre Jackson @ CIN – He’s gone six innings before…?
UPDATE: Bailey Falter @ CIN – It looks like it’s actually Falter this time with Priester going tomorrow. There’s some hope here with a ton of secondaries likely landing inside the zone, but I wonder how long they’ll actually let him go.
Chris Flexen @ CHC – Flexen has been able to have games with stellar
Joe Boyle vs. DET – He throws super hard and is likely limited to just four frames. Still could be helpful.
Joan Adon vs. ATL – It’s Atlanta. UPDATE: This game was postponed.
Jordan Lyles @ HOU – It’s Houston.
Ross Stripling @ LAD – It’s the Dodgers (and how long will he go?)
Jake Woodford @ SDP – It’s the Padres…and look! The Amish Mustang hath returned!
Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto-Starts
Spencer Strider @ WSN – Aces gonna ace.
Freddy Peralta @ MIA – Aces gonna ace.
UPDATE: Zac Gallen vs. NYY – Aces gonna ace.
Joe Ryan vs. LAA – It’s been a weird second half for Ryan as his four-seamer hasn’t been as effective and his slider has disappeared. Still, it’s the Angels.
Yusei Kikuchi @ TBR – He’s been too hot and likely getting all the rest before this one after just eleven last time.
Probably Starts
UPDATE: Carlos Rodón vs. ARI – It’s hard not to buy into what Rodón is doing with 96+ mph on his fastball in his last two games (for the first times this year!), catalyzing 19 strikeouts combined.
Eduardo Rodriguez @ OAK – It’s Oakland. You’re doing this as long as Erod makes this start after leaving his last start with back spasms.
Michael Wacha vs. STL – Wacha has been solid and the Cardinals don’t strike fear into our hearts.
Lance Lynn vs. SFG – It’s a great Win chance, I just wish I liked his secondaries more.
Clarke Schmidt vs. ARI – Schmidt ran into trouble his last two starts, but it was Fenway + Toronto. The Diamondbacks (even with a hot Carroll) are an easier time.
Kutter Crawford vs. CHW – Our streaming pick of the day is Crawford, who still has his strong four-seamer and has made it work with kutters, curves, and sliders/sweepers.
Cristopher Sánchez vs. NYM – After dealing with Atlanta, Sánchez has an easier time against the Mets. Let’s hope the slider is back to form here.
Bryan Woo @ TEX – He looked great in his last outing, but it’s the Rangers. These last four of the tier are more questionable than the rest, but I’m still leaning toward starting them. Here, I’m going for it as Woo has regained the four-seamer we fell in love with, but it’s a risky play.
Javier Assad vs. COL – There’s also Assad, who has a lovely matchup but is missing the cutter he dominated with. It’s been three starts since he’s been about to spot them down-and-gloveside and this may be a trap play. I sure hope not.
Edward Cabrera vs. MIL – The Brewers are sneaky good and Cabrera’s command is often a big shrug. But the upside…I know. That’s why he’s here.
Hunter Brown vs. KCR – He’s a Cherry Bomb against an offense that has its moments. It’s a solid Win chance and if the breakers find the zone, Hunter should produce.
Questionable Starts
UPDATE: Kyle Wright @ WSN – The results haven’t been there in his first two starts, but I’m encouraged by his curveball + fastball command that returned failure given the elite Phillies offense. Now that it’s a terrible Nationals lineup, I think this is the start Wright showcases his ceiling.
JP Sears vs. DET – Here’s the start we circled for Sears as he faces the Tigers. I’m expecting at least five strikeouts here, if not closer to ten.
Taj Bradley vs. TOR – He looked fantastic in his last start, earning all the strikes with his cutter and changeup. The Jays are also kinda weird…? I’d rather face the Royals (hey Hunter), but Bradley has a shot to come through here.
Mike Clevinger @ BOS – He’s been stupid good for about month…against terrible lineups. Now it’s Fenway and I’m scared.
Tyler Anderson @ MIN – It’s a solid changeup and I’m not sure you’ll get the rest working. Tyler has a decent QS chance for those who need it.
Kyle Gibson @ CLE – Oh look, the poster child for a Cherry Bomb. Good luck.
Triston McKenzie vs. BAL – It’s a clear Still ILL as McKenzie tossed about 65 pitches and sat 92/93 mph in his Triple-A rehab start. The curve and breaker combined for a sub-50 % strike rate in that tune-up outing as well and this is Baltimore. Short leash, not in a groove yet, and first start back? Yeah, that’s an avoid in all but desperate scenarios.
Brandon Williamson vs. PIT – The velocity has been down and the changeup, well it was better last time out, but not the one we saw before he had COVID. That said, it’s another start removed from his stint away from the game, opening the door for a rebound outing. He has to start somewhere.
Nathan Eovaldi vs. SEA – He’s sitting below 94 mph and his secondaries aren’t elite. I’m terrified, but Eovaldi has overcome his depressed velocity at times in the past. Then again, how much with the Rangers push him?
Do Not Starts
José Butto @ PHI – Butto has been a surprise for many, even in 12-teamers, but this is the Phillies. The risk is too high.
Ryne Nelson @ NYY – I don’t think the slider/cutter is nearly what it needs to be to come through here.
Ty Blach @ CHC – Blach.
Quinn Priester (Opener) @ CIN – Quinn went six frames last time out and maybe he’s figured something out?
Drew Rom @ SDP – It’s 90/91 mph against a team that crushes LHP. I don’t care if he just did exceptionally well.
Alex Wood @ LAD – Is he actually starting? Does it matter?
UPDATE: Joan Adon vs. ATL – At least he has a longer leash than Rutledge.
Jackson Rutledge vs. ATL – Absolutely not.
TBD Royals @ HOU – It’s unclear who the Royals are starting with Brady Singer sitting out with a back strain and whoever it is, you don’t want to do it.
Featured Image by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram)