Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings Fantasy Baseball – 9/26 & 9/27

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: 98-75

My pick yesterday: Clarke Schmidt vs. ARI

PL Bot’s 2023 Streamer Record: 86-86

PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Clarke Schmidt vs. ARI

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

 

The rest of this article is 6 tables for each remaining day of the year (Monday 9/24 not included as games have already started). I’ve written all the notes for each matchup underneath each table in the same vein as the daily articles.

I’ve also elected to highlight potential streamers in Green and Yellow colors to outline who my favorite targets are down the stretch. Green = Absolutely, Yellow = if you’re in need of something. There are even a pair of Red highlights that are super sneaky.

GOOD LUCK! Take into account that the last weekend of the season changes MASSIVELY, often with few aces actually pitching or getting more limited than usual. Don’t target pitchers in the final weekend, target the starts beforehand.

 

Tuesday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto-Starts

 

Kevin Gausman vs. NYY – Aces gonna ace.

Kyle Bradish vs. WSN – He’s been throwing like an ace for 18 starts now. It’s incredible.

Zach Eflin @ BOS – Eflin recovered his cutter and even in Fenway, you’re doing this.

Hunter Greene @ CLE – It’s the Hunter you want.

Seth Lugo @ SFG – This is as safe of a start as you’ll find outside of ace-like arms.

Bailey Ober vs. OAK – You’re awfully safe with Ober going 5-6 frames of production against Oakland.

Michael King @ TOR – After fanning thirteen, can you really sit King against the Jays?

 

Probably Starts

 

George Kirby vs. HOU – I want to put Kirby in the top tier, but we all know he isn’t a strikeout machine and the Astros could wallop him.

Bobby Miller @ COL – It’s Coors, but Miller has been solid enough for a winning squad.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Aaron Nola vs. PIT – It feels so wrong to have Nola here, but he’s a Cherry Bomb now and that’s just the way it is.

Lucas Giolito vs. CIN – I love Giolito’s changeup right now and I can’t shake the feeling that Giolito has had horrible luck instead of simply pitching terribly. Cherry Bomb central.

Reese Olson vs. KCR – Does he belong in the second tier? I’m leaning no, despite making him our streaming pick of the day. Kansas City has been hot and Olson’s changeup & four-seamer make me worried each start. It is a good slider + sinker to right-handers, though.

Cristian Javier @ SEA – He was the best we’ve seen him in his last start and it’s unlikely he’ll have the same ability for the second straight start…or maybe he’s made an actual change.

Braxton Garrett @ NYM – I dig where Braxton is at with his repertoire and it’s enough to go after against the Mets in situations where you need a Toby. Not the highest ceiling, though.

Ryan Pepiot @ COL – We dig Pepiot and the Rockies in Coors are not as scary as they used to be.

Adrian Houser vs. STL – Now is where the third tier truly falls off. All of these have a shot of being worthwhile, but it’s all a dart throw at this point, and obviously it starts with the king of the darts, Mr. Houser. Good luck.

Bryce Elder vs. CHC – It’s a winning squad and we’ve seen Elder come through with sinkers and sliders. It is the Cubs though…

Mitch Keller @ PHI – Keller has been solid when not facing Atlanta, but how much worse are the Phillies?

Paul Blackburn @ MIN – Blackburn has tricks up his sleeve and the Twins are a volatile offense that could roll over here.

Justin Steele @ ATL – I’m terrified of this and was tempted to put him in in the bottom tier. He looks fatigued to me + it’s Atlanta. Yikes.

Joey Lucchesi vs. MIA – We’ve seen Lucchesi come through with his sinker recently and maybe he churns more outs as he lives along the edges.

Tanner Houck vs. TBR – His slider is great, the other stuff isn’t. If he’s able to toss enough strikes with his splitter and sinker without damage, he can survive. Not a fun bet to make against the strong Rays crew.

Zack Thompson @ MIL – His repertoire is a discount Kershaw and the Brewers have been strong at home. I’m still waiting for a start that gets him locked into a groove.

Reid Detmers vs. TEX – There’s a new changeup in Detmers’ arsenal and I wonder if that can pull him across 5-6 frames without destruction. His declining velocity is awfully scary, though.

Zach Davies @ CHW – He’s moved away from his changeup lately (weird) and I don’t like the rest of his arsenal. Then again, it’s the White Sox and the Sneks will push Davies as much as they can.

Kyle Harrison vs. SDP – Harrison has strikeout upside when he throws enough strikes with fastballs and curveballs, but the Padres are excellent against LHP and Harrison’s control has been very inconsistent.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Josiah Gray @ BAL – Sorry Josiah, I really don’t like that you’ve moved away from breakers. The ceiling just isn’t there to chase here against the Orioles.

José Ureña vs. ARI – Remember kids, If you start José, Ureña boatload of trouble.

Zack Greinke @ DET – Greinke does what Greinke does.

UPDATE: Cody Bradford @ LAA – We’ve seen the Rangers actually give Bradford a proper start and with the Jon Gray situation, I wouldn’t be shocked if he had a long leash here. That doesn’t mean it’ll be productive, it just means there’s an opportunity.

Ryan Feltner vs. LAD – It’s the Dodgers in Coors.

Chase Anderson vs. LAD – It’s the Dodgers in Coors.

Martín Pérez @ LAA – This is likely a bullpen game, not a proper start.

 

 

Wednesday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto-Starts

 

Gerrit Cole @ TOR – Aces gonna ace.

Pablo López vs. OAK – Aces gonna ace.

Grayson Rodriguez vs. WSN – Aces gonna ace.

Tarik Skubal vs. KCR – Aces gonna ace.

Tyler Glasnow @ BOS – Aces gonna ace, yes even after his recent struggles + Fenway.

Kodai Senga vs. MIA – He’s been too good to sit.

José Berríos vs. NYY – One more start to bring it home.

 

Probably Starts

 

Ranger Suárez vs. PIT – He’s locked in and it’s the Pirates.

Framber Valdez @ SEA – This is a tough call. I love how Valdez began leaning more on curves and cutters after over-utilizing his sinker early against the Royals. I have no issue with anyone benching Framber, I’m personally going for it.

Brandon Pfaadt @ CHW – I like Pfaadt’s sweeper enough to take down one of the worst offenses around.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Wade Miley vs. STL – He’s a Toby and this is a simple outing against a middling squad. A solid 5/6 inning game should be on the horizon.

Brayan Bello vs. TBR – Y’all know the drill with Bello. It’s in there, the floor ain’t too pretty though.

Shane Bieber vs. CIN – I didn’t see the best version of Bieber in his first start back from the IL, but there’s hope he has better breakers in a lovely matchup. At least he can go more than 80 pitches this time around.

Andrew Abbott @ CLE – He’s let us down in September, turning him into a Cherry Bomb instead of a Toby. If he can locate his four-seamer effectively, this could be an easy day at the park. I worry it’ll be another 4/5 inning game of mediocrity.

Bryce Miller vs. HOU – His four-seamer hasn’t been overwhelming and I’m not sure we can bank on his cutter/slider saving him if he doesn’t have the heat. It’s the Astros, after all.

Dane Dunning @ LAA – Dunning had his slider last time and the Angels aren’t too scary. This could go south quickly, though.

Griffin Canning vs. TEX – I like Canning’s breakers > four-seamer approach, but he didn’t have his slider last time out + the Rangers aren’t a fun team to pitch against.

Emmet Sheehan @ COL – We saw Sheehan’s slider get some life last time out, but this is Coors and I’m not buying that he has the breaker ready to go. How long will he actually throw?

Matt Waldron @ SFG – Waldron shocked us last time out, having success not just with the knuckleball. Pitching for the Padres is a great thing to do and this may be a super sneaky stream.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Sean Manaea vs. SDP – He’s been pitching much better now that the Giants have actually allowed Manaea to start, but against the Padres as a LHP…I’m still too worried about the floor while the ceiling isn’t that high.

Darius Vines vs. CHC – We’ve seen Vines have success in the past with his changeup, the question is more if Atlanta is letting him comfortably toss at least five frames.

Johan Oviedo @ PHI – He’s a Cherry Bomb against an elite offense.

Johnny Cueto @ NYM – Maybe there’s some Cueto magic still in the tank. I don’t want to be the one who finds out.

Luis Medina @ MIN – The slider showed promise in his last start, though there’s not a whole lot else to offer. The Athletics have been strange about the innings they’ve given their young arms and I question if Medina has the chance to go a full five, even if the slider is there. UPDATE: There’s a chance it’s Joey Estes, which could mean a piggyback start, it could also mean Medina gets pushed back to Thursday. There are a lot of implications for how streamers set up the rest of the way (Boyle, Blackburn, Sears, etc.) if so. Keep an eye on it.

Jameson Taillon @ ATL – I dig what Taillon has been doing lately and it feels cruel to have him finish his regular season against Atlanta. We can’t do this.

UPDATE: Patrick Corbin @ BAL – At least I can actually fathom him getting six frames and maybe he actually goes BSB and has his peak slider?

Miles Mikolas @ MIL – When was the last time this worked? Mikolas hasn’t allowed fewer than 3 ER since the start of August. But hey, he’s going to be on of the very few to toss 34 starts. Wild.

Anthony Veneziano? @ DET – He may get a shot for the Royals in his MLB debut. You don’t want to chase this low-90s sinker + changeup arm. If it’s not Anthony, the other options aren’t any better.

Luis Patiño vs. ARI – Hey, it’s Patiño! I hope he gets a proper leash in what may be an early audition for the 2024 rotation. I really hope he shows us a bit of what got us excited when he was in Tampa.

Noah Davis vs. LAD – It’s Davies. It’s Coors. It’s the Dodgers. Come on y’all.

 

Featured Image by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram)