The List 9/23: Every Remaining Day’s Sit/Start Starting Pitcher Rankings

Welcome to The List, where I rank the Top 100 SP for Fantasy Baseball every Monday of the year.

Want an earlier update to The List? Join me on Mondays at 2:00 pm ET as I live-stream its creation each week!

Have questions? My “office hours” are on Playback.tv 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET Monday – Friday + the aforementioned stream of The List.

 

Every day of the 2024 baseball season, I’ve been looking at today and tomorrow’s slate of scheduled starting pitchers and ranking their matchups for your fantasy baseball streams.

With just under two weeks left of the season, I decided the most helpful thing I could do is expand my daily rankings to look at each remaining day of the season in one massive reference article.

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.

 

HUGE thanks to Josh Mockensturm for helping put together this week’s tables.

 

My Ranking Process Outlined

 

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 or are sneaky options for deeper leagues. 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.

 

These schedules are going to change. 

 

It’s the biggest concern I have investing the time into a massive article like this as we all know rotations change, injuries happen, starters are pushed back, and rainouts are a thing. It means to take these with a grain of salt, but I believe it’s best to have a plan and adapt rather than starting with no plan at all.

Also keep in mind that my feelings toward some of these starters will be altered by their progression through the rest of the year – for example, Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Aaron Nola may be limited in their final starts to be preserved for the playoffs, or Reese Olson and Hunter Greene, who are expected to return from the IL and may be worthwhile (or not!) by their final starts. The rankings are fluid through the end of the year and I can only make my best estimate now. Make sure to check out my daily rankings for more help in the final weeks.

For each edition of The List, I have a set of rules to outline my thought process and how to best use these rankings. Please take note:

1. This is 5×5, 12-teamer, H2H format focused. It generally is the same as roto as well, but make sure you adjust accordingly.
2. Again, these tables are going to change. I’m trying to give a general idea of it, but injured pitchers returning, rainouts, bumped starters, callups, etc. mean the orders are all messed up. It happens, nothing I can do about it.

Pretty straightforward stuff. Let’s take a look at how I’m loosely ranking these matchups for the next two weeks (which, also, will change. These are humans, after all):

 

Monday 9/24 Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto Starts

 

Aaron Nola vs. CHC – Aces gonna ace.

Hunter Brown vs. SEA – He’s been making his kitchen sink approach work and it’s the Mariners…who have been better in September, but I’m not entirely convinced.

 

Probably Starts

 

Eduardo Rodriguez vs. SFG – This looks like a solid Win/QS play.

Chris Bassitt vs. BOS – Bassitt was bumped and gets to host the weak Sawx crew in Toronto.

Tanner Houck @ TOR – Houck was limited to just four frames last time out, but he was in his classic spring groove. I’m imagining 5+ frames of production.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Bryce Miller @ HOU – Castillo isn’t ready and Bryce is getting the pearl away from Seattle against a strong offense. Be careful.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Hayden Birdsong @ ARI – He’s the only pitcher under 20% rostered and I’m going out of my way to make my “streaming pick” NONE. In cases like these, if my pick is “NONE”, I only get a Win if there are zero pitchers under 20% rostered who performed a start worthy of a stream, and considering Birdsong is a very clear SIT against the Sneks with his volatility and their quality offense, it’s an easy day to sit on our hands.

Nate Pearson @ PHI – He’s getting a chance to start (likely with a small pitch count) and I’d avoid it completely.

 

 

 

Tuesday 9/24 Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto Starts

 

Tarik Skubal vs. TBR – Aces gonna ace.

Bailey Ober vs. MIA – Aces gonna ace.

Cole Ragans @ WSN – Aces gonna ace.

Framber Valdez vs. SEA – Aces gonna ace.

Nathan Eovaldi @ OAK – It’s Oakland.

Tanner Bibee vs. CIN – We’re riding this one out.

Michael King @ LAD – I know it’s the Dodgers, but King has his crown.

Bowden Francis vs. BOS – I don’t buy it for 2025, but who cares right now.

Spencer Schwellenbach vs. NYM – Despite the slider not earning all the whiffs, “Mr. Crescnedo” is performing at too high of a level to pass up.

Logan Gilbert @ HOU – It’s a tough call. In the end, start your studs.

 

Probably Starts

 

Tobias Myers @ PIT – It’s the Pirates and I dig Myers’ arsenal.

Ryan Pepiot @ DET – Pepiot just dominated and silenced any concerns about pitch limitations. It’s possible the Rays will oscilliate between short/long leashes, but you can’t take the chance.

Brandon Pfaadt vs. SFG – Pfaadt just had his best four-seamer of the season with pristine command. The Giants make it a solid floor to stand upon and jump for the ceiling.

Luis Severino @ ATL – Severino has made it work with his heaters + sweeper. Can’t deny that Grimace Dark Magic.

Logan Webb @ ARI – It’s the Sneks and Webb has been a bit shaky. Tough call here.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Jack Kochanowicz @ CHW – He just did exactly what we wanted him to do against the CrySox and now he gets the chance to do it again. He’s in the third tier due to this reliance on Koufax, but his sinker has consistently displayed an ability to find gloves.

Clarke Schmidt vs. BAL – It’s the Orioles, though I like Schmidt’s situation + he could cruise through five and change.

Brayan Bello @ TOR – Bello is a Cherry Bomb and I wish I had better things to say.

Mitch Spence vs. TEX – Spence can make this work with his cutter and slider and the Rangers are not the strongest.

Dean Kremer @ NYY – Kremer has a ceiling that appears when the four-seamer is on point. It wasn’t last time and that floor is rough heading in to the Bronx.

Mitchell Parker vs. KCR – He’s a Toby, though it hasn’t been great as of late.

Justin Steele @ PHI – I’m not sure how long he’ll go (are the Cubs really letting him start after recovering from an elbow injury?) and the Phillies make for a tough matchup.

Jonathan Cannon vs. LAA – We know Cannon can produce in small bursts, but even against the Angels, he could put you in a hole.

Bailey Falter vs. MIL – Falter has his moments when the fastball is spotted and his slider supports it underneath. The Brewers aren’t the team to test the waters against, sadly.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Landon Knack vs. SDP – Knack’s four-seamer has impressed me, but against the Padres? No thanks. I imagine he’ll get a quick hook here.

Jakob Junis @ CLE – Junis has shocked me across his last three starts, but it’s been the same Junis of old: A good slider without much support. Don’t expect the sinker to find outs with the same frequency. Koufax isn’t always watching…

Ryan Weathers @ MIN – He’s back and I’d much rather see him produce once before taking a chance against the Twins.

Michael McGreevy @ COL – In Coors? Nah. What about out of Coors? Nah.

Taijuan Walker vs. CHC – Taijuan. PLEASE.

Ryan Feltner vs. STL – COL story, Bro.

 

 

Wednesday 9/25 Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto-Starts

 

Chris Sale vs. NYM – Aces gonna ace.

Yusei Kikuchi vs. SEA – He’s a stud and this matchup is lovely.

Zac Gallen vs. SFG – It’s too good of a matchup.

Freddy Peralta @ PIT – It’s too good of a matchup.

 

Probably Starts

 

Kevin Gausman vs. BOS – The report is that Gausman is healthy and he’s been earning whiffs with his splitter lately.

Cody Bradford @ OAK – Bradford displayed last outing how the start against the Diamondbacks was a fluke.

Dylan Cease @ LAD – It’s a tough matchup, but the ceiling is too high.

George Kirby @ HOU – It’s a tough matchup, but the ceiling is too high.

Zach Eflin @ NYY – It’s a tough matchup, but the ceiling is too high. Come on Nick, stop saying the same thing. But it’s the same dang case for each!

Jack Flaherty vs. SDP – Uhhhhh. DON’T SAY IT. Fine. Flaherty’s slider has been a bit off across the last month and the Padres are terrifying.

Cristopher Sánchez vs. CHC – Seems like a standard affair for Sánchez.

Joey Cantillo vs. CIN – I like the matchup and even though I’m skeptical long term about Cantillo’s vulcan changeup, I trust his rhythm at the moment against team that struggles on the road.

Zack Littell @ DET – He’s been cooking as of late and the Tigers are a decent team to stream against.

David Peterson @ ATL – Peterson’s hot streak hit a snag against the Phillies, but it’s worth gambling that his command hit a bump along the tracks, not a full derailment.

 

 

Questionable Starts

 

Richard Fitts @ TOR – I want to like this one more, though Fitts isn’t electric and carries the Shag Rug with him.

Nestor Cortes vs. BAL – Cortes is pitching well, but is it enough for the Orioles offense in what could be a meaningful game?

José Suarez @ CHW – It’s a LHP against the CrySox who just took down the Astros.

Keider Montero vs. TBR – Montero is decent enough to take advantage of the Rays.

DJ Herz vs. KCR – Will the changeup be good enough? The Royals offense certainly has been stagnating.

Edward Cabrera @ MIN – It’s a coin-flip. The ceiling is lovely, but the floor. Oh dear.

Luis L. Ortiz vs. MIL – Ortiz finally earned whiffs with the slider in his last start, but I’m not sure it’s replicated here.

Davis Martin vs. LAA – The Angels make for a cushy day at the park and Martin could have field day with his slider and changeup.

Brady Basso vs. TEX – I like Basso’s big hook, but he doesn’t demand success.

Simeon Woods Richardson vs. MIA – I worry about how the Twins are limiting their young arms at the moment, opening the door for a start under five frames.

Javier Assad @ PHI – Assad’s approach doesn’t speak to sustainability and the Phillies are not a team to casually start against.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Michael Lorenzen @ WSN – If we knew Lorenzen was stretched out in full, he would be in the third tier at least. With the large unknown and likely limited pitch count, we avoid this “Still Ill”.

Mason Black @ ARI – It’s the Sneks.

Julian Aguiar @ CLE – Aguiar is not an upside play, especially in Cleveland.

Austin Gomber vs. STL – COL story, Bro.

Erick Fedde @ COL – Gomber will tell you the COLest of stories.

 

 

Thursday 9/26 Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto-Starts

 

Gerrit Cole vs. BAL – Aces gonna ace.

Max Fried vs. NYM – Aces gonna ace.

Corbin Burnes @ NYY – Aces gonna ace.

Sean Manaea @ ATL – He’s certainly pitching like an ace as of late.

 

Probably Starts

 

Michael Wacha @ WSN – Wacha has been in a groove and gets the Nationals. Awwww yeah.

Tyler Anderson @ CHW – This feels like an auto start given Anderson’s fantastic changeup and the CrySox’s inability to hit them from southpaws.

Joe Musgrove @ LAD – Musgrove looks fantastic, but it’s the Dodgers.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Reese Olson vs. TBR – He just went roughly 60 pitches, outlining about 75 in this big outing for the Tigers. I don’t love the Questionable Start tier on Thursday, making Olson rise to the top in anticipation for five frames.

Aaron Civale @ PIT – It’s a great matchup, but will the curve be there?

David Festa vs. MIA – How long will the Twins let Festa go? Will he be efficient enough across all three pitches?

Kumar Rocker @ OAK – Rocker looked fantastic in his MLB debut, then a bit chaotic in the second. At least he should have a longer leash this time around.

J.T. Ginn vs. TEX – Ginn was able to spot sinkers, sliders, and changeups effectively to maneuver around the Yankee lineup for five innings. If he has the same command, this will work.

Tyler Alexander @ DET – If he gets opened for, T-Lex has a shot at a Win. Yes, I hate it too.

Patrick Corbin vs. KCR – I’m not committed to Corbin’s harder cutter that much, y’all.

Mitch Keller vs. MIL – Keller looked hurt in his last start, failing to hit 94 mph on any fastball. This looks like a another nightmare.

Walker Buehler vs. SDP – The cutter is working, everything else is lagging behind. I hate this one.

Garrett Crochet vs. LAA – It’ll likely be four innings, but how many strikeouts along the way? Maybe they let him loose for his final outing?

Kyle Gibson @ COL – I know, but if you need a QS/Win dart throw, I can see a scenario where Gibson comes through.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Valente Bellozo @ MIN – His WHIP is often terrible, the strikeouts aren’t there, and the Win chance is low. It’s not even a good gamble for a solid ERA.

Kyle Freeland vs. STL – COL story, bro.

 

 

Friday 9/28 Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto-Starts

 

Carlos Rodón vs. PIT – I wouldn’t expect him to be sitting 94 mph again.

Pablo López vs. BAL – Brush off the pair of three-run shots against the Sawx and start PabLó.

José Berríos vs. MIA – He’s been absurd across the last six weeks.

 

Probably Starts

 

Kutter Crawford vs. TBR – It’s the Rays.

Luis Castillo vs. OAK – It’s unclear how long he goes after missing almost three weeks on the IL. I say you ride it out and hope for the best.

Jacob deGrom @ LAA – He’s been limited to roughly 60 pitches in each of his two starts, but hopefully he’s able to go to 75 here. The ceiling is too good.

Jameson Taillon vs. CIN – Taillon has been on a roll and gets a lovely matchup to ride into the sunset.

Nick Martinez @ CHC – Since grabbing a rotation spot, Nic kMart has upped the changeup and cruised for fantasy managers.

Ranger Suárez @ WSN – I don’t love Suárez’s ability at the moment, but it’s a strong Win chance against a weak lineup.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Merrill Kelly vs. SDP – I don’t like it at all, but Kelly has been commanding much better lately, with a strong defense behind him, propelling a decent Win chance.

Cade Povich @ MIN – I’d prefer not to face the Twins, but Povich is a decent enough Toby type.

Taj Bradley @ BOS – He’s a Cherry Bomb.

Jared Jones @ NYY – His command has been horrible lately. This is a strikeout upside play.

Brady Singer @ ATL – He’s a ‘Cherry Bomb”.

JP Sears @ SEA – He’s a desperate Cherry Bomb play if you’re searching for punchouts.

Jose Quintana @ MIL – Quintana is not in a command groove and the Brewers are a tough squad.

Charlie Morton vs. KCR – He’s a Cherry Bomb.

Landen Roupp vs. STL – Roupp is a two-pitch arm who can find his way through at least five frames. At least he faces the Cardinals.

Adam Oller @ TOR – Oller is a Cherry Bomb without a good offense behind him.

Miles Mikolas @ SFG – Mikoals has a long leash to survive through six frames, but he’s produced so rarely in the second half.

Trevor Williams vs. PHI – Trevor performed well in his short Still ILL outing and he could do the same against the Phillies if he keeps his sweeper down.

Justin Verlander @ CLE – Verlander has fallen apart down the stretch, but it’s possible the Guardians take it easy over the weekend, allowing for a comfortable Win.

Casey Mize vs. CHW – It’s the CrySox, but Mize’s slider isn’t there.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Ben Lively vs. HOU – Lively has mysteriously found a way to get through five innings without punishment, but it’s the Astros and his approach is so dang precarious.

Reid Detmers vs. TEX – Detmers just got obliterated by both the White Sox and Astros.

Chris Flexen @ DET – Maybe there’s a fantastic beach in Detroit? HE’S NOT THAT BAD.

Martín Pérez @ ARI – It’s the Diamondbacks and Pérez has been given a quick hook.

Cal Quantrill vs. LAD – It’s the Dodgers. In Coors. At least he has a longer leash than the two below.

Colin Rea vs. NYM – Rea has been going roughly four frames and even if he went five, the ceiling is awfully low.

Tony Gonsolin @ COL – He’ll be used sparingly in what will likely be a bullpen game.

 

 

Saturday 9/28 Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto-Starts

 

Blake Snell vs. STL – Aces gonna ace.

Zack Wheeler @ WSN – Aces gonna ace. Wheeler may get some extra rest before the start of the playoffs.

Seth Lugo @ ATL – If the Royals have it locked up, he won’t go in this one.

Paul Skenes @ NYY – Are the Pirates actually starting Skenes?

Bryan Woo vs. OAK – Woo is better than the ERA from his last two starts would tell you.

Ronel Blanco @ CLE – If the Astros are locked in for the playoffs, they may limit Blanco here.

 

Probably Starts

 

Luis Gil vs. PIT – Don’t be surprised if Gil gets skipped in this one. If he’s starting, the matchup is too delicious to pass up.

Nick Pivetta vs. TBR – It’s a great matchup you can’t pass up, even in Fenway.

Brant Hurter vs. CHW – He may be opened for, increasing the chance of a vulture Win. It’s the White Sox and Hurter’s command has been fantastic. Don’t expect more than five frames, though.

Shane Baz @ BOS – Baz is killing it with his four-seamer and curve. I’m favoring his ability over the park.

Sean Burke @ DET – Burke has shocked me in his two starts and I’m targeting him as a stream against the Tigers after he walloped the Padres with elite 95/96 mph heaters + 50% CSW sliders, ending the night with a 97 mph whiff. There’s a whole lot of potential here.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto @ COL – Despite failing against Rockie Road, I’m banking on the command returning for a productive outing, even in Coors.

Yu Darvish @ ARI – It’s a tough call. Darvish’s feel for spin was stellar against the White Sox and even against the mighty Diamondbacks (who may be celebrating a locked playoff spot!), I’d let Darvish fly.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Andre Pallante @ SFG – He had depressed velocity in his last start, but the cut-fastball is working well over the plate. The Giants are a great team to stream against when chasing a Quality Start, too.

Tylor Megill @ MIL – I don’t love his inconsistent secondaries, but the four-seamer has elite potential. The floor seems good enough to roll with Megill here.

Andrew Heaney @ LAA – This looks like a great matchup, but Heaney is too dang volatile. He hasn’t had his changeup for weeks.

Frankie Montas vs. NYM – Yes, he was bamboozled by the Diamondbacks (who hasn’t?), but that doesn’t mean he can produce against the Mets.

Albert Suárez @ MIN – Suárez’s four-seamer is killing it. The secondaries are not. Hopefully they step up enough to get him through at least five for a Win with a handful of strikeouts along the way.

MacKenzie Gore vs. PHI – Gore’s fastball is worrisome at 95 mph and I wouldn’t trust his inconsistent curve to show up again when battling a tough offense like the Phillies.

Grant Holmes vs. KCR – Holmes has been given a quick hook by Atlanta and in a battle against Lugo, the Win chance is diminished.

Joey Estes @ SEA – Estes throws enough strikes with a long leash to give himself a chance at six frames against the Mariners.

Rhett Lowder @ CHC – The Cubs scare me a little and I don’t love Lowder’s reliance on sinkers well over the plate, but he’s performed up to the task thus far and could go 5-6 frames of production.

Yariel Rodríguez vs. MIA – How long will they let him go for? Maybe this is the start they let him loose to take advantage of a pedestrian lineup.

Matthew Boyd vs. HOU – This is a desperate play for strikeouts, hoping Boyd can find his rhythm before the playoffs against a strong Houston squad.

Zebby Matthews vs. BAL – Like Festa and SWR, the Twins have been limiting Zebby’s innings, making me hesitant to trust him for more than five frames. He’s also gone just two-pitch and failed to express the full kitchen-sink arsenal I anticipated when initially promoted.

Griffin Canning vs. TEX – Canning has nights where he rack up whiffs, though it doesn’t always translate into strikeouts and positive results.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Kyle Hendricks vs. CIN – He failed to come through against a weakened Nationals lineup (Careful, Icarus) and the floor is too low to try it here.

Ryne Nelson vs. SDP – He’s expected to come off the IL and I expect it to be a tune up for the playoffs with a limited pitch count.

Darren McCaughan @ TOR – He doesn’t go long enough and the quality isn’t what you want.

Antonio Senzatela vs. LAD – I know he just came through, but come on Senz-A. Come on.

 

 

Sunday 9/29 Starting Pitcher Rankings

Note: The Starting Pitchers who are underlined and not italicized are those who could have a high chance of being skipped on the final day of the year due to innings limits, playoff implications, or other reasons.

In addition, many starters will go fewer pitches than their usual workload to prevent a last minute injury and give some young guys one last chance. It’s a weird day.

 

Auto-Starts

 

Tarik Skubal vs. CHW – Aces gonna ace.

Aaron Nola @ WSN – Aces gonna ace.

Shota Imanaga vs. CIN – Aces gonna ace.

Cole Ragans @ ATL – Aces gonna ace.

Bailey Ober vs. BAL – Aces gonna ace.

Michael King @ ARI – Aces gonna ace, even against the Sneks.

Spencer Schwellenbach vs. KCR – Even though the slider whiffs have been missing, I’m going for it.

Bryce Miller vs. OAK – He’s in Seattle. We love that.

 

Probably Starts

 

Nathan Eovaldi @ LAA – It’s the Angels.

Clarke Schmidt vs. PIT – This looks prime for a Win and/or Quality Start.

Tobias Myers vs. NYM – It’s hard to deny Myers with the way he’s pounded the zone with an array of pitches.

Chris Bassitt vs. MIA – Even though he failed to come through last week, we ride this one out.

Tanner Houck vs. TBR – I hope the Sawx allow Houck to go over 75 pitches here. He looked like his spring self in his four inning outing after getting skipped.

Spencer Arrighetti @ CLE – Even in Cleveland, I’d roll with The Pasta Pirate. He’s been too dang good.

Ryan Pepiot @ BOS  – It’s Fenway, but hot dang did he look amazing across 87 pitches in his last outing.

Luis Severino @ MIL – You’re letting Severino loose if the Mets need him to come through on Sunday.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Dean Kremer @ MIN – He’s a Cherry Bomb.

Mitch Spence @ SEA – It’s in Seattle and Spence has been quietly productive over at least five frames multiple times.

Jack Kochanowicz vs. TEX – The Jack of One Trade is a great dart throw for a Quality Start.

Jonathan Cannon @ DET – I can’t get the idea out of my head that Cannon takes advantage of this final start and tosses a CGSHO to make this historic CrySox season end on a high note.

Gavin Williams vs. HOU – He had lower velocity (maybe a cold gun) in his last start and I imagine the Guardians will limit Williams here to rest him for the playoffs.

Jake Irvin vs. PHI – It’s possible his fastball command improves from his last game to cap off a wild year from irvin.

Hunter Greene @ CHC – I wouldn’t expect much from Greene here after pitching just 45 pitches last time out. However, he could be worthwhile for 5-6 strikeouts.

Eduardo Rodriguez vs. SDP – I get the sense that the Diamondbacks won’t start Erod or they’ll let him go just a few innings as a tune up for the playoffs…against the same team.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Landon Knack @ COL – I wonder if he actually gets this start and if the Dodgers really want to push him for five or more. It feels like a bullpen game here.

Ryan Weathers @ TOR – I could raise this one up before Sunday if Weathers impresses me in his first start. This could be your sneaky Sunday play with the Marlins wanting to give Weathers a proper start before the end of the year.

Bailey Falter @ NYY – Maybe the Yankees rest Soto and Judge?

Hayden Birdsong vs. STL – Maybe Birdsong actually locates his arsenal?

Ryan Feltner vs. LAD – It’s Coors…even if the Dodgers rest their players.

Michael McGreevy @ SFG – McGreevy just isn’t a guy I want to trust.

 

 

Good luck. You can do this.