SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings – 4/12 & 4/13

With the 2021 season, I’m changing how I’m doing my starting pitcher streamers and daily matchup rankings

Instead of being featured in the SP Roundup, I’ll be highlighting my SP streamer picks for today and tomorrow inside this article, while also introducing four tiers and adding notes to each table.

The four tiers are as follows:

 

Auto-Start – Just do it. Don’t overthink this, start the man.

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 pitcher or a weak lineup for a volatile arm.

Questionable Start – There are situations where I’d take the chance, either with strong enough upside on the ability side, or a poor offense that a pitcher could take advantage of.

Do Not Start – The reward is not worth the risk. Don’t do it.

 

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 through 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, I have highlighted in Green my streaming pick of the day – Yellow if I wouldn’t actually want to stream them (I have to pick one every day!) . These are 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.

 

Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• Yes, I’m throwing Stephen Strasburg and his depreciated velocity into the top tier. If you’ve rostered him, you’re going to start him.
• It pains me to put Sandy Alcantara all the way at #7, but he has the worst matchup of the lot. Poor guy, if he had the Tigers, I’d have him at #4.

 

• Despite struggling in his first two starts, Chris Bassitt is out of the woods and finally gets a good matchup. This is why we held onto him and he should be ready to produce.
• I’m still on the Carlos Rodon train after last week’s spiked velocity and a date with Cleveland should be in his wheelhouse.

 

• It’s Freddy Peralta vs. Adbert Alzolay – Round #2! – and I’m still feeling more confident in Peralta, despite a slightly tougher lineup. Alzolay is close but not quite there with his command yet and I hope we see a step forward on Monday.
• Dean Kremer has a great two-start week and begins against a weak Seattle lineup. I’d be streaming him wherever I can, which is in plenty of leagues given his low Rostered %.

 

• Dane Dunning is another target for his two-start week, who looked solid in his first start of the season. I’d consider him as a streamer, though, not a permanent staple of your rotation.
• Even though we’re excited about Triston McKenzie making his first start of the year, I imagine he’ll struggle against the White Sox + throw fewer innings than we’d like.

 

• I’m looking forward to seeing Robbie Ray make his 2021 debut, but it’s the Yankees and he’s a Still ILL as I wouldn’t trust him in his first start of the season. Here’s to hoping he throws a ton of strikes, though.
• There’s some intrigue to Casey Mize still, but yeah, you don’t want this against Houston.

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• It’s ace day and don’t overthink this. Yes, I have Shane Bieber as the third option, but it’s only because Trevor Bauer and Lucas Giolito each have fantastic matchups while Bieber has to face the strong ChiSox. Who cares, they’re all dope and make you feel dope.
• Here’s to hoping everything is fine with Stephen Strasburg and his velocity picks up a tick from his season debut.

 

• The second tier has Zac Gallen and Jake Odorizzi, both of whom would be making their season debuts. With Gallen, it’s not official yet, and monitor the situation, but I’d expect him to go roughly 70-80 pitches. It’s a possible Still ILL, but I feel comfortable letting him loose on my rosters. With Odorizzi, he’s been ramping up and gets a lovely date with the Tigers. Take advantage.
• I debated with John Means and Pablo Lopez at the top of the tier and in the end, matchups are the tie-breakers. Seattle is struggling while Atlanta is dangerous. Let’s just hope they both have wonderful performances.

 

• It’s good to see Ryan Yarbrough get a comfortable matchup after his tough afternoon against the Red Sox. You held on and didn’t panic, right?
• I have some hesitation with Jameson Taillon as he continues to stretch out and faces the strong Jays bats, but I think if I have him on my squad, I’m taking the chance. His slider has been great and his new four-seamer plays well.

 

• Taijuan Walker was throwing plenty harder in his first start of the season and I’m tempted to bet it sticks against the Phillies. I wasn’t in love with his secondary offerings, though, so even if he keeps his fastball hot, it’s not a lock for success.
• I really hope Matthew Boyd dominates against the Astros – he’ll have to recover his 2019 slider to make me confident moving forward. Keep an eye out for the pitch here.

 

• Kyle Gibson shouldn’t be overlooked for his start again the Rays after looking as good as ever against the Jays last week. It’s a lovely two-starter as well with Baltimore on the other side, making this a possible pick-up and hold if it goes well.
• While Nathan Eovaldi has performed well thus far, he gets his first real challenge against the Twins on Tuesday. He’s moved away from cutters to focus on a slider + curveball mix that I’m skeptical will sustain through his third start. Let’s hope he instills confidence moving forward.

 

• In the final tier, I can’t help but wonder if Nick Margevicius can pull it off against the Orioles. There’s a sliver of hope there and it just won’t go away.
• I can’t say the same for Chad Kuhl or Antonio Senzetela, though. The Dodgers and Padres are no joke and it’s very unlikely this will work out in the favor.

 

Photo by Tom Hagerty | Design by Quincey Dong (@threerundong on Twitter)