SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings – 4/17 & 4/18

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

 

• Despite being behind Yu Darvish and Clayton Kershaw on The List, I don’t have a choice but make Tyler Glasnow second behind Jacob deGrom. The main question for the full season is the volume and consistency, but right now he’s pitching as good as anyone in baseball.
• Here’s to Sandy Alcantara getting back on track and dominating against the Giants.

 

• There was a debate in the Twitch chat about Zack Greinke being pushed into Tier 1 or not. I agree – Greinke should be started everywhere where you have him rostered – though I understand those who want to be a little conservative after his recent disappointment against Detroit.
• In many cases, Sonny Gray would be a Still ILL against Cleveland, but facing such a weak offense has me leaning to letting him fly in his 2021 debut.

 

• It may be shocking to see Huascar Ynoa right below a big name like Greinke, but with few pitchers belonging in the second tier, Ynoa gets the push up as he faces the Cubs while in rhythm with his fastball and slider.
• The streaming pick of the day is Dane Dunning, who has a lovely matchup against the Orioles. I’m not incredibly impressed with Dunning’s repertoire, though I do believe he should be able to take advantage here.

 

• Heavily consider Steven Matz as he faces the questionable Royals. While I’m not quite sold for the full season, Matz has looked solid in his first two starts and should bring dividends to faithful managers.
• Matt Shoemaker has been on a roll with his slider and despite the Angels swinging a big stick, he should be a decent option as he faces his former employer.

 

• Will Luke Weaver continue where he left off last time out? The Nationals aren’t too scary, but Weaver needed his best command in Coors to excel. It’s unclear if he’ll be able to keep the same fastball and changeup blueprint over the weekend.

 

• I know it’s shocking to see Trevor Cahill in the third tier, but after dominating the Padres, there’s a chance his magic lasts through Milwaukee. This is a yearly thing. Somehow.
• Is Aaron Sanchez worth your investment? I’m a bit cautious given the low fastball velocity, but he could steal strikes with his curveball and get outs against a mediocre Marlins squad.

 

• After being his best self in his debut outing for the Cubs, Trevor Williams failed to make it work during his last outing. Atlanta is no joke and this looks like more pain than the prize is worth.
• Hey, maybe Joey Lucchesi can pull it off in his first start for the Mets. But you know, it’s Coors.

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• We have a bevy of aces and while some may have hesitation rolling with Blake Snell after his atrocity last time out, you shouldn’t be overthinking this. I have to think he has a vendetta after his World Series start against the Dodgers.
• And yes, Trevor Bauer is still fourth on this list.

 

• Lots of fun starters are going in the second tier, including John Means against Texas. Here’s to hoping he rebounds well against a poor lineup.
• I know we’re all excited about Freddy Peralta, especially against the Pirates, but don’t rule that his cross-body delivery could return unwelcome chaos.

 

• It was a poor season debut, but I’m still rolling with Jake Odorizzi, especially against the mediocre bats in Seattle.
• I know you’re worried about Stephen Strasburg and I was very tempted to slot him into Tier 3 because of it. However, if he isn’t on the IL, then he’s likely better than he was last time and he can feast against the Diamondbacks.

 

• My streaming pick of the day is Kyle Gibson, who has performed well across his last two starts against the Jays and Rays and now have respite against Baltimore. This could work well.
• Tanner Houck has returned! Well, just for a spot start as the Red Sox needed an arm after this week’s double-header. His slider is good enough to return strikeouts, but there is a creaky floor here that you may want to avoid when preserving ratios.

 

• Here’s to hoping Alex Cobb can throw 50% splitters for the second straight start and hint at double-digit strikeouts again. It can get bad quickly if the pitch isn’t there.
• I really hope The Fratty Pirate (aka Ryan Yarbrough) can settle down as he faces the Yankees. To his benefit, the Bronx Bombers have not fit their name lately.

 

• Reynaldo Lopez has returned as the White Sox square off in a double-header. I have low expectations here and I wouldn’t expect a renaissance season, let alone a single start.
• Alex Wood also makes his return to the mound and even though he’s facing the Marlins, this is a Still ILL. Here’s to hoping he demands our attention.

 

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