SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings – 4/21 & 4/22

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

 

• It’s cool to see Trevor Rogers in the auto-start tier as there’s no denying fantasy managers everywhere are uncomfortably staring at him with sparkles in their eyes. Here’s to his magical start to 2021 carrying through the year.
• Here’s to Kenta Maeda getting into a rhythm against the Athletics, hopefully showcasing the splitter and slider that made him a stud last season.

 

• Dinelson Lamet returns! Normally this is a Still ILL but against the Brewers, I trust his quality of innings to help your squads, even if he’ll likely be limited to five frames or fewer.
• I’m a bit uncomfortable with the rest of the tier, most facing a tough opponent. I think the skillsets of Ian Anderson, Frankie Montas, and Aaron Civale make it easy to slot them in for the day.

 

• We have plenty of interesting options in the third tier. Anthony DeSclafani leads the way after a pair of strong outings, though the Phils are a cut above. Don’t assume he can continue trucking along.
• I want to start Corey Kluber here, but I think he needs one or two starts to get locked in + Atlanta is a force to be reckoned with, even without Ronald Acuña in the lineup.

 

• David Peterson is fresh off a ten strikeout game and could keep it going against an inconsistent Cubs lineup, making him the streaming pick of the day. I considered Michael Wacha after his dominance against the Yankees in his place – or even Jakob Junis with his new cutter – but Peterson’s ability is a bit more concrete.
• Spencer Turnbull is also returning from injury, but his is a clearer Still ILL situation than Lamet’s, even against the Pirates. Proceed with caution.

 

• In the bottom tier, Garrett Richards leads the way and could have squeaked into the third tier. His slider was missing in his previous start, though, and if it’s not there against the Jays, this could get messy.
• Zach Davies has not been his 2020 self so far in 2021 and it’s a wait-and-see case against the Mets. No need to put yourself in harm’s way.

 

• It was a painful start last time out against the Padres for Mitch Keller, who looked completely lost with his secondary pitches. Even against the Tigers, I wouldn’t take the chance.

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• The clear #1 is Walker Buehler in another heated match against the Padres, even with his depressed velocity out of the gate. It’s making many concerned that his strikeouts will continue to stay down as a result, though I think Buehler figures it out over time.
• Zack Greinke and Sandy Alcantara each step into the top tier as they face middling offenses. I hope both solidify themselves as clear Tier 1 options in short time.

 

• Jordan Montgomery has a 5.07 FIP across his first three games, though his 25% HR/FB is sure to fall as his secondary stuff continues to improve. He’s a solid season-long add and should profit from a cozy matchup against Cleveland.
• Yes, I’m pushing JT Brubaker into the second tier as he gets a comfortable date with the Tigers. His slider is darting across the plate and featuring solid four-seamer and sinker command. Let it ride, let it ride.

 

• It’s a small crop of options to stream today and I’ll take the chance on Alex Cobb against the Astros, hoping he can rely on 50%+ splitters for the second straight game.
• The final four options all have their hints at a solid outing. Jeff Hoffman gets a sweet matchup against Arizona, Justin Dunn still has his velocity and brought down his walk totals last start, Nick Pivetta faces the Mariners and has embraced high 95 mph heaters, and Aaron Sanchez could stifle the Marlins with his curveball.

 

• With Jacob deGrom getting an extra day between starts, Joey Lucchesi gets the ball against the Cubs. In normal circumstances, I could have pushed him into the second tier, but I question how deep Lucchesi can go in his second outing. I’d hold off.
• Jose Ureña gets the Pirates and after striking out eight last time against the Athletics, he seems like a decent play. Don’t forget his long track record of disappointment, however, even against the Pirates. It’s still a risky option.

 

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