SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings – 4/22 & 4/23

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

 

• 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.
• With a couple starters pushed to Friday, Aaron Civale is the sole member of Tier 2 as he faces the Yankees and their struggling offense. Civale hasn’t quite put it all together yet, but he’s very well worthy of your trust today.

 

• Domingo German returns from the alternate site and was gifted a lovely matchup against Cleveland, turning him into today’s streaming pick of the day (sorry Cobb). I imagine he’s still stretched out and can capitalize.
• Speaking of Alex Cobb, he’s slated to face the Astros and I’m 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.

 

• Maybe I’m not giving Ryan Weathers enough love, though I do worry he won’t be allowed to go very long. Don’t start him, but if he looks in command against the Dodgers, he could be well worth your time on future evenings.
• 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.

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• It’s a fun collection of aces at the top with Jacob deGrom, Yu Darvish, Clayton Kershaw, and Tyler Glasnow all getting the rock on Friday. Ignore the matchups, start your studs.
• Sonny Gray should have more freedom in his second start and I expect him to establish himself as a solid arm against the Cardinals

 

• Is Kyle Hendricks going to rebound against the Brewers? It’s not a given, but he should rebound this season and Milwaukee is the place to do it, if anywhere.
• 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.

 

• I’m all for rolling with Huascar Ynoa despite his poor outing versus the Cubs last weekend. His stuff was better than the line and the Diamondbacks should not be feared
• Some may be afraid of starting Yusei Kikuchi against the Red Sox, but his 95+ mph velocity with heavy reliance on cutters and sliders works well. It’s not the coziest matchup, but he should perform.

 

• The streaming pick for Friday is Mike Minor as he faces the Tigers – a lineup where southpaws can feast. And hey, maybe we’ll see Minor tossing 93+ mph again instead of the 90/91 we’ve gotten hints of already.
• I almost went with Alex Wood as the streaming pick as he gets the Marlins. Both should be a solid stream, especially with Wood flexing a touch more velocity in his season debut.

 

• Is this the start when we finally get excited about Dylan Cease? He was able to spot fastballs high and command his slider down-and-glove-side last time out, and now he gets a cushy start against Texas. Something to consider.
• I wish I had more faith in Andrew Heaney, but he’s inherently volatile and his Cherry Bomb label isn’t getting removed any time soon. In concert with a date in Houston, Heaney is a questionable choice.

 

• I haven’t been too high on Casey Mize so far this year, as I question if there is enough oomph in that repertoire to soar on a given day. He’s getting a great chance to succeed against the Royals, though, and if he can command his 95 mph heater with slick splitters and sliders, it’ll be a fun evening.
• It was frustrating to see Coffee Backes – JT Brubaker – get bumped an extra day, removing him from a fantastic two-start stretch to face the hot Twins lineup. I like his slider plenty, but I question if there’s enough in the tank to survive for 5-6 clean innings.

 

• It’s fun to see Vince Velasquez get a chance in the rotation again, but in Coors? Not a chance I’m trying that on for size.
• I really hope Luke Weaver can get his command back in order, but after giving us a Double Bubble last time out, it’s hard for us to dive back in against the tough Atlanta crew.

 

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