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.
2021 Streamer Record: 57-41
Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
- Many aces are ready to go and help win your week on Sunday with clear starts from Brandon Woodruff, Kevin Gausman, and Robbie Ray. Should be a fun day of baseball.
- I’ve included many non-AGA arms here who have given managers enough confidence to take advantage of a poor offense. Luis Castillo still hasn’t had his elite changeup, but 98 mph velocity and an improved slider make him a clear start against the Brewers.
- José Berríos is fresh off his best start of the season and now gets the face the Tigers. Please show us the same curveball as last time, K thx.
- I’ve also included Chris Bassitt and Dylan Cease in the top tier as their ceilings far outweigh the risk of implosion against poor squads.
In the second tier, Aaron Nola leads the way despite a horrific fifth inning against the Marlins. He had ten strikeouts in the four innings prior and should recover on Sunday despite facing the tough Red Sox.Update: Nola is going on the COVID list.- Framber Valdez hasn’t been quite the overwhelming arm we saw at the start of his 2021 campaign, but he’s still skilled enough to pull off a proper performance against the Yankees. I’m leaning start here.
- In the third tier, Nick Pivetta is facing the Royals after a day showcasing his ceiling with seven shutout frames and ten strikeouts. If he’s still peppering the top of the zone with fastballs and keeping breakers down, Pivetta can have plenty of success against his former club.
- It looks like Tony Gonsolin is over the 70 pitch mark now, the question is if the Dodgers will let him stretch toward 90 pitch territory. He gets the Sneks and should be worth the gamble.
- It looks like Ryan Weathers is the streaming pick of the day as he just falls within the 20% rostered threshold. I don’t think he’s quite unlocked his potential yet, but Rockie Road does many a pitcher a favor and this could help across the board.
- The bottom three all have tough matchups and could arguably be in the bottom tier – Jon Gray, Jameson Taillon, and Rich Hill. They have a ceiling you may need to chase, but the floors are tough to look at.
- In the final tier, there are some decent desperate options. José Suarez had a nice breaker in his return to the rotation and could excel against the Mariners as he’s likely to go over 80 pitches in this one. And don’t forget Kolby Allard who doesn’t bring a whole lot to the table, but did fan nine in his last outing. Maybe there’s something there.
- If you’re in a dire situation, Merrill Kelly could pull something out of a start against the Dodgers. He certainly has a long enough leash for it and when he’s sitting 92/93 with decent cutters and curveballs, good things can happen.
Enjoy the All-Star Break!
Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire | Design by Quincey Dong (@threerundong on Twitter)