SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings – 8/1 & 8/2

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, there are my streaming picks of the day, and please keep in mind that I am forced to pick a streamer every day. Those highlighted in Green are in the second tier and I’d roll with them everywhere. The most common are those in Yellow in the third tier and should be decent if you’re searching for something on a given day. Finally, those are Red are those I really don’t want to start (they are labeled as “Do Not Start”, after all) but have no other choice. Don’t stream these guys until you are truly desperate. A streaming pick is 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: 65-47

 

Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• Not the best Sunday for studs as we don’t have a single AGA arm on the docket. Still, you should feel comfortable with many of these, though it does start to get a touch questionable in the second half with Sandy Alcántara facing a better Yankee team, José Berríos possibility feeling the weight of impressing his new team, and Adam Wainwright hoping to retain the magic he’s held all season.
• Can we give a moment of appreciation to Luis Garcia? He’s been so dang good and I’ll be sad the day the Astros elect to enforce inning limitations.

 

• In the second tier, Jordan Montgomery has a lovely date with the Marlins and should be able to take advantage with his curveball/changeup combination. Just throw them in the zone, Jordan. It’ll work, I promise.
• Shane McClanahan and Logan Webb each have a tough matchup in front of them, but they’ve both been able to take down tough teams in the past and I’d start them where I rostered them. Shane, please get that velocity back up please. K thx.

 

• For the second day in a row, I’m able to have a green-highlighted streamer (thank you trade deadline!) in Adbert Alzolay, who is set to face a rugged Nationals offense who just dealt Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber. Alzolay’s slider and new cutter (despite the latter not appearing last game) should make this a worthy outing.
• I’m not quite sure what to do with Kyle Gibson as he makes his first start for the Phillies. His last three games have been rugged, from 13 ER combined against the Tigers, followed by an eight walk outing against the Astros. He’s not in rhythm and I’m skeptical it’ll return on Sunday…but it’s the Pirates.

 

• I wouldn’t overlook Austin Gomber, who returned to his sub 30% fastball ways and produced for trusting managers. The Padres are a tough pull, but he could come through on a rough Sunday.

 

• If you’re hurting for strikeouts, Nick Pivetta is an option, though the Rays are a solid crew and Pivetta is likely to put a small dent into your ratios.
• I’m not a major fan of Marco Gonzales, but the Rangers are now without Joey Gallo and Marco can capitalize.

 

• There’s a chance Vladimir Gutiérrez is able to pull from his last start and tackle a good Mets crew…just don’t start him unless you’re desperate.
• The same goes for Spenser Watkins against the Tigers – he’s J.A. Happ from the right side. That should help understand what to expect.

 

• Hey, Reid Detmers is getting the call for the Angels! I’m excited to see him go and he could be a solid pickup for the final two months. I generally avoid prospect call-ups (we don’t know their expected innings / their full ability + MLB debut jitters affects many) but he’s definitely worth the speculative add.
• Sorry Cal Quantrill, I know you’ve been decent with Quality Starts lately, but the ChiSox are legit and your stuff is not.

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• We only have eight games on Monday but at least we have Robbie Ray and hopefully Shohei Ohtani to get a taste of elite pitching. Ray should feast against a weak Cleveland crew while Ohtani has been producing constantly since the start of June.

 

• Let’s all be thankful that Anthony DeSclafani is facing a team not named the Dodgers. Phew. The Sneks should be plenty easier and get him back on the right track.
• Tylor Megill has been given a gift on Monday as he faces the Marlins. Start him without fear.

 

• The third tier is all kinds of fun…maybe not for your fantasy team, though. Andrew Heaney is getting his start wearing Yankee pinstripes as he faces an Orioles team that has stepped up against southpaws. He’s the same Cherry Bomb as ever and I’d imagine any possible approach changes instituted by the Yankees would happen after Heaney gets one start under his belt. You never know, though.
• There’s also Jesús Luzardo who returns to the show and gets his first start for the Marlins. The stuff is legit, the command is not – or at least hasn’t been – and I’m curious what we get against a solid Mets lineup.

 

• Then there’s Josiah Gray returning to the show as he makes his first start for the Nationals – that’s three team debuts in one tier! I’m excited to see how he can perform, but I imagine there’s going to be a first-start hiccup as he gets settled into the rotation. At least one thing’s clear: we should be thrilled he’s in the majors and not in the minors for another month.

 

• In the bottom tier, I’m forced to take Eric Lauer as my streaming pick of the day. He gets the red highlight as I wouldn’t take the chance here, despite facing the Pirates. There just isn’t a high enough tangible ceiling.
• Michael Wacha is coming off a start where he sat a tick higher than usual and gets the Mariners. I wouldn’t be seduced – he’s had moments of bliss this season only to come crashing down shortly after. Let him stay on the wire.

 

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