SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings – 8/30 & 8/31

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: 78-61

 

Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• The week is frontloaded with aces as Zack Wheeler, Robbie Ray, and Corbin Burnes should all help your squads on Monday.
• There’s just one pitcher who could look out of place here: Josiah Gray. His deep repertoire allows him to earn whiffs on all three of his pitches and makes this a clear start against a middling Phillies squad. Don’t overthink it.

 

• There is no second tier on Monday. Why? Because I don’t change the ranks just so each tier can have a player. Some days it’s like that.

 

• The third tier doesn’t foster exciting players, but they could help. Johnny Cueto has acted like a proper Toby and could do his thing against the Brewers, while Nick Pivetta still carries strikeout upside, but a date with the Rays should have you second-guessing this one. If I rostered Pivetta, I’d weigh my options on the wire.
• The streaming pick of the day is Bailey Ober, who has been doing his best impression of prime Jake Odorizzi with the way he’s peppered four-seamers to the top of the zone. It’s paid off for him multiple times this year, and the Tigers’ bite has been softening over the past week.

 

• In the bottom tier, Chris Flexen always has a chance to showcase the magic of his 2021 season, but against the Astros, I’d play it safe
• Luis Patiño always carries intriguing upside, but the Red Sox are capable of pouncing on his mistakes. The risk isn’t worth the reward here.

 

• We have an MLB debut today in Texas as A.J. Alexy squares off against Rockie Road. He sports a mid-90s heater with a big breaking ball and could be of interest. There’s always risk in an MLB debut, though, and his fastball command is spotty. Take the chance in deeper leagues, but I’d be cautious in 12-teamers and watch from afar.

 

• I’m excited to see both Chris Paddack and Corey Kluber make their returns from the IL on Monday. Both arms could be helpful down the stretch, but these are clear Still ILL situations and I’d sit them as we enjoy them with popcorn.
• I’m glad Casey Mize is allowed to carry a pitch count above 80 these days, but his innings have not been of quality. The Twins are a dangerous crew and could make this a tough evening for Mize.

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• The top is stacked once again, with Walker Buehler and Brandon Woodruff leading the way. Start all of these arms and don’t think twice – yes, even Shohei Ohtani despite his disastrous time against the Yankees the last time he faced them.
• There’s a bit of complication going on with tomorrow with the Marlins and Mets. It’s a double-header as they conclude a suspended game from April, a game that didn’t finish the first before it was called. The Marlins and Mets haven’t announced who will start and what game, but Taijuan Walker should start one of them. It’s unclear how the suspended game will be resolved in your fantasy leagues and monitor the situation carefully.

 

• In the second tier, it’s hard to deny Tarik Skubal or Blake Snell starts given their recent hot streaks. Skubal’s heater has been dominant, to say the least, while Snell has leaned hard into his fastball/slider approach and pitched better than ever as a result. Start them both.
• Charlie Morton has been a quiet ace for your squads since his tumultuous April, but he does get the mighty Dodgers on Tuesday. I’d still let him fly, but I understand your concern.

 

• The streaming pick of the day is Edward Cabrera, as he should be featured for one of the two games on Tuesday. He’s hovering around the 20% rostered mark and did enough in his debut against the Nationals to encourage your trust against a floundering Mets crew.
• Austin Gomber has the ability to dominate the Rangers, but he hasn’t been locked into his approach like he was back in June. There’s a decent chance he’s forced to throw more fastballs than he should, resulting in Adolis Garcia mashing more baseballs.

 

• Hyun Jin Ryu hasn’t been the #2 SP you’ve wanted him to be and despite a horrific day against the ChiSox, I’m starting Ryu in most leagues. His changeup was improved two outings ago and the Orioles should be a bit of a respite after dealing with Chicago. It’s a close call.
• In the third tier, Cole Irvin and Zach Plesac can both pull off success dates against middling opponents…or fall back into mediocrity. Plesac showed some promise last time with his breaker, but we’re still waiting for the proper slider + changeup tandem to return in full.

 

• In the bottom tier, please don’t start Patrick Corbin. I was excited last time, he didn’t come through, and we shouldn’t expect him to be his best self, even against a bruised Phillies lineup. Sadly, the other options are clear avoids as well, making him the top option as he still carries potential upside.
• Mike Minor has had moments where it clicks this season and who knows, maybe Cleveland is the perfect matchup for him to be productive on Tuesday. I wouldn’t chance it, of course.

 

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