SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings – 9/2 & 9/3

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: 80-62

 

Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• Thursday comes with just seven games and decent distribution of options. Logan Webb has finally earned his place at the top of the ranks, with no clear option standing in his way. Start Webb and feel great about it.
• Shane McClanahan does get a tough challenge against the Red Sox, but it’s not enough for me to hold him back. Their offense is a bit wounded at the moment with their team COVID cases, too.

 

• The Phillies/Nats game was postponed on Wednesday and will be played on Thursday as both teams had the day off. Make sure you have Aaron Nola in your lineups as he should be safe to go against the Nationals.
• Frankie Montas was originally scheduled to pitch in Toronto, but he had trouble with his visa and instead will pitch today, with Sean Manaea starting tomorrow. You can’t afford to miss a Montas start, get him in there.

 

• In the second tier, Carlos Carrasco was pushed to Thursday with Wednesday’s postponement. He had his changeup working last time and if the slow ball returns with a hint of his classic slider, he’ll make easy work of the Marlins.
• Some of y’all may be shocked at Sean Manaea sitting in the second tier. I completely understand and I may be going too strong with my gut in this one. Manaea sat 93.3 mph in his last start, though, and the final piece of the puzzle is landing his changeups and curveballs down in the zone. It sets the table for potential dominance against the Tigers and I’d favor the reward over the risk. Manaea has been pushed to Friday against the Jays and that’s a heavily questionable start.

 

• After missing a start with shoulder fatigue, Triston McKenzie returns to face the middling Royals lineup. I’m not worried about the time off and I imagine Triston can get back into his groove with strong breakers and a whiff-friendly heater.
• I debated with Twitch chat if Huascar Ynoa deserved a spot in the second or third tier and I ultimately decided to play it safe in Coors. I think he has the repertoire and approach to make it work, but I understand the risk. It’s Coors, y’all. Touki Toussaint will be starting in Ynoa’s place and I’d avoid the potential disaster wherever possible.

 

• We’re back to Zach Thompson being the streaming pick of the day, but for real this time…maybe. The Marlins haven’t confirmed Thursday’s starter after Wednesday’s postponement and keep track of how the Marlins are shifting their rotation. They have some tough decisions to make as their SP depth broadens with Trevor Rogers returning soon.
• I originally had Jon Gray in the third tier as he seems okay to start despite worries about a forearm injury, but it’s Coors, Atlanta is a solid crew, and that injury fear could make him less effective + limit his pitches. It just isn’t the play you want. Gray has been placed on the IL with a forearm strain and Chi Chi Gonzalez is going in his place. Don’t start Chi Chi. Please.

 

• I also slotted Eduardo Rodriguez in the final tier against the Rays as Eduardo hasn’t had his changeup and the Rays are scary. His four-seamer is still a great pitch and this could explode for a strong outing if the slow ball returns, but we’re in a state of waiting to see the changeup perform instead of predicting when it will. Don’t take the risk unless you’re hunting for strikeouts and a potential Win.
• Maybe Mike Minor can pull it off against Cleveland? It’s a desperate Toby play if you want to chase it, I’d elect to stream something else later in the week if I need the frames.

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

• Just five names sit in the top tier on Friday. Adam Wainwright gets the #1 spot today as his ridiculous 2021 run deserves the recognition for one day. Enjoy it.
• We also have Nathan Eovaldi sitting at the bottom of the tier, armed with a 41% CSW curveball. He’s had the pitch constantly through the year, fueling our confidence against Cleveland.

 

• In the second tier, Trevor Rogers looks to be returning for the fish against the Phillies. He tossed 71 pitches in his final rehab start and should be safe for 80+. Let him fly.
• Cal Quantrill has a rematch against the Sawx and given the roll he’s on with his four-seamer and slider, he could very well come out on top a second time. It’s awfully hard not to start him right now.

 

• I debated with Twitch chat if Huascar Ynoa deserved a spot in the second or third tier and I ultimately decided to play it safe in Coors. I think he has the repertoire and approach to make it work, but I understand the risk. It’s Coors, y’all.
• It’s tough to figure out where to place Sean Manaea sitting in the third tier. I completely understand if you’re terrified of Toronto and I may be going too strong with my gut in this one. Manaea sat 93.3 mph in his last start, though, and the final piece of the puzzle is landing his changeups and curveballs down in the zone. It sets the table for potential dominance against the Jays and consider the potential reward as you head into your weekend.

 

• The streaming pick of the day is Glenn Otto as he faces the struggling Angels offense. His slider was fantastic against the Astros and I see another start of debilitating batters with the sweeper.
• Will John Means find his changeup and keep 93+ velocity against the Yankees? There’s a chance it works out in a big way, making him a legit consideration for a start despite the matchup.

 

• In the bottom tier, José Urquidy returns from the IL and gets an abrupt welcome against the Padres. I’d play it safe and see where he’s at before giving him the reins again.
• Despite a great matchup against the Mariners, Madison Bumgarner has struggled twice in a row against the Pirates and Phillies with ~89 mph velocity. It’s not a good moment.

 

• It’s cruel to see Anthony DeSclafani face the Dodgers for the sixth time this season and in concert with a barking ankle, I’d avoid this completely.
• I normally have zero interest in starting Antonio Senzatela, but I can’t deny his recent stretch of odd production. Maybe he can whistle through a day in Coors against Atlanta.

 

Photo by Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire | Design by Quincey Dong (@threerundong on Twitter)