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: 92-79
Sunday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
- This is it. We’ve made it. I added this to the Friday article because why the h*ck not. Good luck everyone.
- As we go through these starts, you have to be careful banking on all of them being made. Many teams scratch their Sunday starters late, in an effort to cut innings or allow a young arm to get another shot before season’s end. Keep your wits about you on Sunday morning.
- As far as the aces go, there are some changes. Charlie Morton is safe and will start, Gerrit Cole will not start today (he gets Game 163 or the Wild Card) with Jameson Taillon in his place (he left early with ankle pain, I’d be careful here), and Freddy Peralta has officially been shut down for the regular season.
- Chris Sale and Walker Buehler are likely making these starts – the Sawx will need a Win + Buehler won’t be needed by the Dodgers until the following weekend. Logan Webb should be fine, too.
- The Phillies have shut down Zack Wheeler for the season (bummer), which means Adonis Medina could get a shot at some decent innings against the Marlins.
- In the probably start tier, I really hope we do in fact see Pablo López make that final start. He tossed three innings in rehab and I’d expect anywhere from 3-5 frames if he gets the start. I imagine they’ll be of quality and the Phillies aren’t a deadly opponent. Let him fly and have some fun.
- Be thrilled – José Urquidy is making a final start against Oakland after all. He’s in a good place and could soar for 5+ frames here.
- In the questionable start tier, the streaming pick of the day is Reiver Sanmartin as he faces the Pirates for a second time. I loved his groundball tendencies and deception that made for a tough evening for the Pirates and hopefully he can do it again.
- Tyler Anderson is getting one more chance of redemption for the Mariners in a must-win game on Sunday as he faces the Angels. He’s on regular four-days rest and despite his 9 ER blowup last weekend, I think he’ll be able to rebound well enough to help your fantasy teams.
- I’m stoked Aaron Civale gets one more chance to start on Sunday, replacing Cal Quantrill who has been shut down for the year. Civale has a kitchen-sink approach that didn’t work against the Royals but may return in full against a week Rangers lineup.
- And hey, let’s not forget The Amish Mustang, Jake Woodford as the Cardinals are sure to let him fly against the Cubs on Sunday. He has the ability for 5/6 innings as he faces a poor lineup and this could be a sneaky play that pulls it out for you on Sunday.
- In the final tier, there’s a chance the Yankees have clinched home field for the Wild Card game, allowing them to rest their starters for Michael Wacha, who has shown legit talent across the last month. Something to monitor.
- The other options are…rough. Everyone from Dane Dunning through Jackson Kowar has the ability to go 5+ frames but I’m not excited about any of them.
- I am curious what Reid Detmers is able to do, though it’s been so long removed that I would love to simply watch from afar.
GOOD LUCK!
Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire | Design by Quincey Dong (@threerundong on Twitter)