Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings Fantasy Baseball – 7/14 & 7/15

Here are today’s daily SP Streamer rankings.

Every day of the 2023 baseball season, I’ll be looking at today and tomorrow’s slate of scheduled starting pitchers and ranking their matchups for your fantasy baseball streams.

There’s a lot that goes into this and you can hang out with me on Twitch.tv/pitcherlist to talk about the specific ranks as I make them every weekday morning from 10am – 12pm ET. If you have questions about these ranks, please ask during the morning Twitch AMA. Those are my office hours as I generally don’t answer comments on the site.

There are four tiers to these rankings with 12-teamers in mind:

Auto-Start – Just do it. Don’t overthink this, start the man. This includes “if I have them rostered, I’m starting them” pitchers.

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-not-elite pitcher or a weak lineup for a volatile arm. These pitchers have a 50% or greater chance of performing well in my view.

Questionable Start – Think of this tier as “I don’t want to start these pitchers in a vacuum, but you could do worse.” Streamers found in this tier are not pitchers I’m targeting and are only if you are in dire need of one. To play it safe with streaming, just start the Probably Start streamers.

Do Not Start – The reward is not worth the risk. Don’t do it. Seriously, these pitchers have a very slim chance of success or sometimes none at all.

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 throughout 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 that day’s streaming pick in the second tier and I’d roll with them everywhere. Those in Yellow are in the third tier and should be okay if you’re searching for something on a given day, but I don’t recommend streaming unless you’re in need. 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.

(Opener) – Outlines that a pitcher is being opened for that day & the pitcher listed will follow the opener.

As I do my rankings, I thought it would be helpful to showcase a table of how we’re ranking offenses (in Alphabetical order):

I’m sure it’ll change through the year + there are differences to be made about teams vs. LHP or RHP, but it works as a general table that y’all should keep in mind.

Alright, let’s get to it.

 

This year, with our new daily fantasy baseball projections powered by PLV, I’ll be competing against PL Bot to pick the best streaming option each day.

To get access to PL Bot’s picks each day, sign up for PL Pro here.

Streaming record is determined by “Was this a productive game for 12-teamers if I started them?” Roughly a PQS with a Win and a strikeout per inning with a sub 1.20 WHIP. Close calls are decided by Twitch chat.

 

Nick’s 2023 Streamer Record: 56-43

My pick yesterday: JP Sears @ BOS

PL Bot’s 2023 Streamer Record: 53-46

PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: JP Sears @ BOS

Want PL Bot’s pick today? Sign Up for PL Pro here.

 

With the new formatting for the notes, I’ve made the streaming pick of the day Underlined and Italicized.

 

Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto-Starts

 

UPDATE: Luis Castillo vs. DET – Castillo gets the start and is the clear #1 play.

Shohei Ohtani vs. HOU – Even against the Astros, we’re leading with Ohtani. He’s too good and if he’s starting, it means the blister is all healed.

Tyler Glasnow @ KCR – He’s a little more volatile, but the potential for absolute dominance is higher than the others.

George Kirby vs. DET – The ratios should be bliss and hopefully we get some strikeouts along the way.

Pablo López @ OAK – It’s Oakland and Pablo has been on his redemption arc.

Sandy Alcantara @ BAL – The next three arms all have tough matchups while Sandy gets a middling Orioles crew.

Corbin Burnes @ CIN – I’m a little scared of this one, but Burnes has been plenty better over the last month.

Justin Verlander vs. LAD – He doesn’t get a ton of strikeouts and the Dodgers are tough, but Verlander is still worth your time.

Julio Urías @ NYM – The Dodgers are likely going to keep him on some limitation with his pitch count.

UPDATE: Kenta Maeda @ OAK – It’s a fantastic matchup as Maeda could pack on the strikeouts once again.

Brayan Bello @ CHC – If you have Bello, you’re absolutely starting him against the Cubs.

Charlie Morton vs. CHW – Same goes with Morton, volatility and all.

UPDATE: José Berríos vs. ARI – He’s been on too good of a run to deny a start against Arizona.

 

Probably Starts

 

Yu Darvish @ PHI – He’s been going through a rough patch and I absolutely understand giving him a start to recalibrate. That said, I’m starting him wherever I can.

Jack Flaherty vs. WSN – It’s the Nationals and Flaherty isn’t looking destructive.

Chris Bassitt vs. ARI – Now it gets a little harder as the Diamondbacks pack a punch, but I’d still start Bassitt against all but the elite offenses.

Kyle Hendricks vs. BOS – His last outing against the Yankees was great until the final moment as his sinker and changeup command are still wonderful.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Carlos Rodón @ COL – It’s Coors + Rodón is still going to be a bit limited. He’s an auto-start after this one.

Eduardo Rodriguez @ SEA – His command wasn’t there in his first start back, though Seattle could bring out the best in him.

Jon Gray vs. CLE – He hasn’t found his four-seamer again and that scares me.

J.P. France @ LAA – Without Trout, this is a serviceable Toby outing.

Dean Kremer vs. MIA – Kremer could arguably go higher up the ranks with a date against the Marlins, but I’m not ready to fully jump in yet.

Mackenzie Gore @ STL – If he has his fastball command and breakers for strikes, the punchouts could pile up.

UPDATE: Miles Mikolas vs. WSN – He’s not going to dazzle, but this is relatively safe.

Cristopher Sánchez vs. SDP – I wonder if we’re about to see a run from Sanchez in the second half with a whiff-heavy changeup and sinker that batters can’t barrel. I wouldn’t stream him here if you weren’t in dire need.

Paul Blackburn vs. MIN – I recognize Blackburn could go six frames of production against a meh Twins offense. Don’t do this if you’re not searching for starts.

 

 

Do Not Starts

 

Rich Hill vs. SFG – It’s a solid matchup, but Hill has rarely taken advantage of them as of late.

Ross Stripling @ PIT – The Giants haven’t let Stripling get stretched out much + his changeup is not the pitch it was last year.

Graham Ashcraft vs. MIL – There’s a chance, but Ashcraft’s horrid cutter command will be the bane of my existence for a long time.

Tommy Henry @ TOR – The Jays are too good to risk this. I hope the slider returns, though.

Aaron Civale @ TEX – It’s the Rangers.

Michael Kopech @ ATL – It’s Atlanta.

UPDATE: Trevor Williams @ STL – It’s Williams.

Alec Marsh vs. TBR – It’s the Rays.

UPDATE: Ryne Nelson @ TOR – It’s the Jays.

Austin Gomber vs. NYY – It’s Gomber. In Coors.

 

 

Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto-Starts

 

Spencer Strider vs. CHW – Duh.

Kevin Gausman vs. ARI – More duh.

Framber Valdez @ LAA – His ankle is all good.

George Kirby vs. DET – The ratios should be bliss and hopefully we get some strikeouts along the way.

Pablo López @ OAK – It’s Oakland and Pablo has been on his redemption arc.

Zac Gallen @ TOR – He’s an ace, but it’s Toronto, but who cares.

James Paxton @ CHC – Paxton is pitching too well to consider benching.

Blake Snell @ PHI – The stupid good run is a little weird and yet we don’t care right now. Don’t let analytics get in the way of greatness…Or something like that.

Zach Eflin @ KCR – You don’t need me, Eflin is killing it and it’s the Royals.

Freddy Peralta @ CIN – Peralta’s arsenal is cooking and even with the walk rates, I think you’re going to see a much better Peralta in the second half, even in this small sample inside Cincy.

Andrew Abbott vs. MIL – His first starts weren’t the real Abbott, but neither was the disaster against the Brewers in his last start.

Marcus Stroman vs. BOS – He hasn’t been great lately and yet, he’s Stroman. The same guy he’s been for a bit and the sinker should stay low and be effective against the Red Sox in front of a great infield defense.

 

Probably Starts

 

Alex Cobb @ PIT – I hope the slider is still present as the splitter gets all the whiffs.

Braxton Garrett @ BAL – He hasn’t had the best command across his last two starts, but I’m not ready to let go with a start in Baltimore being a great litmus test. Just get that sinker and cutter working right again.

Reid Detmers vs. HOU – The Dodgers just messed him up, though it wasn’t Detmers being his best and getting beat. The Astros are a little less threatening and I imagine Detmers will pitch better to demand more results.

 

Questionable Starts

 

JP Sears vs. MIN – He’s a bit of a Cherry Bomb these days and this could work if he gets his four-seamer up enough with sliders down to take down the Twins.

Steven Matz vs. WSN – I really dug his first start back from the IL and I think it’s worth it to take a stab here and see if it sticks. There’s always a chance for a massive clunker, though.

Kyle Gibson vs. MIA – He just earned a ‘Golden Goal”, looking as good as I’ve seen him in AGES. It’s unlikely to stick, though, even against the Marlins.

Kodai Senga vs. LAD – The strikeouts should be there regardless of the ratios.

Michael Lorenzen @ SEA – He’s a Toby in a decent matchup against the Mariners. Low ceiling, sadly.

Taijuan Walker vs. SDP – Who really knows what chaos Taijuan will bring and the Padres are volatile in their own right.

Tony Gonsolin @ NYM – Gonsolin isn’t as bad as he has been recently, though the Mets are a decent offense that could make this frustratingly boring.

Lance Lynn @ ATL – Lynn is in his own world, but so is the Atlanta offense. Be super careful here.

Gavin Williams @ TEX – Same with Williams against the Rangers. It’s a desperate ceiling play as he just earned 15 fastball whiffs.

Andrew Heaney vs. CLE – …and Heaney as well, being Heaney n all.

Johan Oviedo vs. SFG – It’s a legit coin flip for Oviedo as it depends on his fastball not getting hammered and earning enough strikes.

 

 

Do Not Starts

 

Jake Irvin @ STL – If the fastball velocity is up at  95+ and he figures out his curveball some more, this could actually be good. We’re still in wait-and-see mode, though.

Brady Singer vs. TBR – It’s the Rays and you can’t trust Singer.

Ranger Suárez vs. SDP – Suárez hit the Vargas Rule wall two starts ago, struggling against two poor offenses since. He’ll return, but we need to see it first.

Clarke Schmidt @ COL – It’s Coors and Schmidt doesn’t have a ceiling to risk for.

Connor Seabold vs. NYY – It’s Coors and Seabold.

Ryan Weathers @ PHI – I don’t expect Weathers to have a long leash here, let alone be productive enough in those limited innings.

 

Featured Image by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram)