Raise your hand if you’ve had constant headaches in the pitching department this season. If your hand is up (you know it is) then hopefully my daily starting pitcher rankings can help set things right.
To stream or not to stream is an age-old fantasy dilemma. However, that question is one for the beginning of the season not for when your squad is clawing and scratching to get into the playoffs. This is the time when risk and reward are at their maximum, some dreams may be realized while others are certain to be crushed. It’s a bumpy road that’s filled with potholes and booby traps and one that is not for the faint of heart, but with some courage and know-how and not an insignificant amount of good luck, you can come out on the other side with some wins in your pocket and a smile on your face.
In an effort to aid your quest, we’ve put together some daily streaming pitcher ranks. Good luck with those waiver wires!
One note on this list: We use the Probables Grid through RosterResource via Fangraphs to populate our ranks. It’s a fantastic tool to have in your fantasy toolbox, check it out!
More great fantasy baseball advice and analysis: Waiver Wire & FAAB Recommendations | Daily MLB Injury Report | MLB DFS Picks | Line-up Analysis | Dynasty Rankings and Strategy | MLB Bullpen Updates | MLB Player Props | Prospect Rankings & Analysis | Fantasy Baseball Risers and Fallers
Daily Starting Pitcher Rankings for Tuesday, August 29
The No-Brainers
It’s hard to call any match-up a sure thing but the following guys are the ones that have the talent to have a dominant outing.
The top four need no words, they’re in your lineup.
Aaron Civale against the Marlins is kinda interesting but it looks as if Civale is the latest in a long line of Tampa pitching reclamation projects.
Even with Seth Lugo’s newly-found starting success, the Cardinals are becoming the easiest team to stream against.
As discussed last week, Sandy Alcantara has turned it around a bit in the second half. I think that he is a start because of his complete game potential.
Pablo Lopez had a blowup last week against the Rangers, giving up five earned in five innings pitched. Still starting him against Cleveland
The Fun Dice Rolls
With every game started, there is inherent risk. These pitchers, along with the parks in which they are playing and the teams they are facing, provide as much insurance as possible.
I truly believe that Charlie Morton is a sure thing. That being said, Coors does mean things to pitchers, and I’d very much consider sitting the veteran lefty if I could manage the hit to my counting stats.
Just when you think that you can count on Jose Berrios, he switches it up on you. He’s having another up-and-down season, though it’s more good than bad. I think it’s an okay start against the Nats in Toronto.
The next sub-grouping in my starting pitcher ranks is super fun.
Tarik Skubal in Comerica versus that depleted Yankees lineup feels about as safe a bet as possible in this area of the pitching pool. LFG!
This will be a solid test for Gavin Williams, taking on the Twins at Target Field.
Man, you seemingly cannot get away from Cole Ragans coverage these days. The industry darling-of-the-moment has been brilliant in August. The young lefty has thrown 29.2 innings, striking out 44 and walking only eight.
The White Sox stiiiiiink, let’s see what Dean Kremer can do against that lineup.
The Not-So-Sure Things
This is a mixed bag of hunches, streamers, and inconsistent results. Be advised, dipping into this well one too many times can cause severe consternation and heartbreak.
Listen, I know that the Mets are bad and that the Rangers are not. Doesn’t stop me from trying my absolute best to not start Andrew Heaney.
Brandon Williamson has been pretty good and no one talks about it. Possible that it’s from the Reds Fever that swept baseball earlier this season before they cam crashing back to Earth. I think this is the sneakiest of plays today, legitimately going to go look at my wires in a couple of leagues and see if he is available.
Is Michael Lorenzen feeling the effects of his 120+ pitch effort from his no-hitter? Seems like it’s a possibility as he’s struggled a bit in his last two outings. I dig the skills and the opponent isn’t a team to fear but Citizen’s Bank Park scares the hell out of me.
The Only If You Musts
Sometimes you are in a position, where you need any pitching you can get. Cross your fingers and hope for the best with this group.
Cincinnati’s potent lineup took a hit yesterday with Matt McLain heading to the IL, can Alex Cobb take advantage?
With the way this Boston-Houston series has gone, not excited about either of Brayan Bello or J.P. France, especially in Fenway. Both guys have had their fair share of success this season, this match-up just feels like bad news.
The Hail Marys
If you need an absolute miracle. here are your options.
MacKenzie Gore is the last pitcher on the rest of the list that I have *any* interest in, at all. Though the amount of interest there is very very small.
If you absolutely, positively NEED innings, Tyler Anderson and Zack Thompson could end up giving some counting stats, that’s it.
Just Don’t Do It
Like, seriously, stop thinking about it.
Just a hard no to the rest of these guys, though I have a soft spot for Merrill Kelly. Not against those Dodgers!
Thanks as always for stopping by, we’ll be back tomorrow! If you have any thoughts, suggestions, or ideas, or just want to drop a virtual high-five, send a note to [email protected] and give us a follow on Twitter @LDeePee
