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.
While pitching is always a bit of a minefield to navigate, 2023 has felt particularly trying. Constant injuries, openers, DFAs, innings rest in the minors, blisters, addiction struggles, role changes…if you could think of a way to disrupt a fantasy staff, it’s probably already happened. Fantasy ILs are at max capacity right now.
This leads us to the unenviable position of streaming. 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 starting pitcher ranks. Good luck with those waiver wires!
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Daily Starting Pitcher Rankings for August 13
The Sure Things
Don’t think there is anything that needs to be said about Cole sitting at #1 here.
Urias should have a comfortable start against the Rockies in LA.
I am all-in on Freddy Peralta in the second half, eager to see what he does with that ChiSox lineup.
Though he’s had a couple of stumbles lately, I am starting Zach Eflin in every format.
The Not-So-Sure Things
Kyle Bradish and the Orioles travel to Seattle to face the scorching-hot Mariners. Bradish has been such an amazing find thus far this season that he seems like a must-start, let’s do it.
The Red Sox are in a bad way right now, Eduardo Rodriguez is primed to take advantage of that.
Eury Perez has all the talent in the world, how’s he going to look against the Yankees? Perez was rusty in his first game back from his injury, could be a tall task against Judge and company.
I am a tried and true Sonny Gray honk and am planning on activating him everywhere even in the cozy confines of Citizen’s Bank Park.
The Fun Dice Rolls
Seth Lugo’s rollercoaster season continues in the desert after his implosion earlier in the week. Quite possible that the scuffling Diamondbacks provide the reboot he needs.
You pick ’em in San Francisco today between Logan Webb and Dane Dunning. I lean Dunning because of Texas’ deep deep lineup but Webb has the track record and is at home.
Are the Rays a team to stream against at the moment? If Matthew Liberatore tore through them earlier this week, then Tanner Bibee could have a nice game in the Trop on Sunday. May not get a win but the ratios and counting stats should help.
I am Dylan Cease averse at almost all times, but I like his chances of success against the light-hitting Brewers squad in Chicago.
The Only If You Musts
Bryce Miller facing the Orioles will be some fun baseball to watch. Miller struck out 10 Angels in his last start but the previous two outings saw him give up 12 runs. Start him with some trepidation.
Can Kutter Crawford contain the free-swinging Tigers in Fenway? I think that I start but it’s far from a sure thing.
Despite all thoughts and predictions to the contrary, Brandon Williamson seems as if he has unlocked something over his last four starts (despite one stinker against the Cubs). Very possible that he is available in your league and could be a sneaky add.
Two pitchers going in two different directions are Jameson Taillon and Mitch Keller. I prefer Taillon in Toronto as Keller has fallen way off that early season pace, which had some analysts pushing him into top 10 SP status.
Jose Urquidy gets a sweet matchup against the Angels but I can’t advise starting him just yet. He just came off the IL and the first start was not good. Hold him to see how this goes before sliding into your lineups.
Trevor Williams just gets this slot since he takes on the Athletics.
The Hail Marys
Hyun-Jin Ryu came off the IL this week just to get smoked by a comebacker that knocked him out of his first start back. That’s the first red flag. Second is the fact that the Cubs are in town. No, thank you.
Silseth was DYNAMITE this week but not interested against the Astros in Minute Maid. (This is not a sign-stealing joke.)
Just Don’t Do It
Is it possible that Ranger Suarez could have a great start against the Twins in Philadelphia? Yes. Is it likely? No. Next.
Have really enjoyed Senga this season but Atlanta scares the absolute s%$* out of me.
Pfaadt’s penchant for giving up homers and the San Diego Padres is the type of Love Connection we are avoiding in this exercise.
Don’t think that any of Freeland, Waldichuk, Weaver or Chirinos are rosterable, let alone stream-worthy. But if I HAD to choose one, I might just go with Waldichuk against the Nats.
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