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 August 24
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.
Warning: Today’s list is GROSS, we only have two “sure” things.
Gerrit Cole takes the top spot on what looks like a rather unappetizing set of pitchers. He has had some rough outings in the last month but, as we’ll see, Cole stands head and shoulders above the other options.
At number 2, we have Justin Steele facing the Pirates in Pittsburgh. Steele has smoothed out any second-half wrinkles and has been exceptional in the last month.
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.
The next three pitchers all have the unenviable task of taking on three of the best offenses in MLB.
In his last 32 innings pitched, Pablo Lopez has only given up three runs. Three! Feeling good about our chances here.
Jose Berrios is having such a nice bounceback season, he’s been a boon for fantasy managers who got him for super-cheap (NFBC ADP of 231) way back in draft season.
Love watching Gavin Williams pitch but any time I see the Dodgers as the opposing offense, my first instinct is to send my guy straight to the bench. This is the streaming pitcher article, friends, we gotta start some guys today, right!? Right?!
Coming in right behind Williams is J.P. France. Not because of his results so far this season, but I just like Williams’ stuff more than France. That being said, he’s been a solid find for a Houston team that desperately needed some rotation help this season.
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.
One of My Guys© this year has been Brayan Bello. And for the most part, my interest has been validated. But he’s been battling some inconsistency as of late and I struggle to vouch for him against a still-very-good Astros team.
I’m off Andrew Heaney. Done. No mas. Don’t care who he’s facing or where he’s pitching or who he is pitching against. Just too much bad with too little good. If you don’t agree, I get it. And playing him against the Twins wouldn’t be the *worst* idea. It’s on you though, if he cruises through six and strikes out nine, you can find me and tell me I am an idiot.
Brandon Williamson and Merrill Kelly face off at Chase Field in a you-pick-’em. Kelly is innings play. Williamson has the strikeout upside. Neither are particularly exciting but you could do far worse.
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.
Only starting Kyle Gibson if I am looking for innings. Toronto is streaky but it still feels like a potential blowup.
An Athletics-White Sox series is streaming-list kryptonite: picking players that are playing against Oakland and Chicago are supposed to be my layups. What am I supposed to do now?
Jesse Scholten seems like the guy to go with since his last start could scare some off but it was in Coors and before that he had two QS.
Ken Waldichuk could very well exploit that weak White Sox lineup and have given some thought to trying to pick him up if I need an extra start this week.
The Hail Marys
If you need an absolute miracle. here are your options.
Patrick Corbin is dangerously close to a never-start. You could hit a Yahtzee and have him have a positive outing but it’s just as likely that he only gets through 2.2 and gives up four.
Ryan Pepiot threw 5 innings of one-run ball against the Marlins this past Saturday yet I still would want to keep him on my bench against the Guardians in Cleveland.
Just Don’t Do It
Like, seriously, stop thinking about it.
The last three guys have zero interest to me in any league or format.
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
Last but certainly not least, make sure to check out my Fantrax teammate Ryan Kirksey and all of his DFS content @cableboxscore