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 Monday, August 28
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.
This group is bigger today than usual. Maybe that is due to the fact that the teams are becoming more striated; that the contenders are still playing for something and more teams have turned their focus towards next season. Maybe it’s just a fluke. Either way, there are six to seven pitchers that I am starting without hesitation.
There is not much more to say about Blake Snell that hasn’t already been said. Dude is having a career year and that says a lot since he has already won a Cy Young.
Been in on Gausman the last three seasons, not stopping now.
Gallen was a hard one to rank today. Facing the Dodgers is a tough tough task, so it’s possible that a couple of the guys behind him should be moved up. But on most teams, he’s the ace (at worst, a #2) and those guys should be started every team. I am no game theory expert but am of the mind that trying to out-think the game is when crucial mistakes are made.
Kenta Maeda stumbled a bit last time out but I like him at home in Target Field.
Bryan Woo and Grayson Rodriguez are not traditional “must-starts” for me. Too much volatility with rookies in the last month of their first MLB season. But with their opponents being Oakland and the White Sox, respectively, I am going for it with these two.
Texas has been having a ROUGH go of it lately, having gone 1-9 in their last ten games. Still taking my shot with Jon Gray against the Mets.
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.
Bobby Miller is the quintessential fun dice roll. High strikeout ceiling, great team context, and a good-not-great opponent.
The Astros visit Fenway to start the week and are greeted by Chris Sale. Sale had experienced a velocity dip two starts ago but was back up to 96.2 last week against, wouldn’t ya know it, the Astros!
The up-and-down year for Jameson Taillon continues. Which guy will take the mound today? That Brewers offense isn’t exactly scary so I am taking Taillon here.
I have zero trust in Cristian Javier. The overall body of work isn’t awful but his expected stats just scream “Stay Away”: opponents have an xSLG of .464 and an xwOBA of .334. The Astros are playing well but I am scared of Javier in Fenway.
I have a sense that this is the week where I accept that Andrew Abbott isn’t going to turn into a pumpkin before the end of the season, only for this to be the day that he blows up.
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.
I have zero trust in Cristian Javier. The overall body of work isn’t awful but his expected stats just scream “Stay Away”: opponents have an xSLG of .464 and an xwOBA of .334. The Astros are playing well but I am scared of Javier in Fenway.
It was awfully tempting to put Zack Greinke into the Fun Dice Rolls category just based on his reputation alone; he’s truly a baseball treasure. Couldn’t get myself there though, not with him maxing out at five innings in virtually every start. This is definitely the last matchup where I feel the least bit comfortable suggesting a spot start.
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.
Not sure about you, but I am done with Michael Kopech. Let someone else manage that headache. He exited his last start with leg cramps, he hasn’t gone more than 5.2 IP since May 24, and has a K:BB ratio of 3:2. I would try and avoid him here against the Orioles.
Nothing about Taijuan Walker and Lucas Giolito pitching in Citizen’s Bank Park makes me hopeful for a good outcome. I’ll be completely honest and say that what I most out of any of these Angels games in Philadelphia is for Shohei to put on a show.
Josiah Gray is certainly capable of putting together a solid outing in Toronto. Not likely, but possible.
The Hail Marys
If you need an absolute miracle. here are your options.
Chicago has cooled just slightly enough that taking a shot on Wade Miley isn’t an *awful* idea. But you better have some solid starts to back it up.
Riskiest Bet of the Day: Reese Olson versus the Yankees. Olson has been shaky but New York stinks and he’s had two bad outings, due for a gem.
Just Don’t Do It
Like, seriously, stop thinking about it.
Julio Rodriguez might hit four home runs versus Kyle Muller.
Johan Oviedo has swing-and-miss in his game, still don’t want him in my lineups.
Kyle Harrison is going to take his lumps against the Reds.
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