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. However, 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 rankings. 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!
Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
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.
Weak, weak list of opposing teams to start our list today coupled with a big group of solid starters.
Gerrit Cole remains one of the few bright spots on the Yankees roster.
Webb, Woodruff, Gray, and Valdez are all must-starts at this point in the season.
Bryce Miller gets the A’s and that should be a very fun one to watch. How dope has it been to watch the Mariners’ young pitching depth grow into one of the best MLB rotations in real time?!
The Marlins will try and keep their playoff push going against Zach Eflin, the de facto Rays ace at the moment. I was an Eflin doubter coming into the season and I kick myself for that at least once a week.
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.
Kodai Senga versus Texas is scary, I’ll admit. I am definitely a sucker for those 10 K starts.
The year of the bespectacled pitcher rolls on, been loving Tanner Bibee and Dane Dunning lately.
Hard to call a Kyle Gibson start “fun” but I think you gotta throw him against the White Sox.
Same could be said for Chris Bassitt. I know he’s good but I just have zero recall about any of his starts or performance in general.
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.
Hunter Greene has been atrocious since coming back from injury just about two weeks ago. Dude has the best Stuff+ in the league, but I don’t trust it. I truly think that he is bound for the bullpen but that is my stupid, unscientific opinion. He takes on the Giants in San Francisco, maybe Kyle Harrison will share whatever he had before his start on Monday.
I dig Kutter Crawford just fine and am starting him in some places but Houston remains Houston. Careful with this one.
Feels fitting that Jesus Luzardo and Dylan Cease find themselves next to each other in today’s pitcher ranks. I, amongst many others, moved on from Luzardo after his disastrous two starts in mid-August where he gave up 13 runs in seven innings. Of course, he then went out and struck out seven Padres in six innings while not giving up a run. I have always been a fan and like him in this all-Florida matchup.
Love a schedule that has both Kyle Hendricks and Kyle Gibson starting, it’s that Spiderman meme come to life. Hendricks and the Cubs take on the Brew Crew in a big NL Central match-up and I am going with Hendricks.
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.
Crazy that Dylan Cease has relegated himself to this category but here we are. If you can afford to sit him, I would.
Same goes for Detmers in Philly.
Our man Rich Hill is my sneaky play of the day because the Cardinals are absolutely awful and deserve to lose every night.
Cristopher Sanchez has actually been a steady play, you could do worse if you desperately need a streamer.
The Hail Marys
If you need an absolute miracle. here are your options.
Coupla’ wily veterans take on offenses that they most likely can’t handle. Patrick Corbin visits Toronto and Miles Mikolas faces the Padres in St. Louis. Neither holds much interest for me, but if I had to take one, it would be Mikolas.
Ryan Pepiot is an interesting play if you are looking for Ks but he probably can’t snag you a Win or Quality Start.
Just Don’t Do It
Like, seriously, stop thinking about it.
The rest of the guys on today’s pitcher ranks are openers and basic innings eaters. Like I always say, better to just get yourself a reliever who can chip in some strikeouts and help your ratios.
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