Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings Fantasy Baseball: 9/17 & 9/18

Here are Friday, Saturday’s, and Sunday’s daily SP Streamer rankings for fantasy baseball.

Every day of the 2024 baseball season, I’ll be looking at today’s and tomorrow’s slate of scheduled starting pitchers and ranking their matchups for your fantasy baseball streams.

There’s a lot that goes into this and you can hang out with me on Playback.tv/pitcherlist to talk about the specific ranks as I make them every weekday morning from 10am – 12pm ET. If you have questions about these ranks, please ask during the morning Playback AMA. Those are my office hours as I generally don’t answer comments on the site.

There are four tiers to these rankings with 12-teamers in mind:

Auto-Start – Just do it. Don’t overthink this, start the man. This includes “if I have them rostered, I’m starting them” pitchers.

Probably Start – I’m likely starting these arms, though I recognize there is more risk than we’d like there to be. Either it’s a tough matchup for a good-not-elite pitcher or a weak lineup for a volatile arm. These pitchers have a 50% or greater chance of performing well in my view and I’m starting them in the majority of situations.

Questionable Start – Think of this tier as “I don’t want to start these pitchers in a vacuum, but you could do worse.” Streamers found in this tier are not pitchers I’m targeting and are only if you are in dire need of one. To play it safe with streaming, just start the Probably Start streamers.

Do Not Start – The reward is not worth the risk. Don’t do it. Seriously, these pitchers have a very slim chance of success or sometimes none at all.

Obviously, there will be circumstances where pitchers should move between teams for your situation specifically and these new tiers should act as a little more help than the straight table from last year.

Please keep in mind that streaming is far from a perfect play. In fact, if they work out over half the time, I’d consider it a success. These matchup rankings & streamer picks are going to be wildly different than the actual results throughout the year, so please, have sympathy before the scathing comments and tweets. I’m only trying to help!

Make sure to read the notes if you’re wondering why I’m favoring certain pitchers over others – I won’t get to everyone and hopefully I answer what questions you will have.

There is a second table for tomorrow’s starting pitcher matchups as well, helping everyone get a jump on their nightly pickups. Please note that these matchups are subject to change, though, and there will be times when I have the incorrect pitcher going. I thank you for your future understanding.

Finally, there are my streaming picks of the day, and please keep in mind that I am forced to pick a streamer every day. Those highlighted in Green are that day’s streaming pick in the second tier and I’d roll with them everywhere. Those in Yellow are in the third tier and should be okay if you’re searching for something on a given day, but I don’t recommend streaming unless you’re in need. Finally, those are Red are those I really don’t want to start (they are labeled as “Do Not Start”, after all) but have no other choice. Don’t stream these guys until you are truly desperate. A streaming pick is defined as “rostered in 20% or fewer leagues according to Fantasy Pros. This really emphasizes the point that I’d be happy if over 50% of these worked. I could do the whole sub 30/40% rostered, but there’s no fun in that. You can use the rankings to realize who those picks would be instead.

(Opener) – Outlines that a pitcher is being opened for that day & the pitcher listed will follow the opener.

As I do my rankings, I thought it would be helpful to showcase a table of how we’re ranking offenses (in alphabetical order by tier):

I’m sure it’ll change through the year + there are differences to be made about teams vs. LHP or RHP, but it works as a general table that y’all should keep in mind.

To spice up these streaming recommendations, I’ve included our new daily fantasy baseball projections powered by PLV, and I’ll be competing against PL Bot to pick the best streaming option each day.

These projections are different from your typical projections as they incorporate our pitch quantifier, assessing pitcher and hitter skills at a much more granular level than your standard box score.

To get access to PL Bot’s picks each day, sign up for PL Pro here.

The streaming record is determined by “Was this a productive game for 12-teamers if I started them?” Roughly a PQS with a Win and a strikeout per inning with a sub 1.20 WHIP, with a minimum of 5 IP. Close calls are decided by Playback chat.

Nick’s 2024 Streamer Record: 89-77

My pick yesterday: Andre Pallante vs. PIT – W

PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 93-73

PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Reese Olson @ KCR – L

Want PL Bot’s pick today? Sign up for PL Pro here.

My streaming pick of the day is Underlined and Italicized.

Tuesday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

Auto Starts

Zack Wheeler @ MIL – Aces gonna ace.

Cole Ragans vs. DET – Aces gonna ace.

Blake Snell @ BAL – Aces gonna ace.

Luis Gil @ SEA – This is too juicy of a matchup.

Michael King vs. HOU – Aces gonna ace.

Nathan Eovaldi vs. TOR – The Jays aren’t a team to run away from.

Bryan Woo vs. NYY – Aces gonna ace in Seattle.

Probably Starts

Nick Pivetta @ TBR – The Rays are exactly who you want Pivetta to be facing.

Shane Baz vs. BOS – Baz has done well with his curve and the Sawx in the Trop is a great scenario.

Albert Suárez vs. SFG – It’s possible rain interferes with this one in Camden, but if all is clear, Suárez should be able to take advantage.

Hunter Brown @ SDP – He’s been cruising save for his last start and I have a little more faith in Brown than I do The Pasta Pirate. Absolutely understand playing this one safe.

Chris Bassitt @ TEX – He’s starting to look more like classic Bassitt and now gets the Rangers.

Questionable Starts

Tylor Megill vs. WSN – It’s a tempting one and I could see him being pushed into the second tier.

Gavin Williams vs. MIN – Does Williams have enough with his breakers to complement the heater? The Twins are healthier now as well.

Bobby Miller @ MIA – Ugggggh. How long will he go? Can last five for the Win? Will he have enough command to exploit the Marlins as he should?

Lance Lynn vs. PIT – He’s been on a mini-run, separated by his IL stint, though he did have that single 10 ER start…

Griffin Canning vs. CHW – It’s the CrySox. It’s also Canning, who has failed us many times despite easy lineups.

Mitchell Parker @ NYM – Parker is a Toby against a decent offense.

Davis Martin @ LAA – Martin’s change and slider could propel him through the Angels. It could be five frames of mediocrity, though.

Frankie Montas vs. PHI – Montas has increased his velocity and performed far better as of late. That said, it’s the Phils, y’all. Completely different than the giants he pummeled last time out.

Bailey Falter @ STL – Ehhhh, he’ll need his four-seamer and slider both cooking. It’s possible, just not the stream I want.

Mitch Spence @ CHC – Spence has his moments with the cutter and slider, especially when he can spot them gloveside in concert with an armside sinker. The Cubs kinda scare me, though.

Do Not Starts

Jordan Wicks vs. OAK – We haven’t seen him have that start yet and I’d prefer to wait for it to arrive first. It could very well be this one against the Athletics, though.

Casey Mize @ KCR – Mize just doesn’t do enough to warrant the time on your roster.

Brandon Williamson vs. ATL – Williamson was let loose by the Reds and had changeups and cutters…but it’s Atlanta. And the ceiling is pretty capped as it is.

Zebby Matthews @ CLE – Matthews. I really liked what you brought to the table. The Twins aren’t pushing him and it’s too tough of a matchup.

Ian Anderson (Opener) @ CIN – Whoa! There’s a name. He’s been awfully blegh without any growth during his time in the minors, granting very low expectations for the week ahead. Sidenote: It looks like Grant Holmes is opening, though he’s not stretched out and it would be unwise to expect five frames. It’s unclear if Ian appears after or at all – I haven’t seen word on a promotion yet. I’d just avoid this.

Jordan Montgomery @ COL – With Ryne on the IL, The Bear has returned to zero fanfare. Obviously.

Ryan Feltner vs. ARI – It’s Coors against one of the hottest offenses.

Darren McCaughan vs. LAD – Oh dear.

Enjoy these rankings? Support my work and Pitcher List by getting PL+ or PL Pro! You’ll get an Ad-Free website, access to our incredible non-toxic baseball Discord community, my weekly PL Pro exclusive Sit/Start Grid, a full suite of fantasy baseball tools, and much more. Get 10% off yearly with code SPSTREAMERS here.

Tuesday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

Auto Starts

Tarik Skubal @ KCR – Aces gonna ace.

Sonny Gray vs. PIT – Former aces gonna ace.

Aaron Nola @ MIL – Aces gonna ace.

Dylan Cease vs. HOU – Aces gonna hopefully have his heater spotted against LHB.

Framber Valdez @ SDP – Aces gonna have to deal with one of the best offenses in the bigs.

Bailey Ober @ CLE – Aces gonna try not to allow HRs in Cleveland.

Bowden Francis @ TEX – This dude gonna continue to give us ace-like results despite not having ace-like skills.

Probably Starts

Nestor Cortes @ SEA – It’s in Seattle and Cortes has looked way better lately.

Spencer Schwellenbach @ CIN – I’m annoyed that Mr. Crescendo hasn’t had his slider whiffs return, though he’s still pitching well.

Tanner Bibee vs. MIN – Don’t overthink it.

Cody Bradford vs. TOR – I know he was horrible against the Sneks, but don’t give up on him after one poor start against an elite offense.

Bryce Miller vs. NYY – It’s the Yankees, however Brce has been so much better at home. He’s one of the few I actually lean into benefitting greatly from his home park factor.

Freddy Peralta vs. PHI – We don’t know how much of Professor Chaos we’ll see, though the Phillies have been a bit easier to deal with lately.

Dean Kremer vs. SFG – He’s been rolling and the Giants are a solid matchup.

Jose Quintana vs. WSN – Quintana was better against the Phillies and the Nationals could open the door for a solid Win.

Questionable Starts

Alec Marsh vs. DET – He’s been on a tear with his curve and slider. That said, Tigers can provide some pop, and I’m not sure if Marsh can come close to replicating his eleven-strikeout performance.

Landon Knack @ MIA – It looks like a great Win chance, but how long will the Dodgers let Knack go?

Javier Assad vs. OAK – I don’t trust Assad’s skills a ton and Oakland is a decent offense.

DJ Herz @ NYM – Will Herz have his changeup working well enough to avoid the poor floor?

Ryan Pepiot vs. BOS – I’d have this higher if he weren’t limited to roughly 40 pitches in his last outing. It could have been just one start, it could be the plan the rest of the way.

Jack Kochanowicz vs. CHW – It’s the CrySox + The Jack of One Trade could find a Quality Start in a heartbeat…with about three strikeouts.

Brady Basso @ CHC – He’s done well thus far, but it’s the Cubs. It likely ends here.

Eduardo Rodriguez @ COL – It’s Coors…and yet the Win chance is still solid.

Cooper Criswell @ TBR – If the Sawx let him go at least five, there’s a decent chance for a Win.

Garrett Crochet @ LAA – He could return 6+ strikeouts despite the 60 pitch limitation.

Do Not Starts

Jakob Junis vs. ATL – I know he’s gone five frames in each of his last two and I’m happy for him. That ceiling isn’t worth the roster spot.

Hayden Birdsong @ BAL – He’s a desperate strikeout play for a guy who hasn’t had his curveball since those two starts against the Rockies.

Austin Gomber vs. ARI – It’s Coors and Arizona.

Ryan Weathers vs. LAD – Oh snap! He’s back?!

Joey Wentz @ STL – He’s likely acting as an opener or just getting a handful of frames.

Enjoy these rankings? Support my work and Pitcher List by getting PL+ or PL Pro! You’ll get an Ad-Free website, access to our incredible non-toxic baseball Discord community, my weekly PL Pro exclusive Sit/Start Grid, a full suite of fantasy baseball tools, and much more. Get 10% off yearly with code SPSTREAMERS here.

Photos Courtesy of IconSportswire | Adapted by Aaron Asbury (@aarongifs on Instagram)