Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings Fantasy Baseball: 8/19, 8/20 & 8/21 | Pitcher List

Navigating the world of fantasy baseball can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to optimizing your pitching lineup. With the constant ebb and flow of player performance and matchups, identifying reliable starting pitcher streamers is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. This article breaks down the starting pitcher landscape for August 19th, 20th, and 21st, providing you with the insights needed to make informed decisions and dominate your fantasy league.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into a detailed ranking of starting pitchers, categorizing them into distinct tiers based on their likelihood of success. From the must-start aces to the risky gambles, we’ll dissect each player’s potential impact on your fantasy team. Additionally, we’ll explore key performance indicators, opponent analysis, and roster considerations to empower you with the knowledge necessary to make strategic streaming choices.

Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect:

• Auto-Starts: Pitchers you should start without hesitation.
• Probably Starts: Arms with a high probability of performing well.
• Questionable Starts: Streamers to consider only in dire situations.
• Do Not Starts: Pitchers to avoid due to high risk.

Tuesday 8/19 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings

For Tuesday, August 19th, we’ve meticulously analyzed the starting pitcher matchups to provide you with a clear and concise ranking. This will help you identify the best streaming options for your fantasy team. Here’s a breakdown of the pitchers to consider:

Auto-Starts

• Tarik Skubal vs. HOU: Aces gonna ace.
• Joe Ryan vs. ATH: Aces gonna ace.
• Hunter Brown @ DET: Aces gonna ace.
• Cristopher Sánchez vs. SEA: Aces gonna ace.
• Hunter Greene @ LAA: Aces gonna ace…after this one or next.
• Nick Pivetta vs. SFG: He kinda deserves “AGA” after the season he’s had, doesn’t he?
• Carlos Rodón @ TBR: You’re trying to get the “AGA” tag back. Seize it.
• Brandon Woodruff @ CHC: This is a test for Woodruff after coasting since his return from the IL.
• Merrill Kelly @ KCR: Kelly has been a sturdy “Holly” all year.
• Matthew Boyd vs. MIL: No one is sitting Boyd at this point.
• Edward Cabrera vs. STL: ECab did have a stumble last start, but still pitched great. The skills are real.

Probably Starts

• Max Scherzer @ PIT: He’s only been helpful for your squads, even if the arsenal isn’t overwhelming.
• Seth Lugo vs. TEX: Lugo has been on a rough stretch and yet, this shouldn’t last. I’m keeping the faith.
• David Peterson @ WSN: He’s been a WHIP killer but he’s being given a gift against a LHB-heavy lineup.
• Jacob Lopez @ MIN: J. Lo has had the rhythm you want a cross-body extension boi to have.

Questionable Starts

• Michael McGreevy @ MIA: Don’t expect your bread to be buttered. Those in need of a QS should take a shot here.
• Shane Smith @ ATL: Smith is getting back into the groove and getting a little more volume, but Atlanta is better as of late.
• Eduardo Rodriguez vs. CLE: Erod is your standard streaming option for six frames with a lower floor than you’d like.
• Emmet Sheehan @ COL: It’s Coors and Sheehan hasn’t put all the pieces together quite yet. The ceiling sure is fun, though.
• Shane Baz vs. NYY: He’s pitched better than the results tell you. But yeah, it’s super risky.
• Tanner Bibee @ ARI: I’m kinda done wishcasting Bibee’s redemption. And yet, there’s a chance.

Do Not Starts

• Bryce Elder vs. CHW: Elder just had a solid outing with four-seamers showing up more than expected. That’s cool, Don’t trust every Elder.
• Bryce Miller @ PHI: It’s a “Still ILL”. Boy am I happy he’s back. Is your elbow okay…?
• Mitch Keller vs. TOR: Keller shouldn’t get your attention in 12-teamers and it’s the Jays.
• Kyle Hendricks vs. CIN: It’s the “Reds Carpet” immovable object against the unstoppable floor of Hendricks.
• Jameson Taillon vs. MIL: He’s back from the IL! And complained to me that Assad got all the good luck on Sunday with the wind blowing in. Don’t expect him to go long here in a “Still ILL”.
• Chad Patrick @ CHC: He’s returning to the rotation and sadly has to deal with the Cubs.
• Tomoyuki Sugano @ BOS: Sugano could squeeze through 5+ frames. The floor is lava in Fenway – you’ve been warned.
• Walker Buehler vs. BAL: Why are the Red Sox still trying to make this work?
• Kai-Wei Teng @ SDP: Teng is absurdly volatile. At least there’s some upside in his secondaries?
• Jake Irvin vs. NYM: Absolutely not.
• Austin Gomber vs. LAD: It’s the Colorado SP.

Wednesday 8/20 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings

Moving on to Wednesday, August 20th, we’ve got another set of pitchers to evaluate. Here’s how they stack up:

Auto-Starts

• Jacob deGrom @ KCR: Aces gonna ace.
• Framber Valdez @ DET: Aces gonna ace.
• Noah Cameron vs. TEX: He’s cruising and it’s the Rangers.

Probably Starts

• Kodai Senga @ WSN: He looked far better last time out and the ghost fork should cook against LHB.
• Jesús Luzardo vs. SEA: Luzardo is the kind of “Cherry Bomb” you start.
• Hurston Waldrep vs. CHW: Waldrep expanded the arsenal and has been great in his last two. The White Sox don’t scare me.
• Yusei Kikuchi vs. CIN: It’s the “Reds Carpet”, even if I’m suspicious of Kikuchi.
• Shohei Ohtani @ COL: He just went 80+ pitches, y’all. IT’S TIME.
• Cam Schlittler @ TBR: Cam, just get the dang secondaries down. He’s managed to keep his head above water with his 98 mph four-seamer and he just needs to locate secondaries low to dominate.
• Jacob Misiorowski @ CHC: We don’t know the volume and it’s best not to judge him for his “Still ILL”. It’s the best fastball in the game, I don’t care if PLV gives it to Rasmussen.
• Drew Rasmussen vs. NYY: YOU HEAR THAT JAY MIS?! 5.50 PLV ON MY FASTBALL. He’s been able to go 5+ (even six!) lately and the skills are too good to pass up.
• Luis Castillo @ PHI: I led with Castillo over the weekend as his fastballs are getting attacked more upstairs, leading to more damage. The foundation looks like it’s crumbling and the Phillies are up…but then again, he’s managed to keep it together all season and it wouldn’t be fair to jump ship after one game, right?

Questionable Starts

• Chris Bassitt @ PIT: It’s the Pirates and there’s a decent Win chance, though Bassitt has burned many throughout the season.
• Bailey Ober vs. ATH: His four-seamer location was far better last start, but it was around 90 mph, not 91/92 mph. At least it’s the Athletics in Minnesota.
• Colin Rea vs. MIL: He’s been a great streaming play this year and the Brewers are not the best matchup.
• Charlie Morton vs. HOU: Morton’s strikeouts have been flowing, though it’s been a whole lot of “HIPSTER” vibes throughout the year.
• Sandy Alcantara vs. STL: Alcantara just did the thing – Leading with his changeup and pairing it with heaters to generate efficient outs. Just one game, of course, though this start could be a good one to take a chance with a decent matchup floor.
• J.T. Ginn @ MIN: It’s kinda wild to see both Ginn and Sears starting on the same day. ANYWAY Ginn has a whole lot of intrigue across his arsenal and I hope he displays sustainability in his next few starts. Keep that command, please.
• JP Sears vs. SFG: Sears is returning from the minors and I’m curious how the Padres have tweaked him. It’s lovely to face the Giants and I’m a little tempted to give it a shot – he could be a fast pickup if something has changed.

Do Not Starts

• Brandon Pfaadt vs. CLE: I just don’t want to touch Pfaadt these days.
• Landen Roupp @ SDP: I’d have him higher if he were stretched out further.
• Braxton Ashcraft vs. TOR: Ashcraft is kinda interesting, but it’s the Jays and the “Shag Rug” is so very present with a limited pitch count.
• Martín Pérez @ ATL: I’m not shocked the White Sox are putting Pérez into the rotation and he could go five innings of boring baseball.
• Parker Messick @ ARI: It’s an MLB debut! I wouldn’t get too amped for this one, personally.
• Nick Martinez @ LAA: He has a shot to nail the edges and produce, but the floor is so low.
• Brad Lord vs. NYM: He just had a fun outing and I can’t take the chance against the Mets with a Hobbit Hole ceiling.
• Andre Pallante @ MIA: Pallante has been so detrimental this year.
• Tanner Gordon vs. LAD: It’s the Colorado SP.

Thursday 8/21 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings

Get a sneak peek at Thursday’s starting pitcher streamer rankings.

New for PL Pro – I am making the streaming table for an extra day out (no write-ups as these pitchers change often). I wanted to add a bonus for those who support us without taking anything away from everyone else, and I thought this was a good compromise.

In addition, PL Pro Members have access to my Sit/Start SP Grid, ranking all expected starters into the four tiers across the next fourteen days. You can find it on the PL Pro page.

Conclusion

Optimizing your fantasy baseball pitching lineup requires a keen understanding of player matchups and performance trends. By carefully evaluating the starting pitcher streamer rankings for August 19th, 20th, and 21st, you can make informed decisions that will give you a competitive edge in your league. Remember to consider factors such as opponent strength, recent performance, and roster availability when selecting your streamers.

Key takeaways:

• Prioritize Auto-Start pitchers for guaranteed quality starts.
• Weigh the risks and rewards of Probably Start options based on your league’s scoring system.
• Exercise caution with Questionable Start pitchers, using them only when necessary.
• Avoid Do Not Start pitchers to prevent potential disasters.

With these insights, you’re well-equipped to navigate the ever-changing landscape of fantasy baseball pitching and make strategic decisions that will lead your team to victory.