Each day of the 2022 baseball season, I will look at today’s and tomorrow’s list of scheduled pitchers and rank their matchups for your fantasy baseball streams.
There’s a lot that goes into it and you can hang out with me on Twitch.tv/pitcherlist to talk about the specific pitches I do every weekday morning from 9am to 11am ET. If you have any questions about these ranks, please ask them during the morning Twitch AMA. These are my office hours as I generally do not respond to comments on the site.
There are four tiers to this ranking for 12 teamers:
Auto start – Just do it. Don’t think about it, start with the man.
Probably beginning – I’ll probably start with these weapons, although I recognize the risk is greater than we would like. It’s either a tough matchup for a good pitcher or a weak lineup for a fugitive arm.
Questionable start – There are situations where I would take the risk, either with a strong enough advantage on the skill side or a bad offense for a pitcher to exploit.
Don’t start – The reward is not worth the risk. Do not do it.
Obviously, there will be circumstances where pitchers should rotate between teams specific to your situation, and these new tiers should provide a little more help than last year’s straight table.
Please keep in mind that streaming is far from a perfect game. In fact, if they exercise more than half the time, I would call it a success. These matchup rankings and streamer picks will vary wildly from actual results throughout the year, so please excuse the scathing comments and tweets. I’m just trying to help!
Be sure to read the notes if you’re wondering why I choose certain pitchers over others – I won’t go into all of them and hopefully answer any questions you may have.
There is a second table for tomorrow is Also, start pitcher matchups and help everyone use their nightly pickups. Please note, however, these matchups are subject to change will let’s be where I’ve got the wrong pitcher running. Thank you for your future understanding.
Finally, there are my streaming picks of the day, and please keep that in mind I am forced to choose a streamer every day. Those highlighted in it Green are in the second row and I would roll with them anywhere. The most common are those in Yellow in the third tier and should be decent if you’re looking some on a specific day. After all, these are Red is that me Yes, really don’t want to start (after all, they’re marked “Do Not Start”) but have no choice. Don’t stream these guys until you’re really desperate. A streaming pick is defined as “listed in 20% or fewer leagues,” meaning Yes, really stresses that I would be happy if over 50% of these worked. I could do the whole sub 30/40% lineup, but it’s no fun. You can instead use the rankings to see who those picks would be.
(NC contact) – Outlines that a pitcher will be opened for the day and the listed pitcher follows the opener.
As I do my rankings, I thought it would be helpful to present a table showing how we rank crimes:
Nick’s Loose Team Offense Rankings (Updated 08/16)
I’m sure it will change throughout the year + there are differences between teams and LHP or RHP but it’s a great general chart to keep in mind for all of you.
Alright, let’s get to that.
Streamer Record 2022: 72-53
Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
- hey it is Jacob de Grom Day! I hope you can celebrate, sorry Atlanta fans.
- The rest of the top level is even straightforward Adam Wainwright versus Rockie Street – Try to find a league that has managers in it Not start it here
For those wondering how Shane McClanahan could be No. 2 despite his recent struggles, don’t forget he had 20 puffs in the last start and faces the Royals.To update: The rays are calling Luis Patino and McShane are pushing for Friday. I wouldn’t run Patiño in the vast majority of cases, but he’s a better option than most of the bottom row.
The second stage is short and sweet. Nathan Eovaldi got it running at 94mph on its heater and is now getting a breather at the pirates. I have my doubts in the last few weeks of the year, but it’s the pirates. Let’s talk about these concerns later.- As for Max Fried, he’s coming back from concussion IL and I’m worried he’ll be a bit rusty and limited. Not to mention it’s a tough offense with the Mets. All of these reasons are why this AGA isn’t in the top tier, and I think I’ll start it anyway.
- To update: The Red Sox are skipping Eovaldi this week because of shoulder pain (aka the reason he throws 94 mph), which means Josh Winckowski gets the start against the pirates. Not a bad option, and it makes it the streaming pick of the day as it could walk away with a cheap profit.
- The third stage begins with fighting Luis Garcia against the White Sox. Normally this would be in League Two, but Garcia has done poorly in his last four (including a pair for 4 ER games against Oakland) and it could be a product of fatigue – we saw it happen with him last year.
- With Andrew Heney Limited to ~75-80 pitches and with a start shortened by a comebacker, I have my reservations about relying on Heaney in leagues that limit your maximum starts per week. That said, I don’t think he will pain You for those wondering if you are putting yourself in danger. His fastball command was phenomenal.
- We have a trio of pitchers who were originally in the top 30, all hoping for better days and facing tough opponents. Frankie Montas tries to get back to ~90 pitches and has to endure the Jays, Luke Giolito has yet to find a rhythm with his four-seamer and changeup as he takes on the mighty Astros, and Jose Berrios’ The horrific season continues with a date against the Ice Col Yankee Offense. Start them at your own risk.
The streaming pick of the dayis Donor Watkins, which could probably be classified in the bottom row. I hope Orioles Magic survives another day against the Cubs and gives Watkins a good shot at a win as he can pitch 80+ and produce five frames. To update: With Winckowski now serving, he’s the streaming pick of the day, not Watkins.
- The other two significant options for a stream would be Dane reminder vs. Oakland et al Brad Keller against the rays. Dunning has only had one start since early June with a WHIP below 1.33, while Keller’s volatility is as chaotic as it gets. Your blankets are not worth it in my opinion.
- And hello, JT Brubaker has a chance of surviving against the Red Sox if his breakers work. However, I would be reluctant to rely on Coffee Cakes to pull through.
Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Tomorrow’s pitcher rankings
- I had a hard time classifying the top tier for Friday as Shane McClanahan maintains the top spot despite its recent stumbling blocks. At the same time, he’s earned 20 puffs on the last start, even with his lower speed, and the Royals aren’t much of a threat.
- Am I putting too much trust in Blake Snells resurgence? Maybe? However, it’s hard to deny the cap against a team like Natty Lite Aaron Nola has to deal with the Mets, and we all know the nuisance that the Phillies defense is.
- in the second stage, Triston McKenzie has a case that must be placed in the layer above. I think he is one little more volatile than I would like, but you will most likely launch it. Let’s just hope the heaters find the zone without destruction.
- What a turbulent season! Kevin Gausman, who had another BABIP intoxication last time. The Yankee offense has been looking for answers (perhaps Wednesday night’s theatrical performances will be the catalyst?) and could continue their struggles Friday and help pull Gausman from the bottom of the WHIP well.
- The inverse of Gausman is brady singer, who has turned a lot of heads in the last month. His two-pitch mix has carved lineups with sinker-named strikes and slider puffs, and the Rays shouldn’t stop you from jumping on this bandwagon.
- After successfully returning from the IL, Lance McCullers Jr. seems safe to start against Atlanta. Seems. He has a history of inconsistent leadership and I wonder if I’m being a little too aggressive with his ranking, but at the same time I’m excited to start McCullers Jr. where I have him and I imagine you will too are.
- I considered placing the next two arms where they landed as they might fit in the Probable Start row. Patrick Sandoval and Aaron Ashby are both cherry bomb Weapons that seem to tip the scales in their favor as they take on the Tigers and Cubs. There’s a chance for a legitimate excursion of either here… or it could be central on foot and our disappointment will be immeasurable.
- Following the men with high ceilings is a lot Tobi guys with Cole Irvin, Marco Gonzales, and Martin Perez. It feels strange to put Pérez at the end of the trio but his switch feeling was a little worse last time, the first sign his ability is waning and now he’s getting the twins. As for the Irvin and Gonzales matchup, I wouldn’t be shocked if they both go six strong and neither pulls off a win. It’s baseball, Suzyn.
- Next is our streaming picks of the day Graham Ashcraft. The cutter was wonderful last time and the pirates are weak enough to make us say “Sure why not” and hope the BABIP gods are on our side.
- I’m worried about starting both Kyle Wright and Jesus Lazardo in their tough matchups on Friday. Wright is dealing with “dead arm” and enduring the Astros while Luzardo, without his Elite curve, sits 1.5 ticks down (despite being armed with a new and improved changeup). I play it safe where I can.
- in the bottom row, Cutter Crawford leads as someone who has a chance for you PQS without much else against the Orioles. I wouldn’t pursue it, but I can see some thinking they need decent volume and pulling the trigger.
- They like Jameson Taillon, Jordan Lyles, and Alex Wood all could be considered but I would avoid them for their matchups. Taillon can squeeze 5+ productive frames against the Jays, Lyles might have some Orioles magic behind him and Wood might step up with his upgraded stuff despite Coors, but it’s way too risky.
Tomorrow’s pitcher rankings
Featured image by Drew Wheeler (@drewisokay on Twitter)