Weekly Pitcher Rankings: Streaming Upstream

Weekly Pitcher Rankings: Streaming Upstream

This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.

Well, at least it's better than last week?

Of course, a two-start slate isn't just about the quality at the top, it's more about the quantity of mid- and lower-level options, especially those widely available. For example, here are the two-start options rostered in fewer than half of all the teams in the 12-team NFBC Rotowire Online Championship: Keegan Thompson (43 percent), David Peterson (25 percent), Kyle Bradish (22 percent), Chris Flexen (20 percent), Johnny Cueto (18 percent), Alex Faedo (12 percent), Justin Steele (9 percent), Mitch Keller (7 percent), Jordan Lyles (1 percent), Taylor Hearn (1 percent), Mike Minor (0 percent), Antonio Senzatela (0 percent) and Jared Koenig (0 percent). Only Flexen, Peterson and Faedo are ranked ahead of the MIX 12 reliever, used to designate when it's better to deploy a dominant setup man in lieu of a starter, though this analysis only looks at two-start options so there may be single start candidates widely available.

Hmm, maybe I should include a column for 12- and 15-team rostership in the rankings. Of course, even if I do (Narrator: He will, next time), it's clearly worth checking your own league's availability (NFBC or otherwise).

By means of reminder, the schedule is pulled from the Projected Starters grid, so please send all rotation inquiries to those fine folks. As always, I'm happy to address rankings questions below.

UPDATED: Monday June 13 1:00 AM ET

Week of June 13 - 19

Mixed

RankPitcherTMOPPComments
1Sandy AlcantaraMIA

Well, at least it's better than last week?

Of course, a two-start slate isn't just about the quality at the top, it's more about the quantity of mid- and lower-level options, especially those widely available. For example, here are the two-start options rostered in fewer than half of all the teams in the 12-team NFBC Rotowire Online Championship: Keegan Thompson (43 percent), David Peterson (25 percent), Kyle Bradish (22 percent), Chris Flexen (20 percent), Johnny Cueto (18 percent), Alex Faedo (12 percent), Justin Steele (9 percent), Mitch Keller (7 percent), Jordan Lyles (1 percent), Taylor Hearn (1 percent), Mike Minor (0 percent), Antonio Senzatela (0 percent) and Jared Koenig (0 percent). Only Flexen, Peterson and Faedo are ranked ahead of the MIX 12 reliever, used to designate when it's better to deploy a dominant setup man in lieu of a starter, though this analysis only looks at two-start options so there may be single start candidates widely available.

Hmm, maybe I should include a column for 12- and 15-team rostership in the rankings. Of course, even if I do (Narrator: He will, next time), it's clearly worth checking your own league's availability (NFBC or otherwise).

By means of reminder, the schedule is pulled from the Projected Starters grid, so please send all rotation inquiries to those fine folks. As always, I'm happy to address rankings questions below.

UPDATED: Monday June 13 1:00 AM ET

Week of June 13 - 19

Mixed

RankPitcherTMOPPComments
1Sandy AlcantaraMIA@PHI, @NYMInnings plus a recent spike in strikeouts -- stud
2Gerrit ColeNYYTB, @TOR 
3Aaron NolaPHIMIA, @WAS 
4Corbin BurnesMIL@NYM 
5Chris BassittNYMMIL, MIA 
6Justin VerlanderHOUCWS 
7Logan GilbertSEAMIN, LAA 
8Shohei OhtaniLAA@SEA 
9Alek ManoahTORBAL, NYY 
10Nick PivettaBOSOAK, STL 
11Frankie MontasOAKKC 
12Kevin GausmanTORBAL 
13Alex WoodSFKC, @PITDoesn't get much better than this
14Logan WebbSFKCGood pair to send ERA back down
15Luis SeverinoNYYTBNothing in NY is quiet, but Severino's success going under the radar
16Joe MusgroveSD@CHC 
17Shane McClanahanTB@NYY 
18Miles MikolasSTL@BOS, PITCross your fingers when in Fenway
19Framber ValdezHOUCWS 
20Nestor Cortes Jr.NYYTB 
21Julio UriasLADCLE 
22Clayton KershawLADCLE 
23Sonny GrayMIN@SEA 
24Jordan MontgomeryNYY@TOR 
25Zack WheelerPHI@WAS 
26Carlos RodonSF@PIT 
27Cristian JavierHOU@TEX, CWS 
28Tyler AndersonLADLAA 
29Carlos CarrascoNYMMIA 
30Rich HillBOSOAK 
31Zac GallenARICIN 
32Robbie RaySEALAA 
33Joe RyanMIN@SEA 
34Tony GonsolinLADLAA 
35Lance LynnCWS@DET 
36Pablo LopezMIA@PHI 
37Tylor MegillNYMMIL 
38Dylan CeaseCWS@DET 
39Tarik SkubalDETTEX 
40Brady SingerKC@SF, @OAKStruggled lately, but deserves a shot to rebound
41Taijuan WalkerNYMMIA 
42Sean ManaeaSD@CHC 
43Michael KopechCWS@HOU 
44Luis GarciaHOU@TEX 
45Shane BieberCLE@COL, @LADMaking it work with lower velo, but this will be a big challenge
46Brad KellerKC@OAK 
47Jose BerriosTORBALStrikeouts are back, but homers still an issue
48Kyle WrightATL@CHC 
49Lucas GiolitoCWS@HOU 
50David PetersonNYMMIL 
51Noah SyndergaardLAA@LAD, @SEA 
52Chris FlexenSEAMIN, LAA 
53Max FriedATL@WAS 
54Merrill KellyARICIN, MIN 
55George KirbySEALAA 
56Edward CabreraMIA@NYMGreat test for an exciting arm
57Michael LorenzenLAA@SEA 
58Luis CastilloCIN@ARI 
59Aaron AshbyMIL@NYM 
60Martin PerezTEX@DETI give up
61Jameson TaillonNYY@TOR 
62Adrian HouserMIL@NYM, @CIN 
63Sam LongSF@PIT 
64Patrick SandovalLAA@SEA 
65Shane BazTB@BAL 
66Jon GrayTEX@DET 
67Josh WinckowskiBOSOAK 
68Zach EflinPHIMIA, @WAS 
69Eric LauerMIL@CIN 
70Yu DarvishSD@CHC, @COL 
71Devin SmeltzerMIN@ARI 
72Mix 12 Reliever   
73Jeffrey SpringsTB@BAL 
74Yusei KikuchiTORBAL, NYYGreat in May, but back in a June rut
75Andrew HeaneyLADCLE 
76Michael WachaBOSSTL 
77Graham AshcraftCINMIL 
78Tyler WellsBAL@TOR 
79Roansy ContrerasPIT@STL 
80Dane DunningTEXHOU, @DET 
81Ian AndersonATL@WAS, @CHC 
82Tyler MahleCIN@ARI 
83Kutter CrawfordBOSSTL 
84Marco GonzalesSEAMIN 
85Corey KluberTB@NYY, @BAL 
86Mix 15 Reliever   
87Chris ArcherMIN@SEA, @ARI 
88Cal QuantrillCLE@LAD 
89Cole IrvinOAKKC 
90Stephen StrasburgWASATL, PHI 
91Adam WainwrightSTL@BOS 
92Matt SwarmerCHCSD 
93Kyle HendricksCHCSD, ATL 
94Andre PallanteSTLPIT 
95Hunter GreeneCINMIL 
96Mike MinorCIN@ARI, MIL 
97Kyle GibsonPHIMIA 
98Matthew LiberatoreSTLPIT 
99Eduardo RodriguezDETTEXMatchups decent, but innings could be limited
100Zach PlesacCLE@LAD 
101JT BrubakerPIT@STL 
102Madison BumgarnerARIMIN 
103Ross StriplingTORNYY 
104Jonathan HeasleyKC@SF 
105Josiah GrayWASATL, PHI 
106Caleb KilianCHCSD 
107Daniel LynchKC@OAK 
108Alex FaedoDETCWS 
109Sean HjelleSFKC 
110Zach DaviesARICIN 
111Charlie MortonATL@CHC 
112Reid DetmersLAA@LAD 
113Beau BrieskeDETTEX 
114Zach ThompsonPITSF 
115Justus SheffieldSEALAA 
116Braxton GarrettMIA@NYM 
117Jose QuintanaPITSF 
118Johnny CuetoCWS@HOU 
119Drew RasmussenTB@NYY 
120Paolo EspinoWASPHI 
121Kris BubicKC@SF 
122Spencer StriderATL@WAS 
123Keegan ThompsonCHCATL 
124Justin SteeleCHCSD, ATL 
125Luke WeaverARIMIN 
126Mitch KellerPIT@STL, SF 
127Dylan BundyMIN@ARI 
128Paul BlackburnOAK@BOS 
129Dakota HudsonSTL@BOS 
130Ranger SuarezPHI@WAS 
131Jose SuarezLAA@SEA 
132Nick MartinezSD@CHC 
133Jared KoenigOAK@BOS, KC 
134Jordan LylesBAL@TOR, TB 
135Trevor RogersMIA@PHI 
136Taylor HearnTEXHOU, @DET 
137Jose UrquidyHOU@TEX 
138Zack ThompsonSTLPIT 
139Jason AlexanderMIL@CIN 
140Jimmy LambertCWS@DET 
141Bruce ZimmermannBAL@TOR 
142Tyler AlexanderDETCWS 
143James KaprielianOAK@BOS 
144Bailey FalterPHI@WAS 
145German MarquezCOLSD 
146Evan LeeWASPHI 
147Tyson MillerTEXHOU 
148Erick FeddeWASATL 
149Triston McKenzieCLE@COL 
150Rony GarciaDETCWS, TEX 
151Bryse WilsonPIT@STL 
152Konnor PilkingtonCLE@COL 
153Dean KremerBALTB 
154Antonio SenzatelaCOLCLE, SD 
155Kyle BradishBAL@TOR, TB 
156Patrick CorbinWASPHI 
157Chad KuhlCOLCLE 
158MacKenzie GoreSD@COL 
159Blake SnellSD@COL 
160Kyle FreelandCOLSD 
161Austin GomberCOLCLE 

American League

RankPitcherTMOPPComment
1Gerrit ColeNYYTB, @TOR 
2Justin VerlanderHOUCWS 
3Logan GilbertSEAMIN, LAA 
4Shohei OhtaniLAA@SEA 
5Alek ManoahTORBAL, NYY 
6Nick PivettaBOSOAK, STL 
7Frankie MontasOAKKC 
8Kevin GausmanTORBAL 
9Luis SeverinoNYYTBNothing in NY is quiet, but Severino's success going under the radar
10Shane McClanahanTB@NYY 
11Framber ValdezHOUCWS 
12Nestor Cortes Jr.NYYTB 
13Sonny GrayMIN@SEA 
14Jordan MontgomeryNYY@TOR 
15Cristian JavierHOU@TEX, CWS 
16Rich HillBOSOAK 
17Robbie RaySEALAA 
18Joe RyanMIN@SEA 
19Lance LynnCWS@DET 
20Dylan CeaseCWS@DET 
21Tarik SkubalDETTEX 
22Brady SingerKC@SF, @OAKStruggled lately, but deserves a shot to rebound
23Michael KopechCWS@HOU 
24Luis GarciaHOU@TEX 
25Shane BieberCLE@COL, @LADMaking it work with lower velo, but this will be a big challenge
26Brad KellerKC@OAK 
27Jose BerriosTORBALStrikeouts are back, but homers still an issue
28Lucas GiolitoCWS@HOU 
29Noah SyndergaardLAA@LAD, @SEA 
30Chris FlexenSEAMIN, LAA 
31George KirbySEALAA 
32Michael LorenzenLAA@SEA 
33Martin PerezTEX@DETI give up
34Jameson TaillonNYY@TOR 
35Patrick SandovalLAA@SEA 
36Shane BazTB@BAL 
37Jon GrayTEX@DET 
38Josh WinckowskiBOSOAK 
39Devin SmeltzerMIN@ARI 
40Jeffrey SpringsTB@BAL 
41Yusei KikuchiTORBAL, NYYGreat in May, but back in a June rut
42Michael WachaBOSSTL 
43Tyler WellsBAL@TOR 
44Dane DunningTEXHOU, @DET 
45Kutter CrawfordBOSSTL 
46Marco GonzalesSEAMIN 
47Corey KluberTB@NYY, @BAL 
48Chris ArcherMIN@SEA, @ARI 
49Cal QuantrillCLE@LAD 
50Cole IrvinOAKKC 
51Eduardo RodriguezDETTEXMatchups decent, but innings could be limited
52Zach PlesacCLE@LAD 
53Ross StriplingTORNYY 
54AL Reliever   
55Jonathan HeasleyKC@SF 
56Daniel LynchKC@OAK 
57Alex FaedoDETCWS 
58Reid DetmersLAA@LAD 
59Beau BrieskeDETTEX 
60Justus SheffieldSEALAA 
61Johnny CuetoCWS@HOU 
62Drew RasmussenTB@NYY 
63Kris BubicKC@SF 
64Dylan BundyMIN@ARI 
65Paul BlackburnOAK@BOS 
66Jose SuarezLAA@SEA 
67Jared KoenigOAK@BOS, KC 
68Jordan LylesBAL@TOR, TB 
69Taylor HearnTEXHOU, @DET 
70Jose UrquidyHOU@TEX 
71Jimmy LambertCWS@DET 
72Bruce ZimmermannBAL@TOR 
73Tyler AlexanderDETCWS 
74James KaprielianOAK@BOS 
75Tyson MillerTEXHOU 
76Triston McKenzieCLE@COL 
77Rony GarciaDETCWS, TEX 
78Konnor PilkingtonCLE@COL 
79Dean KremerBALTB 
80Kyle BradishBAL@TOR, TB 

National League

RankPitcherTMOPPComment
1Sandy AlcantaraMIA@PHI, @NYMInnings plus a recent spike in strikeouts -- stud
2Aaron NolaPHIMIA, @WAS 
3Corbin BurnesMIL@NYM 
4Chris BassittNYMMIL, MIA 
5Alex WoodSFKC, @PITDoesn't get much better than this
6Logan WebbSFKCGood pair to send ERA back down
7Joe MusgroveSD@CHC 
8Miles MikolasSTL@BOS, PITCross your fingers when in Fenway
9Julio UriasLADCLE 
10Clayton KershawLADCLE 
11Zack WheelerPHI@WAS 
12Carlos RodonSF@PIT 
13Tyler AndersonLADLAA 
14Carlos CarrascoNYMMIA 
15Zac GallenARICIN 
16Tony GonsolinLADLAA 
17Pablo LopezMIA@PHI 
18Tylor MegillNYMMIL 
19Taijuan WalkerNYMMIA 
20Sean ManaeaSD@CHC 
21Kyle WrightATL@CHC 
22David PetersonNYMMIL 
23Max FriedATL@WAS 
24Merrill KellyARICIN, MIN 
25Edward CabreraMIA@NYMGreat test for an exciting arm
26Luis CastilloCIN@ARI 
27Aaron AshbyMIL@NYM 
28Adrian HouserMIL@NYM, @CIN 
29Sam LongSF@PIT 
30Zach EflinPHIMIA, @WAS 
31Eric LauerMIL@CIN 
32Yu DarvishSD@CHC, @COL 
33Andrew HeaneyLADCLE 
34Graham AshcraftCINMIL 
35Roansy ContrerasPIT@STL 
36Ian AndersonATL@WAS, @CHC 
37Tyler MahleCIN@ARI 
38Stephen StrasburgWASATL, PHI 
39Adam WainwrightSTL@BOS 
40Matt SwarmerCHCSD 
41Kyle HendricksCHCSD, ATL 
42Andre PallanteSTLPIT 
43Hunter GreeneCINMIL 
44Mike MinorCIN@ARI, MIL 
45Kyle GibsonPHIMIA 
46Matthew LiberatoreSTLPIT 
47JT BrubakerPIT@STL 
48Madison BumgarnerARIMIN 
49NL Reliever   
50Josiah GrayWASATL, PHI 
51Caleb KilianCHCSD 
52Sean HjelleSFKC 
53Zach DaviesARICIN 
54Charlie MortonATL@CHC 
55Zach ThompsonPITSF 
56Braxton GarrettMIA@NYM 
57Jose QuintanaPITSF 
58Paolo EspinoWASPHI 
59Spencer StriderATL@WAS 
60Keegan ThompsonCHCATL 
61Justin SteeleCHCSD, ATL 
62Luke WeaverARIMIN 
63Mitch KellerPIT@STL, SF 
64Dakota HudsonSTL@BOS 
65Ranger SuarezPHI@WAS 
66Nick MartinezSD@CHC 
67Trevor RogersMIA@PHI 
68Zack ThompsonSTLPIT 
69Jason AlexanderMIL@CIN 
70Bailey FalterPHI@WAS 
71German MarquezCOLSD 
72Evan LeeWASPHI 
73Erick FeddeWASATL 
74Bryse WilsonPIT@STL 
75Antonio SenzatelaCOLCLE, SD 
76Patrick CorbinWASPHI 
77Chad KuhlCOLCLE 
78MacKenzie GoreSD@COL 
79Blake SnellSD@COL 
80Kyle FreelandCOLSD 
81Austin GomberCOLCLE 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Todd Zola
Todd has been writing about fantasy baseball since 1997. He won NL Tout Wars and Mixed LABR in 2016 as well as a multi-time league winner in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship. Todd is now setting his sights even higher: The Rotowire Staff League. Lord Zola, as he's known in the industry, won the 2013 FSWA Fantasy Baseball Article of the Year award and was named the 2017 FSWA Fantasy Baseball Writer of the Year. Todd is a five-time FSWA awards finalist.
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