RADIO
While we're grateful for the 2021 season after the mess that was 2020, I understand if the Injury Train has you running on fumes by mid-May. It's a cutthroat game sometimes, but do try to enjoy the wicked pitches and monster homers when you can! We still want to win this war of attrition, so let's get moving with my 2021 Starting Pitcher Baller Ranks, where we take stock of my top 101 SPs moving forward.
You know the deal, as the ranks table below comes with this google sheet that accompanies the table and adds relevant 5x5 stats, K%, BB%, BABIP, and CSW%. Do note that I leave off most injured players, and removing those injured players can give an illusion that others have risen despite mediocre performances.
To be clear, these are Rest of Season ranks sans most injured SPs. If 25% of the board is on the IL, then it isn't terribly actionable, and I'll intermittently weave in updates of where I'd throw them in if they were healthy. For now, let's dive into my Top 101 SPs, featuring brief thoughts on many of the names.
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Top 101 Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball - Week 7
| Rank | (+/-) | $ | Tier | Player | EV | $PV | Trend | Notes |
| 1 | 0 | 43.0 | 1 | Jacob deGrom | 18.2 | 43.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Injured deGrom still a force; "brief" IL stint so I'll leave him |
| 2 | 0 | 39.0 | 1 | Gerrit Cole | 17.7 | 39.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Season-low 4 Ks vs. HOU, still only 2 ER for 6 consecutive QS |
| 3 | 0 | 38.0 | 1 | Shane Bieber | 11.6 | 38.0 | 0.0 ▬ | At least 6 IP in all '21 starts, high-volume Ks but >1.00 WHIP |
| 4 | 0 | 34.0 | 2 | Trevor Bauer | 7.3 | 34.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Rebounded from shaky 4-BB start on 5/4, clearly an ace |
| 5 | 0 | 33.0 | 2 | Yu Darvish | 8.8 | 33.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Has a Coors start on 5/11, high-end SP1 to lean on |
| 6 | 0 | 30.0 | 2 | Max Scherzer | 8.6 | 30.0 | 0.0 ▬ | At least 9 K in 4 of his last 5 gms; 14 K's on 5/8 really wowed |
| 7 | 2 | 29.0 | 2 | Brandon Woodruff | 11.5 | 28.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Posted season-best 11 Ks after brief inj. scare; he's OK |
| 8 | 0 | 28.0 | 2 | Clayton Kershaw | 12.6 | 28.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Frightful 1 IP start on 5/4 followed by 5 scoreless on 5/8 |
| 9 | 0 | 28.0 | 2 | Corbin Burnes | 14.0 | 28.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Come back to us, Corbin; be wary of rust |
| 10 | -3 | 26.0 | 3 | Aaron Nola | 10.7 | 29.0 | -3.0 ▼ | When Nola's curve is fully operational it's beautiful |
| 11 | -1 | 25.0 | 3 | Tyler Glasnow | 10.7 | 26.0 | -1.0 ▼ | Double-digit Ks in 3 of his last 4, 4 of last 5. Bueno |
| 12 | 1 | 24.0 | 3 | Walker Buehler | 7.7 | 24.0 | 0.0 ▬ | After 3 straight 4-K outings, has 8 K or more in his next 3 |
| 13 | 1 | 24.0 | 3 | Jack Flaherty | 8.0 | 22.0 | 2.0 ▲ | Won 6 straight since poor opener; fewer Ks but you'll take it |
| 14 | -3 | 22.0 | 3 | Lance Lynn | 8.2 | 25.0 | -3.0 ▼ | Only 5 IP in each start since IL stint, but 2-for-2 on wins |
| 15 | 2 | 22.0 | 4 | Zack Wheeler | 10.6 | 21.0 | 1.0 ▲ | CGSHO on 5/6, 9.25 K/9 would be career-best (6.72 in '20) |
| 16 | -4 | 21.0 | 4 | Lucas Giolito | 3.5 | 24.0 | -3.0 ▼ | 5 IP, 1 ER is good; only 2 Ks is disappointing; still not all there |
| 17 | 1 | 21.0 | 4 | Kevin Gausman | 8.5 | 19.0 | 2.0 ▲ | 2020 growth appears real; nasty split elevating as top-20 |
| 18 | 3 | 19.0 | 4 | Zac Gallen | 5.6 | 17.0 | 2.0 ▲ | |
| 19 | 4 | 19.0 | 4 | Sandy Alcantara | 6.6 | 15.0 | 4.0 ▲ | Continues to produce QS, a K per inning will do just fine |
| 20 | 4 | 18.0 | 4 | Trevor Rogers | 9.0 | 14.0 | 4.0 ▲ | 6+ Ks in each of his 7 outings thus far, stud in the making |
| 21 | -6 | 17.0 | 4 | Jose Berrios | 6.6 | 22.0 | -5.0 ▼ | 5 BBs, only 1 K at DET on 5/8; still bankable SP2 |
| 22 | 16 | 16.0 | 4 | John Means | 12.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 ▲ | I'm cool calling that a perfect game if you are |
| 23 | -3 | 15.5 | 5 | Dylan Bundy | 5.4 | 19.0 | -3.5 ▼ | Breathe. 3.48 FIP, 3.56 xFIP, 3.54 SIERA. Sky is not falling |
| 24 | 1 | 14.5 | 5 | Julio Urias | 7.0 | 14.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 25 | 0 | 14.0 | 5 | Hyun-Jin Ryu | 5.2 | 0.0 | 14.0 ▲ | Got dirty W (5 IP, 4 ER) in return, plus ratios should return |
| 26 | 1 | 13.5 | 5 | Lance McCullers Jr. | 2.8 | 12.0 | 1.5 ▲ | |
| 27 | -5 | 13.0 | 5 | Joe Musgrove | 7.1 | 16.0 | -3.0 ▼ | SFG got to Joe in 2 straight, must rebound vs. STL |
| 28 | 6 | 12.0 | 5 | Max Fried | -0.3 | 9.5 | 2.5 ▲ | No rust in return, 72 pitches earned W thru 5 IP, 1 ER, 6 K |
| 29 | -3 | 12.0 | 5 | Ian Anderson | 5.6 | 13.0 | -1.0 ▼ | Finished April strong but 7 ER in 10 IP to open May |
| 30 | -14 | 11.5 | 5 | Luis Castillo | 2.3 | 21.0 | -9.5 ▼ | This is a horror movie so far, cruelty would be a QS at Coors |
| 31 | -12 | 10.5 | 5 | Blake Snell | 2.2 | 19.0 | -8.5 ▼ | Has skirted implosion but 6 BB on 5/07, bloated 42/21 K/BB |
| 32 | -1 | 10.0 | 5 | Zach Eflin | 11.9 | 10.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 33 | -5 | 10.0 | 5 | Marcus Stroman | 5.7 | 11.0 | -1.0 ▼ | |
| 34 | -5 | 10.0 | 5 | Tyler Mahle | 4.9 | 11.0 | -1.0 ▼ | CHC tagged him for 6 ER, draws PIT to rebound on 5/10 |
| 35 | 0 | 9.5 | 5 | Sonny Gray | 3.2 | 9.0 | 0.5 ▲ | 7 scoreless with 8 Ks against CWS with PIT matchup on deck |
| 36 | 0 | 9.0 | 5 | Pablo Lopez | 7.3 | 9.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 37 | 2 | 9.0 | 5 | Carlos Rodon | 10.5 | 8.5 | 0.5 ▲ | 44/9 K/BB is elite; .180 BABIP has luck but 1.85 FIP, 2.67 SIERA |
| 38 | 7 | 8.5 | 6 | Zach Plesac | 6.2 | 8.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 39 | 4 | 8.5 | 6 | Huascar Ynoa | 5.3 | 8.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Has been lights out sans 1 blip at CHC; 2 BB or fewer in each game |
| 40 | -8 | 8.0 | 6 | Eduardo Rodriguez | 3.7 | 9.5 | -1.5 ▼ | |
| 41 | -4 | 8.0 | 6 | Aaron Civale | 4.0 | 9.0 | -1.0 ▼ | |
| 42 | 0 | 8.0 | 6 | Freddy Peralta | 6.3 | 8.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Only 2 baserunners over 7 scoreless IP vs. STL, 8 Ks. Swoon |
| 43 | 21 | 8.0 | 6 | Robbie Ray | 0.9 | 2.5 | 5.5 ▲ | 4 straight QS; 33/1 K/BB in those games. The hooks are in |
| 44 | -3 | 8.0 | 6 | Kenta Maeda | -0.1 | 8.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Finally had a strong start, then stepped back at CHW |
| 45 | 1 | 8.0 | 6 | Corey Kluber | 4.3 | 8.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 1 out away from 3rd straight QS, gets BAL next. Signs of life! |
| 46 | -2 | 8.0 | 7 | Michael Pineda | 3.1 | 8.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 47 | -7 | 8.0 | 7 | Cristian Javier | 4.9 | 8.5 | -0.5 ▼ | 6 BB in last 2 starts, matching total from first 4 outings |
| 48 | -15 | 7.0 | 7 | Charlie Morton | 3.1 | 9.5 | -2.5 ▼ | 3 ugly starts in a row, he's heading towards "Prove It" territory |
| 49 | -19 | 6.0 | 7 | Zack Greinke | 3.1 | 10.5 | -4.5 ▼ | Getting hit too hard, only 4 IP in each of last 3 starts |
| 50 | -3 | 6.0 | 7 | Jose Urquidy | 3.9 | 6.5 | -0.5 ▼ | 3 straight W, but only 10 K in last 25 IP |
| 51 | -1 | 5.5 | 7 | Shohei Ohtani | 2.3 | 4.5 | 1.0 ▲ | We got plus-command Ohtani at HOU, beautiful with 10 Ks |
| 52 | -1 | 5.5 | 7 | Chris Bassitt | 6.5 | 4.5 | 1.0 ▲ | 12.3% SwStr rate, hasn't topped 10% before; 5 straight QS |
| 53 | -1 | 5.0 | 7 | Jameson Taillon | 2.3 | 4.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 54 | -1 | 5.0 | 7 | Sean Manaea | 8.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 55 | 1 | 4.5 | 8 | Andrew Heaney | 5.9 | 4.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 56 | -8 | 4.5 | 8 | Danny Duffy | 10.1 | 5.5 | -1.0 ▼ | |
| 57 | 6 | 4.0 | 8 | Alex Wood | 5.4 | 2.5 | 1.5 ▲ | 2 ER or fewer in all 4 starts; 22/5 K/BB encouraging |
| 58 | 0 | 4.0 | 8 | JT Brubaker | 3.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 59 | 15 | 3.0 | 8 | Dylan Cease | 7.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 ▲ | Working with Codify, last 2 starts: 13 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 20 K |
| 60 | 2 | 3.0 | 8 | Yusei Kikuchi | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 61 | -4 | 3.0 | 8 | Shane McClanahan | 2.6 | 4.0 | -1.0 ▼ | Only 4 IP in each start, but 15/4 K/BB underscores promise |
| 62 | -13 | 2.5 | 9 | Kyle Hendricks | -4.2 | 5.0 | -2.5 ▼ | Reeled us in w/ W over LAD only to bomb vs. PIT; at DET next |
| 63 | 2 | 2.0 | 9 | Jordan Montgomery | 2.5 | 2.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Built off 5/5 QS with 6 IP, 1 ER, 9 K win over TB |
| 64 | 3 | 2.0 | 9 | Adam Wainwright | 4.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Got an ugly W vs. NYM, scoreless gem vs COL; @SD next... |
| 65 | 7 | 2.0 | 9 | Adbert Alzolay | 3.8 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | WHIP below 1.00 in each of his last 5 starts |
| 66 | 5 | 2.0 | 9 | Madison Bumgarner | 4.9 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
| 67 | 0 | 2.0 | 9 | Dinelson Lamet | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Only 2 IP in planned short start 5/11; lesser velo 93-94, hm |
| 68 | -14 | 2.0 | 9 | Frankie Montas | 1.2 | 4.0 | -2.0 ▼ | |
| 69 | 0 | 2.0 | 9 | Taijuan Walker | 8.3 | 2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Tied season-high 8 Ks in 5/6 Win, 7 IP of one-hit ball |
| 70 | 0 | 2.0 | 9 | Matthew Boyd | 9.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
| 71 | -12 | 1.5 | 10 | Brady Singer | 4.5 | 2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 72 | -6 | 1.5 | 10 | Patrick Corbin | -5.5 | 2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 73 | 0 | 1.5 | 10 | Chris Paddack | 4.7 | 0.0 | 1.5 ▲ | Held together in return on 5/9, lack of 3rd pitch hurts |
| 74 | 4 | 1.5 | 10 | Domingo German | 1.8 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Shown superior command since brief demotion; @BAL next |
| 75 | 4 | 1.5 | 10 | Garrett Richards | 3.4 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 76 | -21 | 1.5 | 10 | Nathan Eovaldi | 11.5 | 4.0 | -2.5 ▼ | Started hot, 4+ ER in 3 of his last 4 despite plus matchups |
| 77 | -2 | 1.0 | 10 | Kyle Gibson | 7.5 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 78 | 11 | 1.0 | 10 | Cole Irvin | 5.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 79 | -19 | 2.5 | 10 | Triston McKenzie | -1.2 | 3.5 | -1.0 ▼ | 4 BBs in every 2021 start except 1; hard to buy in until that corrects |
| 80 | -19 | 1.5 | 10 | German Marquez | 3.9 | 3.0 | -1.5 ▼ | Big-time scuffling, would be very tough to trust at Coors |
| 81 | -8 | 1.5 | 10 | Dallas Keuchel | 2.3 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 82 | 4 | 1.0 | 10 | Wade Miley | 6.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | He's solid but this may have taken no-hitters too far |
| 83 | 8 | 1.0 | 10 | Luis Garcia | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 84 | -14 | 1.5 | 10 | Steven Matz | 1.7 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 85 | -9 | 1.0 | 10 | Griffin Canning | 0.9 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 86 | -9 | 1.0 | 10 | David Peterson | 1.0 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 87 | 12 | 1.0 | 10 | Tyler Anderson | 8.1 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Quiet 3 QS in a row; mediocre K's but a W or QS in 5 straight |
| 88 | 0 | 1.0 | 11 | Logan Webb | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 89 | -9 | 1.0 | 11 | Kwang-Hyun Kim | 4.5 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | |
| 90 | -8 | 1.0 | 11 | Justin Dunn | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 91 | -8 | 1.0 | 11 | Anthony DeSclafani | 6.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 92 | -8 | 1.0 | 11 | Rich Hill | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | K's aren't coming in like they used to, still streamable |
| 93 | -8 | 1.0 | 11 | J.A. Happ | 3.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 94 | -6 | 1.0 | 11 | Dane Dunning | 9.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Battled w/ SEA, 1.80 WHIP but season-high 10 Ks |
| 95 | -5 | 1.0 | 11 | Nick Pivetta | 4.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Delivered 2 Ws in his 2-start week vs. DET & BAL |
| 96 | -3 | 1.0 | 11 | Jon Gray | 5.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 97 | 0 | 1.0 | 11 | Joe Ross | -0.6 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 98 | -30 | 1.0 | 11 | Daniel Lynch | -0.8 | 2.0 | -1.0 ▼ | Can see the ceiling with the slider but needs polish |
| 99 | -7 | 1.0 | 11 | Mike Minor | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 100 | -6 | 1.0 | 11 | Casey Mize | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
| 101 | 0 | 1.0 | 11 | Ryan Yarbrough | 5.1 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ |
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