September is here and that means it's the official home stretch for our 2021 fantasy baseball season. Prospect call-ups are coming (welcome, Joe Ryan!) so be sure to keep your eyes on the transaction logs. Rest-of-season ranks start to turn into a streamer conversation in these final weeks, but we'll at least do one more run of my weekly Starting Pitcher Baller Ranks!
This google sheet accompanies the table below and adds relevant 5x5 stats, K%, BB%, BABIP, FIP, xFIP, SIERA, ERA-FIP, and CSW% from the second half of the season. 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. I highly encourage you to click the link. CLICK IT!
As always, these Rest of Season ranks are geared towards traditional 5x5 leagues sans most injured SPs, lest a return is imminent. 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 and be sure we've got the best chance at the podium.
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Top 101 Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball - Week 22
(+/-) | Tier | Player | Rank | EV | $ | $PV | Trend | Notes |
0 | 1 | Max Scherzer | 1 | 9.6 | 43.0 | 42.0 | 1.0 ▲ | >35% K rate for the month with elite ratios, No. 1 |
0 | 1 | Walker Buehler | 2 | 8.5 | 42.0 | 41.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Scored 10th straight QS, only 8 ER in that span |
0 | 1 | Gerrit Cole | 3 | 6.6 | 41.0 | 40.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Crossed 200 K mark; 3 straight strong outings |
0 | 1 | Zack Wheeler | 4 | 7.9 | 38.5 | 39.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Some bad luck ERA of late, peripherals still strong |
0 | 1 | Robbie Ray | 5 | 14.2 | 38.0 | 37.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Outstanding confidence on the bump, SP1 for '22 |
2 | 2 | Corbin Burnes | 6 | 11.0 | 35.0 | 30.5 | 4.5 ▲ | Dashing all concerns about raised workload |
2 | 2 | Chris Sale | 7 | 2.0 | 34.0 | 28.0 | 6.0 ▲ | |
-2 | 2 | Brandon Woodruff | 8 | 2.9 | 33.5 | 35.5 | -2.0 ▼ | |
1 | 3 | Lucas Giolito | 9 | 3.5 | 27.5 | 27.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Left PIT start w/ left hamstring tightness, IL coming? |
2 | 3 | Kevin Gausman | 10 | 6.3 | 27.5 | 25.5 | 2.0 ▲ | |
2 | 3 | Luis Castillo | 11 | 4.6 | 27.5 | 23.5 | 4.0 ▲ | 8 QS in 9 starts since the All-Star break |
2 | 3 | Charlie Morton | 12 | 7.7 | 25.5 | 23.0 | 2.5 ▲ | Tough matchups continue, @LAD then @COL |
2 | 3 | Frankie Montas | 13 | 10.9 | 23.5 | 21.0 | 2.5 ▲ | Splitter! Throwing it over 2x as often w/ 2 strikes |
N/A | 3 | Carlos Rodon | 14 | 2.6 | 23.0 | 0.0 | 23.0 ▲ | Picked up with a W in return, PIT on deck |
1 | 4 | Aaron Nola | 15 | 6.3 | 21.0 | 20.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Has been inefficient, inconsistent - still mid-SP2 |
1 | 4 | Shohei Ohtani | 16 | 4.6 | 20.0 | 19.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
1 | 4 | Max Fried | 17 | 10.2 | 19.5 | 19.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
1 | 4 | Logan Webb | 18 | 8.0 | 19.0 | 19.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 7 consecutive QS, dominant showings; stock soaring |
1 | 4 | Joe Musgrove | 19 | 6.0 | 19.0 | 19.0 | 0.0 ▬ | CGSHO with 111 pitches, revenge gm vs. HOU next? |
4 | 4 | Julio Urias | 20 | 6.6 | 19.0 | 15.0 | 4.0 ▲ | 15 wins, deserving success -- ready for playoffs |
4 | 4 | Tyler Mahle | 21 | 7.5 | 18.0 | 15.0 | 3.0 ▲ | |
4 | 4 | Sandy Alcantara | 22 | 6.7 | 17.0 | 15.0 | 2.0 ▲ | |
5 | 4 | Adam Wainwright | 23 | 12.8 | 17.0 | 12.5 | 4.5 ▲ | |
-3 | 4 | Yu Darvish | 24 | 3.1 | 17.0 | 18.0 | -1.0 ▼ | Hasn't won since June, 6.65 ERA/2.75 SIERA in Aug. |
-3 | 4 | Lance McCullers Jr. | 25 | 2.9 | 17.0 | 17.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
-3 | 4 | Jose Berrios | 26 | 5.9 | 15.5 | 15.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Big 11-K rebound @DET after 3 shaky starts |
2 | 5 | Luis Garcia | 27 | 3.6 | 13.0 | 12.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
-1 | 5 | Alek Manoah | 28 | 4.3 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
3 | 5 | Framber Valdez | 29 | 7.7 | 11.0 | 10.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
0 | 5 | Hyun-Jin Ryu | 30 | 2.8 | 11.0 | 11.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Only 1 QS in his last 5 turns; low Ks, fizzling ratios |
0 | 5 | Zack Greinke | 31 | 3.0 | 11.0 | 11.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Placed on COVID-IL, may only miss 1 turn |
1 | 5 | Kyle Hendricks | 32 | -0.4 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Blown up twice in his last 4, but v. PIT next |
1 | 5 | Shane McClanahan | 33 | 6.1 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
3 | 5 | Marcus Stroman | 34 | 5.7 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
3 | 5 | Jameson Taillon | 35 | 2.5 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
4 | 5 | Dylan Cease | 36 | 7.3 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Double-digit Ks in 3 of last 6, KC next matchup |
20 | 5 | Blake Snell | 37 | 6.5 | 9.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 ▲ | OK, 2 10+ K gems in his last 4 going into Tuesday |
4 | 5 | Huascar Ynoa | 38 | 2.1 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
4 | 6 | Nathan Eovaldi | 39 | 5.7 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
11 | 6 | Marco Gonzales | 40 | 6.4 | 8.0 | 5.5 | 2.5 ▲ | Amazin' August, but .200 BABIP... @ARI next too! |
-2 | 6 | German Marquez | 41 | 0.1 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Tough stretch despite 3 of the 4 being road games |
-7 | 6 | Sean Manaea | 42 | -4.1 | 8.0 | 9.0 | -1.0 ▼ | |
-7 | 6 | Tanner Houck | 43 | 3.4 | 7.0 | 9.0 | -2.0 ▼ | |
0 | 6 | Elieser Hernandez | 44 | -0.6 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
0 | 6 | Edward Cabrera | 45 | -1.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
1 | 6 | Josiah Gray | 46 | 0.4 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
2 | 6 | Cal Quantrill | 47 | 8.6 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
N/A | 6 | Ian Anderson | 48 | 0.7 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 6.0 ▲ | Zero Ks in return is odd, gets Coors next |
-1 | 6 | Jordan Montgomery | 49 | 3.1 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
0 | 7 | Zach Thompson | 50 | 1.3 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
1 | 7 | Wade Miley | 51 | 6.3 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
1 | 7 | Sonny Gray | 52 | 5.8 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
N/A | 7 | Trevor Rogers | 53 | #N/A | 5.0 | 0.0 | 5.0 ▲ | Could return early Sept. after two rehab starts |
0 | 7 | Tarik Skubal | 54 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Only 4 ER over 4 starts but then OAK hung 6 ER |
0 | 7 | John Means | 55 | 3.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Ramping up w/ back-to-back QS, but @NYY next |
0 | 7 | Zac Gallen | 56 | 1.7 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
2 | 7 | Kyle Freeland | 57 | 7.6 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
13 | 7 | Carlos Hernandez | 58 | 5.4 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 1.5 ▲ | |
N/A | 8 | Reynaldo Lopez | 59 | 6.4 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 ▲ | Stepping into Lynn's spot, 5 IP perfect relief earlier |
0 | 8 | Casey Mize | 60 | -2.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
-3 | 8 | Tylor Megill | 61 | -0.4 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
1 | 8 | Yusei Kikuchi | 62 | -1.8 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
1 | 8 | Eduardo Rodriguez | 63 | 5.3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
1 | 8 | James Kaprielian | 64 | 0.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
7 | 8 | Carlos Carrasco | 65 | 0.1 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1.0 ▲ | Encouraging 7 IP, 2 ER start v. SF may signal turn |
-4 | 8 | Touki Toussaint | 66 | 0.3 | 3.0 | 4.0 | -1.0 ▼ | |
3 | 8 | Madison Bumgarner | 67 | 4.4 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
6 | 9 | Taijuan Walker | 68 | -0.7 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
6 | 9 | Kyle Gibson | 69 | 5.7 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.5 ▲ | |
7 | 9 | Vladimir Gutierrez | 70 | 8.3 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Continues converting great matchups |
2 | 9 | Mike Minor | 71 | -0.2 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
-4 | 9 | Logan Gilbert | 72 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.0 ▬ | |
N/A | 9 | Chris Paddack | 73 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 2.5 ▲ | Returned w/ 1 ER in 4.2 IP, but HOU next big test |
N/A | 9 | Corey Kluber | 74 | 0.1 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 2.5 ▲ | Left in too long for first start back, promising signs |
6 | 10 | Steven Matz | 75 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
6 | 10 | Daniel Lynch | 76 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | 1 ER or fewer in 4 of last 5, 5 of last 7; BBs are rising |
6 | 10 | Nestor Cortes | 77 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
6 | 10 | Eli Morgan | 78 | 3.9 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
6 | 10 | Tyler Anderson | 79 | 4.5 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | |
14 | 10 | Bailey Ober | 80 | 5.5 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Only 4 ER over last 4 starts, 2.8% BB rate in August |
-15 | 10 | Miles Mikolas | 81 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 3.0 | -1.0 ▼ | |
-2 | 10 | Cole Irvin | 82 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
-7 | 10 | Zach Plesac | 83 | -0.2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
-23 | 10 | Austin Gomber | 84 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 4.0 | -2.5 ▼ | |
-6 | 10 | Nick Pivetta | 85 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 2.0 | -0.5 ▼ | |
2 | 11 | Chris Flexen | 86 | 5.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Solid ratios to hold steady, even if K rate below 20% |
-1 | 11 | David Price | 87 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
-10 | 11 | Jake Odorizzi | 88 | -2.3 | 1.0 | 2.0 | -1.0 ▼ | |
1 | 11 | Luis Patino | 89 | -1.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
2 | 11 | Griffin Jax | 90 | -3.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
4 | 11 | Tyler Gilbert | 91 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
5 | 11 | Ryan Yarbrough | 92 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
-26 | 12 | Jon Gray | 93 | 5.7 | 1.0 | 3.0 | -2.0 ▼ | Left start with forearm tightness, hmmm |
4 | 12 | J.A. Happ | 94 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
4 | 12 | Dallas Keuchel | 95 | -0.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
4 | 12 | Jesus Luzardo | 96 | -1.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 6 IP, 0 ER, 8 K v. CIN offers hope! Intrigue remains |
-6 | 12 | Reid Detmers | 97 | -1.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
N/A | 12 | Kwang-Hyun Kim | 98 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | |
-12 | 12 | Patrick Corbin | 99 | -1.4 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Awful in 3 of last 4, only desperate streamers here |
-4 | 12 | Kris Bubic | 100 | -1.4 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | |
0 | 12 | Jose Suarez | 101 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ |
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