RADIO
We're onto the back nine of May, and before you know it the baseball season will take us right into June! Basketball and hockey playoffs are gearing up, but this is that stretch of baseball's marathon where the runner's high kicks in. Let's separate from the pack with another version of my weekly Starting Pitcher Baller Ranks, where we take stock of my top 101 SPs moving forward.
As usual, 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 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, featuring brief thoughts on every dang name.
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Top 101 Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball - Week 8
| Rank | (+/-) | Tier | Player | EV | $ | $PV | Trend | Notes |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | Jacob deGrom | 18.1 | 42.0 | 43.0 | -1.0 ▼ | No structural damage, 'pen session coming on May 18. Always #1 |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | Gerrit Cole | 21.9 | 40.0 | 39.0 | 1.0 ▲ | The prince that was promised for NYY, flexing for us and them |
| 3 | 0 | 2 | Shane Bieber | 11.6 | 36.0 | 38.0 | -2.0 ▼ | Many Ks, many BBs; poor control on Sunday, first <5 IP start since June 2019 |
| 4 | 0 | 2 | Trevor Bauer | 10.6 | 35.0 | 34.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Hitters can't square up, .215 BABIP in '20, .183 in '21; 2.72 SIERA |
| 5 | 0 | 2 | Yu Darvish | 10.0 | 33.0 | 33.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Labored some in Coors but 4 IP, 0 ER won't burn anyone |
| 6 | 0 | 2 | Max Scherzer | 10.9 | 31.0 | 30.0 | 1.0 ▲ | No longer consistent 10+ K outings but still elite, stay healthy |
| 7 | 0 | 2 | Brandon Woodruff | 13.4 | 29.5 | 29.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Building off success, clearly in matchup-proof territory |
| 8 | 0 | 2 | Clayton Kershaw | 13.8 | 28.5 | 28.0 | 0.5 ▲ | One poor inning after long 8-run 2nd for LAD, no worries |
| 9 | 0 | 2 | Corbin Burnes | 16.4 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 0.0 ▬ | He issued a walk, season's over. Went 78 pitches in return |
| 10 | 1 | 2 | Tyler Glasnow | 12.4 | 26.0 | 25.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Double-digit Ks in 5 of last 7; @BAL next should make it 6 of 8 |
| 11 | -1 | 3 | Aaron Nola | 12.4 | 25.5 | 26.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Not enjoying louder contact yielded lately, at least Ks are coming |
| 12 | 1 | 3 | Jack Flaherty | 9.9 | 24.5 | 24.0 | 0.5 ▲ | 7 straight Ws; 43 IP, 7 ER since bad opener. You'll take modest K/9 for this |
| 13 | -1 | 3 | Walker Buehler | 6.2 | 24.0 | 24.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Still a small command jump away from top-tier leap |
| 14 | 0 | 3 | Lance Lynn | 10.4 | 22.0 | 22.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Forearm X-rays negative; don't love 7 BB in last 2 starts but only 3 hits |
| 15 | 0 | 3 | Zack Wheeler | 12.8 | 22.0 | 22.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Looks amazing, 21/2 K/BB over last 3 outings; Cruising |
| 16 | 1 | 3 | Kevin Gausman | 12.3 | 21.0 | 21.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Toyed w/ PIT, 8 IP, 1 ER, 12 K; .221 BABIP should rise a bit, bargain SP2 |
| 17 | -1 | 4 | Lucas Giolito | 2.8 | 20.0 | 21.0 | -1.0 ▼ | Got shafted by 2 short HRs, let's see how he handles MIN |
| 18 | 1 | 4 | Sandy Alcantara | 5.5 | 19.0 | 19.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Destroyed by LAD, deploy outside of top-end matchups |
| 19 | 1 | 4 | Trevor Rogers | 10.8 | 18.5 | 18.0 | 0.5 ▲ | 6+ Ks in each start, only >2 ER once so far. 2 HRs across 44 IP. Wow |
| 20 | 2 | 4 | John Means | 14.2 | 16.5 | 16.0 | 0.5 ▲ | BAL easing up after heavy no-hit workload, but wasn't Johan territory |
| 21 | 3 | 4 | Julio Urias | 9.2 | 15.0 | 14.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Nice 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 K rebound after 5 ER @LAA. 52/7 K/BB, swoon |
| 22 | -1 | 4 | Jose Berrios | 6.3 | 15.0 | 17.0 | -2.0 ▼ | Good to see 6/0 K/BB after 5 walks on May 8, but HRs creeping up |
| 23 | 2 | 4 | Hyun-Jin Ryu | 5.9 | 14.5 | 14.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Hasn't yielded >1 BB in a start yet; great way to maintain low ratios |
| 24 | 2 | 4 | Lance McCullers Jr. | 3.8 | 14.5 | 13.5 | 1.0 ▲ | Can get away w/ lofty walk rate for now, crushed TEX & gets them again next |
| 25 | -2 | 5 | Dylan Bundy | 4.0 | 14.0 | 15.5 | -1.5 ▼ | 0-5 record, but 3.76 SIERA behind 6.02 ERA; HRs have bitten him entire career sans '20 |
| 26 | 1 | 5 | Joe Musgrove | 7.5 | 12.5 | 13.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Slight bounceback W vs. STL, but 4 BB in 5 IP not ideal |
| 27 | 1 | 5 | Max Fried | 0.6 | 12.5 | 12.0 | 0.5 ▲ | First 2 post-IL starts: 11 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 10 K. Good not great |
| 28 | 1 | 5 | Ian Anderson | 6.4 | 11.5 | 12.0 | -0.5 ▼ | 3 4-walk starts in 8 gms, but 55% GB rate, 0.8 HR/9 help erase it |
| 29 | 3 | 5 | Zach Eflin | 11.5 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 32 K in last 25 1/3 IP but 14 ER on goofy .394 BABIP; 2.49 FIP in that span |
| 30 | 1 | 5 | Blake Snell | 2.3 | 10.0 | 10.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Ghastly 24 BB in 34 1/3 IP; hasn't worked deeper than 5.1 IP yet |
| 31 | 2 | 5 | Marcus Stroman | 7.1 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Uncanny 3 HRs allowed on Sunday, still strong ratio resource |
| 32 | 2 | 5 | Tyler Mahle | 5.7 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Impressed at Coors, only 2 ER and zero walks; bravo |
| 33 | 2 | 5 | Sonny Gray | 4.4 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Slogging thru .361 BABIP (career .282), can buy-low off 1.46 WHIP |
| 34 | 3 | 5 | Carlos Rodon | 10.3 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Looked mortal w/ 4 ER, 5/3 K/BB in KC rematch; not Superman |
| 35 | 1 | 5 | Pablo Lopez | 6.3 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Sad 0-3 record despite 3.07 ERA, 10.4% SwStr% after 12.1% in '20 |
| 36 | 2 | 6 | Zach Plesac | 6.1 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 0.0 ▬ | B2B 8 IP starts, only 2 ER across last 3 games, needs ratios w/ fewer Ks |
| 37 | 5 | 6 | Freddy Peralta | 9.1 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 0.5 ▲ | 7+ Ks in his last 8 starts, only 1 BB in 4 of last 5; dazzling |
| 38 | 13 | 6 | Shohei Ohtani | 4.2 | 8.0 | 5.5 | 2.5 ▲ | Pushed back a day to Wednesday, we can live with that |
| 39 | N/A | 6 | Stephen Strasburg | -1.2 | 8.0 | 0.0 | 8.0 ▲ | Making rehab start on Sunday; possible return near so I'll list him |
| 40 | -10 | 6 | Luis Castillo | 1.8 | 8.0 | 11.5 | -3.5 ▼ | Full-on panic; predictable Coors flop. It's getting worse, freefall |
| 41 | -2 | 6 | Huascar Ynoa | 5.3 | 8.0 | 8.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Averaging one walk per start but tagged @MIL on Sunday, PIT next! |
| 42 | -2 | 6 | Eduardo Rodriguez | 4.8 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Season-high 9 Ks good; Another 4 ER start, I lean on 3.36 SIERA |
| 43 | 0 | 6 | Robbie Ray | 0.9 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Finally seeing plus whiffs with control, 3 solo HR ruined Sunday |
| 44 | -3 | 6 | Aaron Civale | 3.4 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Early BABIP luck normalizing, .177 in first 4, .274 in next 4 |
| 45 | -1 | 7 | Kenta Maeda | -0.5 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Unsure we can blame minor groin tightness for continued woes |
| 46 | 1 | 7 | Cristian Javier | 5.3 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Hasn't yielded more than 4 hits in any of his 7 starts, BBs increasing though |
| 47 | 1 | 7 | Charlie Morton | 3.7 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Yet to work into 7th inning in '21, 58% 1st-pitch K rate lowest since '11 |
| 48 | 1 | 7 | Zack Greinke | 4.7 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Notched 1st QS since 4/23 on Friday, but 7 IP, 3 ER vs. TEX isn't shining |
| 49 | -3 | 7 | Michael Pineda | 2.0 | 6.5 | 8.0 | -1.5 ▼ | Stumbled w/ 3 BB for first time in '21, still 3 ER or less in 6 of 7 |
| 50 | 2 | 7 | Chris Bassitt | 8.2 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 1.0 ▲ | 5 QS streak broken @MIN (5 IP, 4 ER); season-high 10 K on May 11 |
| 51 | 6 | 7 | Alex Wood | 5.3 | 5.5 | 4.0 | 1.5 ▲ | Wood looks good; pounding zone, still 64% groundball rate |
| 52 | 3 | 7 | Andrew Heaney | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 0.0 ▬ | 3 HRs in 2 of his last 3 starts, but 30/3 K/BB ratio in last 4. Few mistakes spoil it |
| 53 | 5 | 7 | JT Brubaker | 3.6 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Only knock is shorter starts; closer to 3.33 SIERA than 4.11 FIP |
| 54 | 0 | 7 | Sean Manaea | 5.8 | 4.5 | 5.0 | -0.5 ▼ | Now career 16.07 ERA at Fenway, 43/8 K/BB, 2.88 FIP outside that clunker |
| 55 | 4 | 7 | Dylan Cease | 6.9 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Don't love 3/3 K/BB on Sunday, but 0 ER works; 27/5 K/BB ratio in previous 3 gms |
| 56 | 4 | 7 | Yusei Kikuchi | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 ▲ | QS w/ 11 Ks @LAD, 3 straight QS; I'm impressed |
| 57 | 5 | 8 | Kyle Hendricks | -4.2 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Has bounced between good/bad starts all 2021, maddening |
| 58 | 7 | 8 | Adbert Alzolay | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Yielding 2 HRs doesn't burn w/ zero walks, command improving |
| 59 | 7 | 8 | Madison Bumgarner | 8.5 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 ▲ | 5 starts in last month: 30 IP, 34/2 K/BB, 3 ER (2 HR); velo still rising (92.5 on 5/11) |
| 60 | -15 | 8 | Corey Kluber | 4.5 | 3.0 | 8.0 | -5.0 ▼ | 4.40 SIERA a run above ERA, matchup-dependent play |
| 61 | 8 | 8 | Taijuan Walker | 9.1 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Locating well, only 1 HR in 41 IP; not all Citi-aided, looks good |
| 62 | 2 | 8 | Adam Wainwright | 1.1 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.5 ▲ | 3 walks in 3 straight after only 6 BB in first 5 games combined |
| 63 | -10 | 8 | Jameson Taillon | 2.9 | 2.5 | 5.0 | -2.5 ▼ | 22/6 K/BB in 16 IP this May is neat; 3.12 SIERA, but must rein in 2.16 HR/9 |
| 64 | -8 | 8 | Danny Duffy | 12.8 | 2.5 | 4.5 | -2.0 ▼ | Velo holding near 94 mph, incredible start wouldn't last forever |
| 65 | -4 | 8 | Shane McClanahan | 1.9 | 2.5 | 3.0 | -0.5 ▼ | You can see the ceiling but must refine command for MLB level |
| 66 | 4 | 8 | Matthew Boyd | 10.1 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.5 ▲ | After 4 BB in 1st start, only 6 BB in last 7 starts; only 2 HR thru 47.2 IP |
| 67 | 5 | 8 | Patrick Corbin | -3.1 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | 3 QS in a row, zero walks in last 2 games! HRs still an issue |
| 68 | 6 | 8 | Domingo German | 3.2 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Won't overwhelm, but 2.37 ERA, 30/6 K/BB since 4/22 return will play anywhere |
| 69 | -6 | 8 | Jordan Montgomery | 4.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Flashes upside, looked uncomfortable @BAL on Sunday |
| 70 | 5 | 8 | Garrett Richards | 4.8 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 ▲ | Finally conquered Fenway w/ 6 scoreless, W vs. OAK. 10 ER in 6.2 IP prior |
| 71 | 6 | 8 | Kyle Gibson | 7.2 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Don't marry the low ratios, but new cutter helping his attack |
| 72 | 4 | 8 | Nathan Eovaldi | 12.6 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 ▬ | Inconsistent since hot start, 4+ ER in 3 of last 5 |
| 73 | 10 | 8 | Luis Garcia | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Working up arm still, 26 K in last 20 IP will do. Nearly all damage via HR |
| 74 | 14 | 8 | Logan Webb | 4.4 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Aggressive in zone vs TEX, yielded 10 Ks; 3 QS in last 4 (Coors was 4) |
| 75 | 16 | 8 | Anthony DeSclafani | 8.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | Disco hasn't yielded >3 ER in a start yet, leaning on slider more |
| 76 | 16 | 8 | Rich Hill | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 ▲ | 3 scoreless starts in a row, 9+ Ks in 2 of last 4; Dick Mountain in command |
| 77 | -9 | 9 | Frankie Montas | 1.8 | 1.0 | 2.0 | -1.0 ▼ | Not dominant, but 3 QS in last 4; 5 in last 7 |
| 78 | -11 | 9 | Dinelson Lamet | 1.4 | 1.0 | 2.0 | -1.0 ▼ | 2 IP, 1 ER, 2 K, 2.00 WHIP in relief on Sunday; shaky role, shaky arm |
| 79 | -8 | 9 | Brady Singer | 5.2 | 1.0 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Rebound from rough DET outing w/ QS @CHW, DET rematch looms |
| 80 | -2 | 9 | Cole Irvin | 6.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 4 QS in a row, 2.91 FIP and 34/6 K/BB in last month |
| 81 | -8 | 9 | Chris Paddack | 4.2 | 1.0 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | 3.45 FIP loves his control, only 7 IP between 2 starts since return |
| 82 | 5 | 9 | Tyler Anderson | 7.7 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Hadn't given up HR since April 8, tagged by 2 on Saturday |
| 83 | 2 | 9 | Griffin Canning | 1.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | HRs always plague Canning, but 1.97 HR/9 way above 1.3-1.4 from '19 & '20 |
| 84 | 11 | 9 | Nick Pivetta | 5.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 11 BB in first 3 starts, sub-1.00 WHIP over next 5 w/ 7+ K in 3 straight |
| 85 | -5 | 10 | German Marquez | 4.6 | 1.0 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | 6 Coors starts vs. 3 road so far, but walk rate too high anyway |
| 86 | -5 | 10 | Dallas Keuchel | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | Only 1 K in last 2, resulting 6/8 K/BB in last 3 w/ 10 ER isn't okay |
| 87 | 6 | 10 | J.A. Happ | 2.7 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Serviceable 3.78 ERA going back through 2020 even w/ 9 ER blowup |
| 88 | N/A | 10 | Drew Smyly | -3.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Hit May running with only 1 earned across 2 solid 6 IP starts |
| 89 | 8 | 10 | Jon Gray | 6.9 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Career-high 53.7% GB rate; fewer curves, more sliders |
| 90 | -4 | 10 | David Peterson | 2.4 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Still refining wide arsenal, 8+ Ks in 2 of last 3 will play |
| 91 | -9 | 10 | Wade Miley | 7.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | No-hitter plus 8-ER Coors atrocity yields true Miley average |
| 92 | -8 | 10 | Steven Matz | 3.4 | 1.0 | 1.5 | -0.5 ▼ | 5 IP, 0 ER, 9 K after 4-start stretch w/ 17 ER in 18.2 IP, monitor for streams |
| 93 | N/A | 10 | Ryan Weathers | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Drew Sunday night's start in return to rotation, 0 K in 4 IP |
| 94 | -5 | 10 | Kwang-Hyun Kim | 6.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Only 1 ER in four consecutive starts entering Sunday, pulled after 3.1 IP |
| 95 | -1 | 10 | Dane Dunning | 8.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | 2.61 FIP, 3.51 SIERA; .358 BABIP should simmer for streamable play |
| 96 | 3 | 11 | Casey Mize | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 ▬ | Trio of QS in past few weeks, though 13/9 K/BB in them limits hype |
| 97 | N/A | 11 | Vince Velasquez | -0.9 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | More curves helping, 8 ER on 7 HR over 5 starts, beware 5.81 FIP |
| 98 | N/A | 11 | Jake Arrieta | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | 6 IP, 2 ER, only 5 baserunners and 1 K @DET in return from IL |
| 99 | -17 | 11 | Triston McKenzie | -2.1 | 1.0 | 2.5 | -1.5 ▼ | Danny Salazar flashbacks are killing us, averaging 4 BB per start |
| 100 | N/A | 11 | Luke Weaver | 2.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | 12.2 IP of scoreless ball is notable, pulled w/ shoulder discomfort |
| 101 | N/A | 11 | Martin Perez | 5.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 ▲ | Small margin for error with modest Ks but 2 ER or fewer in 5 straight |
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