Fantasy Baseball SP Rankings: Streamers, Two-Starts & Risky Plays

Welcome to the FantasyPros Week 5 starting pitcher fantasy baseball rankings. Every Friday, we’ll take a closer look at the upcoming week and rank every starting pitcher based on their overall skills, recent production, head-to-head matchup and park factor. These rankings are for Monday, April 21st through Sunday, April 27th.

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Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers Guide: Week 5

Be sure to take a look at expert consensus rankings (ECR) as a helpful tool when setting your lineups. You can also take advantage of our Pitcher Planner’s resource for probable pitchers as well as our streaming pitcher rankings.

Top 50 Starting Pitchers (April 21st to April 27th)

Smash Spots

Cole Ragans (SP – KC) vs. COL

Cole Ragans looks like an American League Cy Young favorite so far, posting a 2.28 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with a 36.6% strikeout rate in 23.2 innings. The Royals lefty has an impressive 1.99 SIERA during this stretch.

Next up is a smash spot at home against the Rockies, who have a 29.1% strikeout rate versus lefties this season. There’s a good chance Ragans will have his fourth double-digit strikeout game in a row here.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (SP – LAD) vs. PIT

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is on a roll to start the year, registering a 1.23 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with a 33.7% strikeout rate in 22 innings. This is backed by the peripherals, as highlighted by his 2.35 SIERA.

The Dodgers righty is in a great spot at home against the Pirates, who have posted a 69 wRC+ versus righties this year. We just saw Yamamoto dominate a much tougher Cubs lineup, so expect another quality outing here.

Tyler Glasnow (SP – LAD) vs. PIT

Tyler Glasnow’s overall numbers are skewed by a poor outing in unfavorable weather conditions against the Phillies in Philadelphia, where he was limited to only two innings, allowing five runs with five walks.

In two home starts, though, Glasnow has combined for only two runs with four walks and 15 strikeouts in 11 innings. Expect Glasnow to dominate a Pirates offense that has a 23.2% strikeout rate versus righties.

Risky Starts

Shota Imanaga (SP – CHC) vs. LAD

Shota Imanaga is in a tough spot at home against one of the best offenses in the league in the Dodgers. Hopefully, we’ll get favorable weather conditions with the wind blowing in at Wrigley Field to mitigate this risk.

While you’re still starting Imanaga due to his 2.22 ERA and 0.99 WHIP, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him struggle in this tough spot.

Hunter Greene (SP – CIN) @ COL

Hunter Greene is the National League Cy Young favorite right now, putting up an impressive 0.98 ERA and 0.58 WHIP with 31 strikeouts in 27.2 innings.

However, it’s always uncomfortable to fire up a pitcher in Coors Field — even against an abysmal Rockies offense. With that said, there’s no way you’re benching Greene right now, but it’s still worth mentioning that this is a risky start.

Bryan Woo (SP – SEA) @ BOS

Bryan Woo has gotten off to a terrific start this year, posting a 2.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with an 18.9% K-BB%. However, this is a righty who hasn’t been as good on the road (4.25 xFIP) compared to at home (3.22 xFIP).

That’s why it feels a bit risky to start Woo at Fenway Park, even against a Red Sox lineup that hasn’t gotten going yet. You can still fire up Woo, just temper your expectations for this one.

Two-Start Pitchers

Max Meyer (SP – MIA) vs. CIN, @ SEA

Max Meyer has been the other smash waiver wire pickup of the season, putting up a 2.92 SIERA with seven walks and 27 strikeouts in 24 innings.

Expect the young righty to keep it rolling with two excellent matchups, including the Reds at home and Mariners on the road in two pitcher-friendly environments.

Kris Bubic (SP – KC) vs. COL, vs. HOU

Kris Bubic has been one of the waiver wire stars of the year so far, featuring a 3.38 SIERA and 17.5% K-BB% in 24 innings, including an impressive 14.7% swinging-strike rate.

You have to be excited for Bubic’s two-start week, starting with the best possible matchup — at home to the Rockies — followed by a tougher spot against the Astros.

Bryce Miller (SP – SEA) @ BOS, vs. MIA

Bryce Miller got back on track against the Reds in his last outing, tossing five shutout innings with two walks and eight strikeouts. It was encouraging because Miller usually struggles on the road.

While the first matchup of the week is a bit tough at Fenway Park, the second one is a smash spot at home against the Marlins. Expect Miller to mow through one of the worst offenses in baseball.

Top Streamers

Landen Roupp (SP – SF) vs. MIL

Landen Roupp is a sneaky streamer because the surface-level stats haven’t been there, including a 4.80 ERA and 1.60 WHIP.

But the peripherals indicate he deserves better, as highlighted by a 3.29 SIERA. We’ve seen Roupp show strikeout upside so far, including a 29.9% strikeout rate. Fire him up at home against the Brewers in a pitcher-friendly environment.

Shane Smith (SP – CWS) vs. @ MIN

Shane Smith has been a nice surprise for the White Sox, including a 2.04 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 17.2 innings. While the strikeouts haven’t been there (17.6% strikeout rate), you have to like the upcoming matchup.

The Twins have struggled so far this season, putting up an underwhelming 99 wRC+ versus righties. Ride the wave with Smith, as there’s long-term appeal here.

Michael Lorenzen (SP – KC) vs. COL

Michael Lorenzen is capable of providing a quality outing at home against the Rockies. Colorado has posted a 50 wRC+ (32nd) with a 32.5% strikeout rate (32nd) on the road this season.

While Lorenzen isn’t a flashy name by any means, you’re likely to get six strong innings with a great chance for a win in this favorable spot.

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