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

Welcome to the FantasyPros Week 8 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, May 12th through Sunday, May 18th.

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Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers Guide: Week 8

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 (May 12th to May 18th)

Smash Spots

Zack Wheeler (SP – PHI) vs. PIT

Zack Wheeler has once again been terrific this season, putting up a 3.35 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with nine walks and 66 strikeouts in 51 innings. This includes at least nine strikeouts in three of his last four outings.

Up next is a smash spot at home versus the Pirates, who have registered a 78 wRC+ against righties, which ranks 29th in the league.

Zac Gallen (SP – ARI) vs. COL

Zac Gallen has been inconsistent this season, posting a 4.37 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with a 25.7% strikeout rate and 11% walk rate in 45.1 innings.

But we’ve seen the Diamondbacks righty get back on track lately, allowing a combined two earned runs in his last two outings. Gallen should be able to cruise through an abysmal Rockies lineup.

Nick Pivetta (SP – SD) vs. SEA

Nick Pivetta has been a huge pickup for the Padres, as highlighted by a 2.01 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 12 walks and 44 strikeouts in 40.1 innings.

The next matchup is against a red-hot Mariners lineup, but we should see a quality outing at home in the pitcher-friendly environment that is Petco Park.

Risky Starts

Hunter Brown (SP – HOU) @ TEX

Hunter Brown has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year, featuring a 1.67 ERA and 0.88 WHIP with a 31% strikeout rate and 6.3% walk rate in 43 innings.

While the Rangers have struggled at the plate this year, they’re slowly heating up, especially with Corey Seager back in the lineup. It’s only a matter of time before they start playing to their lofty expectations.

Sonny Gray (SP – STL) @ PHI

Sonny Gray has had a rock-solid start to the year, putting up a 3.50 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 11 walks and 47 strikeouts in 46.1 innings.

It’s hard to trust Gray on the road against Bryce Harper and the Phillies. While you’re still starting Gray, it wouldn’t surprise me to see a mediocre outing.

Robbie Ray (SP – SF) vs. ARI

Robbie Ray got back on track lately, giving up a combined five earned runs in his last four outings, spanning 25 innings.

However, it’s a tough spot against the Diamondbacks up next, as they can limit strikeouts and put the ball in play, ranking first in strikeout rate against lefties.

Two-Start Pitchers

Tyler Mahle (SP – TEX) vs. COL, vs. HOU

Tyler Mahle has been a major surprise for the Rangers, as highlighted by a 1.48 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with a 19.3% strikeout rate and 9% walk rate.

The Rangers righty has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his eight starts. We’ve got two starts this week, including a smash spot against the Rockies and a tougher matchup versus the Astros.

Matthew Liberatore (SP – STL) @ PHI, @ KC

Matthew Liberatore has vastly exceeded expectations so far, including a 3.07 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with six walks and 38 strikeouts in 41 innings.

While Liberatore has two tough matchups on the road against the Phillies and Royals, this is a lefty who has held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in five consecutive outings.

Jackson Jobe (SP – DET) vs. BOS, @ TOR

Jackson Jobe just got rocked in Colorado. Before that, though, he had allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his previous five outings.

We should see Jobe get back on track against the Blue Jays (27th in wRC+ vs. righties). While the Red Sox matchup is a lot tougher (13th in wRC+ vs. righties), at least it’s at home in a pitcher-friendly environment.

Top Streamers

Ben Casparius (SP – LAD) vs. LAA

Ben Casparius looked sharp in his first outing as a starter (albeit he followed an opener in the first inning), allowing only one earned run in four innings with two walks and five strikeouts against the Marlins.

Expect another strong outing against the Angels, who rank 29th in strikeout rate versus righties. There’s upside for six strikeouts or more in this spot.

Jameson Taillon (SP – CHC) vs. MIA

Jameson Taillon has quietly been rock-solid for the Cubs, putting up a 3.86 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with eight walks and 31 strikeouts in 39.2 innings.

We should see another quality start at home against the Marlins, who rank 23rd in wRC+ against righties this season.

Nick Martinez (SP – CIN) vs. CWS

Nick Martinez is starting to find his groove, holding opponents to two earned runs or fewer in three consecutive outings.

Up next is a great matchup at home against the White Sox, who have posted an 80 wRC+ against righties, which ranks 28th in MLB.

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