These fantasy baseball pitcher rankings use expert consensus rankings (ECR) as a starting point. Matchup information is found on the helpful Pitcher Planner’s resource for probable pitchers.
As usual, remember that some starts are projected over a week in advance. Dates can change due to rain, injuries or anything else. Two-start week pitchers often end up as one-start weeks. Be sure to check the Pitcher Planner later on for more up-to-date information.
The rankings suffered quite the shake-up with the elbow injury news of Spencer Strider, Shane Bieber and Framber Valdez this week. Three pitchers who were in Week 3’s top 15 vanished. As a result, there are some fresh faces on this week’s list.
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Start/Sit Lineup Advice
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Top 50 Starting Pitcher Rankings: Week 4
New Names (Hopefully) on Waivers
- Ronel Blanco threw a no-hitter against Toronto in his season debut. Fantasy managers thought it was a fluke, yet he followed up his performance by holding the Rangers to one hit in six innings. What are you waiting for? Snatch Blanco if he is still available.
- Spencer Turnbull appears to be a great streaming option against the White Sox. The former Tiger has found early success in Philadelphia, pitching 11 scoreless innings against the Cardinals and Reds with 13 strikeouts.
- Paul Blackburn may be back to his 2022 All-Star form. Paulie Punchouts plays for one of the worst teams in baseball but he is off to a great start with 13 scoreless innings. Regardless, I do not blame readers who are hesitant to pick him up.
Best Matchups
- Zack Wheeler should dominate the feeble White Sox offense. A very talented pitcher meets a not-so-talented roster.
- Aaron Nola is expected to have some of the best matchups a manager could ask for this week: Rockies and White Sox. Nola has had a slow start to 2024. Look for these games to change that.
- Sonny Gray will likely have a two-start week against the A’s and Brewers. The Cardinals’ free agent acquisition was spectacular in the return from his hamstring injury, shutting out the Phillies for five innings in under 65 pitches. The A’s and Brewers will be optimal opponents as Gray increases his pitch count and gets into a groove.
Unfavorable Matchups
- Max Fried is not off to a hot start. The lefty has an 18.00 ERA and a 3.20 WHIP. Fried is a rusty ace who managers should allow to shake off the rust on the bench as the southpaw faces the Astros.
- Jordan Montgomery will be great this year. I do not think that will be the case this week. The Giants will be Montgomery’s first opponent of the year after throwing just 60 pitches in a Triple-A rehab game. Reigning Cy Young winner Blake Snell had a similar situation and a disappointing debut. Be cautious with Montgomery.
- Jesus Luzardo seems to have forgotten he is an ace. He is on a bit of a cold streak right now, so it is concerning that he will face the red-hot Cubs. Luzardo should be started, but I would not be surprised if he has a bad outing while he figures things out.
- Kevin Gausman is an elite pitcher who struggled against the Yankees earlier in the season. Gausman allowed five runs in just 1.1 innings against New York. It is concerning he is facing the Yankees again so soon but managers should still start him after lowering expectations.
Top 50 Pitchers (4/15 – 4/21)
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