Welcome to the FantasyPros Week 19 starting pitcher rankings for 2024. On Fridays, we view the upcoming week and rank starting pitchers based on their talent and the team they play against. These rankings are for Monday, August 5 through Sunday, August 11.

These rankings use expert consensus rankings (ECR) as a starting point. Matchup information can be found in the helpful Pitcher Planner’s resource for probable pitchers.

• Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice
• Fantasy Baseball Trade Advice
• Fantasy Baseball Start/Sit Lineup Advice
• MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet

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 weeks pitchers often end up as one-start weeks.

Be sure to check the FantasyPros Pitcher Planner for the most up-to-date information.

Top 50 Starting Pitcher Rankings: Week 19

Best Matchups

• Zac Gallen is performing like the ace we all knew he could be. Although the 2023 All-Star is amid a disappointing season, he has begun to turn things around in his last three starts (17.0 innings, 16 strikeouts, four runs allowed). Walks remain a concern for Gallen. He walked 10 in those three starts. However, Gallen displayed excellent control and efficiency in his most recent game. He played the Nationals and walked only one batter for a quality start. The Arizona ace should hold his own facing Cleveland and Philadelphia in a two-start week as long as he maintains his control.
• Framber Valdez has been piecing together a wonderful season after early struggles. The Astro tossed 31.0 innings in five July starts. He gathered 40 strikeouts and earned a 2.90 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Valdez should carry this momentum into his matchup against the Rangers.
• Spencer Schwellenbach might still be on waivers. Grab him. The Atlanta rookie struggled in his first five starts. He allowed 16 runs in 26.2 innings. The 24-year-old has improved to allowing just 10 runs over 31 innings across his most recent five starts. Schwellenbach has fanned 60 across 57.2 total innings, including his most recent start against the Mets where he struck out a career-high 11. Be sure to start him against the Brewers. Pitching reinforcements at this point of the season can be huge.

Unfavorable Matchups

• Tanner Houck suffers a 5.35 ERA in his last five starts. His only bright spots in this stretch are quality starts against the Yankees and A’s. Perhaps the most concerning part about the Red Sox pitcher’s recent decline is his lack of strikeouts. Houck has just 15 strikeouts in his last 25.2 innings. Allowing more runs and striking out fewer batters is a very concerning development for a pitcher who was not particularly relevant before this season. Managers should be wary of his performance at home versus Houston.
• Justin Steele has been ice-cold and is in the middle of a three-game losing streak with a 7.20 ERA. Fantasy managers should still start the Cubs pitcher against the putrid White Sox. If he has another bad start, it may be time to consider benching him when he opposes tougher teams.
• Robbie Ray thrilled managers when he threw five no-hit innings against the Dodgers in his season debut. His start against Oakland, where he allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks, was much less exciting. He also allowed three homers. The Giants’ offseason acquisition is scheduled for a two-start week against Washington and Detroit. His struggles against Oakland could have been a blip, but beware of consistent production until he can improve his control and reduce the long ball.

Top 50 Pitchers (8/5 – 8/11)

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