Starting Pitcher Chart – May 1st

by
May 1, 2023
Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

In past seasons I’ve done this Daily SP Chart down the stretch and invariably there are comments asking why I don’t do it all season. I’ve never really had a great answer for that so now I’m doing it!

Once the season gets going, the chart will include their performance, their opponent’s wOBA versus the pitcher’s handedness, my start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more value focusing on roto.

Monday, May 1st Starter Notes
RK PITCHER TM OPP THR 10 12 15+ NOTE
1 Spencer Strider ATL at NYM R x x x The best pitcher in baseball right now, especially with deGrom sidelined
2 Drew Smyly CHC at WSN L x x x I said this last time he started, but it’s more about health than talent w/him so as long as he’s upright, I’m starting him in most spots
3 Luis Garcia HOU SFG R x x x 13 scoreless IP over his L2 suggest he’s figured out his issues w/the pitch clock
4 José Berríos TOR at BOS R x x x Is he back? He looks back. I want him to be back. I hope he’s back.
5 Charlie Morton ATL at NYM R x x x His 4.72 SIERA says he’s a bit over his skis with a modest K-BB, but it’s up to 15% in his L4 after his 1-K opener
6 MacKenzie Gore WSN CHC L x x Putting up great results, but still not addressing his biggest issues: the walks (14% BB, 7th highest among SP) — could lead to a reckoning soon
7 Domingo Germán NYY CLE R x x His 2.4 HR rate is a bit more palatable w/a 22% K-BB and 17% SwStr rate, but the 6 ER of his last start is always in play
8 Blake Snell SDP CIN L x x Only allowed more than 3 ER once this yr, but a 17% BB and 2.0 HR are holding him back; still have a hard time sitting him, particularly in a 2-step
9 Cal Quantrill CLE at NYY R x Just a downturn or modest skills coming home to roost? He had a 5-start run nearly equal to this last yr before a 2.75 ERA in his L16; still a nervous start for me
10 Luke Weaver CIN at SDP R x 16 K in his first 2 starts, but also 10 ER… risky, but deeper leaguers should consider the 2-step (at SD, CWS)
11 Ross Stripling SFG at HOU R x No idea what to expect as he’s ping-ponged from starter-to-reliever so he might only go 3-4 IP; open to a deep lg start given the 2-step
12 Tylor Megill NYM ATL R x 12 K, 10 BB in 20 IP since his 7 K, 2 BB solid opener
13 Tony Gonsolin LAD PHI R x Modest season debut and could still be hard pressed to finish 5 IP this time out so I’m not starting him everywhere
14 Corey Kluber BOS TOR R Just can’t trust him with that 2.6 HR rate
15 Taijuan Walker PHI at LAD R Has gone fewer than 5 IP in 3 of his 5 outings
16 Denyi Reyes NYM ATL R Getting a spot start for the doubleheader, but I can’t see taking this shot
Recommendations for Roto 5×5 Leagues

 

Monday, May 1st Starter Stats
RK PITCHER TM OPP THR 10 12 15+ IP ERA WHIP K-BB OPP L30 wOBA wOBA RK
1 Spencer Strider ATL at NYM R x x x 30 1.80 0.83 33% 0.332 13th
2 Drew Smyly CHC at WSN L x x x 28 3.21 0.93 19% 0.339 8th
3 Luis Garcia HOU SFG R x x x 27 4.00 1.26 18% 0.368 2nd
4 José Berríos TOR at BOS R x x x 28.2 4.71 1.08 22% 0.338 6th
5 Charlie Morton ATL at NYM R x x x 29.1 2.76 1.40 11% 0.332 13th
6 MacKenzie Gore WSN CHC L x x 27 3.00 1.30 17% 0.364 4th
7 Domingo Germán NYY CLE R x x 8.1 4.32 1.68 8% 0.303 21st
8 Blake Snell SDP CIN L x x 23 5.48 1.87 7% 0.313 20th
9 Cal Quantrill CLE at NYY R x 25 5.40 1.64 6% 0.300 24th
10 Luke Weaver CIN at SDP R x 11.2 7.71 1.37 24% 0.318 17th
11 Ross Stripling SFG at HOU R x 15.2 6.89 1.60 13% 0.306 22nd
12 Tylor Megill NYM ATL R x 25 3.96 1.48 6% 0.332 11th
13 Tony Gonsolin LAD PHI R x 3.1 0.00 1.50 -14% 0.335 8th
14 Corey Kluber BOS TOR R 24 6.75 1.33 11% 0.318 16th
15 Taijuan Walker PHI at LAD R 25.1 4.97 1.38 8% 0.342 3rd
16 Denyi Reyes NYM ATL R 6.1 0.00 0.79 22% 0.332 11th
Recommendations for Roto 5×5 Leagues





 

Paul is the Editor of Rotographs and Content Director for OOTP Perfect Team. Follow Paul on Twitter @sporer and on Twitch at sporer.

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David Klein
11 months ago

Megill’s stuff, command and control has backed way up since his hot start last April. The strike outs are way down and the walks are up I have no confidence in him against anyone but especially the Braves. Reyes is the opener today so don’t expect more than 2-3 innings from him.

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Paul Sporermember
11 months ago
Reply to  David Klein

Yeah I’m pretty out on him, too. The only reason Megill even got the 15 x is bc I can see starting the 2-step in a weekly since he has COL at home this wknd but the ATL is definitely scary

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