MLB Pitcher Rankings, August 31st, 2023

by: Domagoj Erbežnik

Today we have only 4 games on schedule and there aren’t many fantasy options playing. We have two in-form pitchers facing off in LA in a great matchup of the best teams in MLB but other than that we don’t have great matchups in the other 3 games. In most leagues, all other pitchers can be found on the waiver wire and if you have space and need some points you should look to go with pitchers facing in the Big Apple in Matt Manning and Clarke Schmidt with their teams ranking 21st and 28th in On-Base Percentage over last 2 weeks.

If you can’t get to any of those 4 pitchers there isn’t much fantasy apell in other pitchers today. If you are playing in very deep leagues you can take a chance on Braxton Garrett going against the Nationals who are ice-cold with a .229 Batting Average and only 5 Home Runs over the last 7 games.

Spencer Strider vs Los Angeles Dodgers
Grade: A

Strider is one of the best pitchers in the league and he has now collected 11 Quality Starts over his last 12 starts. He is also in good form allowing only 1 Earned Run in the last 21.0 Innings Played while strikeouting 25 batters. His numbers are impressive again and he is a must-start against any offense.

Matt Manning vs New York Yankees
Grade: B

Manning has been playing well lately allowing only 1 earned run over the last 17.1 Innings Played and will look to continue with the same play as he takes on a Yankees offense that has been one of the worst in the league this season. One concern with Manning is if your league values Strikeouts a lot then think twice before adding him as he has only 6 Strikeouts over the last 17.1 Innings Played and he has been capped at max. 90 pitches over the last 45 days. He should still have a good game and if the Tigres’ offense can put up a few runs for him he will likely get away with a win.

Clarke Schmidt vs Detroit Tigers
Grade: B

Schmidt has been good for the last 4 out of 5 games with that one bad game being against the Braves (allowed 8 Earned Runs over 2.1 Innings Played). In the other 4 games, he has only 6 Earned Runs over 22.2 Innings Played and has a record of 1-1 in those 4 games. The big minus for him is his offense as they have been ice-cold and they can’t generate many runs. He could still have a good game but I wouldn’t be counting on him to get you a win.

Lance Lynn vs Atlanta Braves
Grade: C+

Lynn has been great since joining the Dodgers in late July with a 4-0 record in 5 games started. He has also recorded an ERA of just 2.03 but tonight he will have for sure the toughest opponent so far in the Atlanta Braves. The Braves have the best offense in the league and they are definitely the toughest challenge for pitchers across the league. They are the best in the league in Batting Average, On-Base Percentage, Home Runs, and RBIs. If you have Lynn on the roster you can start him but if he is available I sure wouldn’t be wasting an add on any pitcher playing the Braves.

Braxton Garrett vs Washington Nationals
Grade: C

Garrett has recorded at least 5.0 Innings for 6 straight games now and he hasn’t allowed over 3 Earned Runs in any of those games. He has gone 2-2 in that period and will look for another win against the Nationals offense which hasn’t been great this season. It is very close between him and Adon but if I would have to go with one I would pick Garrett for his consistency.

Joan Adon vs Miami Marlins
Grade: C

Adon played great against the Marlins just 6 days ago allowing only 3 hits in 6.0 Innings while recording a win for his Nationals. The Marlins have been cold offecevly lately and Adon will look to repeat his outing from 6 days. He is still an option due to only a few games played today but his performance can go either way and you need to be prepared for that if you decide to pick him up.

Pedro Avila vs San Francisco Giants
Grade: D

He has started only 2 games this season as he mostly works in bulk relief from the bullpen. He hasn’t played more than 4.2 Inning in one game this season it is unlikely to happen tonight. He started in his last outing recording a loss while playing 4.1 Innings and allowing 5 Earned Runs. He isn’t an option even in deep leagues.