Fantasy baseball pitcher rankings, lineup advice for Wednesday’s MLB games

Look for our fantasy baseball starting pitcher rankings, hitter upgrades and downgrades daily to help you make smart fantasy baseball lineup decisions and for MLB betting tips. MLB game odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook, and fantasy advice is geared towards ESPN 10-team leagues with standard scoring.

Note: This file will be updated with any overnight pitching changes or weather-related game postponements, along with the addition of the latest MLB game odds as of the indicated time of publication.

What you need to know for Wednesday’s MLB Games

By Todd Zola

Wednesday’s slate features a six-pack of afternoon affairs, beginning at 12:35 PM ET in the Steel City with the Atlanta Braves visiting the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mitch Keller will start for the home team. Keller began July with a 2.88 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over four starts, fanning 25 with only three walks in those 25 innings. However, Keller has struggled since, including his last start on August 16 when he was lifted after two frames with shoulder fatigue. The club hopes the extra rest helps Keller, but he’s a big risk, and the Pirates bullpen has recorded the fourth highest ERA in the league. As such, Kyle Wright and the Braves line up for a productive afternoon. Most of the Braves lineup is likely unavailable for fantasy purposes, but Vaughn Grissom (46% rostered in ESPN leagues), Eddie Rosario (42%), Robbie Grossman (35%) and William Contreras (33%) could be accessible in 10 and 12 team formats.

The day is highlighted with four excellent streaming matchups, starting with the day’s fifth highest ranked pitcher as George Kirby (38%) and the Seattle Mariners entertain the Washington Nationals in an interleague tilt. Kirby’s teammate Julio Rodriguez will attract more rookie of the year attention, but in a different year, Kirby would deserve consideration. His 3.47 ERA is supported by a 3.41 xFIP and 3.29 SIERA. Kirby’s 20.9% K-BB% ranks 13th among pitchers with at least 90 innings. On Wednesday, he faces a Nationals offense ranking in the bottom third of the league.

Jesus Luzardo (31%) and Cole Irvin (33%) square off in Oakland. Both land in the top half of the slate’s pitching rankings. Luzardo returns to face his old team. The lefty has posted a 2.70 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in four August starts, punching out 24 in 23 1/3 stanzas. Irvin is a sneaky option for points leagues since he’s been pitching deep into games. Over his last ten outings, Irvin as compiled at least six frames in each, working seven frames three times and eight innings twice. Both Luzardo and Irvin face weak lineups in what should be a low scoring affair.

Let’s take a small liberty with the fourth and include Brady Singer (51%) despite his roster finally eclipsing the midway mark. Singer is enjoying a breakout campaign with underlying metrics suggesting he won’t be a one hit wonder. His 3.27 ERA is in tune with a 3.36 ERA and 3.40 SIERA. Since the break, he’s recorded a 30% strikeout rate, so there’s no reason he shouldn’t finish the season on a high note. On Wednesday, Singer has a home date with a below average Arizona Diamondbacks lineup.

With the Yankees and Mets enjoying a rare idle Wednesday, fantasy offenses may have a hole or two. Coors Field will be a popular place to look for help with the Texas Rangers visiting the Colorado Rockies. Nathaniel Lowe (59%), Jonah Heim (51%), Leody Taveras (10%), Kole Calhoun (4%), Brad Miller (2%) and Ezequiel Duran (1%) all get a platoon bump over Jose Urena while Randal Grichuk (52%), Connor Joe (34%), Jose Iglesias (21%), Elias Diaz (5%), Elehuris Montero (1%) and Wynton Bernard (

Starting pitcher rankings for Wednesday