Latest fantasy baseball pitcher rankings lineup advice tips mlb daily notes september 22 games

ESPN FantasySep 21, 2026, 04:00 PM ET
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Check out all of our starting pitcher rankings and other lineup selection tools here to help you make smart fantasy baseball lineup decisions. All fantasy advice is geared toward ESPN 10-team leagues with standard scoring.

Note: All information is accurate as of the time of publication. For updates, as well as any breaking news that might impact today's MLB slate, be sure to check out the latest fantasy baseball buzz.

Other resources: RP depth chart | 2026 Rankings
ESPN's 2026 Player Rater | Betting notes for Tuesday

STARTING PITCHERS FOR TUESDAY

Pitchers are ranked in order of their Forecaster/Daily Notes projected fantasy points (FPTS), using ESPN's standard scoring system (2 points per win, minus-2 per loss, 3 per inning, 1 per K, minus-1 apiece per hit or walk allowed, minus-2 per earned run allowed).

T: The pitcher's handedness. OPP: Opposing team. RST%: The pitcher's roster percentage in ESPN leagues. W%: The individual starting pitcher's win probability using ESPN projections. IP: Projected innings pitched. H+BB: Projected hits plus walks allowed. ER: Projected earned runs allowed. K: Projected strikeouts.

If a team is planning on using an "opener" to start their game, but will rely on a "bulk pitcher" to follow him on the mound after 1-2 innings, the bulk pitcher is listed and indicated with an asterisk.

FPTS	Pitcher	T	Opp	Rst%	W%	IP	H+BB	ER	K
13.9	Zack Wheeler	R	MIL	97.8%	43%	5.9	6.8	2.3	7.1
13.1	Logan Gilbert	R	HOU	97.0%	38%	5.8	6.4	2.2	6.4
12.8	Carlos Rodon	L	TB, Gm. 1	62.5%	36%	5.7	6.3	1.8	5.6
12.2	Taj Bradley	R	@SF	70.3%	48%	6.2	7.9	2.6	6.1
12.1	Max Fried	L	TB, Gm. 2	96.7%	29%	5.4	5.9	1.7	5.2
11.9	Drew Rasmussen	R	@NYY, Gm. 2	94.5%	29%	5.4	5.8	1.8	5.2
11.2	Shota Imanaga	L	MIA	83.3%	39%	5.8	6.9	2.6	5.5
10.8	Michael King	R	@LAD	87.9%	47%	5.6	7.0	2.3	5.1
10.2	Jared Jones	R	STL	26.5%	35%	5.3	6.7	2.3	5.5
10.2	JR Ritchie	R	CIN	1.5%	34%	5.4	6.4	2.3	5.0
9.3	Nick Martinez	R	@NYY, Gm. 1	68.1%	26%	5.3	6.2	2.3	4.2
8.9	Parker Messick	L	@BOS	94.4%	27%	5.3	7.0	2.8	5.6
8.7	Drew Anderson	R	WSH	2.4%	31%	5.2	6.7	2.4	4.6
8.7	Payton Tolle	L	CLE	82.6%	28%	5.1	6.6	2.7	5.4
8.1	Max Scherzer	R	@BAL	4.5%	25%	4.9	6.2	2.5	4.7
7.9	Anthony Kay	L	@KC	4.6%	23%	4.8	6.1	2.2	4.2
7.9	Chris Bassitt	R	TOR	5.4%	34%	5.6	7.8	2.9	4.6
7.8	Cristian Javier	R	@SEA	4.6%	17%	4.6	6.1	1.9	4.3
7.3	MacKenzie Gore	L	NYM	52.1%	21%	4.7	6.7	2.5	5.0
7.2	Anthony Molina	R	MIN	1.3%	20%	5.0	6.6	2.4	4.0
6.9	Andre Pallante	R	@PIT	13.3%	23%	5.4	7.7	2.8	4.1
6.8	Jackson Kent	L	@DET	0.3%	17%	4.8	6.6	2.5	4.3
6.8	Janson Junk	R	@CHC	2.0%	13%	4.5	5.7	2.1	3.5
6.7	Dustin May	R	@PHI	14.3%	11%	4.5	6.1	2.3	4.4
5.9	Daniel Lynch IV	L	CWS	1.0%	18%	4.6	6.5	2.6	4.0
5.7	Sean Manaea	L	@TEX	5.3%	14%	4.4	6.1	2.8	4.4
5.6	Brandon Williamson	L	@ATL	0.4%	12%	4.3	6.1	2.4	3.9
3.1	Michael Soroka	R	@COL	30.7%	24%	4.8	7.3	4.5	5.1
2.5	Yusei Kikuchi	L	@ATH	8.5%	25%	4.9	8.4	4.5	5.3
1.6	Brady Basso	L	LAA	0.1%	4%	2.7	4.4	2.3	2.8
	TBD		SD	0.0%	0%	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
-2.2	Kyle Freeland	L	ARI	0.9%	17%	4.8	8.5	5.9	4.1

Pitchers to stream on Tuesday

Including a handful of minor league appearances, Jared Jones is at 109 1/3 innings for the season, with one, possibly two, starts remaining. He should compile ample innings to pitch next season with minimal workload restrictions. The 25-year-old right-hander has been dominant for the Pittsburgh Pirates down the stretch, posting a 2.56 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 44 strikeouts over 31 2/3 innings, spanning six starts. Next up is a home date with the stumbling St. Louis Cardinals and a lineup with the fourth-lowest wOBA versus righties over the last month.
Dustin May could be pitching for a spot in the Milwaukee Brewers rotation. Furthermore, the game is important, with the club trying to secure the best record in the National League. He's fanned an impressive 19 over his last 16 1/3 innings, but an above-average walk rate combined with one of the highest foul ball rates (foul balls per swing) is driving up his pitch count. May is facing a Philadelphia Phillies lineup with a below-average wOBA versus righties, in part due to an impatient approach.
If possible, it's best to trust pitchers in meaningful games. Cristian Javier and the Houston Astros are still in the thick of the AL West race. They're on the road against the disappointing Seattle, who are playing out the string. Javier punched out 31 over his previous 28 2/3 innings, and the Mariners sport the seventh-highest strikeout rate facing righties.

Hitters to stream on Tuesday

There's a twin bill in Yankee Stadium with the New York Yankees set to start a pair of left-handers, and the Tampa Bay Rays will counter with two righties. The AL East is still on the line, so both teams may use their best players in both games, then rest them later in the week. Spencer Jones, Anthony Volpe, George Lombard Jr. and Heliot Ramos are the top targets for the home team, with Jonny DeLuca the main option for the visiting Rays.
The Colorado Rockies are home to begin the week with lefty Kyle Freeland taking the hill on Tuesday. Look for a pair of right-handed Arizona Diamondbacks bats to take advantage, namely Nolan Arenado and Jordan Lawlar.
Athletics rookie outfielder Henry Bolte is in a favorable spot facing Los Angeles Angels lefty Yusei Kikuchi. Bolte won't win the AL Rookie of the Year, but he'll receive consideration.
Heriberto Hernandez sports a barrel rate, average exit velocity and hard-hit rate all at least 83rd percentile. He's someone to keep in mind for next season, as well as the final week of this year. On Tuesday, he enjoys the platoon edge on Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga, a lefty with occasional issues with the long ball.
Gleyber Torres has been leading off when the Detroit Tigers face a left-hander. That's where he'll be when the Washington Nationals send vulnerable lefty Jackson Kent to the Comerica Park mound.