Streaming pitchers in Week 1 would be a new level of desperation in Fantasy Baseball, but if you are scrounging the waiver wire for a starting pitcher already, I have some suggestions for you.
But first, a question: What do you mean by Week 1? With the season beginning on a Thursday, your league could opt to do what most CBS leagues do and treat the four-day weekend as its own separate scoring period, or it could fold those four days into the first full week, creating a massive, 11-day scoring period.
We're nothing if not adaptable here at CBS Sports, so if you like your scoring periods plus-sized, I have you covered there. We'll begin with the four-day variety, though.
Sleeper pitchers for short Week 1 (April 1-4)
A reliable innings-eater who limits damage gets a dream matchup right away.
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A big spring showed there may be more strikeout potential in there, and the Rangers are another bottom-feeder.
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The matchup is favorable enough for you to gamble on his new and improved changeup, which earned rave reviews this spring.
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His ground-ball tendencies make him a good bet to pitch deep when the opponent allows for it.
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The matchup is kind of a tweener, but seeing as his velocity gains from last season carried over to this spring, I like the upside.
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His new split-change should help him get the most out of his plus-plus fastball, and the Indians lineup is lacking.
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It's not a great matchup, but I like his strikeout potential and overtures of throwing his changeup more.
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The velocity was back up this spring after a down 2020, and the Rangers should help him get off on the right foot.
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Word is his reshaped curveball is more of a swing-and-miss pitch, though the spring results don't totally back it up. Good matchup and all.
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You always have to look out for the home runs with him, but he is coming off a strong spring.
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Sleeper pitchers for long Week 1 (April 1-11)
Same deal as the other list except it's the Pirates twice.
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If that new changeup isn't clicking for him the first time around, the Rockies away from Coors Field are always a treat.
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Back-to-back quality starts to open the season seems well within reach for the ground-ball specialist.
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A refined delivery led to improved spin on his fastball and big numbers this spring, and he gets two favorable matchups right away.
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The White Sox matchup isn't so inviting, but with a Rangers start already in his pocket, you'll take your chances.
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