Here are today and tomorrow’s daily SP Streamer rankings for fantasy baseball.
Every day of the 2024 baseball season, I’ll be looking at today and tomorrow’s slate of scheduled starting pitchers and ranking their matchups for your fantasy baseball streams.
There’s a lot that goes into this and you can hang out with me on Playback.tv/pitcherlist to talk about the specific ranks as I make them every weekday morning from 10am – 12pm ET. If you have questions about these ranks, please ask during the morning Playback AMA. Those are my office hours as I generally don’t answer comments on the site.
There are four tiers to these rankings with 12-teamers in mind:
Auto-Start – Just do it. Don’t overthink this, start the man. This includes “if I have them rostered, I’m starting them” pitchers.
Probably Start – I’m likely starting these arms, though I recognize there is more risk than we’d like there to be. Either it’s a tough matchup for a good-not-elite pitcher or a weak lineup for a volatile arm. These pitchers have a 50% or greater chance of performing well in my view and I’m starting them in the majority of situations.
Questionable Start – Think of this tier as “I don’t want to start these pitchers in a vacuum, but you could do worse.” Streamers found in this tier are not pitchers I’m targeting and are only if you are in dire need of one. To play it safe with streaming, just start the Probably Start streamers.
Do Not Start – The reward is not worth the risk. Don’t do it. Seriously, these pitchers have a very slim chance of success or sometimes none at all.
Obviously, there will be circumstances where pitchers should move between teams for your situation specifically and these new tiers should act as a little more help than the straight table from last year.
Please keep in mind that streaming is far from a perfect play. In fact, if they work out over half the time, I’d consider it a success. These matchup rankings & streamer picks are going to be wildly different than the actual results throughout the year, so please, have sympathy before the scathing comments and tweets. I’m only trying to help!
Make sure to read the notes if you’re wondering why I’m favoring certain pitchers over others – I won’t get to everyone and hopefully I answer what questions you will have.
There is a second table for tomorrow’s starting pitcher matchups as well, helping everyone get a jump on their nightly pickups. Please note that these matchups are subject to change, though, and there will be times when I have the incorrect pitcher going. I thank you for your future understanding.
Finally, there are my streaming picks of the day, and please keep in mind that I am forced to pick a streamer every day. Those highlighted in Green are that day’s streaming pick in the second tier and I’d roll with them everywhere. Those in Yellow are in the third tier and should be okay if you’re searching for something on a given day, but I don’t recommend streaming unless you’re in need. Finally, those are Red are those I really don’t want to start (they are labeled as “Do Not Start”, after all) but have no other choice. Don’t stream these guys until you are truly desperate. A streaming pick is defined as “rostered in 20% or fewer leagues according to Fantasy Pros. This really emphasizes the point that I’d be happy if over 50% of these worked. I could do the whole sub 30/40% rostered, but there’s no fun in that. You can use the rankings to realize who those picks would be instead.
(Opener) – Outlines that a pitcher is being opened for that day & the pitcher listed will follow the opener.
As I do my rankings, I thought it would be helpful to showcase a table of how we’re ranking offenses (in alphabetical order by tier):
I’m sure it’ll change through the year + there are differences to be made about teams vs. LHP or RHP, but it works as a general table that y’all should keep in mind.
Alright, let’s get to it.
To spice up these streaming recommendations, I’ve included our new daily fantasy baseball projections powered by PLV, and I’ll be competing against PL Bot to pick the best streaming option each day.
These projections are different from your typical projections as they incorporate our pitch quantifier, assessing pitcher and hitter skills at a much more granular level than your standard box score.
To get access to PL Bot’s picks each day, sign up for PL Pro here.
The streaming record is determined by “Was this a productive game for 12-teamers if I started them?” Roughly a PQS with a Win and a strikeout per inning with a sub 1.20 WHIP, with a minimum of 5 IP. Close calls are decided by Playback chat.
Nick’s 2024 Streamer Record: 42-29
My pick yesterday: Cal Quantrill @ STL – W
PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 41-30
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: JP Sears vs. SEA – W
Want PL Bot’s pick today? Sign up for PL Pro here.
My streaming pick of the day is Underlined and Italicized.
Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto Starts
Chris Sale @ WSN – Aces gonna ace.
Freddy Peralta @ DET – Aces gonna ace.
Joe Ryan @ PIT – Aces gonna ace.
Garrett Crochet vs. BOS – Aces gonna ace.
Kyle Bradish @ TBR – He was pushed back a day for extra rest and now gets the Rays instead of the Jays. As long as the curve and slider are solid, Bradish will soar.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto @ NYY – It’s the Yankees and I’m excited to watch this one.
Logan Webb @ TEX – The Rangers make this tougher, but Webb’s changeup is just too good.
Framber Valdez @ LAA – The Angels make this a softer landing, though Valdez’s sinker is still prone to a hit parade.
Justin Steele @ CIN – Steele has had a wonky season with the weather messing up his last game. He should get back on track here.
Probably Starts
Michael King vs. ARI – King is getting on track and the Sneks don’t scare me.
Bryce Miller @ KCR – The secondaries are still not doing a whole lot and the Royals are a hot squad. That said, his heater is elite and is worth your time.
Reese Olson vs. MIL – Olson’s slider is fantastic and leaning into the sinker and change should do the rest.
Nick Lodolo vs. CHC – 0/19 whiffs with his curveball last time in the weird weather. You should expect a better game here.
Chris Bassitt @ OAK – It’s the Athletics. You start Bassitt.
Mitch Keller vs. MIN – It’s a Vargas Rule as Keller is boasting his best command. Let it ride.
Ryan Weathers vs. CLE – Weathers allowed 4 ER, but the changeup was filthy, propelling an eleven strikeout game. That’s four straight starts of hype from Weathers making it tough not to start Weathers.
Cooper Criswell @ CHW – I made him the streamer over Lorenzen due to one fact: The White Sox have lost 13 straight games. Higher Win chance, even if it’s likely just five frames of solid ratios.
Michael Lorenzen vs. SFG – If you need a QS, Lorenzen is a better arm to stream than Criswell.
Questionable Starts
Jake Irvin vs. ATL – He’s on a Vargas Rule, based around few waste pitches and living around the zone with heaters as his curve racks up the CSW. I don’t think it’ll last, but he’s survived against Atlanta before.
Brandon Pfaadt @ SDP – Is his new sinker and improved four-seamer really the answer for Pfaadt? I’m not sold yet but this could certainly work.
Logan Allen @ MIA – It’s the Marlins, though I’m not the biggest fan of what Allen brings to the table. His four-seamer gets crushed and he doesn’t have a whiff pitch for RHB.
Luis Medina vs. TOR – He’s a Cherry Bomb who hurls 98 mph and can be filthy if he can land his slider and/or curve where he wants to for strikes. Expect inefficiency here.
UPDATE: Hogan Harris vs. TOR – I may be overreaching here, but Harris’ four-seamer was excellent out of nowhere + he has a kitchen sink of options to complement it.
UPDATE: Cole Irvin vs. TBR – It’s a decent Win chance, though I’m not too enamored with Irvin’s overall ability.
Do Not Starts
Cody Poteet vs. LAD – I dig Poteet as a potential Toby and the Dodgers are a clear avoid.
Griffin Canning vs. HOU – Canning is too risky to face the Astros.
Austin Gomber @ STL – Gomber had a great stretch before some elbow pain, took a rest, then was trounced (understandably) by the Dodgers. I think his rhythm is broken and there’s too much risk here against St. Louis. Not the worst Hail Mary play if you’re in dire need.
Aaron Civale vs. BAL – Civale hasn’t looked like himself for a long time + it’s the Orioles.
Lance Lynn vs. COL – Lynn’s command is getting worse and worse.
Daniel Lynch IV vs. SEA – Lynch lacks anything to latch onto inside his arsenal.
Enjoy these rankings? Support my work and Pitcher List by getting PL+ or PL Pro! You’ll get an Ad-Free website, access to our incredible non-toxic baseball Discord community, my weekly PL Pro exclusive SP FAAB Forecast podcast, a full suite of fantasy baseball tools, and much more. Get 10% off yearly with code SPSTREAMERS here.
Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto Starts
Luis Castillo @ KCR – Aces gonna ace.
Grayson Rodriguez @ TBR – We are two games from AGA with the Rays + Phils on the board. Good luck.
Probably Starts
Brayan Bello @ CHW – It’s a safe floor against the CrySox.
Kevin Gausman @ OAK – This feels like an Auto Start, but we all know he’s been volatile as anything.
MacKenzie Gore vs. ATL – Gore showcased his worst command of the year last time out. Expect a rebound.
Ben Lively @ MIA – He’s been in a groove and it’s the Marlins.
Andrew Heaney vs. SFG – Heaney has rebounded and improved his command as of late + it’s the Giants.
Questionable Starts
Matt Waldron vs. ARI – Waldron’s knuckleball was terrible last time out. It brings more haze than I’d like, but I also see a strong case to slot him in the next tier as well.
Kyle Gibson vs. COL – I’m warming up to the idea that Gibson’s sweeper is more consistent this year than before and it’s Rockie Road.
Ranger Suárez @ NYM – It’s the London Series and I suggest heavy caution starting anyone there, even Suárez, who may see the ramifications of a comebacker to his pitching hand during his last start.
Alec Marsh vs. SEA – I may have Marsh too high after his disappointment last time out, but then again, his best skill is locating high heaters and the Mariners flounder against those as much as anyone.
Hunter Brown @ LAA – Brown looked as good as I’ve seen all year in his last start. Here’s to hoping he can actually make it a proper trend.
Tyler Anderson vs. HOU – This has been a Vargas Rule, brought to you by the letter K. The Astros may be bringing it to an end.
Nestor Cortes vs. LAD – It’s the Dodgers. Sorry Nestor.
Charlie Morton @ WSN – He’s a textbook Cherry Bomb.
Ben Brown @ CIN – He had a magnificent seven frames and don’t let them blind you. He breaks the Huascar Rule and now heads into Cin City.
Simeon Woods Richardson @ PIT – It’s a decent matchup, though the Twins are scared of letting SWR go a third time through the lineup, which makes five frames most likely.
Gavin Stone @ NYY – THIS IS THE TEST. I’m cautious for obvious reasons.
Taj Bradley vs. BAL – He just got bamboozled by the Orioles and I’d hate rolling the dice one more time.
Andrew Abbott vs. CHC – Abbott confounds me and this can go either way. There isn’t a single pitch I love, nor does he feature stellar command.
Luis Medina vs. TOR – He’s a Cherry Bomb who hurls 98 mph and can be filthy if he can land his slider and/or curve where he wants to for strikes. Expect inefficiency here.
Do Not Starts
Casey Mize vs. MIL – He hasn’t clicked yet and I’d prefer just to wait it out instead of taking a chance against a solid Milwaukee offense.
Bryse Wilson @ DET – Wilson has had one game of truly feeling his arsenal and it’s been multiple starts since.
Roddery Muñoz vs. CLE – Roddery is back! Unfortuantely it’s the Guardians and I’d rather wait for a better matchup.
Nick Nastrini vs. BOS – Nick, this is so high! Sure is. The other options are terrible and maybe this is the start Nastrini overcomes his yips.
Sean Manaea vs. PHI – It’s the London Series and it’s the Phillies and it’s Manaea. Noooope.
Ryne Nelson @ SDP – I know he just had a great outing, but it was a product of good BABIP, not dominance.
Luis L. Ortiz vs. MIN – Oh hey, he’s starting again! Expect nothing.
Spencer Howard @ TEX – Howard does not have the arsenal to justify a start (maybe with an opener?) against the Rangers.
Ryan Feltner @ STL – Let go of the dream. Let it go.
Enjoy these rankings? Support my work and Pitcher List by getting PL+ or PL Pro! You’ll get an Ad-Free website, access to our incredible non-toxic baseball Discord community, my weekly PL Pro exclusive SP FAAB Forecast podcast, a full suite of fantasy baseball tools, and much more. Get 10% off yearly with code SPSTREAMERS here.
Photos Courtesy of IconSportswire | Adapted by Aaron Asbury (@aarongifs on Instagram)