SP Streamers for today's, tomorrow's and the day after tomorrow's games for fantasy baseball.
Every day of the 2025 baseball season, I'll be looking at today's 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.
And of course, there are my streaming picks of the day. 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.
(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, granted by our PLV powered Projections (in alphabetical order by tier):
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 PLV, 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 2025 Streamer Record: 24-7
My Pick yesterday: Michael Wacha vs. HOU
My Pick today: Jordan Hicks vs. TEX
PL Bot's 2025 Streamer Record: 24-7
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Michael Wacha vs. HOU
PL Bot's Pick today: Get our Daily & Weekly PLV Projections with PL Bot via PL Pro here.
Note: Names below in Italics are my streaming picks of the day.
Sunday 4/27 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Tarik Skubal vs. BAL - Aces gonna ace.
Tyler Glasnow vs. PIT - Aces gonna ace.
Max Fried vs. TOR - Aces gonna ace.
Joe Ryan vs. LAA - Aces gonna ace.
Spencer Schwellenbach @ ARI - Another major test for Mr. Crescendo. He hasn't dominated for a few now and we want those breakers to earn whiffs again.
Hunter Brown @ KCR - He's hurling 97+ mph heaters.
Max Meyer @ SEA - He's in @TEA after earning 14 strikeouts, y'all.
Probably Starts
Kris Bubic vs. HOU - Bubic is kinda better against RHB as he hasn't displayed great breaker command to LHB.
Brandon Pfaadt vs. ATL - His LHB package is improved this season and I'm game against Atlanta.
Tylor Megill @ WSN - He's not an efficient pitcher but it's a good matchup.
José Soriano @ MIN - It's the Twins.
Aaron Nola @ CHC - The velocity has been down and the Cubs are scary. I completely get it if you want this in the next tier down.
Chris Bassitt @ NYY - Same goes for Bassitt against the Yankees. He's had such a good year though (save for his curve gone in his last start).
Questionable Starts
Nick Lodolo @ COL - Coors isn't fun...or is it? That offense really isn't good.
Kevin Gausman @ NYY - The splitter kinda returned last time out...? Eight whiffs! But it's the Yankees.
Mitchell Parker vs. NYM - He's on a roll and the Mets aren't too dangerous.
Jordan Hicks vs. TEX - Alright Hicks. I imagine some would rather Quintana or Fedde, but I'm a believer in that velocity. Just figure out the sweeper or splitter for strikes and don't chuck the fastball down the pipe. It's time to win back the confidence of fantasy managers everywhere.
Jose Quintana @ STL - He's on a mini "Vargas Rule" run since joining the Brewers, even if I'm seeing more "Koufax" influence than I'd like.
Erick Fedde vs. MIL - Fedde is making a play for "Spider-Man" this year and this shouldn't deter most of you.
Osvaldo Bido vs. CHW - It's the CrySox. Just throw strikes.
Brayan Bello @ CLE - Bello has one outing under his belt after returning last week and he's not polished quite yet. Maybe today's the day.
Clarke Schmidt vs. TOR - He could get locked in here against the Jays. We haven't seen it yet.
Jameson Taillon vs. PHI - Despite a gauntlet of opponents, Taillon has produced. What's one more against the Phils?
Jack Leiter @ SFG - This feels like a "Still ILL" after getting sidelined with a blister.
Do Not Starts
Logan Allen vs. BOS - He has some rare moments and it's away from Fenway, but I can't go after this.
Dean Kremer @ DET - There's always a chance with Kremer. As of now, he's just a "Werewolf".
Davis Martin @ ATH - I wish there were a higher ceiling to chase.
Randy Vásquez vs. TBR - Maybe you'll get a "PQS" and nothing else?
Zack Littell @ SDP - There's no reason to jump for this ceiling.
Logan Evans vs. MIA - Even with the great matchup, I'm not ready to chase Evans for this debut.
Ryan Feltner vs. CIN - It's Coors, even if Feltner has had surprisingly decent starts.
Bailey Falter @ LAD - The Dodgers, y'all.
Monday 4/28 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Jack Flaherty @ HOU - He sure feels like an ace these days.
Dustin May vs. MIA - It was a terrible start last time out. This is the Marlins. Let's not be rash here.
Probably Starts
Bailey Ober @ CLE - The LHB-heavy lineup suits Ober well with his elite changeup, allowing the lagging slider and cutter to take a backseat.
Gavin Williams vs. BOS - He's fresh off his best performance with strikes galore with his curve and sweeper + the cutter showed up. FINALLY.
Nick Martinez vs. STL - NiMart has been a solid "Toby" and gets a good matchup.
Questionable Starts
Ronel Blanco vs. DET - He brought back the change and slider usage last time, hopefully it's enough against the Tigers.
Griffin Canning @ WSN - Yes, he did well last time out. I'm not confident he'll have the same feel for his slider and changeup.
Will Warren @ BAL - Warren's four-seamer is better, but not stellar (unfortunately), and he has to show he has the breaker + changeup working before I'm pushing him up a tier.
Do Not Starts
JP Sears @ TEX - Sure, it can work, but the ceiling isn't too high and the floor is still low.
Trevor Williams vs. NYM - #NeverTrevor. If you're not sure why I always say that, I suggest googling him.
Andre Pallante @ CIN - If you really need a potential Win or QS, I'm fine with it. The WHIP and strikeout rate have little upside to provide.
Patrick Corbin vs. ATH - At least Corbin is leaning on the cutter and slider as a tandem these days.
AJ Smith-Shawver @ COL - It's Coors, even with the worse offense, and AJSS has yet to display great command.
Tomoyuki Sugano vs. NYY - It's the Yankees.
Edward Cabrera @ LAD - It's the Dodgers.
Tanner Gordon vs. ATL - It's the latest arm for the Rockies. In Coors.
Tuesday 4/29 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
New for PL Pro members - I am making the streaming table for an extra day out (no write-ups as these pitchers change often). I wanted to add a bonus for those who support us without taking anything away to everyone else and I thought this was a good compromise.
Wow Gavin Williams is starting Sunday and Monday? Get your act together
Hey! There’s no reason to be so rude.
The tables are correct, the updated notes were sadly replaced incorrectly, accidentally leaving Bryce and Gavin’s for today.
I think you might have too many plates in the air, since these are starting to be filled more and more frequently with inaccurate information. Cease is in the header but started yesterday. Bryce Miller got pushed to Tuesday, so he’s not starting today. Gavin Williams similarly got pushed to Monday and isn’t starting today.
Hey Fremen! The header graphic is a template based on the day.
The notes for Gavin and Bryce were written, but not in the correct spot. The tables are correct (aka, I was aware of the change!), I simply wrote them in the wrong place.
Is Bryce miller not pitching today?
The Mariners need a replacement for Logan Gilbert and Evans’ routine has him ready to go today –> Bryce gets an extra day of rest.
I googled Trevor Williams, and it appears you’re upset that he was against a group of self-described “queer and trans nuns” performing at a Dodgers game? Seems he’s a Christian and he finds it offensive to mock the religion. Is this the hill you’re dying on?
The guy is usable in spots, but you refuse to offer advice because he has a different perspective on drag queens dressed as nuns. Grow up and be a pro.
Also very curious that you never held the grudge against Kershaw despite him holding a similar stance to Williams.
Don’t you come at Nick like that
I agree it’s pretty silly to have a pic of Cease next to a headline stating “Streamers for Sunday” if Cease is not pitching on Sunday.