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.
This year, with our new daily fantasy baseball projections powered by PLV, I’ll be competing against PL Bot to pick the best streaming option each day.
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: 28-19
My pick yesterday: Matt Manning vs. MIA
PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 27-20
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Matt Manning vs. MIA
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
Aaron Nola @ NYM – Aces gonna ace.
Chris Sale vs. CHC – Aces gonna ace.
Logan Gilbert vs. KCR – Aces gonna ace…I think. He just had his first start with the AGA tag and was terrible. This should be better.
Sonny Gray @ LAA – Gray was on the verge of AGA and had his first rough outing of the year. Expect a rebound.
Dylan Cease vs. COL – Cease was stupid good last start and now it’s Rockie Road.
Kyle Bradish vs. TOR – One or two more starts and the AGA tag is his. Please keep up 20% curveballs.
Ronel Blanco vs. OAK – Blanco is a dude, y’all.
Probably Starts
Reese Olson vs. MIA – Yes, he’s 0-4. That’s just poor luck while he hasn’t allowed a home run all year. There’s still some minor tweaks to be done with his slider and changeup, but you really need to be rostering him in 12-teamers. That winless record has made him available in over 80% of leagues and it’s astounding.
Nick Pivetta vs. TBR – His return from the IL was horrific against Atlanta, but with that out of the way, you should feel confident against the Rays.
Carlos Rodón @ MIN – His slider is waking up and there’s a sense that Rodón is a little more comfortable with his heater these days.
Gavin Stone @ SFG – As long as the changeup is there, Stone can cruise long enough to secure a Win.
Chris Bassitt @ BAL – Bassitt has his sinker earning all the called strikes. As a RHP, pitching in Camden isn’t so terrible.
Questionable Starts
Hunter Greene @ ARI – Greene’s heater was far worse in his last start and it makes me a little concerned. Hoepfully he finds two inches back on his vertical break, while the velocity isn’t hovering 95/96 mph. That’s not the Hunter we know.
Michael Wacha @ SEA – Wacha has been shaky, though the command took a step forward last time out. Here is a lovely matchup to ramp back up.
Mitchell Parker @ CHW – Parker is turning into a four-pitch southpaw and the White Sox may bring out a reduction in heaters for more sliders. I’d love to see that.
Reid Detmers vs. STL – He’s become a Cherry Bomb based on his command start-to-start. That said, it is the Cardinals, granting a larger margin for error.
Erick Fedde vs. WSN – Fedde has had a tumultuous four weeks of dominance, destruction, and recalibration. I’d feel good starting him against the Nationals.
Aaron Civale @ BOS – I would be fine with this a month ago, but Civale has been rough for weeks now. His command has been off and it’s hard to assume he’ll click into gear for Fenway.
Joe Ross vs. PIT – He’s a sinker/slider guy who can find a way through six frames. Decent for QS/15-teamers.
UPDATE: Chris Flexen vs. WSN – Oddly enough, Flexen has come through decently well as of late. The Nationals make this a decent streaming option.
UPDATE: Trevor Williams @ CHW – #NeverTrevor. I get it, some of y’all want #MaybeTrevor or whatnot, and you do you. I think I’ve made clear how much I just don’t want to do this.
Ryan Weathers @ DET – It’s the Tigers, but does Weathers have enough in the tank to make this work?
Do Not Starts
JP Sears @ HOU – He’s a Cherry Bomb, though the Astros lower his floor.
Ben Lively @ TEX – It’s been a lovely ride, it’s time to let go with the Rangers on the docket.
Jameson Taillon @ ATL – After being delayed by his back injury, I’d hold off on Taillon for this one. I imagine he’ll be a little more limited and may not be in his normal routine. That said, I think his approach is in the right place at the moment and he could make this work if he’s able to go long enough.
Chris Paddack vs. NYY – Paddack has been better as of late, but the Yankees are heating up.
Slade Cecconi vs. CIN – He just had a decent outing, though I’m not a believer in his arsenal. Hosting the Reds makes this a little more appealing.
José Buttó vs. PHI – He’s a Toby at best against a strong Phillies offense, even without Turner and a few injured bats.
Quinn Priester @ MIL – It’s heavily dependent on his slider and curve being at their best.
Jack Leiter vs. CLE – He hasn’t showed us his potential yet, maybe this is the game?
Cal Quantrill @ SDP – COL story, Bro. Even if he’s been somewhat hot lately.
Keaton Winn vs. LAD – It’s the Dodgers. Winn has a shot if his splitter and slider are on, but I really don’t like the heaters and his splitter doesn’t miss bats.
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
Pablo López vs. NYY – Aces gonna ace.
Framber Valdez vs. OAK – Aces gonn–Oh. Right. Let’s get you back there. Maybe if you have your slider or cutter actually doing things? No? Okay fine, just dominate with changeups.
Michael King vs. COL – He was the best version of himself against the Dodgers, surely Rockie Road continues the trend.
Ranger Suárez vs. NYM – Y’all know how great he’s been. We all know it won’t last but hot dang is it cool to roster Suárez right now.
Garrett Crochet vs. WSN – It’s a great matchup and I hope Crochet comes into form with both his slider and change.
Tanner Houck vs. TBR – It’s the Rays and Houck has been cruising.
Yusei Kikuchi @ BAL – The worst matchup of the lot, but Kikuchi has been gold save for his first start of the year.
Probably Starts
Casey Mize vs. MIA – It’s the Marlins and Mize carries a floor with upside for more if his slider can find whiffs.
Marcus Stroman @ MIN – He hasn’t been at his best lately, though it feels like a temporary valley. The secondaries should return.
Logan Webb vs. LAD – Aces gonna ace…maybe. It’s been a rough time for Webb as his changeup has been banged up more than usual + his slider isn’t developing. It’s the Dodgers, too, and I understand situations where you’d want to play it safe. Webb’s ICR is much higher this year with his changeup getting jumped on a ton and this start may be the one that gets people worried.
Robert Gasser vs. PIT – His flat four-seamer paired with a legit sweeper make Gasser a solid play at the moment, especially with the Marlins up next after a date with the Pirates. Take a shot.
Brandon Pfaadt vs. CIN – Pfaadt isn’t my favorite arm, but we saw double-digit strikeouts recently and it’s the Reds away from Cin City.
Griffin Canning vs. STL – I’m digging Canning’s ability to nibble with four-seamers and rely on his secondaries to get his oats. Outs, too.
Taj Bradley @ BOS – Bradley’s return from the IL was incredibly successful, shocking all of us with six full frames across 90+ pitches (I know!). That said, he has a history of inconsistent command and Fenway has been troublesome to deal with.
Questionable Starts
Alec Marsh @ SEA – Marsh earned ten whiffs on his four-seamer in his return from the IL and I don’t trust it. It’s not a good four-seamer shape and it was a result of premium locations + the floundering Angels. Maybe that repeats against the middling Mariners crew and if you want to take a chance, I completely understand.
Charlie Morton vs. CHC – Morton displayed vintage curveballs last time out and it’s possible he’s returning to form. It normally takes him at least a month, after all.
Bryan Woo vs. KCR – Woo left his last game with forearm tightness in a return from the IL for…forearm tightness. And yet, he’s starting again. Huh. It feels like he’ll get pulled early or be limited or I don’t know. IT’S WEIRD.
Andrew Abbott @ ARI – I was hoping his last start was the start of something legit and it was a step backward. It’s still in there and could come out here, though I’d hold off until his fastball and breakers are dominating once again.
Cole Irvin vs. TOR – The Jays are meh and this could be a Win for Irvin.
Jon Gray vs. CLE – I dislike the heater but the strikeouts could flow with his slider.
Martín Pérez @ MIL – It was a Vargas Rule and we’re on the other side of it now. There’s always a chance, but I’d hold off.
Javier Assad @ ATL – He’s still on his Vargas Rule and with the way Atlanta has been hitting to start the year, I understand if you’re slotting him into the lineup without overthinking it. I personally don’t like it.
Do Not Starts
Lance Lynn @ LAA – It’s the Angels. It’s also Lance.
Ryan Yarbrough @ SFG – Is he getting opened for? Does he have a sneaky Win chance here?
Austin Gomber @ SDP – Gomber has been shockingly decent as of late and it’s outside of Coors.
Trevor Rogers @ DET – He’s been gifted the easiest of schedules and still hasn’t come through yet.
Aaron Brooks @ HOU – He’s getting a start for the first time in the majors since 2018. Bonkers, I know.
Carlos Carrasco @ TEX – It’s the Rangers and Carrasco didn’t sit 93 mph for his second straight start. I was hoping he would so badly.
Patrick Corbin @ CHW – I know, the CrySox, but hot dang is Corbin not a good play.
Adrian Houser @ PHI – He wasn’t good before the IL stint. Now he’s back. Against the Phils. Absolutely not.
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)