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):
Remember, these offensive rankings are based on each offense's Process+ so far this year and how we project their lineups moving forward. It means you're going to see a little different offensive rankings than you may see elsewhere and there will always be some surprises. This is based on skills, not purely results!
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.
Note: If no pitcher under 20% rostered would have qualified for a "Streaming Win," no loss is granted.
Nick's 2025 Streamer Record: 39-16
My Pick yesterday: Gunnar Hoglund vs. LAA
My Pick today: Cade Horton @ MIA
My Pick tomorrow: Lucas Giolito vs. BAL
My Pick day after tomorrow: Unlock with PL Pro
My picks for the day after tomorrow are located at the bottom of this article for PL Pro members.
PL Bot's 2025 Streamer Record: 40-15
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Hayden Birdsong vs. KCR
PL Bot's Pick today: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Pick tomorrow: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Pick day after tomorrow: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Picks are located at the bottom of this article for PL Pro members.
Wednesday 5/21 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Jacob deGrom @ NYY - Aces gonna ace. This is going to be so fun.
Garrett Crochet vs. NYM - Aces gonna ace.
Joe Ryan vs. CLE - Aces gonna ace. He's expected to continue in the suspended game, making this a "start" from the fourth innings. Weird, I know.
Logan Webb vs. KCR - Aces gonna ace.
Hunter Brown @ TBR - Aces gonna ace. Brown has five straight games of nine strikeouts and it sure feels like he's an ace...right? I'm inclined to give it to him after this, though I have to mention two things: He's doing it with four-seamer/sinker to RHB with the former returning a highly unsustainable 30-40% putaway rate (should be around 25%), while LHB is a little more precarious. Lots of hard contact on both heaters while the changeup's low strike rate is a bit worrisome. The lack of an overwhelming secondary pitch is the main reason for my lack of enthusiasm relative to everyone else, especially as I question his heaters' ability to perform at a high level.
Probably Starts
AJ Smith-Shawver @ WSN - I don't buy it long term, but I sure buy it short term against Natty Light.
Andrew Heaney vs. CIN - I hate trusting Heaney and yet he gets to stroll down the "Reds Carpet" and had great command last time out.
Brady Singer @ PIT - It's the Pirates, even if Singer's slider isn't doing all the things we love.
Cade Horton @ MIA - The Marlins are shockingly decent as an offense according to PL Bot and I don't care. Let's roll, Horton.
Questionable Starts
Gavin Williams @ MIN - Alright Gavin, throw strikes, cool? And use the cutter, PLEASE.
Corbin Burnes @ LAD - It's the Dodgers, even if he took them just a moment ago. It's too risky.
Chris Paddack vs. CLE - Paddack has been on a fantastic run since his season debut and the Guardians are sure to throw LHB against him, leaning into Paddack's strength - the split-change. It also allows him to rest the highly suspect breakers without facing many (or any?) RHB.
Tomoyuki Sugano @ MIL - I could be a little too low on Sugano here, facing a weak Brewers squad. That said, I'm not sure where he is with his command at the moment.
JP Sears vs. LAA - After sparkling ratios for the first month and change, the real Sears appeared in his last outing against the Giants. It could be better here, though.
Logan Evans @ CHW - It's the White Sox, but does Evans have enough in the tool chest to make it work a second time?
Shane Smith vs. SEA - I dig Smith, though he's been getting better results than he's deserved and the Mariners are not a team to be trifled with away from Seattle.
Kevin Gausman vs. SDP - Guasman is a "HIPSTER". Good luck.
Taj Bradley vs. HOU - Same with Bradley.
Tylor Megill @ BOS - Megill's command has been far worse lately and this is Fenway. Here's to finding the top of the zone with his four-seamer and getting all the strikes down with his slider.
Do Not Starts
Dustin May vs. ARI - May is essentially two-pitch these days and I'm not in until he gets the cutter and/or change and/or four-seamer working well with the sinker/sweeper. Oh, and it's the Sneks.
Max Meyer vs. CHC - Meyer showed more promise last time out, but it's the Cubs. I want to be blown away again before jumping back in against difficult lineups.
Chad Patrick vs. BAL - Sure, the cutter and four-seamer could be at their peak, but is the ceiling all that great?
Andre Pallante vs. DET - He's at 94/95 mph (not 92/93!) and that's still not enough for the Tigers.
Randy Vásquez @ TOR - The benefit of Vásquez is opportunity in the Padres' rotation. He can find 5-6 innings via strikes over the plate, though the Jays have been hot over the last two weeks + have been getting unlucky on top of it.
Jack Kochanowicz @ ATH - The Jack of One Trade had his sinker feel working last time out and it could be the bounce back we've been waiting for.
Ryan Yarbrough vs. TEX - It feels weird placing "The Fratty Pirate" this high, but he could potentially have an opener and steal a Win.
Trevor Williams vs. ATL - #NeverTrevor.
Taijuan Walker @ COL - It's Coors and Taijuan?!
Daniel Lynch IV @ SFG - He's getting the chance to start again and I have very little interest giving this a shot.
Carson Palmquist vs. PHI - I wish Palmquist wasn't on the Rockies.
Brant Hurter @ STL - It's a bullpen game as the Tigers pushed Flaherty a day to face the Guardians.
TBD Guardians SP vs. MIN - We're in the dark as to how the Guardians are treating the suspended game. Maybe it's Bibee? Cantillo? Bullpen game? Not sure.
Thursday 5/22 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Chris Sale @ WSN - Aces gonna ace.
Carlos Rodón vs. TEX - We like Rodón these days. A lot.
Jack Flaherty vs. CLE - Flaherty's breakers are working as they should.
Nathan Eovaldi @ NYY - Aces gonna ace. Even in the Bronx.
MacKenzie Gore vs. ATL - It's not the best matchup but Gore's ceiling is too spicy.
Probably Starts
George Kirby @ HOU - It's a "Still ILL" and I think I'm just too excited to have him back. I imagine you are, too, though, and with 65 pitches in his final rehab outing (as rough as it was), he'll be around 75-80 pitches, which could be at least five innings given Kirby's efficiency.
Lucas Giolito vs. BAL - YOU'RE A MAD MAN! I'm not though. The Orioles offense isn't spectacular these days and their LHB-focused bats play into the hand of Giolito's four-seamer + change favoritism. Sit him if you like, I understand.
Ranger Suárez @ COL - His command is where we want it to be and Coors isn't as scary as it has been in the past. The Rockies are adjusting to their stadium a bit more now + it's getting warmer, but we're still in the clear.
Questionable Starts
Tanner Bibee @ DET - It looks as though Bibee got pushed back to this outing against the Tigers and I'm holding out hope that he can finally start putting batters away with his cutter again.
Tyler Anderson @ ATH - The changeup is here for another season, but the whole package is rocky. It could be good enough in "Sacré Verde", though Anderson is more of a streamer than hold.
Bowden Francis vs. SDP - Francis has an opportunity in every start to get through six based on the four-seamer success upstairs. Will there be enough under it to get through the Padres?
Do Not Starts
Luis Severino vs. LAA - This is a debatable DNS for those in QS leagues. There's enough in there for this to work with Severino's emphasis on cutters, though the floor is too consistent at the moment for me to favor this one.
Cade Povich @ BOS - Povich had solid four-seamer and curve feel in his last outing, though Fenway is a much tougher challenge.
Lance McCullers Jr. vs. SEA - McCullers is likely to have a strikeout explosion of an outing this season. Hosting the Mariners is unlikely to be the one.
Stephen Kolek @ TOR - Kolek has a shot as he can hurl plenty of strikes over the plate. I don't like facing the hot Toronto offense (and due for positive regression, too!) and don't see a ton of upside to make it worthwhile.
Carlos Rodríguez @ PIT - At least it's Pittsburgh?
Mike Burrows vs. MIL - At least it's Milwaukee?
Germán Márquez vs. PHI - At least he's getting paid?
Friday 5/23 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 from everyone else, and I thought this was a good compromise.
