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: 40-16
My Pick yesterday: Cade Horton @ MIA
My Pick today: Lucas Giolito vs. BAL
My Pick tomorrow: Landen Roupp @ WSN
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: 41-15
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Cade Horton @ MIA
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.
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. Note: This has a high chance of a rainout today.
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.
AJ Smith-Shawver @ WSN - I don't buy it long term, but I sure buy it short term against Natty Light.
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. Note: This has a high chance of a rainout today.
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.
Mike Burrows vs. MIL - He's had a great 2025 in Triple-A, but I still question the overall arsenal.
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.
Trevor Williams vs. ATL - #NeverTrevor.
Carlos Rodríguez @ PIT - At least it's Pittsburgh? It's possible this is Aaron Civale after all, but with all the confusion and "Still ILL", we don't touch it.
Germán Márquez vs. PHI - At least he's getting paid?
Friday 5/23 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Zack Wheeler @ ATH - Aces gonna ace.
Paul Skenes vs. MIL - Aces gonna ace.
Pablo López vs. KCR - It's the Royals, you've got this.
Chris Sale vs. SDP - Aces gonna ace.
Freddy Peralta @ PIT - "Cherry Bombs" don't care about matchups.
MacKenzie Gore vs. SFG - It's the Giants.
Probably Starts
Matthew Boyd @ CIN - The horrid Reds offense outweighs the effects of GABP.
Drew Rasmussen vs. TOR - Ras locked in last time out and I'm feeling good about this one, even against a solid team like the Jays.
Jackson Jobe vs. CLE - Jobe is finding his rhythm and could take another step forward against the Guardians.
Tyler Mahle @ CHW - It's the White Sox and Mahle is a "Vargas Rule".
Zac Gallen @ STL - It's difficult to discern what to expect from Gallen, but at least it's the Cardinals.
Nick Pivetta @ ATL - I'm getting a little worried about Pivetta and his HR tendencies. We keep riding for now.
Landen Roupp @ WSN - It's Natty Light and I'm happy to see Roupp expand the arsenal a bit yet.
Hunter Greene vs. CHC - This is a "Still ILL" and he may not go very long without any rehab starts.
Questionable Starts
Clarke Schmidt @ COL - It's Coors, though the Rockies are just so blegh. There is a little worry that his pitches won't move as aggressively and it could mess him up. This has an incredibly high Win chance given the offense behind him.
Sandy Alcantara @ LAA - Alcantara is throwing harder than ever this season, though he's not establishing his heaters well. The overall precision is still a weak point + the Marlins' defense and offense do little to help.
Yusei Kikuchi vs. MIA - The Marlins are kinda okay? I also don't trust Kikuchi in the slightest.
Noah Cameron @ MIN - Cameron would be higher if not for sitting 90 mph in his last start. I love his change + curve + cutter mix, though.
Griffin Canning vs. LAD - He's been on an incredible "Vargas Rule" and here's the ultimate test of your faith. Good luck everyone.
Jeffrey Springs vs. PHI - It was sunshine and rainbows in his last outing with better sliders than ever before against LHB. I wonder if that sticks.
Do Not Starts
Slade Cecconi @ DET - Last game featured an explosion of strikeouts that I'm heavily skeptical we'll see repeated here against a legit offense.
Brayan Bello vs. BAL - He's been awfully frustrating without a clear path toward consistency. He's a "PEAS" that's more like a PEGS.
Emerson Hancock @ HOU - Hancock shocked us with whiffs against the Yankees. I'd love to see that again, hopefully without terrible ratios this time out.
Miles Mikolas vs. ARI - Mikolas has an elite defense behind him, which explains a fair amount of his ridiculous success thus far. It's not meant to survive the Sneks.
Chase Dollander vs. NYY - It's the Yankees and Coors. But sure, if he's at his peak, there's promise given it's 97+ mph heat. I wonder if he gets amped for this one, too.
Ryan Gusto vs. SEA - Looks like Gusto is back on the menu with Blanco enduring elbow soreness. This isn't the play you want against the Mariners.
Charlie Morton @ BOS - Morton is just as shocked as we are that he's getting another start.
Sean Burke vs. TEX - Burke isn't back to his September self yet.
Clayton Kershaw @ NYM - He is so not the man of old. "TATIAGA", we had some good times.
Eric Lauer @ TBR - This isn't the Lauer of, what, 2021?
Saturday 5/24 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.
