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: 44-31
My pick yesterday: Spencer Arrighetti @ SFG – W
PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 43-32
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Chris Paddack vs. COL – 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
Zack Wheeler @ BOS – Aces gonna ace.
Max Fried @ BAL – Aces gonna ace.
Paul Skenes @ STL – Aces gonna ace.
Bryan Woo vs. CHW – It’s the White Sox and Woo has been cruising despite the whole forearm stuff.
Ronel Blanco @ SFG – Blanco hasn’t been as sturdy as pre-suspension, but it’s the Giants. We’re obviously doing this.
Probably Starts
Zach Eflin vs. CHC – He’s expected to be limited here in his second start back from the IL and I’d let him fly.
Yusei Kikuchi @ MIL – After giving us some anxiety, Kikuchi eased our fears in a gorgeous outing against the Orioles. As long as he doesn’t run away from any foul balls, he should be back to normal against the Brewers (and feature more sliders than changeups, please).
Marcus Stroman @ KCR – He’s been a sturdy arm all year with a great Win chance.
Jesús Luzardo @ NYM – I know. Nine ER. He is who he is and the Mets are not a team to run away from. The positives outweigh the negatives in the long run.
Mitchell Parker @ DET – He’s the clear streaming pick of the day against the Tigers. Parker’s four-pitch mix should get this one done.
Tylor Megill vs. MIA – The Marlins are far from a strong offense, though Megill isn’t looking as polished as I want him to be. Still a decent stream here, I wish I had more confidence in his execution.
Questionable Starts
Kutter Crawford vs. PHI – It’s a bit tenuous given Crawford’s recent struggles and I understand those who want to bench Kutter. Personally, I think Kutter has better skills than the results have been over the last month and he should be able to produce here.
Jordan Hicks vs. HOU – It’s a mighty Astros crew, but if Hicks has either his splitter or sweeper working, he’ll get through it.
JP Sears @ SDP – Sears’ command was as good as ever in his last start, with precise pitch separation I’ve been dreaming of seeing from the southpaw for ages. Can he replicate it?
Jordan Montgomery vs. LAA – I know how bad this has been. It’s also the Angels and The Bear is still a decent Toby.
Albert Suárez vs. ATL – It’s not a great matchup, but there is a decent Win chance here…? Against Fried?! Okay, fair.
Triston McKenzie @ CIN – He’s gotten more curve whiffs than expected as of late, but the command is wonky and I have little faith in Triston these days.
Nick Martinez vs. CLE – He’s back in the rotation with Ashcraft out and I’m super curious if we’ll see a 30%+ changeup usage game again. Please!
Jameson Taillon @ TBR – He couldn’t come through against the White Sox and I’d be cautious here, too. Even with the solid matchup.
Cal Quantrill @ MIN – His splitter has been bad for two starts now. I think the Vargas Rule is coming to a close.
Do Not Starts
Brady Singer vs. NYY – It’s the Yankees. This is too scary.
Randy Vásquez vs. OAK – I was tempted to place him in the second tier, but Vásquez just doesn’t do a whole lot with his arsenal.
Kenta Maeda vs. WSN – Maybe he’s just a Cherry Bomb. Or maybe he’s a Werewolf. Or maybe you should just ignore him.
Miles Mikolas vs. PIT – Naaaaaaah. I guess if you’re in a QS league…?
Drew Thorpe @ SEA – We have three (Well, two, but Boushley’s is being promoted for his first career start and third career game) MLB debuts on Tuesday, with Thorpe being the biggest name of the bunch. He’s a changeup-first arm who had depressed velocity in the spring at 89-90mph and we have zero minor league data for the season with his promotion skipping Triple-A entirely. Good luck, I don’t have the highest hopes, but the Mariners are weak against changeups.
Caleb Boushley vs. COL – He’s a low velocity, command-focused arm making his first career start after tossing 4.1 IP across two games between 2023 and earlier this year. I can’t get behind that.
UPDATE: Louie Varland vs. COL – He’s returning to the bigs and I’m not confident his command issues have been ironed, especially after favoring more cutters than four-seamers in his latest Triple-A outing and failing to elevate the fastball as he needs to.
Carlos F. Rodriguez vs. TOR – It’s cutter first with a Canibal McSanchez approach at times with breakers underneath, or a reliance on mediocre fastballs to get to his slider and curve. It’s not the approach that speaks to dominance in an MLB debut.
James Paxton vs. TEX – We’re done here unless you’re desperate for a Win.
Dane Dunning @ LAD – The same as Paxton but facing a tougher challenge.
José Suarez @ ARI – He’s been in relief all year and I don’t expect him to be stretched out long enough to make this work for your fantastic teams.
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
Sonny Gray vs. PIT – Aces gonna ace.
Michael King vs. OAK – It is a gift…
Framber Valdez @ SFG – Framber is Framber and the volatility makes him sit just under King with a slightly tougher matchup.
Pablo López vs. COL – I know it’s been rough, but start Pablo. It’s Rockie Road and trust the changeup to return.
Logan Webb vs. HOU – It’s the toughest matchup of the lot and with the AGA tag, you still go for it.
Probably Starts
Bryce Miller vs. CHW – I was tempted to place him in the top tier and I’d feel better if I trusted his secondaries more.
Nick Pivetta vs. PHI – It’s a revenge game for Pivetta + his fastball/curve/sweeper have been fantastic lately.
Reese Olson vs. WSN – He hasn’t come through for two games, but it’s the Nationals. Don’t overthink it.
Cristopher Sánchez @ BOS – The sinker is coming in harder and we’re not as scared of Fenway this season.
Tanner Bibee @ CIN – Bibee has been better as of late + Cin City is okay…?
Chris Bassitt @ MIL – Bassitt is fresh off an electric outing, though the Brewers offense can be a tough day at the park.
Jake Irvin @ DET – Irvin is on a ridiculous Vargas Rule rooted in his curveball and the Tigers make for an easy choice.
Javier Assad @ TBR – Assad has settled into Toby territory and should be fine against the Rays.
Nick Lodolo vs. CLE – Will the curveball show up? Lodolo still has some Cherry Bomb tendencies.
Questionable Starts
David Peterson vs. MIA – He gets the best matchup and earns my streaming pick of the day, even if I’m skeptical his sinker/slider is enough.
Hogan Harris @ SDP – I dig the improved four-seamer, but it did lose an inch of vert last start and who knows, maybe it continues trending down.
José Soriano @ ARI – He’s returned 4 ER or 0/1 ER in all of his starts this year. If the sinker earns strikes, things are cool.
Walker Buehler vs. TEX – Buehler has looked a bit lost this season. I’m waiting for him to kick into high gear and this could be rough against the Rangers.
Braxton Garrett @ NYM – I know it’s the Mets, but Garrett hasn’t shown more than sinker/slider thus far.
Bailey Falter @ STL – This has a chance to work with his four-seamer & friends against a middling St. Louis squad.
Cody Poteet @ KCR – Poteet has the makings of a Toby, but are the Royals the team you want to roll the dice against?
Aaron Civale vs. CHC – Civale looked a bit better last time out and it’s possible he finds his groove against the Cubs.
Do Not Starts
Cade Povich vs. ATL – Povich’s MLB debut was a standard affair of disappointment, but this could be a step forward + Atlanta isn’t the powerhouse of old.
Tobias Myers vs. TOR – He just had his best start of the year…aided by lady luck. I’d be careful here, especially with his inconsistent feel.
Slade Cecconi vs. LAA – It’s the Angels, but hot dang does Cecconi bring little to the table.
Jonathan Cannon @ SEA – Cannon is back! Maybe he has good enough sinkers to find gloves and the sixth inning.
Jon Gray @ LAD – I’m glad Gray is back, but it’s the Dodgers and we don’t know how long he’ll go.
Austin Gomber @ MIN – Maybe Gomber gets back to his old groove again?
Spencer Schwellenbach @ BAL – I like Schwellenbach’s arsenal, but it’s the Orioles. Maybe next start we give it a whirl.
Daniel Lynch IV vs. NYY – Lynch is not an exciting arm and the Yankees are as hot as any offense around.
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)