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: 45-36
My pick yesterday: Tylor Megill vs. SDP – W
PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 46-35
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Colin Rea vs. CIN – 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
Max Fried vs. DET – Aces gonna ace.
Paul Skenes vs. CIN – Aces gonna ace.
Sonny Gray @ MIA – Aces gonna ace.
Probably Starts
Nick Pivetta @ TOR – Expect a rebound for Pivetta.
Yusei Kikuchi vs. BOS – The slider isn’t back but the heater is so dang good.
Cristopher Sánchez vs. SDP – The changeup wasn’t there last time, it happens.
Reese Olson @ ATL – Reese has had a poor stretch, but his slider and changeup were cooking last time out. I don’t see the negative trend lasting.
Jordan Hicks @ CHC – His floor is solid against the Cubs with upside for more if the splitter or sweeper kick into gear.
Javier Assad vs. SFG – It’s the Giants and he’s a Toby.
Jon Gray vs. NYM – He’s stretched out now and the Mets strike fear in few.
Questionable Starts
José Soriano vs. MIL – Sinkers for strikes is all he needs. Let’s hope he has it here.
Braxton Garrett vs. STL – I’m still waiting for more than his sinker/slider approach, but the Cardinals could make for a Quality Start without the changeup or cutter making an impact.
James Paxton @ COL – It’s a decent Win chance, but the floor is blegh.
Do Not Starts
Carson Spiers @ PIT – He performed well after stepping up behind Frankie Montas and it’s possible he finds another 5+ innings against a poor Pirates offense.
David Peterson @ TEX – I’m not a big enough fan of Peterson to trust him against the Rangers.
Cal Quantrill vs. LAD – The splitter has been better lately, but this is the Dodgers.
Carlos Rodríguez @ LAA – I don’t trust Rodriguez’s stuff enough to trust him against the Angels, especially with the Shag Rug obviously present.
Randy Vásquez @ PHI – It’s the Phils and the upside is heavily limited.
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
Aaron Nola vs. SDP – Aces gonna ace. Yes, he’s #1 despite his blowup last week. It’s weird, I know, but it’s the right move. Brush it off.
Tanner Houck @ TOR – Aces gonna ace. He’s earned it.
Justin Steele vs. SFG – He’s looking as good as ever. He’s moving closer to Ace Potential –> AGA if he keeps his fastball and slider command.
Framber Valdez @ CHW – Valdez is as frustrating as any but this is the White Sox.
Logan Webb @ CHC – Aces gonna ace, just without the same ceiling.
Pablo López vs. TBR – You can do it Pablo. The feel isn’t quite back but you have to believe he’ll get there.
Nick Lodolo @ PIT – Lodolo hasn’t put everything together, but this is the Pirates and the floor is strong enough to prevent anyone from benching him.
Probably Starts
Michael King @ PHI – This is a tough one given the Phillies offense, but I’m absolutely loving King’s groove and would send him out there.
Jake Irvin vs. ARI – Irvin is on a ridiculous Vargas Rule with his curveball absolutely crushing.
Bryce Miller @ CLE – Miller’s secondaries are still lacking, but we’ll chance it here.
Chris Bassitt vs. BOS – Bassitt is a set-and-forget arm without the expectations of an ace.
Walker Buehler @ COL – I love that Buehler had an actual plan last time out and executed it. If only the plan was a good one…
Michael Lorenzen vs. NYM – He’s the clear streaming pick of the day as a Toby against a poor lineup. But Grimace…Uh huh.
Nestor Cortes vs. BAL – He’s a LHP against the Orioles and that should give you pause. We’re still going for this given the Win chance, though.
Spencer Schwellenbach vs. DET – I’m digging Mr. Crescendo’s wide arsenal and the Tigers are not baring their teeth.
Questionable Starts
Alec Marsh @ OAK – Marsh hasn’t been consistent, but this is Oakland. This feels like a start you make.
Aaron Civale @ MIN – We’re seeing more cutters and curves, but the whole approach is still a little rough around the edges.
Hogan Harris vs. KCR – His iVB has gone down an inch each start since his electric 17″ in his first outing. Now at 15″, I wonder if he has enough in the tank to get through the Royals.
Triston McKenzie vs. SEA – McKenzie has somehow made this work and the Mariners seem like a decent bet. Seem being the key word.
Tobias Myers @ LAA – Myers has gone 14 frames across his last two outings and maybe he can skirt by another six against the Angels.
Bailey Falter vs. CIN – Flater has a solid four-seamer at times and the Reds often flounder.
Griffin Canning vs. MIL – The Brewers aren’t a team to mess with, though we’ve seen Canning cruise with his breakers in the zone and nibbling with heaters.
Do Not Starts
Roddery Muñoz vs. STL – We saw how it works for Muñoz in his last outing, but it’s too volatile to trust without a huge ceiling to chase.
Luis Severino @ TEX – He has a long enough leash n all, but is Sevy to be trusted as a fastball/sweeper arm? I just can’t do it.
Jonathan Cannon vs. HOU – Cannon had himself a surprisingly great outing in his return to the majors, but this is the Astros. Hopefully it gives us the courage to start him against the Tigers on Sunday.
Casey Mize @ ATL – Speaking of the Tigers, Mize gets Atlanta and I’m finding it hard to get back on the train in full. Atlanta is heating up a bit, too, and I’d rather play this safe.
Lance Lynn @ MIA – It’s the Marlins! Take Two Ls and you’ll end up with one.
Albert Suárez @ NYY – It’s the Yankees. Suárez does deserve props for his cutter coming alive, but this is going to be a grind.
Slade Cecconi @ WSN – Cecconi can’t be trusted, not even against the Nats.
Austin Gomber vs. LAD – Nooooooope.
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)
So the site’s Sit/Start Week 12 rates the Mets at Texas matchup with Severino as a Maybe-6 (1 below Start status) and Lorenzen as a Maybe-4 (1 above Sit status), but then this streaming article rates Lorenzen as a Probably Start and the 13th best pitcher of the day and Severino as a a Do Not Start and the 24th best. How do readers reconcile the two rankings?