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: 49-37
My pick yesterday: Landon Knack vs. LAA – L
PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 48-38
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Chris Paddack @ OAK- L
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 vs. ARI – Aces gonna ace.
Tyler Glasnow vs. LAA – Aces gonna ace.
Corbin Burnes @ HOU – Aces gonna ace.
Logan Gilbert @ MIA – Aces gonna ace.
Jared Jones vs. TBR – Jones. Buddy. You. GOT. THIS.
Bailey Ober @ OAK – It’s Oakland and Ober just had his best command of the year.
Probably Starts
Nick Pivetta @ CIN – He’s had a little more turbulence than ideal, but I still believe in his four-pitch mix.
Zach Eflin @ PIT – Eflin is a Toby, borderline Holly, and it’s Pittsburgh. Get the idea of his ace persona of 2023 out of your head.
Jesús Luzardo vs. SEA – He’s a premium Cherry Bomb against a poor offense. He claims to be healthy after the back issue that lowered his velocity last start.
Ronel Blanco vs. BAL – The Orioles are so hot right now. Blanco is so hot right now. True! Back-to-Back King Cole awards.
Marcus Stroman vs. ATL – Stroman is a great Win chance with a solid floor.
José Berríos @ CLE – He’s the Great Undulator. You ride it out.
Jordan Hicks @ STL – Hey Hicks, you’re not still sick with the flu at all, right?
Tylor Megill @ CHC – Megill’s cutter is making a huge difference masking his questionable heater command.
Mitchell Parker @ COL – I like Parker’s four-pitch mix, though I understand trepidation given Coors n all.
Questionable Starts
Cal Quantrill vs. WSN – It’s a better matchup here and I think the splitter will be back, but it’s a little scary. I need to see him rolling again to feel better.
Miles Mikolas vs. SFG – Mikolas has been quietly solid over the last month.
Max Scherzer vs. KCR – Scherzer is expected to start and make his 2024 debut as he returns from the IL. I’d temper expectations not only in the first start (Still ILL, of course), but with his season outlook. He’s turning 40 in a month and is recovering from injury as we’ve seen his skills degrade over time. I’m not saying he won’t help, just don’t expect the world here.
UPDATE: Jon Gray vs. KCR – Grimace got to him last time and the Royals aren’t the most fun team to square up against.
Jameson Taillon vs. NYM – The final five of this tier are much more on the cusp than the top three, but they have a conceivable chance of helping more than the final tier. Taillon is able to throw strikes and has a long leash and the Mets have lost the power of Grimace due to the Grim Ace that is Heaney.
JP Sears vs. MIN – He’s a Cherry Bomb. His last outing was closer skills wise than the line would suggest.
Ben Lively vs. TOR – Lively had a hiccup with an “undisclosed injury” that he apparently was cleared of, then pitched his worst game in ages. This could be the end of the line.
Kenta Maeda vs. CHW – He’s a Cherry Bomb that’s generally not worth it. But the CrySox! I know, that’s why he’s here.
Drew Thorpe @ DET – We saw a debut where he had his changeup, then a start of nightmares when the slowball was gone. At least he has a better floor against Detroit, but the back-up plan is non-existent if he can’t find his changeup.
Do Not Starts
Charlie Morton @ NYY – The Yankees, y’all. Throw in Morton’s volatility and you have a dart throw that will keep me up all night.
Michael Wacha @ TEX – Texas isn’t as intidimating this season, but starting Wacha is trusting that his command is there. I’m not ready to do that in a Still ILL.
Frankie Montas vs. BOS – Sure Montas, at least you’re allowed to go six.
Carlos Rodríguez @ SDP – The best facet of Rodriguez is his lean into the Neckbeard approach. He still has polish left to add before we’re ready to chase it.
Randy Vásquez vs. MIL – Randy isn’t a strong play, let alone against the tough Brewers crew.
Tommy Henry @ PHI – Against Philly. Where he’ll go few innings. Opposite Wheeler.
Zach Plesac @ LAD – Zach? Please.
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
Paul Skenes vs. TBR – Aces gonna ace.
Sonny Gray vs. SFG – Aces gonna ace.
Logan Webb @ STL – Aces gonna ace.
Bryce Miller @ MIA – It’s the Marlins and his fastball should be good enough to cruise.
Nick Lodolo vs. BOS – The curve was great last time out and I trust Lodolo’s floor at the moment.
Max Fried @ NYY – Aces gonna ace, which means he’s in the top tier even against the Yankees.
Probably Starts
Michael King vs. MIL – I love King’s ability and trust him here.
Reese Olson vs. CHW – It’s the White Sox and Olson’s change + slider are on point.
Pablo López @ OAK – It’s the Athletics. I know how rough this has been and I’m hoping for something new here.
Nestor Cortes vs. ATL – Cortes has been a sturdy arm, even if this is Atlanta.
Cristopher Sánchez vs. ARI – As long as the changeup is working, Sánchez should come through against the Sneks.
Yusei Kikuchi @ CLE – Kikuchi’s four-seamer has never been better and his slider is the missing piece. I believe he’ll get there.
Javier Assad vs. NYM – He’s fanned at least seven many times across the last month, but will Grimace mess things up…? Probably not. Probably.
Jonathan Cannon @ DET – He’s looked amazing since his return to the bigs and it’s the Tigers.
Aaron Civale @ PIT – The matchup is solid and Civale’s cutter is doing good things.
Jake Irvin @ COL – He had a hiccup last time out and if the curve is gone a second time, we may have to jump off the Vargas Rule train.
Questionable Starts
Framber Valdez vs. BAL – It’s the Orioles and Valdez is looking more and more like a Cherry Bomb.
Hogan Harris vs. MIN – Harris has now gone four with success, but the Twins (aka ROYCE) are a dangerous crew.
Braxton Garrett vs. SEA – Garrett hasn’t impressed me much, but this is the Mariners.
Luis Severino @ CHC – Sure, whatever Severino. I don’t trust your fastball + sweeper approach.
Tobias Myers @ SDP – Myers has had three straight strong outings and I still question if he actually has the stuff to make a lengthy stay at the table of dominance.
Triston McKenzie vs. TOR – His command was horrific in his previous outing. It’ll be better than that, but can we really trust what McKenzie brings to the table each start?
Do Not Starts
Albert Suárez @ HOU – It’s the Astros and Suárez is too risky to trust massively.
Alec Marsh @ TEX – Marsh has his moments and a floor that isn’t worth the risk.
Dane Dunning vs. KCR – It looks like Scherzer is going Monday and Dunning starts Sunday. He’s not the electric arm you’re looking for.
Slade Cecconi @ PHI – Cecconi ain’t it.
Kyle Freeland vs. WSN – COL story, Bro.
Josh Winckowski @ CIN – He shouldn’t go long in this one.
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)