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: 49-38
My pick yesterday: Tylor Megill @ CHC – L
PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 48-39
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Kenta Maeda vs. CHW – 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
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.
UPDATE: 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.
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.
UPDATE: Kyle Tyler vs. SEA – Braxton has elbow pain and the Marlins are calling up Tyler to make his second appearance of the season. He did just go six strikeouts in seven shutout frames in Triple-A, so who knows? Maybe a decent Hail Mary?
Kyle Freeland vs. WSN – COL story, Bro.
Josh Winckowski (Opener) @ 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.
Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto Starts
Cole Ragans vs. MIA – Aces gonna ace.
Aaron Nola @ DET – Aces gonna ace.
Tanner Houck vs. TOR – Aces gonna ace.
Justin Steele @ SFG – He’s looking like an ace and it’s the Giants.
Garrett Crochet vs. LAD – Aces gonna ace, even against the Dodgers.
Freddy Peralta vs. TEX – If you have Peralta, you’re going after it.
Probably Starts
Taj Bradley vs. SEA – He wasn’t as pristine with his four-seamer and splitter last time out, but it’s the Mariners, who are likely to fold against his four-seamer.
Matt Waldron vs. WSN – Waldron’s knuckler returned last time out and his other offerings are decent enough to hold off the Nationals if the premier pitch fails him.
Chris Bassitt @ BOS – It’s Bassitt. Set and forget for decent production.
Tanner Bibee @ BAL – Bibee is looking as good as ever, but it’s the Orioles.
Bryan Woo @ TBR – Woo hasn’t been pushed yet and he’s not taking the leap forward with his secondaries. That said, this could be the start of a step forward given his clean bill of health. Apparently.
Spencer Schwellenbach @ STL – Mr. Crescendo came through in his great matchup last time out and now gets another.
Griffin Canning vs. OAK – Canning is a solid play against poor offenses. And luck would have it, this fits the bill.
James Paxton @ CHW – He’s still here and getting you Wins.
Questionable Starts
Cade Povich vs. CLE – I’m not the biggest believer in what Cade provides, but he could steal a Win here.
Luis Medina @ LAA – Medina is a Cherry Bomb with a slightly better floor as he faces the Angels.
Do Not Starts
Carson Spiers vs. PIT – There’s some hope in here as Spiers is a legit command guy, but it’s in Cin City. I was tempted to slot him into Tier 3, but the risk/reward isn’t quite good enough.
Bailey Falter @ CIN – Falter is capable of pumping heaters over the plate well enough to get by, but I wouldn’t chase this one.
Casey Mize vs. PHI – Mize showed promise against Atlanta, boastng a 97 mph heater, but I’d rather not lean into a one-start showcase (that didn’t have good results!) against the Phillies.
Roddery Muñoz @ KCR – He sometimes has strong command that’s worth your attention…?
Patrick Corbin @ SDP – Hey, Corbin actually went BSB last time out and it was AWESOME. Here’s to hoping he can do it again. Probably not.
José Ureña @ MIL – Who knows, he has some weird veteran command magic sometimes.
Lance Lynn vs. ATL – Not a chance.
Spencer Howard vs. CHC – We don’t even know how much he’s going, let alone if it’s of any decent quality.
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)