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: 49-18
My Pick yesterday: Win - Stephen Kolek @ SFG
My Pick today: Cade Horton @ WSN
My Pick tomorrow: Kyle Harrison vs. SDP
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: 48-19
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Win - Aaron Civale @ CIN
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.
Tuesday 6/3 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Paul Skenes vs. HOU - Aces gonna ace.
Hunter Greene vs. MIL - Please have over 65% slider strikes. K thx.
Carlos Rodón vs. CLE - Aces gonna ace.
Pablo López @ ATH - I don't love that it's in "Sacre Verdé", but he's obviously pitching well enough to start.
Freddy Peralta @ CIN - Please don't show me "Professor Chaos".
Drew Rasmussen vs. TEX - The Rangers are an easy offense to face, and he's throwing a ton of strikes. Hopefully, the breaking balls show up.
Cristopher Sánchez @ TOR - As much as the sinker's hittability annoys me, this is a clear start for Sánchez.
George Kirby vs. BAL - Kirby has not been at his peak since coming back from the IL. The Orioles are not terrifying, though, and Kirby should be better.
Probably Starts
Spencer Strider vs. ARI - The velocity isn't there and it's Arizona. Still, we should expect an improvement in another start removed from the IL.
Lance McCullers Jr. @ PIT - It's the Pirates and he's fresh off a 12-strikeout performance. There is a lower floor than I like with McCullers if he's unable to throw strikes. Still, the upside is way too good to bench.
Cade Horton @ WSN - It's the Nationals. The cut-fastballs should do really well here. It's a good chance for a win.
Tyler Mahle @ TBR - He's on a fantastic roll. It's the Rays. It's hard not to start him here.
Tomoyuki Sugano @ SEA - It's "@TEA" and he has a good splitter with good command. It's not my favorite play, but it's a solid "Toby" play.
Landen Roupp vs. SDP - It's a little risky because we don't know if Roupp will have enough strikes with his sinker and his curveball. I love the new changeup feel and I hope that it comes through against the Padres. The strikeout upside makes him a probable start and not a questionable start.
Questionable Starts
Sawyer Gipson-Long @ CHW - It's the White Sox and also a "Still ILL". He might be on a limited pitch count. I hope that his sinker earns enough strikes that he can get efficient outs to survive five.
Shane Smith vs. DET - I'm a little worried about facing the Tigers offense. That said, Smith's fastball velocity has increased over time and he could squeeze out another solid outing.
Michael Lorenzen @ STL - It's the Cardinals, and he has a long enough leash to get you a quality start. But the floor isn't very good and the ceiling is awfully low.
Sandy Alcantara vs. COL - There's no better gift than "Rockie Road", but we all know how bad Alcantara has been. If you want to put him up in Probable, I understand. If you don't wanna start him, I understand that too. I think he has enough stuff to take down the worst lineup in baseball.
Zac Gallen @ ATL - You never know what you're gonna get from Zac Gallen. He could have the Blake Snell blueprint with four seamers up and curveballs down once again. It is risky because it is Atlanta, and Gallen has not been overwhelmingly good this year.
Tanner Bibee @ NYY - It's the Yankees and Bibee is still struggling to figure out secondary whiffs. I would love to take a back seat on this one and then start him after.
Andre Pallante vs. KCR - It's the Royals and Pallante is up to 95 on his cut fastball. Still, there isn't a lot of juice in that arsenal and the reward doesn't seem high enough for the risk.
Brayan Bello vs. LAA - He hasn't had a game with all three pitches working, and I don't love facing the Angels right now.
Do Not Starts
Yusei Kikuchi @ BOS - It's in Fenway. And while I am liking the slider a little bit more than I did in April, the floor is far too low for me to chase this.
Clayton Kershaw vs. NYM - It's the Mets, and Kershaw isn't the guy he used to be.
Tylor Megill @ LAD - It's the Dodgers, and Megill isn't at his peak ability.
Bowden Francis vs. PHI - Do what you want. Maybe the four-seamer can get enough outs against the Phillies. Sadly, he's been far more detrimental than helpful this year.
Trevor Williams vs. CHC - #NeverTrevor.
Jacob Lopez vs. MIN - He had one great start, one horrific start, and maybe the extension and four-seamer/cutter combination can get him through 5+ IP of production. The ceiling doesn't seem high enough to go after. Note: He could be going Wednesday instead of Tuesday, with Osvaldo Bido pitching instead after Gunnar Hoglund was placed on the IL. I have zero interest starting Bido.
Chase Dolander @ MIA - It's a "Still ILL" but at least he's not in Coors.
Ryan Bergert - He's stretched out to 65 pitches. We shouldn't expect much of anything here.
Wednesday 6/4 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Chris Sale vs. ARI - Aces gonna ace.
MacKenzie Gore vs. CHC - Gore's heater has been so dang good.
Nick Pivetta @ SFG - It's the Giants and Pivetta hasn't gotten the HR bug...yet.
Matthew Boyd @ WSN - A LHP against the Nats is what you want. Hopefully his LHB matchups bring out an improved slider.
Andrew Abbott vs. MIL - He's been too dang good to bench against the Brewers, even in GABP. Where HRs are more likely. And Abbott's best skill thus far has been limiting HRs. And it could be the regression day. Nick, this doesn't sound like an auto-start. Naaah, I'm just messing around. This is too big brain, just start him.
Probably Starts
Shane Baz vs. TEX - I'm buying that Baz made a tweak in his last two starts to help batters struggle to discern the four-seamer vs. curveball. He still needs a stronger third pitch than the changeup or slider (definitely better than the slider), and the Rangers make for a great floor as he hopefully takes a step forward.
Noah Cameron @ STL - This may be the final time we see Cameron in the rotation until another spot opens up with Cole Ragans set to return this week. The secondaries have performed well and he should give another outing for 5+ productive frames, if not a Quality Start.
Clarke Schmidt vs. CLE - I'm a little worried about Schmidt facing a slew of LHB, forcing cutters and curves to avoid the heart of the plate. It's a great Win chance, though, and likely worth your time.
Kyle Harrison vs. SDP - I adore Harrison's new and improved four-seamer with elite "HAVAA" that he can command frequently at the top of the zone. Here's to a start so good, he forces the Giants to keep him in the rotation once Verlander is ready.
Lucas Giolito vs. LAA - I'm a bit scared of this one in Fenway + the Angels thump with three HRs in the first frame on Monday night. Trout returning to that lineup isn't fun and the RHB-focus puts more pressure on Giolito to figure out his 89 mph slider.
Zebby Matthews @ ATH - Matthews had a terrible first frame before six frames of dominance and I see a legit "Holly" in his future. But this is "Sacré Verde"...
Mick Abel @ TOR - Abel was stunning in his MLB debut with 97 mph heaters and a pair of whiffable secondaries. This may be a spot start against the Jays, though if it's that good, maybe the Phillies find a way to work him into the rotation frequently.
Questionable Starts
Merrill Kelly @ ATL - I dig Kelly and hate this matchup.
Cade Povich @ SEA - Povich has had his curve and heater working better as of late and "@TEA" should help him have a chance for six innings of relevance.
José Soriano @ BOS - It's incredibly risky, though Soriano with curves for strikes and well spotted sinkers works anywhere.
José Berríos vs. PHI - Say my name.
Tony Gonsolin vs. NYM - His schedule is tough even past this start with two games against the Friars ahead, though that doesn't quite matter for this one. I don't love Gonsolin's pitch mix and this is only of consideration if you're Win hunting.
Griffin Canning @ LAD - I want to brush aside his last outing against the White Sox due to the horrid weather that affected everyone, but this is the Dodgers. Then again, he did survive against the Cubs, Diamondbacks, and Yankees, so maybe we should just start him and hope for the best.
Do Not Starts
Emerson Hancock vs. BAL - There are moments when Hancock can earn whiffs and soar with his changeup. It's possible he can do that here "@TEA", though there isn't much else in the tank. He's a "Toby" at best with a low floor.
Kumar Rocker @ TBR - Rocker is set to return to the rotation and he put us through the ringer start-to-start before. The floor is lava without a major expectation for the ceiling. If you're desperate for strikeouts, he's the hail mary play. Thing is, even if he does exceptionally well, I'll likely not be able to trust it.
Jeffrey Springs vs. MIN - It could sunshine and rainbows if the changeup is cooking and his fastball avoids the heart of the plate. Unlikely, though. Note: He could be going Thursday instead of Wednesday.
Cal Quantrill vs. COL - It's a great matchup n all, but it's Quantrill. Do you really want to rely on Quantrill?
Ryan Gusto @ PIT - Gusto can have success with his four-seamer upstairs, but he's struggled even when executing the pitch in the past. I don't want to risk it, even against the Pirates.
Miles Mikolas vs. KCR - This is a QS/Win play, hoping the defense scoops up the fastballs and sliders in play. Good luck.
Kyle Freeland @ MIA - It's not in Coors and we've seen LHP succeed against the Marlins. This is your sneaky play that I wouldn't risk in 12-teamers.
Brant Hurter @ CHW - Hopefully the Tigers elect to use an opener as Hurter was fantastic in the follower role in 2024. There may be a vulture Win here.
Sean Burke vs. DET - I'm still waiting for Burke to click like we saw in September last year.
Luis L. Ortiz @ NYY - The whiffs are there, the command is not. This looks like a sub five inning game.
Quinn Priester @ CIN - The slider can be good and that's about it. No thanks.
Mike Burrows vs. HOU - There is a chance this actually works if Burrows can execute his whole approach in pitcher-friendly PNC Park. Not worth the risk, of course.
Thursday 6/5 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.
