UPDATED: Friday 7/18 11:00 am ET
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!
There is a second table (and now third for PL Pro members) 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 for my streaming record, I am forced to pick a streamer every day even if they are in the bottom tier. 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 Do Not Start pitchers unless 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 and it applies to a smaller audience.
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! If you have questions about these offense rankings, reach out to Kyle Bland (@blandalytics).
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.
(Opener) - Outlines that a pitcher is being opened for that day & the pitcher listed will follow the opener.
Nick's 2025 Streamer Record: 72-36
My Pick Sunday 7/13: Loss - Joey Cantillo @ CHW
My Pick today: Brandon Walter @ SEA
My Pick Friday: Emmet Sheehan vs. MIL
My Pick day Saturday: 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: 70-38
PL Bot's Pick Sunday: Loss - Joey Cantillo @ CHW
PL Bot's Pick today: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Pick Friday: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Pick day Saturday: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Picks are located at the bottom of this article for PL Pro members.
Friday 7/18 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Max Fried @ ATL - Aces gonna ace. Here's to hoping the blister isn't a real issue.
Tyler Glasnow vs. MIL - He's on the path toward "AGA" but we just need to see it a few more times.
Seth Lugo @ MIA - He's cruising and he's a clear play.
Probably Starts
Dylan Cease @ WSN - I know, you probably don't want to do it. You're done! How could he! He's a "Cherry Bomb" who has been terribly unlucky. A better second half awaits.
Jesús Luzardo vs LAA - I trust he's more helpful than harmful these days. Just have the sweeper and locate decently well with the four-seamer.
Spencer Strider vs. NYY - The slider is legit, the four-seamer is suspect. Still. It's maddening. The slider should be good enough and I'd take the chance.
Nick Lodolo @ NYM - Lodolo is in a groove. Let him cook.
Sean Manaea vs. CIN - I'm not sure how long he'll go after tossing 60+ pitches in his season debut, though this should be a meditative and refreshing stroll down the "Reds Carpet".
Reese Olson @ TEX - Olson's changeup was great, the slider was questionable. The Rangers aren't scary, though, and we should expect Olson to improve with more starts removed from the IL.
Luis Castillo vs. HOU - His four-seamer is working well and let's hope the slider can be the devastating pitch to RHB it has been in the past.
Brandon Walter @ SEA - It's lovely pitching "@TEA" and Walter has a wide enough arsenal to make this valuable.
Michael Soroka vs. SDP - I dig Soroka's curve plenty and the Padres aren't enough to steer me away.
Questionable Starts
Lucas Giolito @ CHC - Ehhhhh, I'm tempted to place Giolito in the third tier given the Cubs + his arsenal has been good, but not performing at its peak. The results have been there (awesome!) while the matchups have also helped. That said, it's very possible Giolito is able to locate his fastball and changeup better, and at least it's not in Fenway.
Colin Rea vs. BOS - The Sawx away from Fenway is a gift and Rea looked far better last time out.
Charlie Morton @ TBR - Morton is a "Vargas Rule" with legit feel of his curveball since returning to the rotation. The extra rest should help more than hurt given his elbow tendonitis.
Chris Paddack @ COL - It's Coors, but the fastball/split-change may work in his favor against a horrible lineup.
Chris Bassitt vs. SFG - Bassitt could steal a Win here and has a long leash.
Slade Ceconni vs. ATH - The Slade Brigade is treating him like a "HIPSTER" and the Athletics away from "Sacré Verde" is decent enough.
JP Sears @ CLE - The approach has improved lately for Sears, though I heavily question if he can pull off the Kris Bubic style effectively.
Brandon Pfaadt vs. STL - Maybe I'm too low on Pfaadt after eight frames, but I'm not convinced the sweeper is back and that he has a reliable attack against LHB.
José Soriano @ PHI - He's a "HIPSTER" and it's all about the sinker and curve earning strikes, moreso the former.
Do Not Starts
Sandy Alcantara vs. KCR - Without the changeup or fastball command present, we simply can't start Sandy. It's absurdly painful.
Justin Verlander @ TOR - His last start was great. The Jays are a tough offense to endure and we need to see JV look varsity for at least one more before we latch on.
Bailey Falter vs. CHW - Maybe he has a complement to his four-seamer against a weak offense.
Taj Bradley vs. BAL - Despite moments of success, I don't recommend trusting Bradley regularly. His command is awfully random.
Jose Quintana @ LAD - The changeup down-and-away to RHB is there, but he has to do a lot more to replicate here.
Andre Pallante @ ARI - It's the Sneks and Pallante is rarely fantasy relevant.
Patrick Corbin vs. DET - We've seen rare success from Corbin this year. Hopefully it's there here.
Kyle Freeland vs. MIN - If only Freeland had a career outside of Coors...
Saturday 7/19 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Robbie Ray @ TOR - Aces gonna ace.
Shota Imanaga vs. BOS - Imanaga is always a solid play, especially against a weak Sawx offense away from Fenway.
Probably Starts
Sonny Gray @ ARI - It’s not the best matchup, though he’s been more Sonny than Gray.
Freddy Peralta @ LAD - Peralta does what he does regardless of opponent, even the Dodgers.
Emmet Sheehan vs. MIL - It looks like he may be properly starting now and I'll for it.
Michael Wacha @ MIA - It's the Marlins and Wacha has proven himself a solid streamer for a good Win chance.
Ryne Nelson vs. STL - His last start didn't go well, but the increased cutter usage is encouraging while the four-seamer shape is still elite.
Yu Darvish @ WSN - Darvish hasn't granted the results yet, but the stuff is there. The floor should be higher now that he has two starts under his belt.
Clay Holmes vs. CIN - Sooooo, how are the Mets going to use him? If he's getting an opener, that's great. If he's starting and limited to under 60 pitches, don't expect him to go the full five even with the "Reds Carpet" lining his path. Pay attention to reports on this one.
Questionable Starts
Will Warren @ ATL - The breaking balls haven't been there lately and Atlanta is fierce. I still believe in Warren overall, but it may not be the start he gets the feel back.
Adrian Houser @ PIT - It's a "Vargas Rule" for Houser and a good matchup. This won't last forever, of course.
Brayan Bello @ CHC - Bello is performing far better after changing his windup and emphasizing the cutter. However, it's not enough to start confidently against the Cubs.
Tanner Bibee vs. ATH - It's not much of a break for Bibee, who needs one. It's not in "Sacré Verde", though, and here's to hoping he gets back on track.
Zack Littell vs. BAL - It's another "Vargas Rule", though Littell stumbled a bit in his last one. The slider and splitter over the plate can work for 5+ frames, but the ceiling isn't worth the risk of this falling apart.
Dean Kremer @ TBR - Kremer has been Dean "Werewolf", but more beneficial than normal over the last month or so. Still makes me uncomfortable trusting him given his voaltile arsenal.
Lance McCullers Jr. @ SEA - It's in Seattle and as long as he throws strikes, he'll help. Who knows if he will.
Do Not Starts
Tyler Anderson @ PHI - The changeup will likely be great, but what about everything else?
Kumar Rocker vs. DET - I LOVE his cutter. I hate the rest of his arsenal. I hope he finds something to latch onto.
Luis Severino @ CLE - He's not in "Sacré Verde" but I'm not a fan of Severino's approach to LHB and the ceiling isn't worth it.
Simeon Woods Richardson @ COL - Maybe this will be five frames of decency for a Win?
Eric Lauer vs. SFG - The four-seamer can do well upstairs to RHB and it's the Giants, but the floor is horrific and the ceiling comes with little volume.
Nick Martinez @ NYM - It's a tough offense for a streamer only worthwhile against poor squads.
Logan Evans vs. HOU - He's not an arm to chase.
Keider Montero @ TEX - There are rare moments of deceny from Montero if you need something, though the ceiling isn't worth the jump.
Mitchell Parker vs. SDP - I still dream of that one day where the four-seamer and curve "BSB" was legit.
Cal Quantrill vs. KCR - Don't put yourself in a poisition where you can get stuck in a hole due to the UnQuantrillfiable.
Mike Burrows vs. CHW - The changeup can be good with decent high heaters. That's it. It's a low ceiling even against the CrySox.
Taijuan Walker vs. LAA - Absolutely not.
Joey Wentz vs. NYY - Absolutely absolutely not.
Antonio Senzatela vs. MIN - DEFINITELY not.
Sunday 7/20 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.
