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: 73-36
My Pick yesterday: Win - Brandon Walter @ SEA
My Pick today: Emmet Sheehan vs. MIL
My Pick tomorrow: Andrew Heaney vs. CHW
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: 71-38
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Win - Brandon Walter @ SEA
PL Bot's Pick today: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Pick tomorrow: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Pick day Sunday: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Picks are located at the bottom of this article for PL Pro members.
Saturday 7/19 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Logan Webb @ TOR - Aces gonna ace.
Shota Imanaga vs. BOS - It's away from Fenway and Shota is looking like his former self.
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'm 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.
Yusei Kikuchi @ PHI - We've seen a decline in his last two starts and I'm not sure he has the feel for his fastball and slider.
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 volatile arsenal.
Lance McCullers Jr. @ SEA - It's in Seattle and as long as he throws strikes, he'll help. Who knows if he will.
José Soriano @ PHI - He's a "HIPSTER" and it's all about the sinker and curve earning strikes, moreso the former.
Do Not Starts
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 decency 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 position 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
Auto-Starts
Tarik Skubal @ TEX - Aces gonna ace.
Garrett Crochet @ CHC - Aces gonna ace.
Hunter Brown @ SEA - Aces gonna ace.
Joe Ryan @ COL - Aces gonna ace.
Robbie Ray @ TOR - Aces gonna ace.
Ranger Suárez vs. LAA - He's been in such a good groove, but did the ASB get him out of rhythm?
Logan Gilbert vs. HOU - We know he can be an ace but we haven't seen it across multiple starts yet.
Nathan Eovaldi vs. DET - Eovaldi has been awfully consistent and you're not benching him now.
MacKenzie Gore vs. SDP - Gore has performed at too good of a level to sit.
Nick Pivetta @ WSN - Same with Pivetta. A LHB-lineup benefits his superior fastball/curve approach.
Kris Bubic @ MIA - Bubic hasn't slowed down...yet.
Andrew Abbott @ NYM - Abbott has been absurdly consistent this season.
Matthew Boyd vs. BOS - An All-Star (more importantly, a consistent fastball/changeup approach from a southpaw) now facing the Sawx on the road. Yes please.
Ryan Pepiot vs. BAL - Pepiot's fastball is elite + I dig the cutter and change.
Probably Starts
David Peterson vs. CIN - We're all allowing Peterson stroll down the "Reds Carpet".
Merrill Kelly vs. STL - Kelly has been a sturdy "Holly".
Trevor Rogers @ TBR - Rogers' command has been incredible since returning to the rotation and I hope we keep seeing 94 mph.
Questionable Starts
Gavin Williams vs. ATH - I don't want to believe he's a "HIPSTER", but yeah, he's a "HIPSTER" until he shows proper command of his arsenal.
José Berríos vs. SFG - He's "The Great Undulator" in a solid matchup.
Andrew Heaney vs. CHW - I don't love Heaney and feel it's a bit of a coin-flip, but at least it's the CrySox.
Janson Junk vs. KCR - Janson has been an effective JunkBaller and the Royals are a mediocre offense.
Grant Holmes vs. NYY - The slider should excel, but will the rest withstand the Yankee offense?
José Soriano @ PHI - He's a "HIPSTER" and it's all about the sinker and curve earning strikes, moreso the former.
Clayton Kershaw vs. MIL - This could be a cheap Win if Kershaw can continue with low sliders and avoid damage off the heaters.
Jeffrey Springs @ CLE - The changeup could bring sunshine and rainbows, but the floor is too low.
Do Not Starts
Aaron Civale @ PIT - At least Pittsburgh could give him a shot to find his feel again.
Jose Quintana @ LAD - It's the Dodgers and Quintana isn't worth it.
Miles Mikolas @ ARI - Maybe Mikolas has "Koufax" on his side.
Marcus Stroman @ ATL - All we want is 5 IP and 2 ER. That's the ceiling.
Germán Márquez vs. MIN - It was a fun moment before, eh?
Monday 7/21 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.
