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: 78-38
My Pick yesterday: Win - Zebby Matthews vs. WSN
My Pick today: Cade Horton vs. CHW
My Pick tomorrow: Colton Gordon vs. ATH
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: 76-40
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Win - Emmet Sheehan @ BOS
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 7/26 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Tarik Skubal vs. TOR - Aces gonna ace.
Garrett Crochet vs. LAD - Aces gonna ace, even against the Dodgers in Fenway.
Joe Ryan vs. WSN - Aces gonna ace.
Hunter Brown vs. ATH - Aces gonna ace.
Robbie Ray vs. NYM - Aces gonna ace.
George Kirby @ LAA - Hey Kirbs, you mind commanding in the zone effectively this time round? K thx.
Kris Bubic vs. CLE - Bubic is still legit.
Andrew Abbott vs. TBR - Abbott adapted in his last start to grind out a productive game. Here's to him getting back to his first-half self.
Probably Starts
Merrill Kelly @ PIT - This is likely his last start for the Sneks (or maybe he's dealt before it, like Harrison?). Make us proud.
Trevor Rogers vs. COL - It's "Rockie Road" for an arm cruising.
David Peterson @ SFG - A great matchup for Peterson as we all hope he can find the zone enough to capitalize.
Michael Wacha vs. CLE - Wacha has been a sturdy "Toby" for the year and the changeup should do well against the LHB lineup.
Grant Holmes @ TEX - The "REB" should overwhelm the Rangers with sliders.
Ryan Pepiot @ CIN - I don't love the HR tendencies in GABP when Pepiot happens to get a road start, but it's still a weak lineup.
Cade Horton @ CHW - Horton is still developing and also has enough skills to take down the White Sox.
Gavin Williams @ KCR - Alright Gavin. LET'S DO THIS. Please be consistent...please be consistent...
Ranger Suárez @ NYY - It looks weird to see Suárez so far down, but he stumbled in his last outing after a long break before starts and we've seen this story play out for Ranger in multiple seasons. Throw in a tough lineup and I'm spooked.
Tanner Bibee @ KCR - Bibee earned cutter and changeup whiffs last time + it's lovely pitching in Kansas City. YOU GOT THIS TANNER.
Matthew Liberatore vs. SDP - Liberatore may be slowing down in the second half, though the Padres aren't the strongest team and he's been given extra rest.
Questionable Starts
Jose Quintana vs. MIA - Quintana survived the Dodgers despite failing to pitch at his best. He can very well come out on top here, but it's not the highest ceiling. He's more of an option if you're chasing a dub or QS.
Jacob Lopez @ HOU - Lopez can dominate RHB with his "Fratty Pirate" approach, but it's hard to bank on the command being there each time out.
Kevin Gausman @ DET - Gausman somehow obliterated the Yankees with four-seamers galore and it has me all weirded out. Now he gets the Tigers, who have also been strange and this could go either way.
Janson Junk @ MIL- Janson is the Junkballer who was unable to locate said Junk in his last outing. Here's to better breakers that can seize this opportunity in Milwaukee.
Tyler Anderson vs. SEA - The changeup is always there. The Mariners are still suspect, but will he have enough surrounding the slowball?
Do Not Starts
Kumar Rocker vs. ATL - Rocker's cutter is great. The rest is a massive work in progress and you should be afraid of Atlanta.
Andrew Heaney vs. ARI - There's an argument to be had that Heaney belongs in the next tier given his volatility. At least there's a chance regardless of the opponent, right?
Clayton Kershaw @ BOS - His heater is blegh and the slider has to be pristine to go five frames and find a dub against Crochet in Fenway.
Marcus Stroman vs. PHI - We just saw him go six innings with a Win. Somehow.
Mitchell Parker @ MIN - Parker is trying to find ways to be effective against RHB, including more sliders last time out. The floor is awfully low and you don't want this kind of risk.
Aaron Civale vs. CHC - Civale showed us a better time in his last start, but this is the Cubs. Absolutely not.
Randy Vásquez @ STL - Does anyone know what "Koufax" is doing on Saturday? Anyone?!
Antonio Senzatela @ BAL - Oh hey Senz-A. How are the kids?
Sunday 7/27 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Zack Wheeler @ NYY - Aces gonna ace.
Paul Skenes vs. ARI - Aces gonna ace.
Logan Gilbert @ LAA - Aces gonna ace.
Carlos Rodón vs. PHI - Aces gonna ace.
Kodai Senga @ SFG - This should be a lovely start for a "Holly".
Brandon Woodruff vs. MIA - He's been cruising since his return and it's the Marlins.
Noah Cameron vs. CLE - The rook hasn't slowed down as his feel is as good as ever.
Eury Pérez @ MIL - The four-seamer is legit and if he's able to either spot it upstairs or get into a groove with one of his secondaries, he'll look like a Top 10 SP.
Probably Starts
Shane Baz @ CIN - It's in Cincy and there are HR issues for Baz, though I still believe in the stuff enough to make this work. Feel free to move him down a peg if you can't risk it.
Colton Gordon vs. ATH - I dig facing the Athletics away from "Sacré Verde", even if Kurtz is a MAD MAN.
Tomoyuki Sugano vs. COL - It's "Rockie Road", though he doesn't get all the favor given his recent struggles.
Joey Cantillo @ KCR - I'm a Cantillo fan and also recognize that the Royals can be threatening (even in Kauffman) + Cantillo hasn't fully broken out yet.
Questionable Starts
Jack Flaherty vs. TOR - It's the Jays, even if I want to believe in Flaherty moving forward.
Zac Gallen @ PIT - This is very likely the final start for Gallen as a Diamondback. I hope he goes out in style and appreciates the gift of the Pirates.
Max Scherzer @ DET - Scherzer has been better than expected since returning from the IL, though the Tigers can be a rough lineup.
Ben Brown @ CHW - Despite the matchup, I struggle to lean into Brown and how he breaks the "Huascar Rule".
Michael McGreevy vs. SDP - McGreevy is a weak-contact arm who leans on command to find outs. It's a good pairing in St. Louis and those chasing a QS or Win (and not strikeouts) should consider McGreevy on a desperate Sunday.
Brady Singer vs. TBR - Singer was roughed up against LHB and the Rays have some to fear in GABP.
Do Not Starts
J.T. Ginn @ HOU - Come on Ginn, please show us that sinker and slider command again. He benefits from facing mostly RHB here.
Jack Leiter vs. ATL - Leiter is a "PEAS" until further notice.
Dustin May @ BOS - It's Fenway and May cannot be trusted as he re-enters the rotation suddenly.
Walker Buehler vs. LAD - It's a "revenge game" for Buehler, fresh off a productive start that did little to convince me he's fixed. Be afraid of Fenway and the Dodgers.
Sean Burke vs. CHC - We know Burke has the upside to get his velocity back with legit stuff in the tank, but he's a "PEAS" against an elite crew.
Stephen Kolek @ STL - Kolek is awfully mediocre, but he can throw enough strikes to give himself a chance for a Win in a good matchup.
Tristan Beck vs. NYM - Oh hey, it's Beck! We wait and see with very low expectations.
Bryce Elder @ TEX - Elder is a "Werewolf" at best.
Jake Irvin @ MIN - Irvin is so not there.
Travis Adams vs. WSN - Will Adams even go long enough, let alone with production?
Kyle Hendricks vs. SEA - Hendricks ain't it.
Austin Gomber @ BAL - He's not in Coors, at least he's got that going for him.
Monday 7/28 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.
