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: 79-38
My Pick yesterday: Loss - Colton Gordon vs. ATH
My Pick today: Slade Cecconi vs. COL
My Pick tomorrow: Justin Verlander vs. PIT
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.
In addition, PL Pro Members have access to my 14-Day Sit/Start SP Grid, ranking all expected starters into the four tiers across the next fourteen days. You can find it on the PL Pro Hub Page.
PL Bot's 2025 Streamer Record: 78-40
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Win - Tomoyuki Sugano vs. COL
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.
Monday 7/28 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Jacob deGrom @ LAA - Aces gonna ace.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto @ CIN - Aces gonna ace.
Framber Valdez vs. WSN - Aces gonna ace.
Cristopher Sánchez @ CHW - That was such a good start and now he goes against...the winningest team since the All-Star Break.
Matthew Boyd @ MIL - Boyd Boyz know how good he's been.
Jacob Misiorowski vs. CHC - His quality per inning is too good as we hope he can go five frames.
Spencer Strider @ KCR - It's in pitcher-friendly Kauffman, even if I have my concerns about his fastball.
Probably Starts
Slade Cecconi vs. COL - It's "Rockie Road" and one of the few times I have a temporary Slade Brigade badge.
Edward Cabrera @ STL - I'm a little weirded out by his arsenal lacking consistency, but it's in St. Louis and Cabrera has done well. It's likely his final start for Miami, too. Have fun, Eddie.
Dylan Cease vs. NYM - He showed us the ceiling last time out and you simply have to keep starting him.
Cam Schlittler vs. TBR - Alright Cam, just get those secondaries down and you're golden.
Luis Castillo @ ATH - I'm scared of "Sacré Verde", especially after the Brewers exposed the book on Castillo by chasing fastballs all game. Feel free to move him to the third tier.
Questionable Starts
Mitch Keller @ SFG - It's a deep-league 'Toby" and a QS "Vargas Rule" against a weak offense. I guess you're going with it...?
Richard Fitts @ MIN - Fitts' velocity dipped to 95 mph last start (not 97 mph), though the wide arsenal and above-average stuff make him considerable away from Fenway.
Chris Bassitt @ BAL - Bassitt has benefited from the Toronto hot streak and may grab another dub here by continuing to throw sinkers for strikes.
Drew Rasmussen @ NYY - Let's hope he goes five frames, even against a strong offense.
Chase Burns vs. LAD - It's the Dodgers and Burns has been more of a bomb than a cherry. The strikeouts should still flow.
Zach Eflin vs. TOR - It's a difficult matchup for Eflin, who isn't expressing his 2023 ceiling.
Do Not Starts
Frankie Montas Jr. @ SDP - The Padres aren't terrifying, though Montas' ceiling isn't enough to chase in standard formats.
Simeon Woods Richardson vs. BOS - It's as good a matchup you'll find for SWR, though he has a short leash and the range of outcomes isn't in your favor.
Eduardo Rodriguez @ DET - We just saw a great outing with command of changeups, fastballs, and cutters, and maybe the Tigers are a cold offense at the moment..?
JP Sears vs. SEA - Sears just had the best command I've ever seen from him with changeups down, four-seamers dotted up and gloveside, with sweepers filling the gap for called strikes. Why does it have to be "Sacré Verde" now? I'm down to hold off for a start and jump back in if the feel is still there.
Troy Melton vs. ARI - I imagine many managers are scared of Melton after his poor MLB debut, but after the ruccus of the first two frames, he looked great. The Sneks are struggling, too. I have a feeling he's going to be the talk of the town after this.
Carson Whisenhunt vs. PIT - I'm not a big fan of the profile from Whisenhunt. The changeup has some great drop from the left side around 80 mph, but the 91/92 mph sinker with 11"-12" of horizontal is asking for punishment, especially against RHB. The slider is a slow gyro variety that melds into a curve and doesn't impress enough, either. I'd be careful, especially for an MLB debut.
Andre Pallante vs. MIA - There's a chance his cut-fastballs + breakers find enough gloves to survive six frames, but that's about it.
Brad Lord @ HOU - At least he's a RHP against their RHB-heavy lineup.
Jack Kochanowicz vs. TEX - I just want you to be the Jack of One Trade again. Please. It's such a fun nickname. And the ability is cool, too. Yeah, that.
Davis Martin vs. PHI - Martin is one start removed from his "Still ILL" and it's the Phillies. We wait for him to display value before throwing him into the fire.
Rich Hill vs. ATL - He somehow did it last time out. Who doesn't want to root for this?
Bradley Blalock @ CLE - It's really hard to recommend someone named B.B. But at least it's outside of Coors, yeah?
Tuesday 7/29 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Tyler Glasnow @ CIN - Aces gonna ace.
Max Fried vs. TBR - Aces gonna ace.
Seth Lugo vs. ATL - I'M NOT LEAVIN'!
Probably Starts
Sean Manaea @ SDP - He's been cooking, why stop now?
Sonny Gray vs. MIA - Two rough outings in a row. Gray skies don't last forever. Unless you're in London. Let's be happy he's not pitching there, then.
Justin Verlander vs. PIT - It's the Pirates and Verlander is pitching as well as we've seen this season.
Jesús Luzardo @ CHW - Yes, we've seen all the volatility from Luzardo this year. It's also the White Sox and his HR rates are not destined to stay this high, nor this untimely.
Logan Allen vs. COL - It's "Rockie Road". Dems the rules.
Lucas Giolito @ MIN - Giolito has had two poor starts after his absurd run, which were a mix of tough opponents and his lack of polish catching up to him. This is an easier opponent and Giolito should be fine.
Questionable Starts
Yusei Kikuchi vs. TEX - You never know what you'll get from Kikuchi but at least it's the Rangers. Surely he won't go 0/30 slider whiffs, right?
Michael Soroka @ HOU - Soroka has the benefit of facing many RHB that allow his fastball/curve approach to feast.
Nick Lodolo vs. LAD - Lodolo has been magnificent and it's unfortunate he has to face the Dodgers.
Eric Lauer @ BAL - What a season of mystery and suspense from Lauer. His four-seamer has been far better against RHB than it has any right to be and it's the Orioles. Maybe this works.
Casey Mize vs. ARI - The Sneks are a little worse offensively, though I'd be a little scared of Mize after getting roughed up last time out.
Chris Paddack vs. BOS - It's the Sawx away from home, but they have Bregman back and Paddack, despite doing all the right things, doesn't demand success.
Colin Rea @ MIL - We've seen Rea act as a reliable streamer for most of the season, stepping in as a dollar-store budget Justin Steele. It's a good thing to pitch in Milwaukee, too. Sidenote: I refuse to call their home park anything other than Miller Park. I DON'T CARE. What about the super cool one with the fun slide? Okay, that too BUT NOTHING ELSE.
Quinn Priester vs. CHC - Priester doesn't quite work for me. His slider can be effective, and there are times when the sinker and cutter command are on point (read: Dogers 10 K start), but it's not sustainable and the Cubs are scary.
Brandon Pfaadt @ DET - Pfaadt's cutter usage is up to LHB while his four-seamer has been shelved, and while y'all know I love cutters, I'm still worried it's not enough, despite the recent success.
Sandy Alcantara @ STL - It's a good matchup for Sandy, who is still missing the fastball and changeup command of old. Maybe his new slider + curve focus at 50% usage and "Dancing With The Disco" love is the answer? I doubt it.
Yu Darvish vs. NYM - We're still waiting for Darvish to click. I believe he will, but the Mets are rough, making this hard one to trust.
Do Not Starts
Joe Boyle @ NYY - With Bradley's demotion, Boyle steps in and has to deal with the Yankees out of the gate. Not worth it.
Charlie Morton vs. TOR - Morton's curveball is cooking with 95 mph velocity to back it, but sadly he has to deal with the red-hot Jays. Womp womp.
Luis Severino vs. SEA - It's back in "Sacré Verde" and not against a RHB-heavy lineup.
Bailey Falter @ SFG - You know, it's a weak lineup and Falter just had a brilliant game...naaaaah.
Logan Evans @ ATH - It's in "Sacré Verde". Don't let his last start fool you.
Patrick Corbin @ LAA - Corbin has those PaTricks up his sleeve...against LHB, mostly. You know the floor.
Jason Alexander vs. WSN - I have a very soft spot for Alexander and his changeup, but there's nothing else there. At least he'll see plenty of LHB.
Cade Povich vs. TOR - Povich! It's you! And you...get the Jays in your "Still ILL". Brutal.
Hurston Waldrep @ KCR - Are we actually seeing Waldrep? I wouldn't chase him if we are. He has a splitter and a whole lot of nothing else with plenty of chaos.
Jonathan Cannon vs. PHI - Cannon got a ton of four-seamer whiffs last time out and I DON'T KNOW WHY.
Tanner Gordon @ CLE - Ayyyy, it isn't Coors!
Adam Macko @ BAL - Macko was on the IL with a miniscus tear, delaying his Triple-A season and may make his MLB debut here. He's a southpaw at 91/92 with poor sinker movement, a slow gyro slider that can have larger depth and little extra bend (maybe it's a slider and curve that blend together?), and a changeup that has some promise but is far from enough to take over. I am so not interested if he makes his MLB debut here.
Wednesday 7/30 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.
In addition, PL Pro Members have access to my Sit/Start SP Grid, ranking all expected starters into the four tiers across the next fourteen days. You can find it on the PL Pro Hub Page.
