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: 80-39
My Pick yesterday: Win - Slade Cecconi vs. COL
My Pick today: Justin Verlander vs. PIT
My Pick tomorrow: Chris Paddack vs. ARI
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: 79-40
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Win - Slade Cecconi 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.
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.
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.
Do Not Starts
Pierson Ohl vs. BOS - The Twins announced Ohl’s callup for Tuesday’s game and as y'all know, we don't start MLB debuts. Ohl has a wide arsenal focused on his 92/93 four-seamer and changeup, with mid-80s cutters and sliders he can confidently throw for strikes. The heater has a little extra vert than expected while the changeup feel is far better than we typically see from RHP. It’s why he has a 2.17 ERA across 66.1 IP with 79 strikeouts, though we generally see changeup-focused RHP struggle more than others to carry their success into the majors.
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.
Easton Lucas @ BAL - We saw a moment of production earlier in the year and it's possible it's in there.
Patrick Corbin @ LAA - Corbin has those PaTricks up his sleeve...against LHB, mostly. You know the floor.
Erick Fedde @ KCR - Look, he can go 5+ frames in a great place to pitch. Welcome to Atlanta.
Ryan Bergert vs. NYM - Maybe his four-seamer and slider are peak?
Logan Evans @ ATH - It's in "Sacré Verde". Don't let his last start fool you.
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.
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!
Wednesday 7/30 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Bryan Woo @ ATL - Aces gonna ace.
Logan Webb vs. PIT - It has been a rough month without his sweeper and cutter, but it's the Pirates.
Nathan Eovaldi @ LAA - Eovaldi is dope and makes up feel dope. Yes, even against the hot Angels crew.
Shota Imanaga @ MIL - Imanaga had a disaster last time out that is a clear outlier. Until there is another one. YOU STOP THAT.
MacKenzie Gore @ HOU - Gore hasn't had the greatest curve and changeup command to RHB lately, and yet he's still found a way to produce.
Probably Starts
Freddy Peralta vs. CHC - Peralta has had an underrated season (by me), but it's the Cubs.
Will Warren vs. TBR - Warren's sweeper returned last time out. Now let's see the changeup, please.
Ryne Nelson @ DET - Nelson's four-seamer is still incredibly hard to hit. If he gets the pitch up, he'll come through even if there isn't development across his arsenal.
Brayan Bello @ MIN - I've enjoyed watching Bello improve his zone rate and attack batters with his sinker and cutter. Is the sweeper and changeup good enough to be more than a "Toby"?
Chris Paddack vs. ARI - Ayyyyy, he's on the Tigers now! A better Win chance and in a decent home park against a dampened Arizona offense. Who knows, maybe Geno is gone before this one too?
Questionable Starts
José Soriano vs. TEX - Here's to hoping the sinker is earning enough strikes. It really is as simple as that.
Clay Holmes @ SDP - Hey Mets, are you going to limit "The Adobe" or not? Either way, he hasn't been elite and the Padres are tougher to deal with these days.
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.
José Berríos @ BAL - He's "The Great Undulator". You can't just say that every time. Sure I can.
Adrian Houser vs. PHI - I'm not sure I should have him outside the bottom tier, but I understand if you want to keep applying the "Vargas Rule".
Do Not Starts
Parker Messick vs. COL - The Guardians have an open spot in the rotation for Wednesday due to the weekend doubleheader and Messick could fill in for his MLB debut (we don't start those, even against "Rockie Road"). Despite hearing his name a bit in the spring, I'm not impressed with Messick's arsenal across Triple-A this year. I have low expectations for him to become a guy.
Jeffrey Springs vs. SEA - He's had more sunshine and rainbows that I expected this season, rooted in a near 25% SwStr changeup. That's really all he has, though, and it's "Sacré Verde".
Zack Littell @ NYY - Littell's run is likely over and I wouldn't risk a date against the Yankees, even without Judge present.
Mike Burrows @ SFG - You may think this is too harsh on Burrows, but the slider isn't great and he needs his best command to make it worthwhile, even against the Giants.
Joey Wentz @ KCR - He'll be stretched out to five innings here and gets to pitch in a great park. THERE'S A CHANCE.
Ryan Gusto vs. WSN - We just saw Gusto get obliterated, but his four-seamer did play well. It's possible these left-handers can't deal with it.
Dean Kremer vs. TOR - Kremer is the Dean "Werewolf", which gives him a shot against any team, including the Jays. That floor is awfully scary, though.
Miles Mikolas vs. MIA - He'll throw a lot of strikes over the plate and the Marlins aren't a team to fear. But then again, it's Mikolas. He just sat 2-3 ticks harder, Nick. I still can't do it. I'M SORRY.
Bailey Ober vs. BOS - We expect Ober to return from the IL in a very clear "Still ILL", even if it's the Sawx away from Fenway.
Shohei Ohtani @ CIN - He's not stretched out to five frames yet and it's unclear if there is a significant follower to consider.
Taijuan Walker @ CHW - I know it's against the CrySox, but it's Taijuan. You knwo we can't.
Cal Quantrill @ STL - Yes, there are moments with Cal. I'm not interested.
Kyle Freeland @ CLE - Freeland was great at the beginning of the year away from Coors...
Nick Martinez vs. LAD - It's the Dodgers and Martinez doesn't have a high enough ceiling.
Dallas Keuchel vs. ATL - Wait, seriously?! I thought Bananza was the only DK we'd see this month.
Thursday 7/31 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.
