Here are today and tomorrow’s daily SP Streamer rankings for fantasy baseball.
Every day of the 2024 baseball season, I’ll be looking at today 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!
Make sure to read the notes if you’re wondering why I’m favoring certain pitchers over others – I won’t get to everyone and hopefully I answer what questions you will have.
There is a second table 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.
Finally, there are my streaming picks of the day, and please keep in mind that I am forced to pick a streamer every day. 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 these guys until 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. You can use the rankings to realize who those picks would be instead.
(Opener) – Outlines that a pitcher is being opened for that day & the pitcher listed will follow the opener.
As I do my rankings, I thought it would be helpful to showcase a table of how we’re ranking offenses (in alphabetical order by tier):
I’m sure it’ll change through the year + there are differences to be made about teams vs. LHP or RHP, but it works as a general table that y’all should keep in mind.
Alright, let’s get to it.
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, 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.
Nick’s 2024 Streamer Record: 54-41
My pick yesterday: Zack Littell @ KCR – W
PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 54-41
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: José Soriano @ OAK – L
Want PL Bot’s pick today? Sign up for PL Pro here.
My streaming pick of the day is Underlined and Italicized.
Today’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto Starts
Zack Wheeler @ CHC – Aces gonna ace.
Chris Sale vs. SFG – Aces gonna ace.
Corbin Burnes @ SEA – Aces gonna ace.
Jared Jones vs. STL – After a week off, I’m trusting Jones against a poor Cardinals offense.
Shota Imanaga vs. PHI – Aces gonna ace in a game where Imanaga needs to prove he still holds the coveted label.
Logan Gilbert vs. BAL – Aces gonna ace…even against the Orioles.
Jack Flaherty @ MIN – Flaherty should get the label soon enough and the Twins are a decent challenge to showcase he deserves it.
Ryan Pepiot @ KCR – Pepiot made easy work of the Mariners and the Royals could be more of the same. The ceiling is higher than Blanco…
Ronel Blanco @ TOR – …Though, if you’re in a Quality Start league, you may want to favor Blanco over Pepiot.
Probably Starts
Gavin Stone vs. ARI – I don’t buy that he’s a 25%+ strikeout arm now, leaving him out of the top tier.
Carlos Rodón vs. CIN – It’s been a tough trio of outings for Rodón and I’m not ready to jump ship.
Gavin Williams vs. CHW – He’s back! It could be a Still ILL, though with 82 pitches in his previous outing, I think you’re safe against the CrySox.
Christian Scott @ WSN – He’s also back! I’m down for this as Scott is stretched out and the Nationals aren’t a fearsome crew.
David Festa vs. DET – I dug Festa’s skills in his first start and I’d roll with him against the lowly Tigers. This could be the one that sells the masses.
Yusei Kikuchi vs. HOU – Kikuchi’s slider is back and we’d all be clamoring for this one if it weren’t for a three-run shot by Soto last game.
Michael Wacha vs. TBR – The changeup is doing what we want it to and the Rays aren’t scary.
Davis Daniel @ OAK – He just went eight scoreless frames and it’s the Athletics. I’m not enamored with his arsenal, but the command could be good enough to cruise.
Brayan Bello @ MIA – He’s been off but that shouldn’t last forever and it’s the Marlins. Surely this is the start of the rebound…?
Questionable Starts
Erick Fedde @ CLE – Cleveland is massively a HR park and I’d have some worry about Fedde here.
Mitchell Parker vs. NYM – Parker is a decent Toby, but do you want to go up against the power of Grimace?
UPDATE: Dean Kremer @ SEA – It feels like a cheap Win here for Kremer, even if it’s a Still ILL – he threw 75 pitches in his final rehab start.
Jon Gray vs. SDP – Sliders are still great, I worry about the rest from Gray.
Trevor Rogers vs. BOS – Rogers has a sub 3.30 ERA across his last six games, but the whiffs aren’t there. Boston isn’t scary, I just don’t feel comfortable with Rogers, especially after four walks last time out.
Do Not Starts
Joey Estes vs. LAA – It’s not the worst play and I was tempted to put him in Tier 3. The arsenal isn’t all too impressive, though, and I’d rather just avoid it. The gains are too little.
Miles Mikolas @ PIT – Mikolas wouldn’t be down here if it weren’t for a 9 ER cataclysm in his last outing.
Jordan Hicks @ ATL – Hicks isn’t in prime form and it’s Atlanta.
UPDATE: Keider Montero @ MIN – With Flaherty needing more time to heal, Montero is getting the pearl. He could be of intrigue over time, but not against Minnesota, even without Royce.
Adam Mazur @ TEX – I’m waiting for Mazur to show us a legit line before giving him a chance to start.
Andrew Abbott @ NYY – It’s the Yankees and Abbott just walked six.
Colin Rea @ COL – It’s Coors and even though Rea has some moments, you can’t.
Jordan Montgomery @ LAD – The Dodgers + The Bear is in hibernation.
Dakota Hudson vs. MIL – Uhhhh, no.
UPDATE: Cristian Mena @ LAD – It’s an MLB debut! He doesn’t throw hard, but his slider and curve are whiff machines. I’m curious how the impact of the PCL has effected him. But yeah, don’t start because of the Dodgers and the Big Stage Nerves. I’m workshopping that last term.
Enjoy these rankings? Support my work and Pitcher List by getting PL+ or PL Pro! You’ll get an Ad-Free website, access to our incredible non-toxic baseball Discord community, my weekly PL Pro exclusive SP FAAB Forecast podcast, a full suite of fantasy baseball tools, and much more. Get 10% off yearly with code SPSTREAMERS here.
Tomorrow’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto Starts
Corbin Burnes @ SEA – Aces gonna ace.
Bailey Ober vs. DET – It’s the Tigers and Ober is LOCKED in.
Michael King @ TEX – King is cruising and the Rangers are not.
Cristopher Sánchez @ CHC – He has 16 scoreless innings under his belt without a walk. You’re starting the man.
Probably Starts
Logan Webb @ ATL – He’s not an ace, but he’ll do just fine.
Zac Gallen @ LAD – He’s battling for the AGA tag again and after what may have been the best start I’ve seen from Gallen in ages, I’d go for it. He’s taken down the mighty Dodgers many times before.
Jake Irvin vs. NYM – Irvin is too dang hot right now. He is the GRIM ACE.
Zach Eflin @ KCR – Eflin is a lovely Holly against a meh team.
Nick Pivetta @ MIA – It’s the Marlins…and Pivetta is looking like a Cherry Bomb as he’s lost his cutter and sweeper feel. But the Marlins! I know, he’s here for a reason.
Max Scherzer vs. SDP – I’m a little skeptical that Scherzer still has elite ability in the tank. I want to see it.
Chris Bassitt vs. HOU – You start Bassitt and you like it.
Marcus Stroman vs. CIN – You start Stroman and you like it a little less than Bassitt.
Ben Lively vs. CHW – I’m amazed he’s earned the trust of nearly 40% of managers in fantasy, but hey, we’re on the same page.
Jose Quintana @ WSN – Just 8% rostered and ahead of Valdez today? Yuuuuup. His command is peaking and now gets the Nationals. I’m in.
Framber Valdez @ TOR – You can’t trust him. You’ve agonized over this start all week. You saw how the Mets trounced him and you have no idea what to do. Just put him in there and close your eyes. Good luck.
Questionable Starts
Bryce Miller vs. BAL – Miller found secondary whiffs last start (FINALLY!) but now it’s the Orioles and we need consistency before we trust him.
Landon Knack vs. ARI – Knack has a great slider and four-seamer and pitches for a team that is going to need Knack more than five frames with more starts. Hopefully this is the beginning of him finding the sixth for a winning club.
Charlie Morton vs. SFG – He’s a Cherry Bomb and it bothers me so.
Alec Marsh vs. TBR – Marsh is fine.
Tobias Myers @ COL – Myers is on a Vargas Rule and heads into Coors. I’m curious if he can continue pumping all his arsenal over the plate and confound batters.
Drew Thorpe @ CLE – If he has his changeup working, he can stave off the high HR rates of Progressive Field.
Do Not Starts
Jameson Taillon vs. PHI – I know the Phillies are a bit depleted, but I generally don’t think the ceiling is too high. I’m cool with it in QS leagues + the strikeout rate should not stay this elevated. No, it won’t be ten strikeouts again, nor close to it.
JP Sears vs. LAA – Sears has some upside in him, but the floor. Oh dear, the floor is lava.
Martín Pérez vs. STL – It wasn’t a fun return from the IL, but the Cardinals are easier than Atlanta + his command wasn’t so bad. We saw him go on a run earlier this year and I wouldn’t be shocked if he pulled this one off.
Andre Pallante @ PIT – Pallante hurls four-seamers with cut action over the plate and it can work out in his favor at times.
Cal Quantrill vs. MIL – The splitter is faring well, but this is Coors and the Brewers. Not fun.
Frankie Montas @ NYY – After Soto and Judge, the Yankee offense isn’t doing a whole lot. It’s not out of the question Montas makes this work for at least five frames.
Kenta Maeda @ MIN – Even without Royce, Maeda’s ceiling is too low to justify this.
Kyle Tyler vs. BOS – Tyler was able to nearly go five productive frames last time out against the Phillies…maybe it’s five full now?
Roansy Contreras @ OAK – He’s not stretched out, nor flexing the stuff we want to see.
Enjoy these rankings? Support my work and Pitcher List by getting PL+ or PL Pro! You’ll get an Ad-Free website, access to our incredible non-toxic baseball Discord community, my weekly PL Pro exclusive SP FAAB Forecast podcast, a full suite of fantasy baseball tools, and much more. Get 10% off yearly with code SPSTREAMERS here.
Photos Courtesy of IconSportswire | Adapted by Aaron Asbury (@aarongifs on Instagram)