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!
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: 67-30
My Pick yesterday: Loss - Mick Abel vs. SDP
My Pick today: Cade Horton vs. CLE
My Pick tomorrow: Michael Soroka vs. BOS
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: 66-31
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Loss - Didier Fuentes vs. LAA
PL Bot's Pick today: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Pick tomorrow: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Pick day after tomorrow: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Picks are located at the bottom of this article for PL Pro members.
Thursday 7/3 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Robbie Ray @ ARI - This is it, Ray. Get your "AGA" back.
Seth Lugo @ SEA - He's been cooking and it's "@TEA".
Clarke Schmidt @ TOR - Schmidt's cutter has been too good to pass up here.
Probably Starts
David Peterson vs. MIL - A borderline Tier 2/3 play, but the Brewers don't scare me. Please limit the walks this time, David.
Questionable Starts
Cade Horton vs. CLE - My faith in Horton has dwindled as his cut-fastball hasn't been spotted well as of late, nor are the breakers forcing batters to quiver in their cleats.
Dustin May vs. CHW - It's the White Sox and the Dodgers...don't mess this up, May.
Eury Pérez vs. MIN - I see Pérez a start or two away from becoming HIM, but even after Cabrera stomped them, I'm scared of this offense.
José Soriano @ ATL - Soriano had three phenomenal outings until last week's stumble. Hopefully he gets back on the horse with high CSW curveballs and well-spotted sinkers.
David Festa @ MIA - He was able to get all three pitches around the zone last time and it's the Marlins. I still fear his "Shag Rug", though.
Brandon Walter @ COL - Gordon just got messed up in Coors, Walter's approach isn't vastly different and may have the same faults.
Brandon Pfaadt vs. SFG - Is the cutter enough to steer the ship against LHB? At least this is the Giants.
Dietrich Enns @ WSN - Enns had a shocking return to the bigs, though I'm worried his fastball/change attack won't work against the LHB-heavy lineup.
Do Not Starts
Jose Quintana @ NYM - Quintana wasn't at his best last time and it's the Mets.
Logan Evans vs. KCR - It looks like Evans has taken over Hancock's spot in the rotation after his peer was demoted to the minors. I don't love Evans, but he's this high in the DO NOT START tier due to "@TEA" and the mid Royals offense.
Joey Cantillo @ CHC - He's getting a shot at the rotation with Ortiz getting investigated by MLB for betting (yikes). Cantillo has promise with his elite extension, though I'm not sure how long he goes + it's the Cubs.
Chris Bassitt vs. NYY - It's the Yankees + Bassitt has hurt you more than helped.
Jake Irvin vs. DET - Irvin isn't in one of his patented grooves.
Bryce Elder vs. LAA - He's been horrific, though the Angels are RHB-focused and that plays into Elder's sinker/slider skillset. Just an idea.
Aaron Civale @ LAD - Oh no.
Kyle Freeland vs. HOU - Oh noooooooo.
Friday 7/4 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Bryan Woo vs. PIT - Aces gonna ace.
Jesús Luzardo vs. CIN - It's the "Reds Carpet" for Luzardo. Yes please.
Spencer Strider vs. BAL - I'm worried about Strider, but the Orioles are struggling. Here's to the vert getting back to normal.
Andrew Abbott @ PHI - Abbott has been too good to stop starting him now.
Probably Starts
Lucas Giolito @ WSN - Giolito has been on a solid run and the LHB bats should play into his changeup well, instead of forcing more sliders in a RHB lineup.
Kris Bubic @ ARI - Bubic has been stellar, though the Sneks are strong even without Carroll.
Eduardo Rodriguez vs. KCR - It's the Royals and Eduardo has been making it work. Please have the changeup back, okay?
Questionable Starts
Michael Soroka vs. BOS - Soroka didn't have his curveball at all last start and I sure hope he does here. The Red Sox are susceptible if can find it.
Kumar Rocker @ SDP - Rocker's lean into cutters is fantastic. I just wish he had another offering he can pair effectively. The fastballs are not what they used to be and his curve/slider command goes in and out.
Quinn Priester @ MIA - Priester has had a stretch of solid performances and now gets the Marlins. Normally he just has a slider with terrible sinkers and cutters over the plate, but he did flex a strong curve to support his main breaker last time out.
Chris Paddack vs. TBR - Paddack has had a strange set of games lately and I wonder if he get the vert back on his heater after he gained velocity to 95 mph last time.
Zack Littell @ MIN - Littell has been everyone's favorite "Vargas Rule". I'm terrified of the inevitable wall.
Ben Casparius (Ohtani Opener) vs. HOU - It was a terrible perfomance last time out and don't let that convince you he's incapable of securing a Win.
Sandy Alcantara vs. MIL - I can't lean into Alcantara until the fastball command to RHB is there + his changeup is the proper weapon it used to be.
JP Sears vs. SFG - It's the Giants, even if I really dislike leaning into Sears on a regular basis.
Do Not Starts
Reese Olson @ CLE - Oh dang, he's ACTUALLY returning from the IL! It's a "Still ILL" and I hope he gives us plenty to be excited about.
Charlie Morton @ ATL - Morton was delayed due to elbow tendonitis and this has all the signs of not going well.
Adrian Houser @ COL - He's a QS darling, but it's still Coors.
Colin Rea vs. STL - Maybe I'm too low on Rea, but I don't love Rea's stuff and his hot stretch has cooled off considerably in the summer days. Funny how that works.
Slade Cecconi vs. DET - The Slade Bridgade will hate me for it, but I don't think he does anything special. The Tigers make this an easy bench.
Justin Verlander @ ATH - It's "Sacré Verde" and I haven't seen the great version of Verlander post IL stint.
Randy Vásquez vs. TEX - Vásquez throws strikes and it's the Rangers. That could work...?
Eric Lauer vs. LAA - Lauer has been able to get more whiffs on his four-seamer than you'd think against RHB, which could make this a surprise K game against the RHB-Angels lineup. Or an absolute bust.
Bailey Falter @ SEA - It's a good situation n all, but Falter is not consistent enough to trust here.
Marcus Stroman @ NYM - Stroman won't go long and his stuff is not what you want it to be.
Paul Blackburn vs. NYY - It's the Yankees and Blackburn.
Lance McCullers Jr. @ LAD - A volatile pitcher against the Dodgers?! I get it only if you're only looking for strikeout potential, but hot dang.
Miles Mikolas @ CHC - Mikolas won't let you salvage anything if he does poorly, which is a high probability against the Cubs.
Kyle Hendricks @ TOR - Hendricks ain't it. You know this.
Antonio Senzatela vs. CHW - Even against the CrySox, it's still Senz-A. Sigh.
Saturday 7/5 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.
