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: 68-31
My Pick yesterday: Loss - Michael Soroka vs. BOS
My Pick today: Justin Wrobleski (Ohtani Opener) vs. HOU
My Pick tomorrow: J Emmet Sheehan vs. HOU
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: 66-33
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Loss - Michael Soroka vs. BOS
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.
Saturday 7/5 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Logan Webb @ ATH - Aces gonna ace.
Carlos Rodón @ NYM - Aces gonna ace.
Ranger Suárez vs. CIN - He's been an ace for two months and gets the "Reds Carpet".
Framber Valdez @ LAD - Aces gonna ace...even against the Dodgers.
Probably Starts
Luis Castillo vs. PIT - I'm not the biggest Castillo acolyte, though it's the Pirates. They've been better as an offense. It's also at "@TEA". Okay fine.
Casey Mize @ CLE - I'm liking the breaking ball approach of Mize and his fastball/splitter is still a strong combo.
Ryne Nelson vs. KCR - Nelson's four-seamer is incredible. There's a part of me that wants him to throw his worse pitches more often (cutter and slider) a little more just to help amplify the four-seamer even more. He doesn't throw nearly as many non-competitive secondaries as you'd think.
Nick Lodolo @ PHI - Lodolo has had a rough schedule across the last six weeks and he's only had a pair of disappointing outings in that time. I see a strong second half ahead, especially now that he's had the first healthy season of his career, which has allowed him to find a baseline and build upon it.
Questionable Starts
Matthew Liberatore @ CHC - I'm concerned that Liberatore's arsenal will degrade across the season with fatigue in his first full year on the bump, with his arsenal lacking a single electric offering. This house can crumble easily. In the short term, it's the Cubs here and that's a tough matchup.
Chad Patrick @ MIA - It's the Marlins and it's a good strikeout play. The Ratios are always a question, though, and his volume varies start-to-start.
Justin Wrobleski (Ohtani Opener) vs. HOU - Ohtani is now opening for Wrobo instead of Casparius, which raises the Win chance for Wrobleski. However, I'm not sold that Wrobo is dominant against a RHB-crew and I'd consider this a Win play with a bit of risk in the ratio department.
Michael Wacha @ ARI - Wacha's WHIP has hurt a fair amount this year and the Sneks are a tough offense to endure. Hopefully the changeup is at its best.
Max Scherzer vs. LAA - Scherzer showcased some great sliders and cutters last time out. He could unleash them against the RHB-heavy angels, though there's risk of his thumb injury propping up again - it cut his last start an inning short against the Yankees.
Jack Leiter @ SDP - Leiter gets a decent matchup, but we don't know what this "PEAS" will do. I sure hope I can remove that label soon.
Do Not Starts
Mitchell Parker vs. BOS - I'm tempted to give this a go given Boston's poor offensive performance away from Fenway, but that would require faith in Parker nailing the "BSB" with his heater and curveball. He's only done that once.
Dean Kremer @ ATL - Kremer has been better than I give him credit as of late...and yet I think it's so flukey. I can't do it, but if you're looking for a (Project) Hail Mary, this could be it.
Logan Allen vs. DET - He has his moments, but the floor has a much higher chance of appearing than the ceiling.
Taj Bradley @ MIN - He's a "PEAS" without a beacon guiding him toward improvement.
Stephen Kolek vs. TEX - Kolek throws strikes and sometimes that's all you need to do against the Rangers.
Luis Severino vs. SFG - It's in "Sacré Verde" and Severino can't be trusted. But at least it's the Giants.
Walker Buehler @ WSN - Buehler is still figuring things out. I wonder if he can go "Dancing With The Disco".
Mike Burrows @ SEA - Burrows has some moments of success when he can go "BSB" with four-seamers and changeups, though it's not consistent and his breakers are suspect.
Jordan Wicks (Opener) vs. STL - Taillon was placed on the IL with a strained calf muscle and the Cubs called up Wicks to replace him. I have low expectations for Wicks out of the gate, though I'm curious if his changeup feel is there with a great "iVB" four-seamer and decent enough breakers.
Connor Gillispie vs. TBR - Oh hey, it's Connor! You had some moments, right?
Cal Quantrill vs. MIL - He is the UnQuantrillfiable. But mostly quantified as not fantasy relevant.
Frankie Montas Jr. vs. NYY - It's the Yankees and Montas isn't looking stupid good.
Germán Márquez vs. CHW - He's had a sub 3.00 ERA across his last eight games, believe it or not. Coors is undefeated. But the CrySox are Unundefeated. They've won more games this year. Sure, whatever.
Jack Kochanowicz @ TOR - The Jack of No Trade is here. I hope to see the sinker dominate once again.
Jonathan Cannon @ COL - Do not prepare the cannons.
Travis Adams (Opener) vs. TBR - The Twins finally placed Bailey Ober on the IL with a hip impingement, creating an open rotation spot. Adams has been called up to make his MLB debut and act as the bulk reliever. We don't start MLB debuts + Adams has had just two games in the minors this season above four strikeouts. He's a slider/changeup arm with a poor heater. This ain't it.
Atlanta Bullpen vs. BAL - We thought it could be Waldrep, and it looks like Atlanta could be going with a bullpen game with Aaron Bummer opening.
Sunday 7/6 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Tarik Skubal @ CLE - Aces gonna ace.
Zack Wheeler vs. CIN - Aces gonna ace.
Garrett Crochet @ WSN - Aces gonna ace.
Paul Skenes @ SEA - Aces gonna ace.
Max Fried @ NYM - Aces gonna ace.
Joe Ryan vs. TBR - Aces gonna ace. It's ace day and every streaming H2H team's worst nightmare.
George Kirby vs. PIT - He's gone "BSB" with his slider and heaters for two straight. Please continue.
Probably Starts
Drew Rasmussen @ MIN - Rasmussen hasn't been the 5+ inning rock lately, and I can understand it could be a trend as he has yet to be disrupted as a starter this year and the season could be taking its toll. I'm optimistic it's just a bump in the road, though I recognize it's not at the same level as the entire Auto-Start tier.
Matthew Boyd vs. STL - Boyd has been the solid "Holly" you want him to be.
Grant Holmes vs. BAL - The strikeouts are flowing and you can't resist this.
Chase Burns @ PHI - But he's been so bad! Nah, he had his MLB debut and then was bamboozled while tipping in Fenway. He's a stud in the making and I'm going for it.
Edward Cabrera vs. MIL - Cabrera is earning more success lately, though his history of volatility and shifting approaches between games should tame your expectations.
Questionable Starts
Emmet Sheehan vs. HOU - I keep favoring Dodgers starters and while Casparius has let us down, Sheehan's skill set was much improved in his return to the majors. This could be a stream-and-hold.
Trevor Rogers @ ATL - Rogers' four-seamer, change, and slider are a good trio that requires feel for all three for a productive outing. He's look improved but not dominant. Atlanta ain't a cakewalk.
Shane Smith @ COL - Smith's curveball has gotten me a little excited but Coors could mess it up.
Jacob Lopez vs. SFG - Lopez's game is all "Neckbeard" and with too many pitches over the zone last start, he was demolished. If he has the command, he'll deserve success. Good luck guessing heads or tails.
Gavin Williams vs. DET - Gavin's command is rough. His velocity and extension are back, though, and he's fully embraced the cutter. You're so close and yet so far.
Kevin Gausman vs. LAA - Gausman is an ultimate "HIPSTER". Will he have splitter and four-seamer command? Who knows?
Tyler Anderson @ TOR - The changeup is still legit and the Jays are RHB-focused. They love hitting against LHP though...
Do Not Starts
Hayden Birdsong @ ATH - We saw the floor of Birdsong across his last two starts and it's hard to bank on his control returning inside "Sacré Verde".
Patrick Corbin @ SDP - Corbin has more QS potential than you'd think, if you're into that.
Kyle Hart vs. TEX - This isn't Darvish as we were hoping for and here's to hoping he has five innings in him.
Brandon Woodruff @ MIA - Oh snap! Is he ACTUALLY making his season debut this time? He threw 82 pitches in his last Triple-A rehab start, though it wasn't pretty with 3.2 IP of 4 ER, 3 BBs, and just one strikeout ("HAISTBMBWT?!"). It's a high vert four-seamer at a semmingly good "HAVAA" at 93 mph, which may jump up in this return, but we'll see. I have low expectations for Woodruff, sadly.
Colton Gordon @ LAD - The matchup is rough. He's had some success against tough teams with his excellent sweeper and there could be a sneaky Win here.
Erick Fedde @ CHC - It's the Cubs and Fedde is not looking pretty.
Chase Dollander vs. CHW - Dollander is in Coors and hasn't had his prime stuff, but at least it's the White Sox.
Anthony DeSclafani vs. KCR - Whoa, he's starting again! He's had a quartet of 2+ IP appearances in relief for the Sneks, where he's had better stuff than his 2022 and 2023 self. He tossed just 25 pitches in his last game, though, and it caps the ceiling. It would be so fun for Tony Disco to show us what "Dancing With The Disco" is all about.
Michael Lorenzen @ ARI - Lorenzen will have a long leash, at the very least.
Brandon Waddell vs. NYY - It's the Yankees and Waddell is not a guy to chase.
Cade Cavalli vs. BOS - There isn't any official news on this, but there is a chance this is Cavalli getting the call. That said, he just allowed 7 ER in his last Triple-A game and he comes with a poor fastball a little above 95 mph with Fan4+ metrics. It's all about the curve and changeup, which doesn't get me excited at all.
Monday 7/7 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.
