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: 86-45
My Pick yesterday: Win - Joey Cantillo vs. CHW
My Pick today: Justin Verlander vs. WSN
My Pick tomorrow: Chris Paddack vs. CHW
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: 86-45
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Win - Joey Cantillo vs. CHW
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.
Sunday 8/10 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Zack Wheeler @ TEX - Aces gonna ace.
Bryan Woo vs. TBR - Aces gonna ace
Tyler Glasnow vs. TOR - Aces gonna ace.
Max Fried vs. HOU - Aces gonna ace.
Shota Imanaga @ STL - IM AN AGA will return.
Dylan Cease vs. BOS - You just saw the ceiling and now he has a gift of a matchup.
Probably Starts
Sean Manaea @ MIL - Manaea has been solid, though not the immense producer of last year's second half. That ability is still there, though.
MacKenzie Gore @ SFG - Gore is a "Cherry Bomb" and despite the chaos he's wrought lately, it's too early to say he's cooked.
Sonny Gray vs. CHC - After watching him pitch against the Dodgers, you can tell he's Sonny and not Gray. I wish he didn't have to face the Cubs, though.
Brandon Pfaadt vs. COL - It's "Rockie Road", which should allow Pfaadt to rack up strikeouts with his sweeper. Just don't overthrow the sinker across the plate, alright?
Zack Littell @ PIT - It's the Pirates and Littell has been absolutely bananas this year.
Slade Cecconi @ CHW - Yes, Slade Brigade, I'm actually with you on this one. It's the CrySox, after all.
Quinn Priester vs. NYM - Priester is a "Vargas Rule", which means you're shrugging and starting the man despite the Mets. Yes, it feels wrong to me, too.
Adrian Houser @ SEA - It's a great matchup for another "Vargas Rule" in Houser.
Justin Verlander vs. WSN - Verlander's four-seamer and slider have performed far better as of late, though his inability to go six strong has made me slightly worried.
Questionable Starts
Joey Wentz vs. MIA - The Marlins are a great team to stream against while Wentz's increased extension with a legit cutter and curve make him a surprise play in August.
Casey Mize vs. LAA - I think Mize is in a good place, but it's the Angels.
Brayan Bello @ SDP - Bello has proven himself as a strong "Toby", if not a low-end "Holly". Sadly, it's the Padres.
Eric Lauer @ LAD - Lauer has been hot, but the Dodgers may be heating back up.
Cade Povich vs. ATH - It's the Athletics, though Povich is just one start removed from a rough "Still ILL".
Mike Burrows vs. CIN - Burrows is not reliable, but at least it's the "Reds Carpet".
Davis Martin vs. CLE - Martin's cutter + kick-change make for a fun duo as long as his fastballs don't get in the way.
Do Not Starts
Ryan Bergert @ MIN - I'm keeping a close eye on Bergert, hoping he showcases more than high vert and a good breaker or two. He's a "Young Gun" as we hope he can find a tick or two of velocity over the winter.
Patrick Corbin vs. PHI - Corbin's magical renaissance of 2025 is a fun story, and not enough to start against the Phillies.
Cal Quantrill @ ATL - Maybe he can squeeze five frames here?
Jason Alexander @ NYY - There's some upside in Alexander, but against the Yankees? Nah, not worth it.
José Ureña vs. KCR - If you trust José, Ureña boatload of trouble.
Luis Morales @ BAL - It's not in "Sacré Verde" for this rookie, though he's barely stretched out and showcased violent command across his two frames in his debut.
Jack Kochanowicz @ DET - He hasn't been good for a long time.
Tanner Gordon @ ARI - Two first names and a Rockie starter? Noooooope.
Monday 8/11 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Garrett Crochet @ HOU - Aces gonna ace.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. TOR - Aces gonna ace.
Nathan Eovaldi vs. ARI - Aces gonna ace.
Freddy Peralta vs. PIT - This is obvious.
Logan Webb vs. SDP - Webb looked better last time, though I wish it weren't the Padres.
Andrew Abbott vs. PHI - Abbott stumbled again in his last start, though it's not time to jump off, even against the Phillies.
Probably Starts
Chris Paddack @ CHW - This looks like a solid stream, despite the CrySox having their way on Opening Day.
Will Warren vs. MIN - Warren's sweeper has improved, not let's see the changeup, eh?
Ryne Nelson @ TEX - He's cruising and it's the Rangers.
Yu Darvish @ SFG - Is he good? Is he not? Darvish had one classic outing followed by another disappointment and yet, it's the Giants. Surely he's okay moving forward against weak teams, right?
Ryan Pepiot @ ATH - It's not fun pitching in "Sacré Verde" and if you're scared of the HR problem, I understand benching him. Personally, I believe the upside is worth the gamble.
Questionable Starts
Miles Mikolas vs. COL - It's "Rockie Road", but is Mikolas really capable of making it work?
José Soriano vs. LAD - He's a "HIPSTER" who can come through if the Dodgers are still weak.
Zebby Matthews @ NYY - It's the Yankees, even if I dig Zebby.
Cade Cavalli @ KCR - Cade was incredibly fun in his "debut". There's polish still needed and I wonder if the velocity can hold well, but at least it's Kauffman. He has the "Shag Rug", of course.
Jeffrey Springs vs. TBR - If the changeup is there in this revenge game, this could be sunshine and rainbows, despite pitching in his home park.
Do Not Starts
Taijuan Walker @ CIN - Looks like he's getting one more start and I just can't do it.
Cristian Javier vs. BOS - It's his "Still ILL" returning from TJS and I sure hope he's killing it.
Bailey Falter vs. WSN - I'm so curious if Falter changes drastically with the Royals. As of now, he's not worth the risk.
Andrew Heaney @ MIL - It's Heaney. A deep league "HIPSTER" who hurts more than helps.
Mike Vasil vs. DET - This ain't it, y'all.
Anthony Molina @ STL - At least he's out of Coors.
Tuesday 8/12 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.
