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: 86-46
My Pick yesterday: Loss - Justin Verlander vs. WSN
My Pick today: Chris Paddack vs. CHW
My Pick tomorrow: Jacob Lopez vs. TBR
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: 87-45
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Win - Joey Wentz vs. MIA
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.
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.
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.
Jose Quintana vs. PIT - We just saw Quintana have his command and now he gets a lovely matchup. He's a streamer when he's working.
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.
Tyler Alexander (Opener) vs. DET - We're going to see an MLB debut as an opener (Elvis Peguero), likely followed by T-Lex. Maybe there's a vulture Win...? Nah.
Chase Dollander @ STL - This isn't your standard "Final Ranked" arm. The rest of the bottom tier arms have some argument for the third tier, while this is a "Still ILL" and a highly volatile arm, despite getting a start outside of Coors.
Tuesday 8/12 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Paul Skenes @ MIL - Aces gonna ace.
Robbie Ray vs. SDP - Aces gonna ace.
George Kirby @ BAL - He's nearly earned his "AGA" coronation. Keep going low sliders and high heaters teasing the zone.
Ranger Suárez @ CIN - Suárez is back on track.
Freddy Peralta vs. PIT - This is obvious.
Carlos Rodón vs. MIN - Rodón has endured stumbles in the second half, losing his "AGA" status in the process. And yet, he's still a clear start.
Probably Starts
Jack Flaherty @ CHW - That last outing was rough but it's the White Sox.
Matthew Liberatore vs. COL - I'm awfully concerned about Liberatore, but the sweetness of "Rockie Road" can save everything.
Spencer Strider @ NYM - The mortality has been apparent this year, especially when his slider isn't earning double-digit whiffs.
Michael Wacha vs. WSN - Wacha's elite changeup gets an ideal matchup against a LHB-focused lineup.
Questionable Starts
Jacob Lopez vs. TBR - We just saw J Lo go platinum and the Rays serve many LHB bats for Lopez to feast upon.
Emmet Sheehan @ LAA - I'm a huge fan of Sheehan's skills, but we haven't seen over 80 pitches in a start, limiting his ceiling. Throw in an Angels lineup with thump, and there's your third tier slot.
Spencer Arrighetti vs. BOS - After his "Still ILL", Arrighetti should have a longer leash and be in the clear for a solid outing against the lowly Red Sox away from Fenway.
Shane Baz @ ATH - Baz, you're right there. It may be tougher than usual in "Sacré Verde", but if it clicks, it won't matter.
Logan Allen vs. MIA - Allen has a long leash and the Marlins aren't a team to fear. I sure don't love Allen's balance of risk/reward, though.
Nestor Cortes @ SFG - Like "The Pasta Pirate", Cortes has his "Still ILL" behind him and gets a great matchup.
Clay Holmes vs. ATL - How long will he go? Will it be worth your time?
Do Not Starts
Dean Kremer vs. SEA - Kremer is back to being Dean "Werewolf". You do you.
José Berríos vs. CHC - I'm prefer not to do this against the Cubs. And in general, really.
Anthony DeSclafani @ TEX - The Rangers aren't intimidating and DeSclafani could go dancing like the ole days. I was a legend, once.
Brady Singer vs. PHI - Will Singer have his slider and sweeper doing what he wants? Can he locate sinkers? What about keeping the ball in the yard?
Jack Leiter vs. ARI - Leiter is a strikeout play if that's what you need. I wouldn't expect excellence here.
Tyler Anderson vs. LAD - Maybe the changeup silences this weakened crew?
Dustin May @ HOU - I love the emphasis on cutters from May - maybe the command is better now and his sweeper can stay away from the Astros RHB.
Ben Brown @ TOR - It's the Jays and I don't want to break the "Huascar Rule".
Kyle Freeland @ STL - We've seen some success with Freeland away from Coors and hey! It's St. Louis!
Mitchell Parker @ KCR - I just want the slider to be dope against RHB. Fortunately the park with help a touch.
Pierson Ohl @ NYY - The changeup is super fun and there is a solid amount of vert on the heater + the Yankees are in such a funk. That's the best I've got.
Mike Vasil vs. DET - They pushed Shane to Wednesday and I cannot see a path for Vasil to produce value.
Wednesday 8/13 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.
