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: 91-49
My Pick yesterday: Loss - Nestor Cortes vs. SFG
My Pick today: Michael McGreevy @ MIA
My Pick tomorrow: Cam Schlittler 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: 92-48
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Loss - Nestor Cortes vs. SFG
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.
Tuesday 8/19 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Tarik Skubal vs. HOU - Aces gonna ace.
Joe Ryan vs. ATH - Aces gonna ace.
Hunter Brown @ DET - Aces gonna ace.
Cristopher Sánchez vs. SEA - Aces gonna ace.
Hunter Greene @ LAA - Aces gonna ace...after this one or next.
Nick Pivetta vs. SFG - He kinda deserves "AGA" after the season he's had, doesn't he?
Carlos Rodón @ TBR - You're trying to get the "AGA" tag back. Seize it.
Brandon Woodruff @ CHC - This is a test for Woodruff after coasting since his return from the IL.
Merrill Kelly @ KCR - Kelly has been a sturdy "Holly" all year.
Matthew Boyd vs. MIL - No one is sitting Boyd at this point.
Edward Cabrera vs. STL - ECab did have a stumble last start, but still pitched great. The skills are real.
Probably Starts
Max Scherzer @ PIT - He's only been helpful for your squads, even if the arsenal isn't overwhelming.
Seth Lugo vs. TEX - Lugo has been on a rough stretch and yet, this shouldn't last. I'm keeping the faith.
David Peterson @ WSN - He's been a WHIP killer but he's being given a gift against a LHB-heavy lineup.
Jacob Lopez @ MIN - J. Lo has had the rhythm you want a cross-body extension boi to have.
Questionable Starts
Michael McGreevy @ MIA - Don't expect your bread to be buttered. Those in need of a QS should take a shot here.
Shane Smith @ ATL - Smith is getting back into the groove and getting a little more volume, but Atlanta is better as of late.
Eduardo Rodriguez vs. CLE - Erod is your standard streaming option for six frames with a lower floor than you'd like.
Emmet Sheehan @ COL - It's Coors and Sheehan hasn't put all the pieces together quite yet. The ceiling sure is fun, though.
Shane Baz vs. NYY - He's pitched better than the results tell you. But yeah, it's super risky.
Tanner Bibee @ ARI - I'm kinda done wishcasting Bibee's redemption. And yet, there's a chance.
Do Not Starts
Bryce Elder vs. CHW - Elder just had a solid outing with four-seamers showing up more than expected. That's cool, Don't trust every Elder.
Bryce Miller @ PHI - It's a "Still ILL". Boy am I happy he's back. Is your elbow okay...?
Mitch Keller vs. TOR - Keller shouldn't get your attention in 12-teamers and it's the Jays.
Kyle Hendricks vs. CIN - It's the "Reds Carpet" immovable object against the unstoppable floor of Hendricks.
Jameson Taillon vs. MIL - He's back from the IL! And complained to me that Assad got all the good luck on Sunday with the wind blowing in. Don't expect him to go long here in a "Still ILL".
Chad Patrick @ CHC - He's returning to the rotation and sadly has to deal with the Cubs.
Tomoyuki Sugano @ BOS - Sugano could squeeze through 5+ frames. The floor is lava in Fenway - you've been warned.
Walker Buehler vs. BAL - Why are the Red Sox still trying to make this work?
Kai-Wei Teng @ SDP - Teng is absurdly volatile. At least there's some upside in his secondaries?
Jake Irvin vs. NYM - Absolutely not.
Austin Gomber vs. LAD - It's the Colorado SP.
Wednesday 8/20 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Jacob deGrom @ KCR - Aces gonna ace.
Framber Valdez @ DET - Aces gonna ace.
Noah Cameron vs. TEX - He's cruising and it's the Rangers.
Probably Starts
Kodai Senga @ WSN - He looked far better last time out and the ghost fork should cook against LHB.
Jesús Luzardo vs. SEA - Luzardo is the kind of "Cherry Bomb" you start.
Hurston Waldrep vs. CHW - Waldrep expanded the arsenal and has been great in his last two. The White Sox don't scare me.
Yusei Kikuchi vs. CIN - It's the "Reds Carpet", even if I'm suspicious of Kikuchi.
Shohei Ohtani @ COL - He just went 80+ pitches, y'all. IT'S TIME.
Cam Schlittler @ TBR - Cam, just get the dang secondaries down. He's managed to keep his head above water with his 98 mph four-seamer and he just needs to locate secondaries low to dominate.
Jacob Misiorowski @ CHC - We don't know the volume and it's best not to judge him for his "Still ILL". It's the best fastball in the game, I don't care if PLV gives it to Rasmussen.
Drew Rasmussen vs. NYY - YOU HEAR THAT JAY MIS?! 5.50 PLV ON MY FASTBALL. He's been able to go 5+ (even six!) lately and the skills are too good to pass up.
Luis Castillo @ PHI - I led with Castillo over the weekend as his fastballs are getting attacked more upstairs, leading to more damage. The foundation looks like it's crumbling and the Phillies are up...but then again, he's managed to keep it together all season and it wouldn't be fair to jump ship after one game, right?
Questionable Starts
Chris Bassitt @ PIT - It's the Pirates and there's a decent Win chance, though Bassitt has burned many throughout the season.
Bailey Ober vs. ATH - His four-seamer location was far better last start, but it was around 90 mph, not 91/92 mph. At least it's the Athletics in Minnesota.
Colin Rea vs. MIL - He's been a great streaming play this year and the Brewers are not the best matchup.
Charlie Morton vs. HOU - Morton's strikeouts have been flowing, though it's been a whole lot of "HIPSTER" vibes throughout the year.
Sandy Alcantara vs. STL - Alcantara just did the thing - Leading with his changeup and pairing it with heaters to generate efficient outs. Just one game, of course, though this start could be a good one to take a chance with a decent matchup floor.
J.T. Ginn @ MIN - It's kinda wild to see both Ginn and Sears starting on the same day. ANYWAY Ginn has a whole lot of intrigue across his arsenal and I hope he displays sustainability in his next few starts. Keep that command, please.
JP Sears vs. SFG - Sears is returning from the minors and I'm curious how the Padres have tweaked him. It's lovely to face the Giants and I'm a little tempted to give it a shot - he could be a fast pickup if something has changed.
Do Not Starts
Brandon Pfaadt vs. CLE - I just don't want to touch Pfaadt these days.
Landen Roupp @ SDP - I'd have him higher if he were stretched out further.
Braxton Ashcraft vs. TOR - Ashcraft is kinda interesting, but it's the Jays and the "Shag Rug" is so very present with a limited pitch count.
Martín Pérez @ ATL - I'm not shocked the White Sox are putting Pérez into the rotation and he could go five innings of boring baseball.
Parker Messick @ ARI - It's an MLB debut! I wouldn't get too amped for this one, personally.
Nick Martinez @ LAA - He has a shot to nail the edges and produce, but the floor is so low.
Brad Lord vs. NYM - He just had a fun outing and I can't take the chance against the Mets with a Hobbit Hole ceiling.
Andre Pallante @ MIA - Pallante has been so detrimental this year.
Tanner Gordon vs. LAD - It's the Colorado SP.
Thursday 8/21 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.
