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: 93-49
My Pick yesterday: Win - Cam Schlittler vs. TBR
My Pick today: Jason Alexander @ BAL
My Pick tomorrow: Zebby Matthews @ 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: 92-50
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Loss - Andre Pallante @ 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.
Thursday 8/21 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Shota Imanaga vs. MIL - He's knocking on the "AGA" door.
Sonny Gray @ TBR - This should be Sonny and not Gray.
Dylan Cease vs. SFG - You're scared. It's the Giants. Don't be scared.
MacKenzie Gore vs. NYM - Gore is on the path to redemption and I'd let him fly even against the Mets.
Probably Starts
Sean Manaea @ WSN - It's been a rough August for Manaea, here's to the Nationals helping him get things sorted out.
Luis Gil vs. BOS - Gil hasn't had that start yet, but he's still barely removed from the IL. Hosting the Sawx can help.
Questionable Starts
Lucas Giolito @ NYY - It's a tough draw in the Bronx for Giolito. I wouldn't do this if I had a choice.
Quinn Priester @ CHC - Priester has overperformed this year and it's the Cubs. He could continue to confound me, though.
Jason Alexander @ BAL - Alexander's "Neckbeard" approach works, if he can pull it off.
Justin Verlander @ SDP - Verlander's four-seamer was great last time out, but we've seen how deep the floor goes and the Padres are no easy task.
Brandon Young vs. HOU - Yes, he just flirted with a perfect game against the Astros. It's unlikely for him to do so again.
Clayton Kershaw @ COL - Kershaw has had far more success than I expected on the back of his slider. Is that enough for Coors?
Jack Perkins @ MIN - Perkins returned a ton of whiffs last time out and I'm curious if we'll see more of that here, granting us something to latch onto.
Do Not Starts
Michael Lorenzen vs. TEX - If you're chasing a QS, there's a chance with Lorenzen and his kitchen-sink attack.
Patrick Corbin @ KCR - It's been a far better year than we expected from Corbin and maybe Kauffman can help him get through six with 3 ER or fewer.
Joe Boyle vs. STL - It's a good matchup and I wish I believed that Boyle had the control to make it work.
José Ureña vs. ATH - Despite going 4/5 innings of middling ratios, If you roster José, Ureña boatload of trouble.
Chase Dollander vs. LAD - It's the Colorado SP.
Friday 8/22 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Blake Snell @ SDP - Aces gonna ace.
Bryan Woo vs. ATH - Aces gonna ace.
Nathan Eovaldi vs. CLE - Aces gonna ace.
Max Fried vs. BOS - This is the start he gets back on the right track, yeah? Maybe we should ask the guy who lives in a van, down by the river.
Logan Webb @ MIL - The changeup/sinker combo worked last time, with the sweeper helping and cutter gone. I wonder what this will be.
Probably Starts
Ryne Nelson vs. CIN - It's the "Reds Carpet" and I hope the slider is still prominent. If that turns into a true #2 pitch...
Zebby Matthews @ CHW - A clear stream against the CrySox.
Adrian Houser vs. STL - It's the Cardinals and Houser has been rolling.
Casey Mize vs. KCR - He's been stable and I'm rolling with this, even if it's not in Kauffman.
Jose Quintana vs. SFG - When Quintana is cruising and gets a good matchup, you start him.
Questionable Starts
Joey Wentz vs. NYM - Wentz's extension gains are legit and if he were to ever learn a changeup, OH BABY. Who cares about the future though, for Friday, it's the Mets and I'm favoring him but also recognize his success is a little questionable still.
Ryan Bergert @ DET - Bergert is someone I legit dig for next year (I expect some development somewhere), though the "Shag Rug" exists and it's the Tigers.
Shane Bieber @ MIA - He's back! It's a "Still ILL" though he's stretched out and looking great with his slider in Triple-A against a terrible lineup.
Zack Littell @ ARI - He's a "Vargas Rule" and the Sneks have lost their venom.
Nolan McLean @ ATL - I loved what I saw in the debut and I'm hoping the walks come down. The breakers are stupid good.
Slade Cecconi @ TEX - I never went to the Slade Brigade meetings, but at least it's the Rangers.
Brayan Bello @ NYY - Bello has spotted his sinkers far better lately and looked like a high-end "Toby". We don't start those against elite offenses.
Cade Povich vs. HOU - Povich returned ten strikeouts last weekend against the Astros with his best curve and change to pair with dotted heaters up. That could happen again...
Bubba Chandler (Braxton Ashcraft Opener) vs. COL - So this is weird. We are FINALLY getting Bubba, but he'll be the "bulk" guy, esentially piggy-backing off Braxton Ashcraft. That does grant a higher Win chance and possibly less anxiety for Bubba against the easiest lineup in baseball, "Rockie Road". On the other hand, the volume will be lower and who knows what happens in MLB Debuts. Also, why take the man out of his routine? Come watch the live game FOR FREE with me and the Pitcher List community Friday at 6:30pm ET via livestream: Playback.tv/pitcherlist. It's Twitch for live sports, y'all.
Yu Darvish vs. LAD - I don't believe Darvish is destined to be a terrible pitcher for the rest of the year, but it's the Dodgers.
Do Not Starts
Taijuan Walker vs. WSN - He's been great, I know. I just can't do it. The floor is so low. Do it if you want to "Vargas Rule" it.
Cade Cavalli @ PHI - His curveball is hot. He flirts with double digits. There's a chance that can earn whiffs. His command is...highly suspect.
Luis Morales @ SEA - Speaking of volatility, Morales had it in spades in his debut, then was a touch better in his last one. There's some upside here "@TEA", but I can feel the "Shag Rug" in my toes. You write these barefoot? I'm at home...? HOW DARE YOU.
Lance McCullers Jr. @ BAL - Oh hey, it's McCullers! Everyone is returning, eh? Who knows how long he goes, but if you're in dire need of strikeouts, fine. Do your thing.
Miles Mikolas @ TBR - Mikolas could have "Koufax" by his side. Then again, pitching in that stadium is rough.
Aaron Civale vs. MIN - Civale has his moments and maybe the cutter and curve are at their peak against the Twins. I doubt it, though.
Ben Brown @ LAA - He breaks the "Huascar Rule" and the Angels can punish him quickly.
Tyler Anderson vs. CHC - Is he healthy? Anderson hasn't had his command for a bit + the Cubs.
Robby Snelling vs. TOR - I'm legit stoked for Snelling if he's actually getting the call. The stuff has improved massively this season and he gets the benefit of being a southpaw. Sadly, we don't do MLB debuts (Bubba is an exception) + it's the Jays against a LHP + Marlins dub chance is low. I recommend a spec add if you can.
Antonio Senzatela @ PIT - It's the Colorado SP.
Saturday 8/23 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.
