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: 94-49
My Pick yesterday: Win - Jason Alexander @ BAL
My Pick today: Zebby Matthews @ CHW
My Pick tomorrow: Mike Burrows vs. COL
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: 92-51
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Loss - Brandon Young vs. HOU
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.
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.
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.
Carson Whisenhunt @ MIL - He's getting the pearl and entering the rotation for the Giants. I'm actually a little intrigued if he can nail his changeup. We've seen southpaws with good slowballs take off this year and despite the low ranking due to his scary floor, he may show the skills to add for follow up streams.
Ryan Gusto vs. TOR - He's taking over the roster spot after Cal Quantrill was DFA'd (rightfully so), who was quickly picked up by Atlanta (of course they did). I'm happy Gusto will get his reps in the rotation and he may be a streamer in the right matchups. This isn't one of them.
Antonio Senzatela @ PIT - It's the Colorado SP.
Saturday 8/23 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Garrett Crochet @ NYY - Aces gonna ace.
Tyler Glasnow @ SDP - Aces gonna ace.
Freddy Peralta vs. SFG - He's nearing AGA territory.
Andrew Abbott @ ARI - This is actually going to hold for the rest of the year...right?
George Kirby vs. ATH - Yes, that was a nightmare. He's had them before and regained your confidence shortly after.
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
Will Warren vs. BOS - The Sawx are away from Fenway and Warren's sweeper + fastballs are good enough.
Aaron Nola vs. WSN - Nola was "Singled Out" by the Nats in his "Still ILL" outing and I'm willing to wager it won't be the same again.
Cristian Javier @ BAL - Javier left early due to illness in his last game. Expect 5+ frames of production...with maybe a walk or two more than you'd like.
Questionable Starts
Mike Burrows vs. COL - It's the gift of "Rockie Road" and we've seen Burrows come through this season.
Davis Martin vs. MIN - Martin is good, not great. The Twins have some thump in their bats + the Win chance isn't ideal.
Jeffrey Springs @ SEA - It's "@TEA" and Springs could find sunshine and rainbows in the city famous for the opposite.
Dean Kremer vs. HOU - We just saw him dominate the Astros. Look what they did to Young, look at Kremer's game log, and look at the coin in front of you. Do you want to flip it?
Michael Wacha @ DET - Wacha isn't an electric arm, but could find a QS or dub.
Clay Holmes @ ATL - I sure hope "The Adobe" has patched his ceiling, though I'm willing to wager his last start was more of a "Dennis" than recovery.
José Berríos @ MIA - Despite the stellar matchup, he remains "The Great Undulator".
José Soriano vs. CHC - It's not a fun squad to look dead in the eye + Soriano is a "HISPTER".
Nabil Crismatt vs. CIN - He surprised us with a solid outing last time out of nowhere and his changeup does make me a bit intrigued. It's a stroll down the "Reds Carpet" and if he gets enough pitches, it could be a fun night.
Logan Allen @ TEX - I dig Allen's long leash and the Rangers aren't the strongest lineup. Not much a ceiling here.
Do Not Starts
Chris Paddack vs. KCR - He was destroyed in his last outing and the Royals make this an easy sit.
Cade Horton @ LAA - I'd have him in the third tier if not for leaving his last start with a blister. I had assumed he was hitting the IL - you do not want these things to linger - and if he happens to start, expect an abbreviated one as the Cubs play it cautiously.
Nestor Cortes vs. LAD - Cortes isn't quite there yet and it's the Dodgers.
Jack Leiter vs. CLE - Leiter can't be trusted to command his elite four-seamer.
Janson Junk vs. TOR - Maybe we see the JunkBaller. This isn't worth the gamble.
Thomas Hatch @ CHW - Hatch shocked us for five productive frames last time out and now it's the CrySox. Maybe that works...? I don't like this.
Kyle Freeland @ PIT - Freeland has rare moments when outside of Coors and hey! PNC Park! There's a chance.
Cal Quantrill vs. NYM - Atlanta swooped up Quantrill after he was DFA'd by Miami and now has to start against the Mets. Oh. Fun.
Mitchell Parker @ PHI - Parker has had such a rough season and it doesn't look like it's getting better any time soon.
Sunday 8/24 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.
