Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings Fantasy Baseball: 8/23 & 8/24 & 8/25

Here are today’s and tomorrow’s daily SP Streamer rankings for fantasy baseball.

Every day of the 2024 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!

Make sure to read the notes if you’re wondering why I’m favoring certain pitchers over others – I won’t get to everyone and hopefully I answer what questions you will have.

There is a second table 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.

Finally, there are my streaming picks of the day, and please keep in mind that I am forced to pick a streamer every day. 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 these guys until 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. You can use the rankings to realize who those picks would be instead.

(Opener) – Outlines that a pitcher is being opened for that day & the pitcher listed will follow the opener.

As I do my rankings, I thought it would be helpful to showcase a table of how we’re ranking offenses (in alphabetical order by tier):

I’m sure it’ll change through the year + there are differences to be made about teams vs. LHP or RHP, but it works as a general table that y’all should keep in mind.

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, 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.

Nick’s 2024 Streamer Record: 81-63

My pick yesterday: Osvaldo Bido vs. TBR – W

PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 82-62

PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Miles Mikolas vs. MIL – W

Want PL Bot’s pick today? Sign up for PL Pro here.

My streaming pick of the day is Underlined and Italicized.

 

Friday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto Starts

 

Chris Sale vs. WSN – Aces gonna ace.

Luis Castillo vs. SFG – Aces gonna ace.

Carlos Rodón vs. COL – It’s Rockie Road. Obviously.

 

Probably Starts

 

Tanner Bibee vs. TEX – Bibee is a Holly and the Rangers are a weird offense.

Chris Bassitt vs. LAA – Bassitt should be able to take down the Angels. Should.

Joe Musgrove vs. NYM – Musgrove sat 94 mph in his last outing and looked as solid as ever. Now stretched over 80 pitches, expect production.

Ryne Nelson @ BOS – His heater is too dang good. Fenway is scary, but you shouldn’t bench him for this.

Brayan Bello vs. ARI – Bello is as in tune with his arsenal as he’s been all year.

Andrew Abbott (Opener) @ PIT – I like Abbott’s embrace of the BSB and this is a lovely matchup.

JP Sears vs. MIL – Sears is absolutely killing it with his heater upstairs. I’m seeing how long this lasts.

Hunter Brown @ BAL – Brown gets a tough deal with a date in Baltimore, though his dense arsenal helps him find a way to get through starts. I’m curious what we get here.

Nathan Eovaldi @ CLE – Eovaldi’s velocity was lower last time out as he avoided the IL with a Lat issue. Yes, I’m concerned + it’s Cleveland. Good luck.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Bobby Miller vs. TBR – Bobby. Bucko. This is the Rays. If you can’t handle The Rays, then we are truly lost.

Bailey Falter vs. CIN – I took a moment to determine which streaming option was the safest of the lot and settled on Falter’s high extension four-seamer paired with great command. Hosting the Reds in PNC Park made the decision easier on the heart.

Hayden Birdsong @ SEA – This is your strikeout upside stream. Seattle makes for an increase in punchouts, the lineup does its part, and all Birdsong has to do is throw strikes.

David Festa vs. STL – Festa’s lack of slider confidence is a little worrisome, but the four-seamer and changeup combo could be enough against the Cards.

Aaron Civale @ OAK – It looks good on paper, but Civale’s breakers have been far from stable.

Keider Montero @ CHW – It’s the CrySox and Montero has displayed the ability to go six frames against poor lineups.

Cade Povich vs. HOU – I don’t love this, but Povich is a Toby for a winning team.

Andre Pallante @ MIN – His cut-fastball over the plate has befuddled hitters and he could be a sneaky stream for those in need despite the limited ceiling.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Kyle Hendricks @ MIA – I know it’s the Marlins, but Hendricks ain’t it.

Michael Wacha vs. PHI – Maybe the changeup is good enough to carry Wacha, but it’s too scary against the Phillies.

Paul Blackburn @ SDP – Blackburn is only a play against poor lineups.

MacKenzie Gore @ ATL – I’m more afraid of Gore’s deteriorating skills than excited to face a weakened Atlanta lineup.

Max Meyer vs. CHC – He hasn’t proven he can do enough with his non-sliders.

Chris Flexen vs. DET – Is there a beach in Detroit? Duh. Will Flexen find it?! Probably not.

Jack Kochanowicz @ TOR – As a sinkerballer, Kochanowicz can find outs without the best stuff. Oh, the life of a Koufax worshipper.

Taijuan Walker @ KCR – Never Walker. Only run.

Kyle Freeland @ NYY – COL story, bro.

Tyler Alexander @ LAD – He may get an opener, but regardless, it’s the Dodgers with little upside.

Enjoy these rankings? Support my work and Pitcher List by getting PL+ or PL Pro! You’ll get an Ad-Free website, access to our incredible non-toxic baseball Discord community, my weekly PL Pro exclusive SP FAAB Forecast podcast, a full suite of fantasy baseball tools, and much more. Get 10% off yearly with code SPSTREAMERS here.

Saturday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto Starts

 

Blake Snell @ SEA – Aces gonna ace.

Tarik Skubal @ CHW – Aces gonna ace.

Michael King vs. NYM – Aces gonna ace.

George Kirby vs. SFG – Aces gonna ace.

Shota Imanaga @ MIA – Aces gonna ace.

Pablo López vs. STL – He’s pitching well and it’s the Cardinals.

Sonny Gray @ MIN – Ayyyyy, that’s a fun matchup.

Framber Valdez @ BAL – Valdez is in too good of a groove with his curveball to bench.

Clayton Kershaw vs. TBR – It’s the Rays, even if I worry about Kershaw’s strikeout potential.

 

Probably Starts

 

Marcus Stroman vs. COL – Too good of a Win chance here against Rockie Road.

Zac Gallen @ BOS – Ehhhhh, I’m a little worried about Gallen these days.

Kutter Crawford vs. ARI – Crawford has been shaky across his arsenal and he doesn’t perform well in Fenway. Consider benching.

Bowden Francis vs. LAA – Francis is on a roll and actually executed a proper BSB last time out with legit splitters. It’s likely not going to be replicated in this one, but the floor is high enough to take the chance with the Angels on the other side.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Colin Rea @ OAK – Rea had a stumble against the Dodgers and got back on track last time out. His command is as good as we’ve seen this year.

David Peterson @ SDP – Peterson has shocked as of late and maybe it continues against the Padres.

Ben Lively vs. TEX – Is he returning to his old form as a Vargas Rule? It’s such a weird approach that somehow works.

Charlie Morton vs. WSN – He’s a Cherry Bomb, y’all.

Jake Irvin @ ATL – Irvin. I want to believe, especially against a weakened Atlanta lineup, but your curve hasn’t been the CSW darling since June.

Brady Singer vs. PHI – He’s a Cherry Bomb against a strong offense.

Taj Bradley @ LAD – If Bradley has the heater and splitter cooking, it won’t matter that it’s the Dodgers. But if they aren’t, this is going to hurt.

Valente Bellozo vs. CHC – He’s our reluctant streaming pick of the day, rooted in his cutter and four-seamer confounding batters with a Canibal McSanchez approach.

Albert Suárez vs. HOU – I nearly made Suárez the streaming pick, but the Astros make for a disastrous floor.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Joe Boyle vs. MIL – Hey, he threw strikes last time out, maybe he does it again? Probably not. BUT MAYBE.

Ranger Suárez @ KCR – It’s a clear Still ILL for Suárez.

Ky Bush vs. DET – Maybe I’m discrediting Bush for his success against the Astros, but I don’t buy it, making me ignore him even against the Tigers. His slider needs to be perfectly placed to get the outcome he got last time.

Carson Fulmer @ TOR – Fulmer has his moments when the secondaries click, though it’s a gamble for a low ceiling.

Julian Aguiar @ PIT – He doesn’t do a whole lot as a 94 mph sinkerballer, but maybe that allows him to find five frames of decency.

Jon Gray @ CLE – Gray returned from the IL to toss a pair of innings in relief. I don’t expect a whole lot here.

Jake Woodford vs. CIN – At least the Amish Mustang has a long enough leash to go at least five frames.

Bradley Blalock @ NYY – It’s the Yankees.

 

Enjoy these rankings? Support my work and Pitcher List by getting PL+ or PL Pro! You’ll get an Ad-Free website, access to our incredible non-toxic baseball Discord community, my weekly PL Pro exclusive SP FAAB Forecast podcast, a full suite of fantasy baseball tools, and much more. Get 10% off yearly with code SPSTREAMERS here.

 

Sunday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

 

Auto Starts

 

Zack Wheeler @ KCR – Aces gonna ace.

Robbie Ray @ SEA – In Seattle?!

Bryan Woo vs. SFG – IN SEATTLE?!

Reynaldo López vs. WSN – ReyLó was fortunate with foul balls last time out to help him get ten strikeouts, but that was the Phillies. This is the Nats. Nice.

Gavin Stone vs. TBR – It’s the Rays and Stone is fresh off a career-high ten strikeouts.

Kevin Gausman vs. LAA – I’m not loving Gausman’s lack of splitter whiffs, but he’s a clear play against the Angels.

 

Probably Starts

 

Seth Lugo vs. PHI – I have to mention how Lugo has been more like a Holly and less of an ace over the last two months.

Yusei Kikuchi @ BAL – Kikuchi’s four-seamer and slider are easily a better combo than they were in June, though the Orioles give some pause.

Zebby Matthews vs. STL – I’m a fan of Zebby’s command and I believe the strikeouts will come in time.

Will Warren vs. COL – It’s possible Warren starts on Saturday instead (he’d be the streaming pick!) and I’d feel comfortable facing Rockie Road.

Tanner Houck vs. ARI – Houck has had a string of positive ERA starts, but the splitter still isn’t doing it’s job against LHB. I won’t be fully back in until that pitch returns – it’s what catalyzed him into the stud of the spring.

Luis L. Ortiz vs. CIN – Ortiz’s four-seamer was as good as I’ve ever seen it during his last start and I hope that sticks in this great matchup.

Tyler Anderson @ TOR – Anderson has had his high four-seamers and cutters demolished in his last two starts, including a game against the Jays. Be cautious.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Frankie Montas @ OAK – Montas has found whiffs with his four-seamer lately and has a long leash of 90+ pitches. Maybe this works in O.Co.

Cody Bradford @ CLE – I’m a fan of Bradford’s command and extension, allowing for a good fastball/change approach. I just wish this wasn’t in HR-heavy Cleveland.

DJ Herz @ ATL – Herz is a strikeout Cherry Bomb and the weaker Atlanta lineup may induce another sparkling night.

Shane Baz @ LAD – I’m terrified of the Dodgers offense and Baz isn’t fully locked in with his slider and curve. I want to like this more, but it feels like a 4-5 inning grind of a start.

Merrill Kelly @ BOS – Kelly wasn’t impressive in his second outing and I’m worried the velocity drop is here to stay + Fenway.

Jonathan Cannon vs. DET – As long as Cannon avoids hits on his sinker, he can survive for at least six frames.

Bryan Sammons @ CHW – Sammons is an arm to consider for a sneaky Win chance as he’s a Toby type who is expected to be opened for.

Javier Assad @ MIA – It’s the Marlins and Assad just went over five frames.

Joey Estes vs. MIL – I don’t love his arsenal, but at least he generally commands four-seamers upstairs well with decent iVB.

Martín Pérez vs. NYM – Pérez didn’t do well against a tough squad last time out (dang curve floating up!) and he could recover against the Mets.

Erick Fedde @ MIN – He’s been a Toby this year, but faded across the last two months. Maybe the command is on point against the Twins?

Dean Kremer vs. HOU – Kremer just had a blast with his splitter and sinker, which isn’t his standard plan of attack. He’s a Cherry Bomb at best.

Matthew Boyd vs. TEX – Boyd didn’t have his best slider and change against the Yankees, though they could return here.

Jose Quintana @ SDP – Quintana has been struggling lately and now it’s the Padres. I won’t rule out the chance to click back into place and find six innings of production.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Carson Spiers @ PIT – He just got destroyed and even against Pittsburgh, that floor is too dang scary.

Austin Gomber @ NYY – It’s the Yankees.

Adam Oller vs. CHC – Oller isn’t likely to go five here, and even if he does, do you want it?

Enjoy these rankings? Support my work and Pitcher List by getting PL+ or PL Pro! You’ll get an Ad-Free website, access to our incredible non-toxic baseball Discord community, my weekly PL Pro exclusive SP FAAB Forecast podcast, a full suite of fantasy baseball tools, and much more. Get 10% off yearly with code SPSTREAMERS here.

Photos Courtesy of IconSportswire | Adapted by Aaron Asbury (@aarongifs on Instagram)