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: 97-53
My Pick yesterday: Loss - Jason Alexander vs. COL
My Pick today: Nestor Cortes @ MIN
My Pick tomorrow: Spencer Arrighetti vs. LAA
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: 97-53
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Win - Braxton Ashcraft @ STL
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 8/29 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Paul Skenes @ BOS - Aces gonna ace.
Blake Snell vs. ARI - Aces gonna ace.
George Kirby @ CLE - He's not an ace and it's away from "@TEA", but this should work well.
Ranger Suárez vs. ATL - Back-to-back double-digit strikeout games should quell your fears.
Carlos Rodón @ CHW - Rodón is a clear start, even if Chicago has been rebranded to the SlySox.
Freddy Peralta @ TOR - Peralta gets the Jays and even with some volatility here and there, you're not benching him.
Shane Bieber vs. MIL - The return from TJS was so good and it wasn't just because he faced the Marlins.
Eury Pérez @ NYM - Pérez's biggest weakness is LHB and while he may have a few issues here, the four-seamer is too dang good.
Probably Starts
Jonah Tong vs. MIA - I generally don't start pitchers in MLB debuts. However, the Marlins are another Triple-A team at this point and Tong is an elite prospect SP.
Robbie Ray vs. BAL - Some are going to hand-wave his recent velocity dip (94 to 92 to 91 mph in his last three), while others will elect to bench him until the coast is clear. This feels like a compromise.
Questionable Starts
Seth Lugo vs. DET - Lugo has failed to give you the results he deserved and yet, his curve is still an elite pitch. The rest of his arsenal has been way off and I'm willing to wager it'll return soon. A date in Kauffman against the Tigers seems like a decent enough shot for it to work out.
Nestor Cortes @ MIN - The Dodgers had nothing on Cortes in his last start, though I'm not ready to buy in completely.
Adrian Houser @ WSN - Houser is away from Tampa Bay and has the same skills he's had all year.
Dean Kremer @ SFG - It's a great situation, but his Dean "Werewolf" nickname was coined for a reason.
Zebby Matthews vs. SDP - The SlySox roughed him up and we haven't seen nearly as many productive outings as the stuff and control suggest. He's become a "HIPSTER" who may not be worth the gamble down the stretch.
Cade Horton @ COL - I was scared about the blister before his last start and he dominated regardless. Now it's in Coors and I'm still anxious about it. I wouldn't expect the high strikeout numbers to return.
Jeffrey Springs vs. TEX - It's in "Sacré Verde" and if his changeup is cooking, there's a shot at returning sunshine and rainbows. I'd prefer not to risk the low floor.
Zack Littell vs. STL - This has been a "Vargas Rule" for much of the year, but things are different in GABP and the shimmer has dimmed across the past month. Not a huge surprise given the reliance on splitters.
Cristian Javier vs. LAA - McCullers is in the bullpen for the week, pushing up Javier and "The Pasta Pirate" a day. I believe Javier is destined to help your teams out, though he's a wild card at the moment.
Chris Paddack @ KCR - Paddack is maddening and despite heading into Kauffman, he's a risky play without massive upside.
Zac Gallen @ LAD - Gallen just had stellar command and there's a sense he still wears a "TIARA". Are you willing to remove it for a date against the Dodgers?
Do Not Starts
Tyler Anderson @ HOU - If you believe the changeup will be there and he won't allow mistake pitches on heaters and cutters, sure, go for it. It's a major gamble.
Payton Tolle vs. PIT - May has been pushed back to Saturday, which takes the start Kyle Harrison was lined up for. Tolle is lined up for Friday, making him the likely call up. I chatted with Eno about Tolle yesterday (just listen to The Craft podcast, y'all) and there's some intrigue given 95 mph with elite extension. That said, this isn't as tantalizing as Tong and I'll stick to my "no debuts" principle.
Jack Leiter @ ATH - Leiter just had a phenomenal line and you may be tempted. Sadly, the overall command of the arsenal is not where we want it to be and the floor is scary in "Sacré Verde".
Bryce Elder @ PHI - No, we should not buy into his recent success.
Logan Allen vs. SEA - It's no fun facing the Mariners on the road these days.
Matthew Liberatore @ CIN - Liberatore has displayed fatigue in the second half and GABP grants few favors.
Yoendrys Gómez vs. NYY - I have some intrigue with Gómez, but the "Shag Rug" is here in a terrible matchup.
Mitchell Parker vs. TBR - Parker has had such a tough season.
Germán Márquez vs. CHC - It's the Colorado SP.
Saturday 8/30 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Logan Gilbert @ CLE - Aces gonna ace.
Tyler Glasnow vs. ARI - Aces gonna ace.
Trevor Rogers @ SFG - He's on such a good run and the Giants are a gift he doesn't need.
Nick Pivetta @ MIN - Aces gonna ace.
Cristopher Sánchez vs. ATL - Aces gonna ace.
Andrew Abbott vs. STL - Abbott has had more stumbles in the second half, though this isn't the time to start benching.
Probably Starts
David Peterson vs. MIA - It's the Marlins.
Cam Schlittler @ CHW - Cam likely won't have the same command we saw against the Rays, but his stuff is legit and he's finding his groove.
Ryan Pepiot @ WSN - It's not in Tampa Bay and against a mid offense.
Merrill Kelly @ ATH - Despite the bad draw, Kelly is too reliable to fear "Sacré Verde".
Edward Cabrera @ NYM - The Mets are a tough offense these days, while Cabrera is pitching his best ball. It's difficult to hold him back.
Noah Cameron vs. DET - It was a terrible final line for Cameron, though he didn't pitch nearly as poorly as the results outlined. The Tigers aren't fearsome and it's too soon to believe Cameron is regressing heavily.
Questionable Starts
Jack Flaherty @ KCR - It's your classic sitcom of "Will they, won't they?" for this "HIPSTER".
Kevin Gausman vs. MIL - He's a "HIPSTER".
Gavin Williams vs. SEA - So is he. Good luck with these three.
Spencer Arrighetti vs. LAA - I believe in "The Pasta Pirate" for the longterm, but he hasn't found a consistent groove yet. This could be the one.
Chris Sale @ PHI - It's a "Still ILL" after Sale has expressed lower velocity during his rehab...which could be by design. Up to you.
Quinn Priester @ TOR - Priester was off in his last start and now has a tough assignment. He's overperformed thus far and after being pushed back to help him get extra rest, the confidence is waning.
Do Not Starts
Mick Abel vs. SDP - I'm a big believer in Abel over the course of his career and will have him circled as a sleeper for 2026. Sadly, he's a "Young Gun" at this point, especially with the Padres up next. But there's a chance the command comes back...
Michael McGreevy @ CIN - He's a groundballer with good command, who just got fortunate to return plenty of strikeouts. This is a stream for a Win or QS if you're in need.
Shane Smith vs. NYY - It's the Yankees and Smith hasn't had his secondaries lately.
Javier Assad @ COL - Assad has found a way despite my concerns, but it's Coors. It doesn't feel impactful enough for the risk.
Eduardo Rodriguez @ LAD - Erod could have his precision and come through, and also, it's the Dodgers. Not worth it.
Dustin May vs. PIT - The Pirates, right?! Wellll, May isn't doing anything special since coming to Boston (including the upped cutter usage, I know) + Fenway does him few favors.
Johan Oviedo @ BOS - I wish his command was more reliable and he wasn't heading into Fenway. There's upside in that arm if it were to all come together.
Mason Barnett vs. TEX - He's getting the call for the Athletics in "Sacré Verde" and fails to hold exciting stuff to chase.
Jake Irvin vs. TBR - This hasn't worked out much at all.
Kyle Hendricks @ HOU - Ditto.
Tristan Beck vs. BAL - Beck isn't stretched out for this one.
McCade Brown vs. CHC - It's the Colorado SP.
Sunday 8/31 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.
