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: 82-43
My Pick yesterday: Loss - Logan Henderson @ WSN
My Pick today: Michael Soroka vs. CIN
My Pick tomorrow: Emmet Sheehan vs. STL
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: 81-44
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Loss - Joey Cantillo vs. MIN
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.
Monday 8/4 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Max Fried @ TEX - Aces gonna ace.
Tyler Glasnow vs. STL - Aces gonna ace.
Probably Starts
Sean Manaea vs. CLE - He's on too good of a roll.
Nick Lodolo @ CHC - Lodolo is killing it. I don't care if it's the Cubs. Okay, I do, but you gotta go with it.
Michael Soroka vs. CIN - It's the "Reds Carpet" in the best welcome gift you could give. The curveball shouldn't be as terrible as we saw last time.
Justin Verlander @ PIT - Verlander's skills are were we want them to be and it's the Pirates. Again.
Jesús Luzardo vs. BAL - Luzardo is a "Cherry Bomb". You know this.
Casey Mize vs. MIN - Mize is in a good place for a winning team.
Sonny Gray @ LAD - The Dodgers are cold and despite Gray skies in the past, the Sonny should come out (tomorrow).
Quinn Priester @ ATL - It's a "Vargas Rule" and Atlanta is not at full strength.
Questionable Starts
Brayan Bello vs. KCR - I don't like facing the Royals on the road, especially in Fenway.
Adrian Houser @ LAA - Houser has been a "Vargas Rule" but I'd prefer not facing the Angels. Let's see how the Rays use him.
Yusei Kikuchi vs. TBR - He's a "HIPSTER" and it's up to you if you want to chase the strikeouts.
JP Sears @ ARI - Sears has been removed from the horros of "Sacré Verde" and gets a solid matchup for a winning team. Hopefully he has his fastball and change up command on point.
Do Not Starts
Sandy Alcantara vs. HOU - I'm still waiting for Alcantara to have all the skills of old. He's still on the Marlins, sadly, making it harder to succeed with their questionable defense and low Win chance.
Slade Cecconi @ NYM - No, I'm not part of the Slade Brigade. I think y'all have seen the sparkle fade and the Mets are a tough opponent.
Brandon Pfaadt vs. SDP - Pfaadt just had a nightmare outing and the Padres are not a team helping Brandon get back on the horse.
Eric Lauer @ COL - Lauer has had shocking success with the Jays, though Coors can mess up a rhythm quickly.
Jason Alexander @ MIA - Alexander's changeup is cool and there's not much else. I wonder if he's even allowed to go five full.
Patrick Corbin vs. NYY - Corbin just had all four pitches working beautifully, but you can't expect him to replicate that effort + it's the Yankees.
Johan Oviedo vs. SFG - He's back from TJS! It's a "Still ILL" for a former "PEAS".
Bailey Falter @ BOS - He's a ROYal now, not a RAY (I was so close...), and I have little faith the Royals can unlock his potential, let alone this soon and in Fenway.
Erick Fedde vs. MIL - Don't Trust The Feddes.
Cade Povich @ PHI - It's a "Still ILL" for a streamer against the Phils. Nooope.
Travis Adams @ DET - This isn't the vulture Win arm to chase.
Tanner Gordon vs. TOR - The Jays in Coors, y'all.
Tuesday 8/5 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Garrett Crochet vs. KCR - Aces gonna ace.
Bryan Woo vs. CHW - Aces gonna ace.
Shota Imanaga vs. CIN - Aces gonna ace.
Logan Webb @ PIT - His sweeper has been better lately and it's the Pirates.
MacKenzie Gore vs. ATH - As long as he throws strikes, he should be fine.
Freddy Peralta @ ATL - Peralta has been generally great and Atlanta's offense is deflated.
Nathan Eovaldi vs. NYY - Eovaldi is too dang good too pass up, even against the Yankees.
Probably Starts
Yu Darvish @ ARI - Darvish looked like the man he's supposed to be in his last start and the Sneks have lost their venom.
Will Warren @ TEX - It's the Rangers and Warren's sweeper was better last time out.
Emmet Sheehan vs. STL - Sheehan's skills are fantastic and I'm thrilled to see him getting regular starts in the rotation.
Ryan Pepiot @ LAA - He allowed a pair of three-run HRs last time out, don't let those two terrible pitches against the Yankees prevent you from starting him.
Zebby Matthews @ DET - Zebby's skills are great and despite ups-and-downs, I'm rolling with his high velocity and multiple whiff pitches along with good control.
Ryne Nelson vs. SDP - The four-seamer is still elite, though the Padres are a tough hand.
José Soriano vs. TBR - Here's to the sinker coming through.
Chris Paddack vs. MIN - It's his second start for the Tigers and already time for a revenge game. He looked solid last time out and I wouldn't be too scared of this.
Questionable Starts
Joey Wentz vs. MIL - Wentz has had his cutter and curve working and added half a foot of extension this year. Here's to him making it work once again.
Mike Burrows vs. SFG - Burrows has had some success and hey, it's the Giants!
Clay Holmes vs. CLE - He's supposed to be limited, while the starts at a regular leash haven't been worthwhile.
Davis Martin @ SEA - It's a lovely situation, here's to Martin taking full advantage of it.
Luis Severino @ WSN - At least he's away from "Sacré Verde". I worry about his LHB approach against the Nats.
José Berríos @ COL - He's "The Great Undulator" in a volatile park.
Dean Kremer @ PHI - Kremer has his moments n all and I'd hate to lean into it.
Do Not Starts
Zack Littell @ CHC - This "Vargas Rule" isn't worth starting against the Cubs.
Logan Allen @ NYM - He's been worthwhile at times, but it's the Mets.
Cal Quantrill vs. HOU - You can't lean into Quantrill.
Miles Mikolas @ LAD - Or Mikolas against the Dodgers.
Taijuan Walker vs. BAL - Or Taijuan. Please not Taijuan.
Spencer Arrighetti @ MIA - It's a very clear "Still ILL" with "The Pasta Pirate" sitting over two ticks down in his last rehab start.
Ryan Bergert @ BOS - I'm excited to see how Bergert develops as a routine starter. He's a "Young Gun".
Kyle Freeland vs. TOR - Oh this looks rough.
Wednesday 8/6 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.
