Here are Saturday’s and Sunday’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: 86-74
My pick yesterday: David Festa vs. LAA – L
PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 89-71
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: David Festa vs. LAA – L
Want PL Bot’s pick today? Sign up for PL Pro here.
My streaming pick of the day is Underlined and Italicized.
Tuesday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto Starts
Pablo López vs. LAA – Aces gonna ace.
Reynaldo López @ WSN – He sure feels like an ace.
Nathan Eovaldi @ ARI – Eovaldi is cooking. Let him cook.
Shota Imanaga @ LAD – Aces gonna ace, even against the Dodgers
Probably Starts
David Peterson @ TOR – Peterson has been on a ROLL. You can’t deny him now.
Spencer Arrighetti vs. OAK – It was absolute chaos last time out, with his ERA shifting days later with a hit turning into an error. He’s still the same guy.
Seth Lugo @ NYY – I know it’s the Yankees. Lugo’s feel for his arsenal has improved after his rough patch and just took down the Astros and Guardians.
Zac Gallen vs. TEX – Gallen is going BSB and it’s kinda working?
George Kirby vs. SDP – I had this as an auto-start in my weekly PL Pro Sit/Start Grid, and I’m already regretting it. Kirby isn’t overwhelming with his slider and heaters and the Padres are a tough crew. I dig that it’s in Seattle, but be aware of the risk.
Ranger Suárez vs. TBR – Suárez had lower velocity in his last start and the Rays are better against LHP…I think we still do it, but this isn’t the lock you think it is.
Adam Oller @ PIT – Oller has displayed the ability to throw curves for strikes, while his heater is still hard to hit with his cross-body mechanics. I’m shockingly down for this Stream against the Pirates.
Yu Darvish @ SEA – I wish Darvish was stretched out more and was a bit sharper in his last start, but a date in Seattle? I can’t turn that down.
Questionable Starts
Kutter Crawford vs. BAL – I want to believe. It’s a harder start to digest inside Fenway.
MacKenzie Gore vs. ATL – Gore has been better lately and yet, I can’t remove his Cherry Bomb label. I so badly want to, though.
Chris Bassitt vs. NYM – Bassitt does what he does and it’s the Mets.
Ben Lively @ CHW – Lively is seemingly out of his groove…but it’s the CrySox…
Aaron Civale @ SFG – Will Civale do enough with his breakers?
Marcus Stroman vs. KCR – Is Stroman safe enough?
Alex Cobb @ CHW – Cobb was pushed back due to a blister and that doesn’t bode well for his splitter.
Taj Bradley @ PHI – Ah yes, the premium Cherry Bomb.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. CHC – It’s a Still ILL as the Dodgers are sure to be careful with Yamamoto to ensure he’s healthy for the playoffs.
Keider Montero vs. COL – It’s Rockie Road, though Montero’s arsenal doesn’t demand success despite the opponent.
Andre Pallante vs. CIN – The cut-fastball got hit last time out, but fortunately for Pallante, the Reds are not scary on the road.
Osvaldo Bido @ HOU – Bido’s last start was skipped and he’s taken down the Astros before. Awfully risky, of course.
Albert Suárez @ BOS – Suárez struggled against the CrySox and now heads to Fenway. I won’t rule it out (he had a bad night!), but the circumstances don’t make this an easy spin of the wheel.
Do Not Starts
Rhett Lowder @ STL – Maybe he can be a Toby, but Lowder doesn’t push the needle enough to risk the Shag Rug.
Griffin Canning @ MIN – He just had a solid evening and now gets the Twins…but we’ve seen him fall flat more often than not.
Jonathan Cannon vs. CLE – Cannon has the chance to find six frames if his sinker can steal strikes without damage. It’s not a common event.
Joey Wentz (Opener) vs. MIA – How long is he even going to go?
Bradley Blalock @ DET – At least he’s out of Coors and gets the Tigers.
Hayden Birdsong vs. MIL – Birdsong can’t be trusted.
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 Sit/Start Grid, a full suite of fantasy baseball tools, and much more. Get 10% off yearly with code SPSTREAMERS here.
Wednesday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto Starts
Zack Wheeler vs. TBR – Aces gonna ace.
Michael King @ SEA – Aces gonna ace.
Max Fried @ WSN – Aces gonna ace.
Blake Snell vs. MIL – Aces gonna ace.
Sean Manaea @ TOR – He’s been so good.
Hunter Brown vs. OAK – He’s also been so good.
Bowden Francis vs. NYM – Francis’ last outing was the most convincing one he’s had thus far and it should be an easier time against the Mets. He’s also also been so good.
Cole Ragans @ NYY – Why does it have to be the Yankees? Aces gonna ace.
Bryan Woo vs. SDP – The Padres are legit, but it’s in Seattle y’all.
Probably Starts
Matthew Boyd @ CHW – His slider and change are cooking and the CrySox are miles easier to deal with than the Dodgers.
Luis Gil vs. KCR – I’m a little worried that Gil sat about two ticks down last time out, but the Royals aren’t as fearsome as earlier this year.
Cody Bradford @ ARI – He’s cruising. Sadly it’s the Sneks, but we still go with it.
Merrill Kelly vs. TEX – Kelly came through against the Giants, looking more like his former self. The Rangers offense isn’t enough to bench him.
Questionable Starts
Nick Pivetta vs. BAL – Can we trust Pivetta in Fenway? Against the Orioles? I think so…?
Zebby Matthews vs. LAA – I know, I know. BUT IT’S THE ANGELS. He really isn’t as poor as the last two starts and nearly gave us a streaming victory last week if not for a 1-2 single with two outs.
Shane Baz @ PHI – It’s the Phillies but Baz can make this work with his heater and at least one of his breakers on call.
Bailey Falter vs. MIA – It’s the Marlins, though Falter doesn’t have the greatest ceiling.
Colin Rea @ SFG – The same goes for Rea, who will likely have a shorter leash.
Bobby Miller vs. CHC – What are we gonna get? I have no idea + the knee is likely still bothering him.
Dean Kremer @ BOS – It’s Fenway and I don’t trust Kremer. He’s had his moments, though, so go with what you feel.
JP Sears @ HOU – He’s a Cherry Bomb who could make the strikeouts happen, even against the Astros.
Jack Kochanowicz @ MIN – Need a Quality Start? The Jack of One Trade has you covered with 70%+ sinkers.
Davis Martin vs. CLE – I dig Martin’s changeup, and the slider looks better, too. That said, the Guardians aren’t the easiest time at the park and Davis isn’t electric.
Do Not Starts
Jake Irvin vs. ATL – We’re done here, yeah? There’s a chance the curve shows up but let’s not.
Casey Mize vs. COL – I need to see Mize have a proper heater and slider before trusting him, even against Rockie Road.
Austin Gomber @ DET – It’s outside of Coors and Gomber has found some magical starts here and there.
Lance Lynn vs. CIN – It’s a Still ILL, as if we needed more Ls here.
Brandon Williamson @ STL – He’s been limiting to roughly 65 pitches, without his changeup coming through.
Adam Mazur @ PIT – I wonder how long his leash is and if he can actually find whiffs.
Jordan Wicks @ LAD – It’s the Dodgers. Nooooope.
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 Sit/Start Grid, 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)