Here are Friday, 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: 87-76
My pick yesterday: Frankie Montas @ SFG – W
PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 92-71
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Jakob Junis @ STL – 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
Bailey Ober vs. CIN – Aces gonna ace.
Aaron Nola vs. NYM – Aces gonna ace.
Yusei Kikuchi @ LAA – This is going to be so good.
Logan Gilbert vs. TEX – Aces gonna ace.
Zach Eflin @ DET – He didn’t have his best last time out, but it’s the Tigers.
Dylan Cease @ SFG – He’s back to his volatile ways. The ceiling is too high to deny, of course.
Tanner Bibee vs. TBR – Cobb looks to need more time, which places Bibee against the Rays in a cushy time at the park.
Jacob deGrom @ SEA – I’m breaking all the laws of Still ILL, but it’s the best pitch on the planet IN SEATTLE. You have to.
Probably Starts
Logan Webb vs. SDP – He wasn’t great last time against them and Webb’s ceiling is as electric as others. The Padres are legit.
Kevin Gausman vs. STL – Gausman finally got legit splitter whiffs in his last start. Let’s hope it sticks.
Clarke Schmidt vs. BOS – The matchup is too favorable to deny.
UPDATE: Brady Basso @ CHW – The CrySox are that bad against LHP. Go have a field day.
Questionable Starts
UPDATE: Freddy Peralta @ ARI – The Sneks are dangerous and Professor Chaos is banging on the door.
J.T. Ginn @ CHW – The CrySox are that poor and only have four LHB when platooning for a RHB. This should be fine.
Tanner Houck @ NYY – It’s a tough call against the Yankees as Houck’s splitter isn’t as strong as it was in the spring.
Spencer Schwellenbach vs. LAD – I want to keep the faith, though Mr. Crescendo hasn’t returned whiffs on his slider in his last two games. It’ll be a difficult time at the park if that pitch isn’t there.
Edward Cabrera @ WSN – He’s a Cherry Bomb, even against the Nationals.
DJ Herz vs. MIA – The question is if the changeup will be there or not. I wonder if he can provide enough value if it’s just four-seamers leading the charge.
Landon Knack @ ATL – Knack has a solid heater and slider, though I wonder how far the Dodgers allow him to go. We’ve seen him pushed before, but we never know and the skills aren’t so overwhelming that we expected production in whatever time he gets.
Luis L. Ortiz vs. KCR – He’s a Toby against a middling offense.
Tobias Myers @ ARI – The Sneks are really scary right now.
Eduardo Rodriguez vs. MIL – Maybe he has it in him to return a QS and a Win?
Alec Marsh @ PIT – How long does he go? Will his breakers be on point? At least it’s the Pirates.
Garrett Crochet vs. OAK – This is only a strikeout play as he’s still being limited at 60 pitches.
Do Not Starts
Jose Quintana @ PHI – His command was far better last time out, but it’s the Phillies. Not enough of a ceiling here.
Erick Fedde @ TOR – His four-seamer has gotten him into a lot of trouble and the top half of the Jays offense could punish him.
Brant Hurter vs. BAL – If Hurter is opened for, I won’t rule out a possible vultured Win. It won’t be easy, of course.
Javier Assad @ COL – It’s Coors and I still can’t get behind what Assad is putting down. It ain’t enough.
UPDATE: Emerson Hancock vs. TEX – He’s replacing Luis Castillo and isn’t the electric arm you’re looking for.
Zack Littell @ CLE – He’s had his rare moments. This is riskier one than most.
Samuel Aldegheri vs. HOU – It’s the Astros and Aldegheri isn’t exciting enough.
Julian Aguiar @ MIN – Aguiar is a sinkerballer who could go at least five…if he even has that long of a leash. The Reds are kind weird.
Austin Gomber vs. CHC – COL story, Bro.
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.
Saturday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto Starts
Chris Sale vs. LAD – Aces gonna ace. I don’t care it’s the Dodgers.
Jack Flaherty @ ATL – Aces gonna ace.
Logan Gilbert vs. TEX – Aces gonna ace. In Seattle.
Corbin Burnes @ DET – The strikeouts haven’t been there but the Tigers, y’all.
Gerrit Cole vs. BOS – Aces gonna ace, but I have to acknowledge that Red Sox v. Yankees is always a little different.
Joe Musgrove @ SFG – He’s pitching too well not to start.
Probably Starts
José Berríos vs. STL – He’s cruising.
Michael Wacha @ PIT – The changeup is there and he’s been in a rhythm even before these last starts we circled weeks ago.
Justin Verlander @ LAA – I know it wasn’t what we wanted against the Athletics, but the Angels are a step below.
Questionable Starts
Mitch Keller vs. KCR – He’s still a Cherry Bomb to me.
Max Scherzer @ SEA – I’m concerned he won’t go long enough to take advantage of this, likely with Jack Leiter following. Maybe Jack is worthy of a Win stream…
J.T. Ginn @ CHW – The CrySox are that poor and only have four LHB when platooning for a RHB. This should be fine.
Nick Martinez @ MIN – He looked far better with his kitchen sink of offerings in his last start and maybe still has it here, away from Cin City.
Kyle Gibson @ TOR – He’s a Toby against a hot/cold offense. It’s weird.
Brayan Bello @ NYY – It’s the Yankees. Sigh.
Joey Cantillo vs. TBR – The Rays are better against LHB than RHB. His outing against the White Sox does not constitute more success here.
Luis Severino @ PHI – He’s been grooving and the Phillies are kinda battered, but I’m still ultra cautious here.
Brandon Pfaadt vs. MIL – Pfaadt is a Cherry Bomb and I don’t know what we’ll get wth his command.
Patrick Corbin vs. MIA – Alright, it’s the last chance for Corbin to provide value. The Pirates walloped him, but the harder cutter is still there…
Tobias Myers @ ARI – The Sneks are really scary right now.
Jameson Taillon @ COL – It’s two strong outings in a row for Taillon, including the Yankees last time out. Maybe he can keep it going in Coors…? As a Koufax worhsipper? I know, I know.
Tyler Anderson vs. HOU – If Anderson has his changeup and a well spotted heater or cutter, this can work across six.
Simeon Woods Richardson vs. CIN – It’s a good matchup, but I hate banking on SWR these days.
Valente Bellozo @ WSN – You’re chasing a low ERA here at the cost of strikeouts and possibly your WHIP. And that’s the ceiling. But hey, I get that y’all need to take that chance.
Do Not Starts
Ty Madden vs. BAL – It’s the Orioles, even if Madden flexed a splitter last time out.
Kolby Allard vs. NYM – Dralla? NEVER. But he has an elite changeup from the left side.
Tyler Alexander @ CLE – He’ll likely be opened for and go a handful of innings that could hurt a lot.
Mason Black vs. SDP – There are some interesting parts of Black, from a decently flat heater he sits upstairs to a good slider, but he’s not polished and it’s the Padres.
Kyle Freeland vs. CHC – COL story, bro.
Chris Flexen vs. OAK – How are the beaches in Oakland? Do they allow Flexen your muscles there?
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.
Sunday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto Starts
Ronel Blanco @ LAA – It’s weird to put Blanco first, but we have zero aces for Sunday and he has the best matchup. So it goes.
Jared Jones vs. KCR – The curveball showed up and it was AWESOME.
George Kirby vs. TEX – If he can make sure his heater isn’t sat on and tagged, he’ll make you happy. It’s in Seattle, after all.
Zac Gallen vs. MIL – The mix of BSB with low heaters is actually working well for Gallen lately and we even saw his slider wake up last time out.
Carlos Rodón vs. BOS – It’s the Red Sox on the road and his changeup feel is where we want it to be.
Probably Starts
Cristopher Sánchez vs. NYM – He’s the Spider-Man of the year.
Andrew Heaney @ SEA – This is a delicious matchup, y’all.
JP Sears @ CHW – A LHP against the ChiSox with any sort of upside is all you want.
Brady Singer @ PIT – He’s a Cherry Bomb, but it’s the Pirates.
Cade Povich @ DET – The Tigers will be tougher than the White Sox, but Povich has a solid Win chance here.
Questionable Starts
Ben Lively vs. TBR – He was removed last game after taking a comebacker to the thigh and he’s a RHP against the Rays. I’m still a little worried his Vargas Rule magic has fully faded, though.
Martín Pérez @ SFG – I wasn’t overly impressed by Pérez’s ability last time out, but it’s the Giants and you have a solid Win chance.
MacKenzie Gore vs. MIA – He’s a Cherry Bomb against a weak team. I’m not willing to throw away his last outing.
Kutter Crawford @ NYY – It’s the Yankees. Kutter’s eponymous kutter is as reliable as ever, with his sweeper taking a back seat. I dig the move given Crawford’s over-the-top arm angle, though I question if leaning two-pitch is enough to deal with the tough lineup.
David Festa vs. CIN – Festa let us down earlier in the week and the Twins have a terribly short leash for their young arms.
Rhett Lowder @ MIN – He’s been able to keep runs off the board, but I’m still skeptical of his ability to locate and avoid damage.
Adam Oller @ WSN – Oller was a bit unfortunate last time out, but I recognize he’s more of a Cherry Bomb without a massive ceiling than I was giving credit for.
Taj Bradley @ CLE – He’s a Cherry Bomb in a HR-heavy park.
David Peterson @ PHI – It’s the Phillies and his BSB wasn’t there in his last start.
Do Not Starts
Keider Montero vs. BAL – It’s the Orioles, not the White Sox.
Charlie Morton vs. LAD – He’s a Cherry Bomb against the Dodgers.
Jonathan Cannon vs. OAK – Maybe he goes six full? Probably not.
Walker Buehler @ ATL – I can’t do this anymore.
Miles Mikolas @ TOR – Maybe he can go six frames for those desperate for a QS.
Yariel Rodríguez vs. STL – He’s gone five before, but often its fewer than that without enough.
Caden Dana vs. HOU – He’s not the prospect arm you want.
DL Hall @ ARI – I would love for Hall to dominate, but I’m scared of the Sneks.
Landen Roupp vs. SDP – Against the Padres? Naaaah.
Kyle Hendricks @ COL – It’s Coors.
Bradley Blalock vs. CHC – It’s also Coors.
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)