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: 109-59
My Pick yesterday: Win - Matthew Liberatore vs. CIN
My Pick today: Michael McGreevy vs. CIN
My Pick tomorrow: Ryan Weathers @ COL
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: 111-57
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Win - Matthew Liberatore vs. CIN
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.
Tuesday 9/16 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Paul Skenes vs. CHC - Aces gonna ace.
Logan Gilbert @ KCR - Aces gonna ace.
Chris Sale @ WSN - Aces gonna ace.
Freddy Peralta vs. LAA - Aces gonna ace.
Shohei Ohtani vs. PHI - Aces gonna ace.
Cristopher Sánchez @ LAD - Aces gonna have a tough matchup and you can't resist it.
Andrew Abbott @ STL - Abbott gets a great matchup away from Cincy.
Cade Horton @ PIT - Horton has been so dang reliable and it's the Pirates.
Merrill Kelly @ HOU - Kelly has been too consistent.
Michael King @ NYM - He was stretched out to five frames last time and I'd have him higher if we had more time to see him get into a groove + not face a strong offense like the Mets.
Cam Schlittler @ MIN - Schlittler is legit and I don't see why you wouldn't start him.
Probably Starts
Michael McGreevy vs. CIN - It's the "Reds Carpet" for a decent "Toby".
Connelly Early vs. ATH - His MLB was phenomenal. Unfortunately, it's the same lineup and we've seen difficult outings following incredible debuts in the past. I believe in the wide arsenal and overall skill, but this could be troublesome in Fenway.
MacKenzie Gore vs. ATL - It's unclear if Gore will get back into proper form before the end of the season, but this seems like a worthwhile risk.
Joey Cantillo @ DET - I dig Cantillo and even against a Tigers crew that has done well against LHP, I'd go for it.
Casey Mize vs. CLE - Mize is a "Toby" against a LHB-lineup that plays into his splitter well.
Shane Smith vs. BAL - Not a bad matchup for Smith. I wish he were firing on all cylinders, but I'm fine starting him here.
Eduardo Rodriguez vs. SFG - Another "Toby" in a slightly worse matchup.
Questionable Starts
Eury Pérez @ COL - I believe in Eury's stuff, though Coors can mess things up.
Ryan Pepiot vs. TOR - It's in Tampa Bay and the Jays are not a fun time.
Sean Manaea (Opener) vs. SDP - He'll be piggy-backing with Clay Holmes, which is the perfect situation for Manaea given his struggles facing lineups for a third time. The lack of expected volume makes this a questionable play, though.
Dean Kremer @ CHW - Wells is going tomorrow, pushing Kremer up. He's a "HIPSTER" with a chance to go six against a meh opponent. It's always a gamble.
Zebby Matthews vs. NYY - Zebby gets a tough matchup, though his stuff has the potential to take down any lineup.
José Berríos @ TBR - He's "The Great Undulator". Now under a 4.00 ERA, he has a few starts left to get under 3.90 to make everything right in the world...
Michael Wacha vs. SEA - It's in Kauffman, which may help depress the thump of the Seattle lineup.
Clay Holmes vs. SDP - He's piggy-backing with Sean Manaea and I'd rather go with Manaea as I don't expect "The Adobe" to go five frames. However, it's all super hazey and it's absolutely possible for Holmes to efficiently go five. I don't like it a whole lot, but I get it.
Do Not Starts
AJ Blubaugh vs. TEX - With Murray pitching yesterday, Blubaugh starts today and Javier is pushed to tomorrow. He throws a solid four-seamer and sweeper from the right-side, but has too questionable of a pitch count to chase. He hasn't pitch more than 42 pitches since August 23rd.
Caden Dana @ MIL - I'm not ready to buy into Dana's strikeout ability.
Jeffrey Springs @ BOS - It's in Fenway, which typically doesn't bring sunshine and rainbows.
Kyle Freeland vs. MIA - Freeland has excelled since yelling at Devers. Maybe that sticks for one more game in Coors against a poor offense?
Carson Seymour (Opener) @ ARI - He has good velocity, but not much else to trust against an Arizona offense that has its occasional offensive onslaughts.
Jose Suarez @ WSN - This looks like a bullpen game for Atlanta in the second game of a doubleheader. Maybe Suárez happens to go five in the end, though you know it's not what you want.
Jake Irvin vs. ATL - Uh huh.
Wednesday 9/17 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Jacob deGrom @ HOU - Aces gonna ace.
Brandon Woodruff vs. LAA - Aces gonna ace.
Blake Snell vs. PHI - Aces gonna ace IN THIS HOT SNELL SUMMER.
Matthew Boyd @ PIT - Not an ace, but a "Holly" with a great matchup.
Nick Pivetta @ NYM - Aces gonna ace. Take it home, Pivetta.
Probably Starts
Kevin Gausman @ TBR - He's been on fire, which makes it sound like this is a trap for a pitcher like Gausman, but you're going with it, of course.
Bryce Miller @ KCR - Miller's heater is in proper form and Kauffman is a solid place to pitch. But it's not home! I know. Don't worry.
Lucas Giolito vs. ATH - Giolito has had a strong season as a "Holly" after a few inital bumps in the road. We roll with this.
Luis Gil @ MIN - Gil is hard to hit, even when he's not delicately placing his three-pitch mix where he wants to. Fortunately, enough strikes are found across his outings. Usually.
Brady Singer @ STL - Singer gets a great situation in St. Louis and has been everything we want him to be as of late.
Tyler Wells @ CHW - Worse matchup, slightly better pitcher for another "Toby".
Cole Ragans vs. SEA - PINCH ME. I bet he's hoping for at least five frames to get back into the groove before the season ends. Wouldn't that be awesome?
Jack Flaherty vs. CLE - Flaherty is a "Cherry Bomb" against a weak squad. This should be fine, right?
Justin Verlander @ ARI - Verlander just had all the whiffs with his slider and I imagine you're safe with this outing. He still has a lower floor than I'd like.
Questionable Starts
Ryan Weathers @ COL - I initially placed Weathers in the third tier, but I recognize Coors can change things + he only tossed 68 pitches in both of his final rehab start and "Still ILL" return.
José Soriano @ MIL - He is what he is. A "HIPSTER" and all we can do is hope.
Cristian Javier vs. TEX - Who knows what you'll get from Javier. If his four-seamer is on point, this could go very well.
Hurston Waldrep @ WSN - It's up to you if you want to trust the splitter showing up or not. You know the floor.
David Peterson vs. SDP - Peterson is a WHIP killer, though he has displayed clear ability of going six frames. Will it be worth it?
Jesús Luzardo @ LAD - Why does it have to be the Dodgers.
Martín Pérez vs. BAL - He hasn't been the steady "Toby" you want him to be, though he still has 5-6 IP of decent ratios in him.
Brandon Pfaadt vs. SFG - It's awfully hard to trust Pfaadt these days. If you're starting him, it's for the chance at a QS and Win.
Do Not Starts
Logan Allen @ DET - I just don't like what Allen does and the Tigers aren't a team to casually face.
Brad Lord vs. ATL - We've seen a few surprising starts from Lord and this is a desperate stream at best.
Johan Oviedo vs. CHC - I dig the innate skills. Oviedo hasn't put it all together yet, though, and the Cubs are the Cubs.
Ian Seymour vs. TOR - Seymour will have a difficult time facing the Toronto Lineup and it's in Tampa Bay.
Taj Bradley vs. NYY - You cannot trust him in the slightest, but yes, there is more upside here than others.
Andre Pallante vs. CIN - Immovable object, unstoppable force, yada yada.
Mason Barnett @ BOS - This has disaster written all over it.
McCade Brown vs. MIA - It's the Colorado SP.
Thursday 9/18 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.
