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: 90-77
My pick yesterday: Tylor Megill vs. WSN – W
PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 94-73
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Bailey Falter vs. STL – W
Want PL Bot’s pick today? Sign up for PL Pro here.
My streaming pick of the day is Underlined and Italicized.
Wednesday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto Starts
Tarik Skubal @ KCR – Aces gonna ace.
Sonny Gray vs. PIT – Former aces gonna ace.
Aaron Nola @ MIL – Aces gonna ace.
Dylan Cease vs. HOU – Aces gonna hopefully have his heater spotted against LHB.
Framber Valdez @ SDP – Aces gonna have to deal with one of the best offenses in the bigs.
Bailey Ober @ CLE – Aces gonna try not to allow HRs in Cleveland.
Bowden Francis @ TEX – This dude gonna continue to give us ace-like results despite not having ace-like skills.
Probably Starts
Nestor Cortes @ SEA – It’s in Seattle and Cortes has looked way better lately.
Spencer Schwellenbach @ CIN – I’m annoyed that Mr. Crescendo hasn’t had his slider whiffs return, though he’s still pitching well.
Tanner Bibee vs. MIN – Don’t overthink it.
Cody Bradford vs. TOR – I know he was horrible against the Sneks, but don’t give up on him after one poor start against an elite offense.
Dean Kremer vs. SFG – He’s been rolling and the Giants are a solid matchup.
Jose Quintana vs. WSN – Quintana was better against the Phillies and the Nationals could open the door for a solid Win.
UPDATE: Tanner Houck @ TBR – He was skipped last time with arm fatigue and part of me wants to skip this one entirely. That said, it is the Rays away from Fenway. How bad can it be? Narrator: He said, to the chagrin of everyone.
Bryce Miller vs. NYY – It’s the Yankees, however Brce has been so much better at home. He’s one of the few I actually lean into benefitting greatly from his home park factor.
Freddy Peralta vs. PHI – We don’t know how much of Professor Chaos we’ll see, though the Phillies have been a bit easier to deal with lately.
Questionable Starts
Alec Marsh vs. DET – He’s been on a tear with his curve and slider. That said, Tigers can provide some pop, and I’m not sure if Marsh can come close to replicating his eleven-strikeout performance.
Landon Knack @ MIA – It looks like a great Win chance, but how long will the Dodgers let Knack go?
Javier Assad vs. OAK – I don’t trust Assad’s skills a ton and Oakland is a decent offense.
DJ Herz @ NYM – Will Herz have his changeup working well enough to avoid the poor floor?
Jack Kochanowicz vs. CHW – It’s the CrySox + The Jack of One Trade could find a Quality Start in a heartbeat…with about three strikeouts. ALSO, with Crochet moved to Friday, Jack’s shot at a Win have gone up as well.
Ryan Pepiot vs. BOS – I’d have this higher if he weren’t limited to roughly 40 pitches in his last outing. It could have been just one start, it could be the plan the rest of the way.
Brady Basso @ CHC – He’s done well thus far, but it’s the Cubs. It likely ends here.
Eduardo Rodriguez @ COL – It’s Coors…and yet the Win chance is still solid.
UPDATE: Justin Steele vs. OAK – Do you activate Steele for this start? In most cases, no. If you’re able to finagle this in a pick-up restricted league, then it’s a free start that I’m fine with, but you are highly unlikely to get a Win or QS as I anticipate roughly 60 pitches for Steele – he hasn’t pitched a rehab game and tossed only a 40 pitch session since leaving his last start with elbow pain. It’s not worth it for a pickup.
Cooper Criswell @ TBR – If the Sawx let him go at least five, there’s a decent chance for a Win.
Garrett Crochet @ LAA – He could return 6+ strikeouts despite the 60 pitch limitation.
Do Not Starts
Hayden Birdsong @ BAL – He’s a desperate strikeout play for a guy who hasn’t had his curveball since those two starts against the Rockies.
Jakob Junis vs. ATL – I know he’s gone five frames in each of his last two and I’m happy for him. That ceiling isn’t worth the roster spot.
UPDATE: Jarred Shuster @ LAA – He’s getting the “start”. Does he go five frames? Do you actually want him to?
Austin Gomber vs. ARI – It’s Coors and Arizona.
UPDATE: Jake Woodford @ STL – It’s the Amish Mustang and he has a better chance at a Win than Weathers. Yay.
Ryan Weathers vs. LAD – Oh snap! He’s back?!
Joey Wentz @ STL – He’s likely acting as an opener or just getting a handful of frames.
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.
Thursday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto Starts
Chris Sale @ CIN – Aces gonna ace.
Jack Flaherty @ MIA – Aces gonna ace.
Yusei Kikuchi vs. LAA – It’s the Angels and yessss.
Zach Eflin vs. SFG – This is a safe play.
Logan Gilbert vs. NYY – It’s a little risky against the Yankees, but aces gonna ace.
Probably Starts
Kevin Gausman @ TEX – Gausman is earning more splitter whiffs and the Rangers aren’t a tough crew.
Clarke Schmidt @ SEA – It’s in Seattle.
Logan Webb @ BAL – It’s the Orioles…who aren’t that tough right now?
Brayan Bello @ TBR – He’s been pushed up a day and now gets to face the Rays…but he’s a Cherry Bomb…but it’s a right-hander against the Rays in Tampa Bay…
Questionable Starts
Kumar Rocker vs. TOR – I was tempted to put him and the next two into the second tier as Rocker was explosive in his MLB debut. It was just one outing, though, and the Jays have some surprise thump.
Luis Severino vs. PHI – It’s the Phillies. Solid QS/Win chance, though.
Joey Cantillo vs. MIN – Cantillo has been fantastic in his last two starts…against the CrySox and Rays. His vulcan change has performed well, though I worry its volatility will appear against a stronger lineup.
Javier Assad vs. WSN – Assad has made it work, even if I don’t buy his skills for a large sample. The Nationals are an improvement from his previously schedule matchup against the Athletics, too. Just a bit more boring than the trio above.
Luis L. Ortiz @ STL – Same with Ortiz. He can find six, but his inability to execute for whiffs when needed makes him a middling 5-6 inning play.
Brandon Pfaadt @ MIL – Pfaadt was obliterated last time out, though his Cherry Bomb nature suggests a productive rebound may be in store
Edward Cabrera vs. LAD – He’s a Cherry Bomb, regardless of opponent. And yet, it’s still the Dodgers.
Zack Littell vs. BOS – Littell had a lot working last time out and has a better matchup this time around. I’m not expecting a replication of skills from his last start, though. That felt like “one of those days” and not a tweak that holds.
Erick Fedde vs. PIT – It’s the Pirates for this former Toby.
Patrick Corbin @ CHC – He’s been making it work with his harder cutter, though the Cubs are tougher than the lineups he’s taken advantage of.
Do Not Starts
Julian Aguiar vs. ATL – He’s a sinkerballer, creating a minuscule chance for 5+ frames as heaters find gloves.
Colin Rea vs. ARI – Rea has a terrible floor + the Sneks are the Sneks.
Simeon Woods Richardson @ CLE – SWR isn’t going long these days + it’s HR-heavy Cleveland.
Taijuan Walker @ NYM – He’s back from the IL and obviously we want nothing to do with this.
José Suarez @ HOU – Oh snap! He’s getting a start again? That’s cool, that’s cool. Welp, see ya later.
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)