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: 92-79
My pick yesterday: Martín Pérez vs. CHW – W
My Pick today: NONE
PL Bot’s 2024 Streamer Record: 97-74
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Kyle Hendricks vs. WSN – L
PL Bot’s Pick today: Get our Daily PLV Projections with PL Bot here.
Sunday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto Starts
Zack Wheeler @ NYM – Aces gonna ace.
Paul Skenes @ CIN – Aces gonna ace. Please don’t limit him…
Blake Snell @ KCR – Aces gonna ace.
Shota Imanaga vs. WSN – Aces gonna ace.
Seth Lugo vs. SFG – After three dominant starts against strong opponents, Lugo was poor against a weak opponent. Fun. Expect a rebound.
UPDATE: Pablo López @ BOS – Fenway isn’t fun, but you can’t deny this one. Sidenote: Doubleheader after Saturday’s rainout.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. COL – The only question is how long he goes. Should be at least five for a strong outing.
Yu Darvish vs. CHW – It’s the CrySox and he’s stretched out enough.
Spencer Arrighetti vs. LAA – Arrighetti hasn’t fully stumbled yet. Let it ride.
Luis Gil @ OAK – Gil is a little more volatile than I like, but it’s a solid matchup here. He may be getting a bit fatigued as well.
Bryan Woo @ TEX – Despite the Yankees beating him up, Woo’s skills are still elite.
Probably Starts
Chris Bassitt @ TBR – Bassitt didn’t produce in his first good outing this week, and don’t let that deter you from jumping on the second.
Shane Baz vs. TOR – Baz has looked far better as of late with his curve and four-seamer mix.
Grant Holmes @ MIA – It’s a great Win chance for Holmes after throwing nearly 80 pitches earlier this week.
Albert Suárez vs. DET – Suárez has the ability to earn strikeouts and steal a Win.
Gavin Williams @ STL – I dig Gavin’s four-seamer and cutter/slider approach. The Cardinals aren’t scary enough to bench, opening the door for a solid 5-6 frames and a Win.
Questionable Starts
UPDATE: Kutter Crawford vs. MIN – He’s become more cutter/four-seamer, which is fine, but not overly dominating + the Twins are a bit scary. Sidenote: Doubleheader after Saturday’s rainout.
Nick Pivetta vs. MIN – Pivetta’s four-seamer gets tagged by RHB as batters can identify it relative to the sweeper he pairs it with. The Twins right-handers scare me in this matchup.
Andrew Heaney vs. SEA – Heaney is a bit volatile and this one is in Texas, not Seattle.
Jake Irvin @ CHC – Irvin’s fastballs have been far better lately, though I’m skeptical they can keep up their results. It’s also the Cubs, not the hot/cold Mets.
Tylor Megill vs. PHI – The Phillies have lost some of their sheen, but Megill’s secondaries aren’t at a place where I feel comfortable. Throw in inconsistent fastball locations and I’m hesitant to trust this outing.
Andre Pallante vs. CLE – He shocked us with nine strikeouts against the Pirates and it’s possible he can find some of that magic for another start. At least the Guardians aren’t at home…
UPDATE: Brant Hurter @ BAL – I’m stunned by Hurter’s sinker effectiveness (5.92 PLV against LHB?!) and he just flirted with perfection against said Orioles. It’s strange and I guess we’re doing it…but then again, he was moved from Friday to Sunday out of nowhere and could be properly starting instead of following, lowering his potential for a Win (and he performs better as a follower).
Frankie Montas vs. ARI – I want to like this start, but it’s the Diamondbacks. That’s too difficult of a matchup to blindly trust, even if Montas has been killing it.
Hunter Greene vs. PIT – He’s apparently returning from the IL for this one and the matchup is great (despite the home park), but how long will he go? It’s a Still ILL save for those in need of strikeout upside.
Do Not Starts
Joey Estes vs. NYY – He was rough to start the week and it could be more of the same. That said, Estes throws enough strikes and can be difficult to string hits against at times.
Zebby Matthews @ BOS – Zebby has a short leash and while I’m happy he had a productive start last time out, Fenway makes this a tough gamble for a limited ceiling.
Griffin Canning @ HOU – I know he was super productive against the CrySox, but the Astros are far different.
Sean Burke @ SDP – I kinda dug what Burke brought to the table in his first MLB start and it’s frustrating he has to deal with the Padres now.
UPDATE: Casey Mize (Opener) @ BAL – It’s still unclear what the Tigers are doing, but Mize would be on four days rest and Hurter went in Saturday’s game. The Orioles haven’t been hitting well and Mize featured increased velocity last game, but his feel for spin isn’t there. UPDATE UPDATE: Holton is confirmed as the Opener, and it could be Ty Madden or Mize getting bulk here. Good luck.
Jordan Montgomery @ MIL – You really don’t want The Bear near your stash.
UPDATE: Ryan Yarbrough (Opener) @ TBR – The Blue Jays are not sure what the plan is for Sunday. It could be a random callup or a bullpen game with The Fratty Pirate as the bulk arm. Really unfortunate for those leaning on Bassitt’s two-step matchups, especially given he didn’t come through in the first one.
Darren McCaughan vs. ATL – Darren ain’t it.
Antonio Senzatela @ LAD – Senz-A. We (don’t) meet again.
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.
Monday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Auto Starts
Aaron Nola vs. CHC – Aces gonna ace.
Hunter Brown vs. SEA – He’s been making his kitchen sink approach work and it’s the Mariners…who have been better in September, but I’m not entirely convinced.
Probably Starts
Eduardo Rodriguez vs. SFG – This looks like a solid Win/QS play.
Chris Bassitt vs. BOS – Bassitt was bumped and gets to host the weak Sawx crew in Toronto.
Luis Castillo @ HOU – He could be returning from his hamstring strain on Monday – the first day he’s eligible to return. I’m cautious he’ll be slightly limited in this one relative to other outings, suggesting 75-80 pitches instead of 90+.
Tanner Houck @ TOR – Houck was limited to just four frames last time out, but he was in his classic spring groove. I’m imagining 5+ frames of production.
Questionable Starts
Justin Steele @ PHI – He tossed roughly 60 pitches and didn’t have his best feel. Given he was on the IL with an elbow injury, I’m a little surprised the Cubs aren’t shutting him down, and at the very least, you should expect them to be cautious here.
Do Not Starts
Hayden Birdsong @ ARI – He’s the only pitcher under 20% rostered and I’m going out of my way to make my “streaming pick” NONE. In cases like these, if my pick is “NONE”, I only get a Win if there are zero pitchers under 20% rostered who performed a start worthy of a stream, and considering Birdsong is a very clear SIT against the Sneks with his volatility and their quality offense, it’s an easy day to sit on our hands.
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)