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: 101-57
My Pick yesterday: Loss - Shane Smith @ DET
My Pick today: Justin Verlander @ STL
My Pick tomorrow: Charlie Morton vs. CHW
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: 102-56
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Win - Carson Seymour @ STL
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.
Saturday 9/6 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Tarik Skubal vs. CHW - Aces gonna ace.
Jacob deGrom vs. HOU - Aces gonna ace.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto @ BAL - Aces gonna ace.
Hunter Brown @ TEX - Aces gonna ace.
Joe Ryan @ KCR - Aces gonna ace.
Brandon Woodruff @ PIT - Aces gonna ace.
Matthew Boyd vs. WSN - Boyd is fine y'all. It's a LHB lineup that doesn't like having to platoon RHB.
Trevor Rogers vs. LAD - It's the Dodgers, but you know. How can you sit this man? Seven straight starts averaging 7.0 IP, each with 1 ER or fewer. OHHHH BANANAS!
Probably Starts
Jesús Luzardo @ MIA - Luzardo is a "Cherry Bomb" with a gorgeous revenge game matchup.
Lucas Giolito @ ARI - I wish I could tell you Giolito was more polished and routine. I also recognize that despite his inability to perfect his approach, he's still produced regularly when avoiding tough offenses.
Bryce Miller @ ATL - Miller is fine, yes, even away from home.
Jonah Tong @ CIN - It wasn't the greatest debut, but after settling in, Tong was able to do more with his heater and splitter. I expect better in his second start and even in GABP, I'd go for it.
Justin Verlander @ STL - This looks great on paper, though I have one ding against Verlander that I'm pushing past: A 121 pitch count in five frames in his previous start. We generally see a hangover from pitchers after blowing past their season-high pitch counts, but then again, it's Verlander.
Questionable Starts
Martín Pérez @ DET - Don't overlook Pérez. He's the textbook crafty vet lefty who just took down the Yankees and could cruise for six frames against the Tigers. His ceiling isn't too high, though, with a realistic possibility of five frames of meh.
Sandy Alcantara vs. PHI - Yes, four straight games of Sandy excellence, including success against the Mets last week. And yet, we know the floor still exists with another tough one here against the Phillies. Good luck.
Shane Baz vs. CLE - I hate pitching Baz in Tampa. I also hate ignoring pitchers who just had massive upticks in velocity in their previous outings (+0 on changeup, +1 on heater, +2 on curve, +3 on cutter. Kinda awesome that the changeup is still just as slow.).
Yusei Kikuchi vs. ATH - He's a "HIPSTER", but it's the Athletics away from "Sacré Verde".
J.T. Ginn @ LAA - Ginn hasn't quite flexed the plateau yet, but it sure feels like his command is on point with four pitches. I wouldn't be shocked if this was the start that swerved the spotlight to the sinkerballer.
Brady Singer vs. NYM - It's GABP + the Mets. On the other hand, Singer's slider feel has been solid. Super high risk/reward here.
Luis Gil vs. TOR - Gil should improve in the short term as he removes himself further from TJS, but it's the Jays and we haven't seen him locked in yet.
Hurston Waldrep vs. SEA - His splitter was off against Miami, then on against the Cubs. I just hate doing this against the Mariners away from "@TEA". It has week-losing potential.
Mitch Keller vs. MIL - Keller has returned more strikeouts in his last two games, but I'm not ready to point to the sweeper and tell you it's going to continue carrying him.
Do Not Starts
Tanner Bibee @ TBR - He hasn't taken off the "TIARA" all year. Why would he end his tea party now?
Brandon Pfaadt vs. BOS - It feels wrong to believe in Pfaadt over other options when he's routinely disappointed fantasy managers.
Chris Bassitt @ NYY - Bassitt has had his curve for two starts and I don't believe it'll be there for a third. Oh, and the Yankees n all.
Stephen Kolek vs. MIN - Kolek gets the start with Lugo ailing (WHERE'S FALTER?!) and there is a boring ceiling if his pitches quickly find gloves.
Andre Pallante vs. SFG - This ain't it, y'all. Even against the Giants and at home. He's made it work so rarely.
Brad Lord @ CHC - Oh...jeez.
Randy Vásquez @ COL - He's not a good play regardless of matchup. Coors makes this so much worse.
McCade Brown vs. SDP - It's the Colorado SP.
Sunday 9/7 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Framber Valdez @ TEX - It was dramatic against the Yankees, but the matchup is too good. He should come through.
Hunter Greene vs. NYM - Aces gonna ace. The strikeouts push him over the others.
Max Fried vs. TOR - I hate the matchup, but Fried's velocity is up and his feel is stellar.
Jacob Misiorowski @ PIT - He should be able to five frames against the Pirates with all the punchouts.
Sonny Gray vs. SFG - Gray appeared last time out and you have to start him against the Giants in St. Louis.
Drew Rasmussen vs. CLE - He's routinely going six frames, save for a hiccup last time out.
Probably Starts
Brayan Bello @ ARI - Bello was disrupted last time out, but he should be back on track.
Ryne Nelson vs. BOS - Nelson's heater is still elite and the curve or slider should be the companion he needs.
Charlie Morton vs. CHW - The strikeouts have continued for Morton across tough matchups and now the schedule eases up, I'm down.
Luis Garcia @ TEX - I'm not ultra confident in Garcia, either. His fastball sat just above 91 mph, a far cry from his 94 mph velocity in his last healthy season (2023). That said, the cutter is still great, the overall command was fine, the Rangers are hurting, and @TEX is a phenomenal place to pitch.
Colin Rea vs. WSN - Rea hasn't quite come through lately, but it's the Nationals. This is a solid Win chance for a dire Sunday.
Dylan Cease @ COL - Cease. Buddy. If you want to bench, you do you. Personally, his gyro slider should thrive in Coors against a RHB lineup that gets oblierated by gyro sliders down-and-away.
Questionable Starts
Clayton Kershaw @ BAL - With Ohtani appearing for a start on Friday, Kershaw now starts on Sunday. I'm not too confident in his arsenal, which has relied on good fortune plenty thus far.
Davis Martin @ DET - Martin is a "Toby" in a decent matchup. A little safer than Wrobo Cop, with a lower ceiling.
Parker Messick @ TBR - The command wasn't as stellar last time out and it's no fun starting pitchers in Tampa. However, the Rays dislike facing LHP, making this a digestible play.
Luis Castillo @ ATL - We've watched the decline across the second half and I don't feel comfortable starting Castillo without the boost of "@TEA".
Spencer Strider vs. SEA - He hosts the Mariners with all their thump in the lineup while having a mediocre fastball. You best hope the slide piece is cooking.
Kai-Wei Teng @ STL - Here's your sneaky of sneaky plays. Teng's breakers open the door for a flurry of strikeouts and a date in St. Louis raises the floor a touch. The major question: Will he earn enough strikes without getting punished to set up enough two-strike breakers?
Brandon Sproat @ CIN - It's an MLB debut and we usually don't start those. Sproat is a bit of an exception given the weak lineup (albeit, in GABP) and his 96/97 mph velocity in the minors. The Mets have had a strong track record of their callups in the second half (McLean, Tong) and I expect Sproat to (mc)lean into his sweeper and changeup more than the 15-20% rates we've seen. I'd feel better about this if his he didn't have an empty velocity four-seamer (poor extension, vert, and "HAVAA"). Maybe the 17" run sinker does the trick?
Taijuan Walker @ MIA - Ugggggh fine. It's Miami and Walker has gone "Dancing With The Disco" but more like an arts-and-crafts event with splitters and cutters. WHERE'S MY CONSTRUCTION PAPER?!
Max Scherzer @ NYY - Scherzer hasn't been bad until he was. Now he has a back issue and gets the Yankees. Ehhhhhh.
Do Not Starts
Luis Severino @ LAA - I was tempted to place him in the third tier, but the low pitch count last time out merged with questionable quality makes this likely not worth it.
Bailey Ober @ KCR - Ober's fastball velocity is still under 90 mph and y'all know how much he hates facing the Royals.
Michael Lorenzen vs. MIN - He gave you a QS last time out (finally!). It's not likely he has another in him, but at least the leash is long enough to enable the possibility.
Patrick Corbin vs. HOU - Corbin is in a pitcher's park and the Astros lineup can be volatile...Nah.
Mitch Farris vs. ATH - Farris throws 90 mph blegh four-seamers and 77 mph slothballs for a "BSB" to RHB with below-average 81 mph gyro sliders. That changeup is legit and we've seen southpaws exceed with just that, sure, but 90 mph?! Here's your dire deep-league stream.
Andrew Alvarez @ CHC - Alvarez is like Farris, but with slider/curve that he spots well with legit drop to RHB instead of a changeup. He gets the Cubs, though, putting him at the bottom of the "hey, this has some chance" crew.
Carmen Mlodzinski vs. MIL - Does he even go long enough? Is this the day we see Bubba Chandler follow for bulk? If so, I'd have Bubba at the bottom of the third tier - the Win chance is low and his restricted volume doesn't warrant a start over others.
Adam Mazur vs. PHI - There's a four-seamer/slider arm in there that will take a while to break out of its shell.
Tomoyuki Sugano vs. LAD - It's the Dodgers and Sugano has massive disaster potential.
Tanner Gordon vs. SDP - It's the Colorado SP.
Monday 9/8 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.
