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: 102-57
My Pick yesterday: Win - Justin Verlander @ STL
My Pick today: Davis Martin @ DET
My Pick tomorrow: Cade Cavalli @ MIA
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: 103-56
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Win - Justin Verlander @ 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.
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.
Bubba Chandler vs. MIL - With Bubba getting the proper start, I'm willing to wager he has a leash long enough to go at least five frames and 70+ pitches, and with his talent, I'd go for it. I think we'll see some extra adrenaline in his first proper start in the majors. Have some fun.
Questionable Starts
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 obliterated by gyro sliders down-and-away.
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. Better than Rea given higher potential for volume, but a slightly lower Win chance.
Colin Rea (Opener) vs. WSN - Rea hasn't quite come through lately, but it's the Nationals. This is a solid Win chance for a dire Sunday. Note: Drew Pomeranz is set to open with Rea and Aaron Civale available for bulk. I lowered Rea, since he could go just three or four frames after Pomeranz.
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".
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.
Joey Wentz vs. SEA - Strider was pushed to Tuesday and Wentz gets the pearl against a lineup with plenty of thump. There's a chance he executes beautifully and comes through, though the chances are slim.
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.
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
Auto-Starts
Tyler Glasnow vs. COL - Aces gonna ace. It's "Rockie Road" y'all.
Garrett Crochet @ ATH - Aces gonna ace.
Bryan Woo vs. STL - Aces gonna ace.
Shota Imanaga @ ATL - Aces gonna ace.
Logan Webb vs. ARI - Webb is solid enough for the Sneks.
Probably Starts
Yu Darvish vs. CIN - I know he's been shaky, but it's the "Reds Carpet". Easy.
Jose Quintana @ TEX - It's lovely pitching in Arlington. It's Globe Life Field. IT WILL ALWAYS BE ARLINGTON.
Cade Cavalli @ MIA - He just took them down with ease, no reason to expect any different.
Ryan Bergert @ CLE - Bergert is such a lovely surprise.
Nick Lodolo @ SDP - It's the Padres and Lodolo didn't give you the line you wanted in his "Still ILL", but his skills were legit.
Questionable Starts
Aaron Nola vs. NYM - Nola was bamboozled and settled down after. I just wish it weren't the scorching hot Mets offense.
Luis Morales vs. BOS - Morales has become everyone's favorite streamer, but be warned - this is in "Sacré Verde" and the "Shag Rug" exists.
Sean Manaea @ PHI - We haven't seen six frames of production from Manaea a whole lot this year.
Jacob Latz vs. MIL - The southpaw threw 71 pitches last time out and could exceed 80 here. It's home in Texas and Latz could make this work with his 95 mph heater and 18" vert with a legit changeup under.
Do Not Starts
Nabil Crismatt @ SFG - It may be tempting in San Francisco. This isn't a dominating pitcher and the ceiling doesn't match the low floor.
Slade Cecconi vs. KCR - He's allowed 5+ ER in three of his last five. Noooope.
Bryce Elder vs. CHC - Yes, he's been on a heater and just destroyed the Cubs last week. It's not sustainable and the floor is horrific. I don't feel right putting the playoffs at risk for this start.
Miles Mikolas @ SEA - There's always a 20% chance with Mikolas. I don't want that.
Simeon Woods Richardson @ LAA - Is he really a splitter-first arm now?
Caden Dana vs. MIN - He could turn into a "Toby" in time. Not now.
Janson Junk vs. WSN - It's a "Still ILL" and it's not worth risking it.
Chase Dollander @ LAD - It's the Colorado SP.
Tuesday 9/9 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.
