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: 103-57
My Pick yesterday: Win - Davis Martin @ DET
My Pick today: Cade Cavalli @ MIA
My Pick tomorrow: Emmet Sheehan vs. 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: 104-56
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Win - Brandon Sproat @ 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.
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.
Nolan McLean @ PHI - He's been too good to bench, but I understand playing it safe here.
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.
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
Auto-Starts
George Kirby vs. STL - He messed you up last week. Be a goldfish.
Emmet Sheehan vs. COL - Is this the first time all season I have a streamer in the top tier? It's "Rockie Road", y'all, and you saw what he did with an invitation down the "Reds Carpet".
Kyle Bradish vs. PIT - Bradish's slider haven't been quite as sharp as his season debut, but they should be there in a lovely matchup.
Ranger Suárez vs. NYM - I know it's the Mets, but Ranger has been too good.
Probably Starts
Zac Gallen @ SFG - The "TIARA" hath been removed and this is in San Francisco.
Robbie Ray vs. ARI - He didn't deserve the results of his last start and the velocity is very much there.
Eury Pérez vs. WSN - I know you're scared. Pérez has had two terrible innings across two starts. He's not that man.
Cade Horton @ ATL - Horton has been cruising since the blister incident.
Noah Cameron @ CLE - Cameron wasn't as precise in his return after extended rest and I'm willing to wager he'll have better command against a Cleveland team that hates LHP.
Will Warren vs. DET - The Tigers are showing their teeth and I'm a little concerned about Warren suffering from fatigue in the second half. And yet, it's hard to say no to this.
Questionable Starts
Zebby Matthews @ LAA - We've seen both sides of the coin from Zebby. It's hard to tell what we'll get on a given day.
Adrian Houser @ CHW - It's away from Tampa Bay and this makes sense for those in need of a QS.
Joey Cantillo vs. KCR - Cantillo is a legit arm who is still working on his changeup command.
Michael King vs. CIN - He didn't have a rehab start in the minors - how long will they let him go? Expect the quality per inning to be fantastic.
Jack Leiter vs. MIL - Leiter has flexed legitimacy, but it still comes with more chaos than your standard "Cherry Bomb".
Sean Manaea @ PHI - How long will he go? Will it actually be worthwhile?
Yoendrys Gómez vs. TBR - Gómez has a great set of secondaries and a flat-attack four-seamer that could work against the Rays.
José Berríos vs. HOU - He is "The Great Undulator". He needs a few great outings to get back into his normal range, though.
Jeffrey Springs vs. BOS - It's in "Sacré Verde" and that makes me a little afraid we'll get clouds instead of sunshine and rainbows.
Casey Mize @ NYY - It's a tough matchup for this "Toby".
Do Not Starts
Matthew Liberatore @ SEA - Despite the park, Liberatore looks fatigued in my view. I'm not interested in taking the risk.
Zack Littell @ SDP - He's had time as a "Vargas Rule" this year. I'm not trusting that against the Padres.
Spencer Strider vs. CHC - Strider's four-seamer and slider are just too hittable these days + it's the mighty Cubs offense.
Luis Garcia @ TOR - I'm terrified of this matchup + Garcia's four-seamer was just over 91 mph last time out - not the 94 mph from his last healthy season.
Mitchell Parker @ MIA - There's a chance, y'all. He's had glimpses of the "BSB" with his heater and curve + the slider is getting more involved + it's the Marlins! But yeah, FINE. Too risky.
Erick Fedde @ TEX - Don't Trust The Feddes. Even in a great pitcher's park.
Dustin May @ ATH - May has been awfully rugged + it's "Sacré Verde".
Mike Burrows @ BAL - How long will he go? Do you even want it to go longer?
Kyle Hendricks vs. MIN - Hendricks had three walks and zero strikeouts in his last start...with a good ERA. Somehow.
Germán Márquez @ LAD - It's the Colorado SP.
Wednesday 9/10 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.
