Rankings of the SP Streamers for today’s, tomorrow’s, and the day after tomorrow’s games for fantasy baseball.
Every day of the 2026 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 twitch.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 Twitch 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 Twitch 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 2026 Streamer Record: 11-11
My Pick yesterday: Win – Steven Matz @ CHW
My Pick today: Kyle Harrison @ MIA
My Pick tomorrow: Dean Kremer @ CLE
PL Pro Members have access to my 14-Day Sit/Start SP Grid, which ranks all expected starters into four tiers over the next 14 days. Here is an example from last season.
PL Bot’s 2026 Streamer Record: 12-10
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Loss – Ryan Weiss vs. COL
Friday 4/17 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Jacob deGrom @ SEA – Aces gonna ace.
Joe Ryan vs. CIN – Aces gonna ace.
Logan Gilbert vs. TEX – Aces gonna ace.
Tyler Glasnow @ COL – Aces gonna ace.
Cam Schlittler vs. KCR – You are two starts away from Coronation Day.
Logan Webb @ WSN – I demoted Webb on The List this week, so obviously he’s going to kill it.
José Soriano vs. SDP – He’s on too good of a run to bench him, even if I see it as a Vargas Rule. It may be your last chance to sell high.
Bubba Chandler vs. TBR – He hasn’t had a good start yet! He’s far better and now he gets the Rays in PNC Park, not the Cubs in Wrigley.
Probably Starts
Edward Cabrera vs. NYM – It feels like an auto-start, but Cabrera hasn’t been locked in yet. I can understand holding him back.
Questionable Starts
Kodai Senga @ CHC – Senga has been shaky as of late and I think it’s wise to wait and see for a game. Remember, the third tier = under 50% chance of success.
Michael Soroka vs. TOR – He’s been a strikeout fiend as of late with lovely feel for his curveball. Risky ratios, though.
Ranger Suarez vs. DET – Suarez looked better against the Cardinals, but not fantastic. The Tigers are a tougher squad + it’s Fenway.
Zack Littell vs. SFG – It’s the Giants and Littell could be in a good enough place with his slider and splitter. Low ceiling, though.
Janson Junk vs. MIL – I dig the stuff improvements a ton. I don’t like the lack of precision that holds back whiffs.
Michael Wacha @ NYY – Wacha has been stellar to kick off the year, but this is a difficult time at the park.
Tanner Bibee vs. BAL – I’m really not in on Bibee these days. I don’t trust the command to be there, but I also recognize he has a long leash and has strikeout ability.
Nick Martinez @ PIT – It’s the Pirates and Martinez had solid feel for his changeup last time out, though it can fade quickly.
Aaron Civale vs. CHW – Civale is on a bit of a roll, but the skills are highly questionable + Sacré Verde. Against the White Sox? Uggggh fine. Bottom of third tier.
Do Not Starts
Davis Martin @ ATH – He’s done well, but hot dang I don’t like facing the Athletics in Sacré Verde.
Brandon Williamson @ MIN – I’m tempted to put him in the third tier given my perspective of Williamson for the full season. I also know he’s not at his peak and the Twins are oddly great against LHB right now.
Kyle Leahy @ HOU – I’m still waiting for Leahy to come out of his cocoon. Be freeeeeee. Until then, it’s few whiffs and fewer innings.
Chris Bassitt @ CLE – PL Bot likes it since Bassitt has a long leash, I don’t because Bassitt isn’t looking great at all.
Robert Gasser @ MIA – It looks like the Brewers are pushing back Harrison to give him so extra rest for his knee, granting a chance for Gasser to get the call to start against the Marlins. I’d play this one as if it were the PILOT rule.
Taijuan Walker vs. ATL – Walker ain’t it. So that means he’ll be it. Sure. Whatever you want.
Eric Lauer @ ARI – He had 17 whiffs in one game and hasn’t found his footing since, due to an illness shortly after, including his velocity that has been Down With The Sickness. I know I’ve already made that joke. Let me have my fun.
Casey Mize @ BOS – Ehhhh, I don’t see enough of a ceiling to risk this in Fenway.
Tomoyuki Sugano vs. LAD – Sugano is not in Houston, but home against the Dodgers. Womp womp.
Peter Lambert vs. STL –
Matt Waldron @ LAA – It’s the knuckler! Cool! So, anyway…
Martín Pérez @ PHI – Oh, this is awkward. No one claimed Pérez, so he’s back with the team. Okay.
Saturday 4/18 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Paul Skenes vs. TBR – Aces gonna ace.
Tarik Skubal @ BOS – Aces gonna ace.
Cristopher Sánchez vs. ATL – Aces gonna ace.
Chris Sale @ PHI – Aces gonna ace.
Nathan Eovaldi @ SEA – He’s in the groove you want to see and it’s @TEA.
George Kirby vs. TEX – Alright Kirby, you’re so close, just get the sinker a touch more in, the slider a touch more away, and you’re golden. Just aim both down the pipe and it’ll be dope I PROMISE.
Drew Rasmussen @ PIT – Ras is so hard to hit. It’s lovely.
Brandon Woodruff @ MIA – He’s looking like last year’s Woodruff with fewer sinkers, which includes the suppressed workload.
Freddy Peralta @ CHC – I constantly wonder if I’m too high on Peralta, and if you treat him like a stellar Holly and not an ace, you’ll be happy. He doesn’t have those stellar outings as much as he used to.
Sandy Alcantara vs. MIL – Managers had a rude awakening last time out, but Alcantara is still a must start given the upside + the weak Brewers lineup without Yelich or Chourio.
Probably Starts
Gavin Williams vs. BAL – We’re still in the dark about his lower-half mechanics and if he’ll throw the strikes he wants to. Well worth the play.
Taj Bradley vs. CIN – I don’t trust the long-term ability, but it’s the Reds Carpet.
Will Warren vs. KCR – I hope we see the sweeper and changeup emphasis that he gave us last time out before a rough frame.
Questionable Starts
Andrew Abbott @ MIN – I’m not giving up on Abbott quite yet, who hasn’t found his feel early this year. And yet, I’m cool with benching.
Dean Kremer @ CLE – His splitter was stellar last time out against LHB and here we are, with a ton of LHB. I hope the splitter is back…
Luis Severino vs. CHW – It’s the CrySox, but it’s also Sacré Verde. He looks better this year.
Brayan Bello vs. DET – He’s a Toby against a good offense.
Noah Cameron @ NYY – Cameron is coming off his worst game, which I believe was affected by the weather. Sadly, there’s too much skepticism to trust against the Yankees.
Emmet Sheehan @ COL – He looked back with his higher velocity last time out, but this is Coors and that’s super annoying.
Zac Gallen vs. TOR – Gallen hasn’t found his rhythm yet and the Jays have thump, even if it hasn’t fully come out yet.
Cade Cavalli vs. SFG – I’m not a big Cavalli guy, but is this offense worth the stream?
Jameson Taillon vs. NYM – Taillon gets a weak Mets lineup, but we all know the floor. He just had ten strikeouts! True. He also allowed six runs.
Do Not Starts
Adrian Houser @ WSN – I dig Houser when the schedule opens up. This is the Nationals! He’s made to take down RHB and the Nationals are sure to send a ton of LHB his way. I’m not confident.
Max Scherzer @ ARI – Scherzer just had a nightmare outing. I don’t think it’s worth it to put yourself in harm’s way.
Lance McCullers Jr. vs. STL- It’s not Rockie Road anymore, unfortunately. If there’s ever a time to give McCullers a shot, it would have been the Rockies, and the Cardinals are tougher, even if they often commit a Cardinal Sin.
Yusei Kikuchi vs. SDP – He’s looking different but the feel is so off.
Andre Pallante @ HOU – Pallante ain’t it.
Erick Fedde @ ATH – Neither is Fedde. You can’t trust him. You know.
Germán Márquez @ LAA – This is not the rebound season you want it to be.
Ryan Feltner vs. LAD – It’s the Colorado SP. In Coors. Against the Dodgers.
Sunday 4/19 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
PL Pro members get an extra day of full SP Streaming rankings for the day after tomorrow.
PL Pro Members have access to my 14-Day Sit/Start SP Grid, which ranks all expected starters into four tiers over the next 14 days. Here is an example from last season.
Photos Courtesy of IconSportswire | Adapted by Aaron Asbury (@aarongifs on Instagram)
