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: 13-14
My Pick yesterday: Win – Max Meyer vs. STL
My Pick today: Kyle Harrison @ DET
My Pick tomorrow: Peter Lambert @ 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: 16-10
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Win – Max Meyer vs. STL
Tuesday 4/21 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Yoshinobu Yamamoto @ SFG – Aces gonna ace.
Nolan McLean vs. MIN – Aces gonna ace.
Shota Imanaga vs. PHI – Aces gonna ace.
Chase Burns @ TBR – Burns could easily force me to give him the AGA tag.
Parker Messick vs. HOU – How could you not start Messick after the start he’s had?
Probably Starts
Kris Bubic vs. BAL – We didn’t get prime Bubic last time out, though I’m not ready to jump off the train.
Merrill Kelly vs. CHW – He’s back and it’s the White Sox.
Jesús Luzardo @ CHC – Luzardo has had it rough to kick off the year and I’m not going to pull him. His stuff is as good as it’s ever been, and the poor luck is sure to its course.
Steven Matz vs. CIN – It’s the Reds Carpet and Matz is a lovely Toby.
Connelly Early vs. NYY – I love Early. I also know this will be an emotional outing against the Yankees. I’m willing to favor his skills.
Questionable Starts
Luis Castillo vs. ATH – It’s in @TEA and yet, I remember how badly it went last time out.
Shane Baz @ KCR – Baz is starting to look like an arm you question if the ceiling is worthwhile. It’ll start with four-seamer dominance and I’m not sure we’ll get it.
Kyle Harrison @ DET – Harrison has been pushed back plenty after his last outing and I’d prefer to play it safe if I could.
Reynaldo López @ WSN – He’s a Vargas Rule against a weak offense. I don’t buy into the idea of his fastball range making all the difference, especially without consistent strikes from his secondaries (lovely exception last time out).
Dustin May @ MIA – It’s the Marlins and May does enough to get through six frames.
Carmen Mlodzinski @ TEX – If he has an opener, there’s hope for value here for a cheap win in a pitcher’s park.
Foster Griffin vs. ATL – He’s been surprisingly decent as a SWATCH with the potential for a blowup inning.
Landen Roupp vs. LAD – Roupp is looking much better, but it’s the Dodgers. If it were a good matchup, he’d be in the second tier.
Randy Vásquez @ COL – Same with Vásquez. Stupid Coors.
Jacob Lopez @ SEA – Lopez has the gift of @TEA, but we have yet to see him have a stellar K/BB like we experienced in the summer of 2025. Maybe this is the one?
Jack Kochanowicz vs. TOR – This is an improved version of Jackie K., and I’m not sure how afraid we should be of the Blue Jays.
Chris Paddack vs. STL – It’s the Cardinals and Paddack has had some success this year. The floor is a bit too low for my taste, though.
Do Not Starts
Luis Gil @ BOS – I don’t trust his efficiency to make it through five strong frames in the tough Fenway environment.
Keider Montero vs. MIL – Montero is fine. Not enough for 12-teamers to start him.
Chase Dollander (Opener) vs. SDP – Dollander is looking great…when he’s outside of Coors.
Patrick Corbin @ LAA – Corbin just pitched a gem and it’s possible he can repeat it.
Simeon Woods Richardson @ NYM – At least he gets the Mets? I don’t trust SWR to sit 93+ and have a legit splitter and slider.
Sean Burke @ ARI – My excitement for Burke has fallen fast. I need much more than 94 mph.
Kumar Rocker vs. PIT – I’m still waiting for a start that gets me interested in Rocker.
Ryan Weiss @ CLE – Weiss has yet to display good enough control to produce across six frames.
Wednesday 4/22 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Shohei Ohtani @ SFG – Aces gonna ace.
Logan Gilbert vs. ATH – Aces gonna ace.
Max Fried @ BOS – Aces gonna ace.
José Soriano vs. TOR – I mean, how can you stop now? Even if regression is coming.
Probably Starts
Braxton Ashcraft @ TEX – Ashcraft is cruising and leaning more into his elite curveball. I sure hope it sticks again.
Michael Wacha vs. BAL – Wacha has been a lovely Vargas Rule thus far and the Orioles aren’t scary enough to stop rolling with it.
Clay Holmes vs. MIN – I was impressed with The Adobe putting the walls back together after leaving with a hamstring scare in his previous outing, then throwing a strong outing against the Dodgers. The Twins should be fine.
Jack Leiter vs. PIT – It’s the Pirates + he’s at home. It’s pure southern comfort for a fella who had to deal with the Dodgers and Sacré Verde. Just throw strikes.
Matthew Boyd vs. PHI – I may be too high here for this Still ILL, and yet, Boyd wasn’t on the IL for long and he tossed a pair of twenty whiff games to kick off the season.
Questionable Starts
Peter Lambert @ CLE – This is a wild one. Lambert returned from TJS and got a start for the Astros last week to earn himself a Golden Goal whilst featuring a beautiful BSB to LHB with a 95 mph four-seamer (a tick harder than pre-TJS) and an elite changeup. Now he gets all the LHB. I’m so tempted.
Nick Martinez vs. CIN – It’s the Reds Carpet and Martinez’s changeup has been solid lately. It’s also a bit of a revenge game, if that matters to you.
Janson Junk vs. STL – Junk isn’t locating what he throws effectively, despite his stuff looking better than ever. If he can get the heater upstairs consistently, then it’ll set up everything else appropriately. I’m still waiting to see it, though the Cardinals make for a good launching pad.
Eduardo Rodriguez vs. CHW – It’s the White Sox and Erod is a back-end Toby.
Ranger Suarez vs. NYY – Suarez is getting more into rhythm, but not at a point that I’m blindly starting him against the elite Yankee offense.
Tanner Bibee vs. HOU – I have no idea what Bibee will do each start. I hope the cutter and four-seamer are good enough for their RHB.
Chad Patrick @ DET – I’m happy Patrick was able to go over six frames last time out and I still question if he’s good enough to warrant holding in 12-teamers.
Casey Mize vs. MIL – Mize is…eh. I understand he has a long leash, but I’m not seeing anything particularly interesting in his arsenal.
Kyle Leahy @ MIA – Is this the start where it all comes together for Leahy? It looks like an awesome opportunity, but we’ve yet to see him put it all together.
Do Not Starts
Brandon Williamson @ TBR – Williamson has the talent, just not the consistency. If you’re chasing a Quality Start, this may be your best option among the bottom tier.
Eric Lauer @ LAA – Lauer had his one excellent game and hasn’t found a rhythm since.
Anthony Kay @ ARI – Kay was used as a follower in his last outing and was so terribly inefficient that he looked like a normal reliever. His arsenal is fantastic, his execution is not.
Martín Pérez @ WSN – What a weird season it’s been for Pérez. He was DFA’d, brought back, and tossed six shutout frames. It sure feels like he’s one dud away from getting replaced by Didier Fuentes.
Aaron Civale @ SEA – Civale had himself some productive starts and you could convince yourself this will work in “@SEA”, but let’s do ourselves a favor and not chance it.
Chris Bassitt @ KCR – I simply don’t think Bassitt is anything more than a possible 15-team streamer. It’s a grind each time.
Zack Littell vs. ATL – Littell showed us how we shouldn’t trust him last time out. Listen to him.
Walker Buehler @ COL – It’s Coors. And it’s Buehler.
Tyler Mahle vs. LAD – This is the last start before we pick up Mahle for his date against the Marlins. Here’s to hoping that the heater is sitting 93/94 mph like last time out.
Taijuan Walker @ CHC – Walker is still here. For now. Or maybe Painter gets demoted instead when Wheeler arrives later this week. Regardless, Walker isn’t worth your time, especially against the Cubs.
Tomoyuki Sugano vs. SDP – As much as I want to be the cheerleader Sugano deserves, it’s Coors n all.
Kendry Rojas @ NYM – He’s on the squad to replace a reliever on paternity leave and hasn’t gone long in the minors. He’ll open this one, making for a bullpen game, OR Connor Prielipp appearing after. If it’s the latter, we follow the “PILOT rule” and get excited at the possibility of Prielipp sticking and cruising in the majors.
Thursday 4/23 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)
