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: 17-19
My Pick yesterday: Loss – Peter Lambert vs. BAL (L): 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 K
My Pick today: Colin Rea vs. ARI
My Pick tomorrow: Connor Prielipp vs. TOR
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: 21-15
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Win – Chris Bassitt vs. HOU (W): 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 7 K
Friday 5/1 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Bryan Woo vs. KCR – Aces gonna not allow four HRs this time.
Cole Ragans @ SEA – Aces gonna PEW PEW PEW.
Jacob Misiorowski @ WSH – Hey Jay Mis, can you just throw strikes? You sound like your old travel coach. What have I become.
Zack Wheeler @ MIA – He’s back and I do not see a world where you do not start Wheeler. Will it be the dopest of dope? Probably not, but there’s a chance.
Robbie Ray @ TBR – This is a clear play. There’s a chance it’s pushed back a day if the Giants go bullpen on Thursday, pushing Houser to Friday and Ray to Saturday. Start him regardless.
Probably Starts
Emmet Sheehan @ STL – The velocity is still in question, but the slider feel has gotten much better.
Will Warren vs. BAL – Warren has been a rather safe option this year, though I don’t expect many strikeout explosions without his sweeper and change consistently used over 30% of the time.
Shane McClanahan vs. SFG – Like Palpatine, the changeup somehow returned after missing for a while. It’s a great matchup and a clear play.
MacKenzie Gore @ DET – It’s been a strange year and I still trust the skills in the better team context.
Mitch Keller vs. CIN – It’s the Reds Carpet for a guy who can throw strikes and go six.
Eury Pérez vs. PHI – His inconsistent command is super frustrating, but the heater is just too good.
Questionable Starts
Noah Schultz @ SDP – I don’t love the matchup and we haven’t seen Schultz’s final form yet. The Shag Rug exists, while his hard fastballs should keep his floor relatively high.
Joey Cantillo @ ATH – It’s Sacré Verde, making his command questions carry even more weight.
Colin Rea vs. ARI – This may be the time that we can finally stream Rea in this decent matchup.
Christian Scott @ LAA – I kinda just want to throw away the clear “STILL ILL” from last week, and I also understand if you don’t want to do that. I’d be more encouraged to roll with Scott here if he didn’t have to endure Coors in his next start.
Brady Singer @ PIT – I don’t love Singer, but it’s PNC Park against a meh lineup.
Walbert Ureña vs. NYM – Total wild card. The stuff looks fun, but can he command it? At least the Mets are, you know, the Mets.
Zac Gallen @ CHC – Gallen left his last game early after taking a comebacker to the shoulder. I’m not sure if he’s fresher without the normal pitch count or if it’ll affect him + it’s the Cubs.
Do Not Starts
Jake Irvin vs. MIL – Yes, he’s been a bit better than expected. I still can’t do it.
Jake Bennett vs. HOU – Follow the PILOT rule, y’all. He’s an extension boi who I’m not too thrilled about. Feel free to spec-add, and we’ll chat on Saturday.
Mike Burrows @ BOS – I’m still waiting for the Burrows start that gets me excited.
Patrick Corbin @ MIN – Corbin can be quietly productive over 5+ frames, and that ceiling is not worth jumping for.
Jack Flaherty vs. TEX – There’s nothing to suggest that Flaherty is on the verge of turning the corner.
Cade Povich @ NYY – He’s stepping in for Trevor Rogers, who has been hit with a rough illness. It’s the Yankees, making this not worthwhile. I wonder if he sticks.
Grant Holmes @ COL – It’s Coors and Holmes is already a risky ratio play.
J.T. Ginn vs. CLE – Is he okay? He left the last start with elbow soreness and I figured he wouldn’t be good to go. Anyway, it’s Sacré Verde.
Germán Márquez vs. CHW – Nope.
Matthew Liberatore vs. LAD – He’s done nothing to make me confident in this.
Jose Quintana vs. ATL – No more Citi Field for you. Nooooo.
Simeon Woods Richardson vs. TOR – I wonder if SWR will be replaced when Abel comes back.
Saturday 5/2 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Nolan McLean @ LAA – Aces gonna ace.
Shota Imanaga vs. ARI – IM AN AGA. But that Dodgers start. Please. Don’t.
Chris Sale @ COL – Aces gonna ace. Yes, even in Coors.
Dylan Cease @ MIN – It’s Cease. You know the deal you made.
Michael King vs. CHW – King is looking better, though not locked in. Fortunately, it’s the CrySox.
Probably Starts
Emerson Hancock vs. KCR – Hancock just had his first start where he struggled to find his four-seamer (was it a blister?) and displayed a veteran ability to adapt and allow just two runs to touch home.
Landen Roupp @ TBR – Roupp’s command has looked tremendous over his last three outings.
Connelly Early vs. HOU – Early isn’t your standard stud prospect where his value is akin to Max Fried more than Tarik Skubal. Stick with him, it’s very common for young arms to blossom in May and June during their first full year.
Kyle Harrison @ WSH – Harrison just wowed us with 12 strikeouts in his last start, where he comfortably sat above a 60% strike rate on all three pitches. He’ll face plenty more LHB in this one, though, and it’s another test I hope he passes. The ceiling is too high to pass up.
Ryan Weathers vs. BAL – Weathers is throwing softer but with better control. That works for me.
Reid Detmers vs. NYM – I love seeing Detmers return to his former changeup, creating a proper three-pitch mix for RHB. I also love seeing him matched up against the lowly Mets. Poor, poor Mets.
Connor Prielipp vs. TOR – Prielipp’s career: A PILOT rule with shockingly good command, a rainy 50 degree day with three walks, that’s it. The skills are legit and I’m going for it.
Seth Lugo @ SEA – Lugo just got Singled Out in horrific weather that saw his curveball velocity drop over two ticks. Now it’s @TEA. Don’t let that one weird game turn you off of this.
Foster Griffin vs. MIL – He’s been a legit SWATCH with his wide pitch mix and while it falls more in the Vargas Rule category, we’re rolling for now against the Brewers.
Questionable Starts
Max Meyer vs. PHI – Meyer has a great slider and sweeper, but we haven’t seen him soar through six on the back of the two secondaries.
Chase Dollander vs. ATL – Dollander’s skills are much improved this year and I know how absurd this looks. Atlanta? IN COORS?! I just think he’s that good right now.
Ryne Nelson @ CHC – I really hate that it’s a potentially poor matchup for Nelson in Wrigley (wind, please blow in on Saturday. I’ll call my people), given how his last two starts are so clearly outliers (8 hits and one out + Mexico City). If he’s been dropped, this is the time to grab him, as he’ll be swooped up instantly if this goes remotely well.
Spencer Arrighetti @ BOS – The succes of the Pasta Pirate is more dependent on his own ability than the opponent on a given day, but the floor is lowered heading into unwelcome Fenway.
Andrew Painter @ MIA – Alright Painter, it’s the Marlins. You can handle the Marlins… right? Keep Donnie Baseball’s undefeated streak alive.
Carmen Mlodzinski vs. CIN – It’s the Reds Carpet, and we love that, except for Mlodzinski’s questionable longevity and fastballs.
Rhett Lowder @ PIT – It’s the Pirates for a mid Toby. Not a terrible deep-league stream.
Jesse Scholtens vs. SFG – If he’s opened for, there’s a decent Win chance here. He’s not as bad as we just saw, but he’s nothing special, either.
Do Not Starts
Roki Sasaki @ STL – It was pretty fun seeing Sasaki feature a 90/91 mph splitter last time out, and I hope it propells a starter we can actually trust for once. Gotta see it first.
Sean Burke @ SDP – Burke has his moments, but I wouldn’t trust him to come through here.
Keider Montero vs. TEX – Montero’s ceiling is too low to chase.
Jacob Lopez vs. CLE – We haven’t seen him dominate yet and until then, I’m out.
Kumar Rocker @ DET – No, I refuse to buy that Rocker and his 83 mph slider + 16″ ride 94 mph sinker are a solid combo.
Michael McGreevy vs. LAD – We’ve seen weirder things.
Slade Cecconi @ ATH – It’s Sacré Verde and I really hope Cecconi shows us the 89 mph cutter again. If so, I may be jumping on board for his starts after, even if this one is likely to go poorly.
Cade Povich @ NYY – He’s stepping in for Trevor Rogers, who has been hit with a rough illness. It’s the Yankees, making this not worthwhile. I wonder if he sticks.
Sunday 5/3 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)
