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: 27-27
My Pick yesterday: Loss – Christian Scott @ WSH (ND): 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K
My Pick today: Zebby Matthews vs. HOU
My Pick tomorrow: Carmen Mlodzinski @ STL
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: 27-27
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Loss – Christian Scott @ WSH (ND): 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K
Tuesday 5/19 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Jacob Misiorowski @ CHC – Aces gonna ace.
Chase Burns @ PHI – Aces gonna ace.
Nolan McLean @ WSH – Aces gonna ace. Look at these hype 7 fellas.
Jesús Luzardo vs. CIN – Luzardo is who he is. You do it.
Parker Messick @ DET – Messick’s command is legit, y’all.
Dylan Cease @ NYY – Cease gets the Yankees and it’s more about his own volatility on given day and less about the opponent.
Probably Starts
Ryne Nelson vs. SFG – Nelson has fanned 15 in his last two games, with his only blemishes of the season coming in Mexico City and that ridiculous 8-run bamboozling. You know this.
Will Warren vs. TOR – Warren is a generally safe Holly at the moment.
Kyle Bradish @ TBR – He proved himself against both the Athletics and Yankees, why wouldn’t you give this a spin?
Landen Roupp @ ARI – Roupp’s pitch separation is divine. This feels like a breakout season.
Emmet Sheehan @ SDP – The Dodgers are pushing Ohtani back a day and we’ll get Sheehan instead. He’s not carrying the four-seamer I want him to have, but he’s still productive. I think I just have to live with that.
Ranger Suarez @ KCR – Suarez has been far better in the last month than his inital few outings.
Bryce Miller vs. CHW – We saw Miller sit 2-3 ticks harder in his Still ILL season debut. It’s time to let him fly.
Reid Detmers vs. ATH – Detmers’ slider feel is waning, and let’s hope it returns here.
Foster Griffin vs. NYM – I know, he just allowed so many ER. It was one game and he’s pitched so well that he deserves another shot. It’s also the Mets sooooooo…
Questionable Starts
Griffin Jax vs. BAL – It’s time to give Jax a try. He’s stretched out above 70 pitches and the velocity hasn’t fallen yet.
Zebby Matthews vs. HOU – Matthews had a phenomenal introduction to the season and I was hoping to see more than a Koufax favored game.
Mitch Keller @ STL – Keller is a boring QS play. He is who he is.
Matthew Liberatore vs. PIT – We’ve seen a better version of Libby in his last two games and I wonder if he can win me over in a third game. It all comes down to locating his arsenal effectively.
Ben Brown vs. MIL – I get it. You saw seven strikeouts in four frames and you’re not that scared of Milwaukee. Will he go a full five frames? Will it be any good? He can’t hold a 35% SwStr on his curveball every start, you know.
Keider Montero vs. CLE – Montero is a 15-teamer Toby getting a decent matchup. I don’t think it’s worth your time in 12-teamers, though if you need a low WHIP, he has a decent shot given his great walk rates.
Do Not Starts
Martín Pérez @ MIA – It’s the Marlins and Pérez has come through more than expected, but the shoe is destined to drop.
Jacob Lopez @ LAA – We got a better Lopez start last time out, and I need more before trusting him.
Anthony Kay @ SEA – I’m still skeptical of Kay’s command. He could prove he turned a corner if he’s able to take advantage of a matchup @TEA, despite my skepticism.
Braxton Garrett vs. ATL – Garrett was bamboozled in his Still ILL and now has to deal with Hotlanta. Womp womp.
Lance McCullers @ MIN – The chaos life is not for me.
Griffin Canning vs. LAD – The Dodgers + Canning was disastrous last time out. The talent is there to come through, but the floor is terrible.
Kumar Rocker (Opener) @ COL – Rocker is always a no, but in Coors?!
Tanner Gordon (Opener) vs. TEX – It’s the Colorado SP.
Royals Bullpen vs. BOS – It’s Falter opening, but he won’t go long. JUST TRADE HIM TO THE RAYS ALREADY.
Wednesday 5/20 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Chris Sale @ MIA – Aces gonna ace.
Cam Schlittler vs. TOR – Aces gonna ace.
Shohei Ohtani @ SDP – Aces gonna ace.
Joe Ryan vs. HOU – Let me give you the AGA label again.
Probably Starts
Merrill Kelly vs. SFG – He’s back to being the low-end Holly you remember.
Kyle Harrison @ CHC – His four-seamer and curveball are both 90th percentile PLV. The changeup? 7th percentile. Fortunately, that fastball is a fantastic foundation.
Connelly Early @ KCR – Early is an all-around solid arm and it’s a great matchup.
Michael Wacha vs. BOS – Wacha has been rolling. Why stop now?
Emerson Hancock vs. CHW – I have some fear surrounding Hancock’s low vert heater, but the results have been there save for one blip.
Questionable Starts
Edward Cabrera vs. MIL – Ecab was initially in the probably start tier but I’m second guessing that. He’s too much of an unknown start-to-start, nay, inning-to-inning. In 15-teamers, you have no choice, but in 12-teamers, I want to move on from the thought that you have to do this.
Michael McGreevy vs. PIT – McGreevy has been shockingly good…? The stuff doesn’t suggest it, but this is a decent matchup you may want to try.
Carmen Mlodzinski @ STL – I don’t love it, but he could have an opener again + it’s a decent matchup. We’re gunning for 5 IP of decent production.
Trey Yesavage @ NYY – It’s the Yankees and Yesavage has had one game of his slider cooking. He needs to warm me up a little more.
Randy Vásquez vs. LAD – We’ve seen a fair number of arms survive the Dodgers and Vásquez is a kitchen-sink arm with 95/96 mph heat. He could muscle through this.
Sean Burke @ SEA – It’s @TEA and Burke could pull it off. Or not have his command as we’ve seen frequently.
Andrew Abbott @ PHI – The changeup/fastball combo to RHB hasn’t been there yet. I sure hope it is here.
Tanner Bibee @ DET – Flip a coin.
Shane Baz @ TBR – I’m not impressed with Baz, but there could be a Bailey Special here.
Do Not Starts
Tyler Mahle @ ARI – As much as I want to believe in this, Mahle hasn’t given you the bottom line to believe in it. If you’re searching for a sneaky play, it’s this.
Mike Burrows @ MIN – Burrows’ command isn’t where I want it to be.
Aaron Nola vs. CIN – Speaking of poor command…Nola is just so hittable right now.
Zach Thornton @ WSH – He’s getting the pearl for the Mets in a very clear PILOT Rule. He’s a low-90s slinging southpaw with two breakers he enjoys and a sinker. Great K-BB% in the minors, but we’ll see how this plays in the bigs. There may be an opener for him as well.
Janson Junk vs. ATL – He’s not commanding the stuff well + Hotlanta.
Aaron Civale @ LAA – If you’re desperate, I get it. The Angels are a poor offense and Civale has had some moments.
Steven Matz vs. BAL – It’s a Still ILL for Matz. Let’s make sure he’s all good.
Jack Leiter @ COL – It’s Coors for a HIPSTER. Nope.
Jack Kochanowicz vs. ATH – Jackie K. is not locating well at all.
Zack Littell vs. NYM – Even against the Mets, it’s too Littell too late. That doesn’t make sense. Just let me have this.
Kyle Freeland vs. TEX – Absolutely not.
Tigers Bullpen vs. CLE – We may see some Drew Anderson, who could be pitching at the right time for a Win, but will the quality be there? Will the Tigers be winning in the first place?
Thursday 5/21 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)
