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: 52-36
My Pick yesterday: Win – Slade Cecconi @ HOU (L): 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BB, 1 K
My Pick today: Anthony Kay vs. CLE
My Pick tomorrow: Sean Burke vs. 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: 47-41
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Win – Keider Montero vs. CHW (ND): 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BB, 3 K
Monday 6/22 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Drew Rasmussen vs. KCR – Aces gonna ace.
Gerrit Cole @ DET – Cole should be an ace soon enough.
Dylan Cease vs. HOU – Cease is the premium Cherry Bomb. You’re not benching him.
Hunter Brown @ TOR – Brown was solid in his return and here’s to getting the AGA label back.
Shota Imanaga @ NYM – I’m a believer in Shota’s four-seamer and splitter and I’m thrilled it’s against the Mets and away from June Wrigley.
Probably Starts
Kyle Bradish @ LAA – We just saw a great outing with a velocity jump on both breakers. I hope it sticks.
Gavin Williams @ CHW – Three straight duds from Gavin brings him down into the second tier, though I’m optimistic he’ll bounce back.
Foster Griffin vs. PHI – He’s a solid Toby as a southpaw against a mid lineup.
Questionable Starts
Merrill Kelly @ STL – Kelly’s changeup was terrible last start and it ruined the day. He should be better, but the ceiling is lower than others with similar risk.
Michael Wacha @ TBR – Wacha has had a rough go of it, but at least it’s the Trop.
Framber Valdez vs. NYY – It’s Framber. Please tell me the curveball is back, k thx.
Michael King vs. ATL – King has been so rough. He’s wearing a TIARA and I hope he exchanges it for his crown this week.
Anthony Kay vs. CLE – Kay had a great stretch that came to a screeching halt, but it’s the wounded Guardians lineup.
Andre Pallante vs. ARI – Pallante’s recent success is a lovely sight. I’m not totally sold – can he locate to LHB consistently? Is the slider going to stick at 88/89? Is the upside worth it? – but it’s the Sneks.
Kumar Rocker (Opener) @ MIA – The hope is for him to go Dancing With The Disco and what better place to do so than in Miami? Good to see him with an opener for a higher Win chance, too.
Eric Lauer @ MIN – Lauer isn’t getting the consistent four-seamer whiffs, but there is a decent Win chance.
Do Not Starts
Zebby Matthews vs. LAD – I don’t trust Zebby’s ability to dominate in the zone + it’s the Dodgers.
Brady Singer vs. MIL – He’s gone two straight successful outings after rarely doing so before. I’m not seeing enough of a shift to buy in.
Brandon Woodruff @ CIN – Another Still ILL and I’m not convinced he’s good to go.
Kodai Senga vs. CHC – Senga had his Still ILL last time out and it was terrible. I think it’s best for us to wait-and-see.
Jake Bennett @ COL – There’s some hope he can become a SWATCH, but why chance it in Coors?
Tyler Phillips vs. TEX – Phillips did not pass his test against the Phillies, making this an easy bench.
Alan Rangel @ WSH – He’s slotting in for Painter and I’m not expecting him to go too long, let alone with roaring success.
Grant Holmes @ SDP – We haven’t been convinced to buy from REB for a while.
Sam Aldegheri vs. BAL – What is the ideal you’re chasing? A PQS?
Ryan Feltner vs. BOS – Absolutely not.
Tuesday 6/23 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Joe Ryan vs. LAD – Aces gonna ace.
Jesús Luzardo @ WSH – He’s doing exactly what you drafted him to do.
Nolan McLean vs. CHC – This Auto-Start tier is a little worse than usual, with McLean being on the cusp even after his strong performance. He’s not out of the woods.
Shane McClanahan vs. KCR – McShane hasn’t been great lately. I love that he’s been sitting just under 97 mph for two starts, though. This is a strong matchup that should be the most where he comes together.
Carlos Rodón @ DET – We haven’t seen Rodón have all three of his four-seamer, slider, and change in an outing yet, though he’s been super consistent returning strikeouts for trusting managers.
Parker Messick @ CHW – Messick is now over 95 mph with his fastballs and I love it.
George Kirby @ PIT – Kirby. Buddy. Do you deserve the top tier status? Please show me that you do.
Probably Starts
Justin Wrobleski @ MIN – Wrobo Cop gets a decent matchup and I don’t see why you’d hold back.
Robbie Ray vs. ATH – It’s in Oracle Park and even if Ray got away with some terrible control against RHB last game, I can’t see many resisting this.
Nick Lodolo vs. MIL – Lodolo got Singled Out last start. Don’t judge him harshly for it.
Sandy Alcantara vs. TEX – He’s been a QS darling and hosting the Rangers seems decent enough.
Eduardo Rodriguez @ STL – ERod has settled in as a strong Toby option and St. Louis is a good place to pitch.
Sonny Gray @ COL – Coors doesn’t help things, but you should still bank on him being more Sonny than Gray.
Questionable Starts
Sean Burke vs. CLE – Burke just had a dominating outing against the Yankees and now with the soft Guardians lineup ahead, Burke seems like a strong play. “Seems” due to his inconsistent secondaries.
Shane Baz @ LAA – It’s been a lovely stretch for Baz, though I’m not seeing enough overall growth to buy into Baz acting like a new man. It’s a worse enough crew in front of him that I’m fine starting him.
Edward Cabrera @ NYM – You don’t know what you’ll get from ECab. Hopefully his hand is alright.
Peter Lambert @ TOR – Lambert is a Toby. The Jays are mid. That’s all there is to it.
Shane Bieber vs. HOU – He’s back! It’s a clear Still ILL, but I understand some wanting to take a shot out of the gate.
Luinder Avila @ TBR – Save for the great bamboozlin’ of KC, Avila has produced across the last few weeks and may have found a path to 5+ innings of quality by pitching backward with his breakers leading the way.
Kyle Leahy vs. ARI – Was Leahy’s last start the start we should believe in? I led with him in the roundup and I’m still heavily questioning its legitimacy. I don’t think he’ll go 5/5 whiffs on his curveball for strikeouts again.
Do Not Starts
Casey Mize vs. NYY – Mize wasn’t stellar in his Still ILL, even with the slider back, and it’s the scary Yankee crew.
Mitch Keller vs. SEA – It’s Keller, y’all.
Brandon Sproat @ CIN – Sproat is still fighting for a rotation spot, but should he still have it?
Zack Littell vs. PHI – Littell doesn’t do enough.
Aaron Civale @ SFG – At least Civale is not in Sacré Verde and gets one of the worst offenses.
JR Ritchie @ SDP – I don’t see a reason to chase this.
Cal Quantrill @ MIA – THE UNQUANTRILLFIABLE should not be started.
Ryan Johnson vs. BAL – This was a disaster last time. Probably again.
Germán Márquez vs. ATL – Absolutely not.
Sean Sullivan vs. BOS – IN. COORS.
Wednesday 6/24 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)
