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: 61-51
My Pick yesterday: Loss – Noah Cameron vs. SDP (L): 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BB, 1 K
My Pick today: Kyle Leahy @ LAA
My Pick tomorrow: Brandon Sproat vs. NYM
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: 58-54
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Loss – Noah Cameron vs. SDP (L): 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BB, 1 K
Monday 7/20 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Jacob Misiorowski vs. NYM – Aces gonna ace. I hope the fatigue is not really a thing.
Joe Ryan @ CLE – Aces gonna ace.
Jacob deGrom vs. CHW – Aces gonna ace.
Dylan Cease vs. TBR – You’re treating him like an ace and that’s fine with me.
Cristopher Sánchez vs. LAD – He’s on the verge of losing his AGA status if he can’t show he’s worth the start against a strong offense.
Payton Tolle vs. BAL – Tolle’s four-seamer is too good to ignore.
George Kirby vs. CIN – I wonder if he’ll ever get his RHB approach down with inside sinkers and down-and-away sweepers.
Braxton Ashcraft @ NYY – It’s not the best matchup, but we’re going to roll with this.
Probably Starts
Emmet Sheehan @ PHI – The ratios are likely to positively regress over the course of the second half.
Nick Martinez @ TOR – He’s still on his lovely Vargas Rule, even if the strikeouts aren’t there.
Shane Baz @ BOS – The curveball feel is fantastic and the Red Sox hate RHP.
Ryan Weathers vs. PIT – It’s not a fun team to pitch against, but at least PNC Park hates HRs.
Andrew Abbott @ SEA – Abbott gets a lovely matchup @TEA.
Questionable Starts
Freddy Peralta @ MIL – Even after all the struggles, Peralta still wears a TIARA.
Michael Wacha vs. SFG – Wacha is a decent Toby in a good matchup.
Jack Flaherty @ CHC – Flaherty is getting more whiffs with his slider and curveball down lately. I hope he keeps that feel.
José Soriano vs. STL – He’s a HIPSTER. Good luck.
Tanner Bibee vs. MIN – Flip. That. Coin.
Do Not Starts
Bryce Elder vs. SDP – The guy you ran with at the start of the season is gone, but there could be something of value here.
Kyle Leahy @ LAA – I don’t think Leahy has enough polish to trust him like a Toby against a poor offense.
Trevor McDonald @ KCR – I’m still not seeing the great breaker of old.
Janson Junk @ HOU – It’s possible the RHB lineup helps Junk squeeze whiffs out of his breakers, but we haven’t seen him showcase a strikeout explosion for a long time.
Erick Fedde @ TEX – Fedde threw harder cutters, then tossed just a pair last time out. If he goes back to it against the Rangers, there’s a chance it works out.
Jeffrey Springs @ ARI – I have no expectation for Sunshine and Rainbows from Springs these days.
JP Sears @ ATL – I wonder if he’ll live on the outside edge against RHB for a second start.
Jameson Taillon vs. DET – It’s a Still ILL as I hope he can be a solid Toby again.
Ronel Blanco vs. MIA – He’s back! I’m so curious what we get in this Still ILL.
Andrew Alvarez @ COL – It’s Coors.
Mitch Bratt vs. ATH – Bratt ain’t it.
Kyle Freeland vs. WSH – It’s Coors and a southpaw against the Nationals.
Tuesday 7/21 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Chase Burns @ SEA – Aces gonna ace.
Zack Wheeler vs. LAD – Aces gonna ace, even against the Dodgers.
Drew Rasmussen @ TOR – Aces gonna ace.
Kevin Gausman vs. TBR – He’s not having his best stretch, but the skills are still there.
Probably Starts
Kyle Bradish @ BOS – I’m trusting the breakers to be there against a team susceptible to RHP.
Parker Messick vs. MIN – He’s a solid Holly. I wish the velocity was 95/96 mph again, then we’d be talking about Tier 1.
Ranger Suarez vs. BAL – He’s healthy…right? The Orioles are now a top tier offense, making me a little tepid.
Framber Valdez @ CHC – Valdez’s curveball returned in his final start before the break. I sure hope it’s there again.
Walbert Ureña vs. STL – The changeup held a low strike rate last start and is sure to return to a 60%+ clip, even if the Cardinals are scary away from their home park.
Questionable Starts
Brandon Sproat vs. NYM – Sproat’s stuff is legit, it’s a matter of nailing down the approach.
Will Warren vs. PIT – Warren gets a tough draw against the Pirates and hasn’t been his most impressive self. Still a good Win chance each time he pitches.
Noah Schultz @ TEX – I’m intrigued by Schultz as a hard contact mitigator. I wonder if the sweeper and changeup can really take off and help him match his prospect pedigree.
Reynaldo López vs. SDP – ReyLó is decent and the Padres are not.
Jack Perkins @ ARI – It’s away from Sacré Verde and he’s rested plenty.
Luis Castillo vs. CIN – It’s a revenge game for Castillo @TEA. His command was way off last game and hopefully he’s adjusted.
Eric Lauer @ PHI – Lauer is a decent Win chance, that’s about it.
Do Not Starts
Zach Thornton @ MIL – I’m not convinced he’s a great play after his fantastic outing before the break. There isn’t enough in the arsenal outside of his low 90s heater and mid-to-high 80s cutter.
Tyler Mahle @ KCR – Mahle did well against Rockie Road, but I wouldn’t push your luck. His four-seamer is still not what it was.
Matthew Liberatore @ LAA – This is just not the rock-solid Toby we thought he could be.
Luinder Avila vs. SFG – His ceiling is too low, even against the Giants.
Tatsuya Imai vs. MIA – Imai is too risky for the upside.
Kumar Rocker vs. CHW – I don’t trust Rocker at the moment, but if his cutter and slider combine for 65%+ usage, this could work.
Tyler Phillips @ HOU – He hasn’t put it together yet.
Bubba Chandler @ NYY – He DEFINITELY hasn’t put it together yet.
Walker Buehler @ ATL – Buehler’s regression hit hard and it still lingers.
Kohl Drake vs. ATH – We’re hoping he’s a SWATCH and can make this work. Wait and see.
David Peterson vs. DET – The floor is terrible but he’s a Werewolf. Maybe the moon is full tonight.
Jack Anderson @ CLE – The Twins claimed him off waivers from the Red Sox, and he threw 80 pitches on July 3rd and just 40 on July 17th. He’s low-90s over the top with a meh slider and cutter. This. Ain’t. It. But it’s the Guardians. Uggggh.
Miles Mikolas @ COL – In Coors?!
Michael Lorenzen vs. WSH – AGAINST MIKOLAS?! Jeeeeeez.
Wednesday 7/22 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)
