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: 62-51
My Pick yesterday: Win – Kyle Leahy @ LAA (ND): 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BB, 4 K
My Pick today: Brandon Sproat vs. NYM
My Pick tomorrow: Christian Scott @ MIL
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: 58-55
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Loss – Mitch Bratt vs. ATH (ND): 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BB, 4 K
Tuesday 7/21 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Chase Burns @ SEA – Aces gonna ace.
Kevin Gausman vs. TBR – He’s not having his best stretch, but the skills are still there.
Zack Wheeler vs. LAD – Aces gonna ace, even against the Dodgers.
Drew Rasmussen @ TOR – Aces gonna ace.
Probably Starts
Justin Wrobleski @ PHI – He’s on too good of a stretch to bench him now.
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.
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.
Kendry Rojas @ CLE –
David Peterson vs. DET – The floor is terrible but he’s a Werewolf. Maybe the moon is full tonight.
Miles Mikolas (Opener) @ COL – In Coors?! But he has an opener! Ah yes, let me open this door to a world of PAIN.
Michael Lorenzen vs. WSH – AGAINST MIKOLAS?! Jeeeeeez.
Wednesday 7/22 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Logan Henderson vs. NYM – Uhhh, wow. I didn’t expect to put Henderson first here, especially after the forearm cramp, but it’s a collection of “you’re not benching him” guys mixed with a poor matchup or two, and Henderson’s quality floor is higher than any of the other guys below.
Gerrit Cole vs. PIT – His heater is improving and his secondaries are strong. It’s a tough opponent and just one start of looking right, but he could get the AGA tag again soon.
Sandy Alcantara @ HOU – He’s been churning Quality Starts and should benefit from a RHB-heavy lineup.
Griffin Jax @ TOR – Don’t let Jax’s disaster in Fenway sway you. It was absurdly unlucky and his stuff is still incredible. The Rays are also open to letting him go more than five frames these days, too. It’s at least a chance.
Reid Detmers vs. STL – When Detmers has his slider working, you start the man.
Jake Bennett vs. BAL – The SWATCH lifestyle is working wonders for Bennett.
Probably Starts
Gage Jump @ ARI – Jump is outside his poor home park and gets a mid lineup. Expect the four-seamer and slider to excel.
Landen Roupp @ KCR – Roupp’s command is fantastic and he’s well-versed in going six frames.
Peter Lambert vs. MIA – Lambert is a solid Toby against an average offense, while flirting with a Holly tag after fanning ten last time out. That works for me.
Emerson Hancock vs. CIN – I’m happy he’s in his home park, though I feel we’re on thin ice, waiting to welcome the cold embrace of the lake. We’ll keep stating until then. It’s too fun.
Questionable Starts
Christian Scott @ MIL – I really hope we see more curveballs from Scott. It’s the much-needed depth pitch to complement the lateral four-seamer, cutter, sweeper foundation.
Michael King @ ATL – It’s hard for me to believe the King will find his crown in the near future. His sweeper command was much better last time, but the changeup was a bit off. One step forward, one step back.
Colin Rea vs. DET – He’s proven himself to be a reliable streamer for Wins without a ton of upside.
Michael McGreevy @ LAA – McGreevy is churning Quality Starts at the cost of strikeouts. Most of the time.
Dean Kremer @ BOS – The Red Sox are on a massive hot streak, but they still struggle (usually) against RHP. Kremer’s cutter could be dastardly.
Brady Singer @ SEA – The last month has treated Singer far better than the previous two, and @TEA is always a welcome sight.
Merrill Kelly vs. ATH – He’s looking more like the decent Toby we want him to be and it’s nice to get the Athletics on the road.
Cade Cavalli @ COL – I’m stoked to see him find more velocity again, while the cutter is still in the mix. But it’s Coors…
Anthony Kay @ TEX – This could be a quiet Win for Kay in a nice place to pitch.
Eric Lauer @ PHI – Lauer is a decent Win chance, that’s about it.
Keider Montero @ CHC – Ayyyyy he’s back for a moment! Sadly it’s in summer Wrigley.
Do Not Starts
Slade Cecconi vs. MIN – I don’t think the chase for six frames is worth it.
Seth Lugo vs. SFG – Lugo is a Toby in a 15-teamer, not twelves.
Martín Pérez vs. SDP – He’s returning from the IL in a very clear Still ILL, but there is a small Win chance if you want to go for it.
Bailey Ober @ CLE – He’s still throwing well below 90 mph.
Cal Quantrill vs. CHW – At least The Unquantrillfiable has a decent leash.
Aaron Nola vs. LAD – It’s the Dodgers. This has such a low floor.
Mitch Keller @ NYY – Oh dear.
Spencer Miles vs. TBR – How long will he actually go?
Gabriel Hughes vs. WSH – Why oh why would you do this.
Thursday 7/23 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)
