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: 66-54
My Pick yesterday: Win – Brandon Sproat @ SFG (L): 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BB, 5 K
My Pick today: Colin Rea @ STL
My Pick tomorrow: Dustin May vs. CHC
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: 62-58
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Win – Tyler Mahle vs. MIL (W): 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BB, 3 K
Tuesday 7/28 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Chris Sale @ NYM – Aces gonna ace.
Chase Burns vs. CLE – Aces gonna ace.
Logan Henderson @ SFG – He’s looking like an ace and it’s the Giants.
Gerrit Cole @ CHW – Is it time for Coronation Day?
Griffin Jax vs. TEX – He’s allowed to go six frames!
Gavin Williams @ CIN – Gavin just gave us a GORGEOUS outing and boy do I hope he’s unlocked his final gear.
Troy Melton vs. BAL – Melton has been peak. I’m not sure the strikeouts will fully be there, but he’s using his full arsenal well.
Probably Starts
Reid Detmers vs. HOU – Detmers’ slider is in a good place at the moment and that’s all you really need to know.
Justin Wrobleski vs. SEA – Wrobo Cop fell down under 94 mph after sporting 95+, but I’d still feel confident in this matchup. Here’s to hoping he retains some of it.
Landen Roupp vs. MIL – Roupp’s ability to locate is well quoted at this point.
Cade Cavalli vs. TOR – Cavalli’s velocity uptick is holding and he’s introducing more cutters. I was out on Cavalli initially, but he’s a different arm now.
Michael King vs. COL – I’ve been iffy on King for a little bit, but it’s Rockie Road. Hopefully it gets him back in the groove we love.
Sandy Alcantara vs. PHI – Alcantara is going deeper into games and the Phillies have been overrun by many.
Peter Lambert @ LAA – Lambert has been a strong Toby for a while, pushing Holly territory if he can come close to those ten strikeout games regularly.
Taj Bradley vs. KCR – Bradley was hitting 100 mph last game and now gets the Royals. Just throw strikes. Please.
Questionable Starts
Jake Bennett @ ATH – I like Bennett and also think he was overperforming a touch + it’s Sacré Verde.
Colin Rea @ STL – Rea heads into lovely Busch Stadium and has been a good streaming option when dealt a generous matchup.
Gage Jump vs. BOS – The Red Sox are good against southpaws and it’s his home park of Sacré Verde.
Shane Bieber @ WSH – Bieber has given us hope lately, returning to his 2025 movement on his secondaries. The feel for them is still returning, though, and the Nationals are a difficult lineup to silence.
Bubba Chandler vs. ARI – Is it time? Like TRULY time? Did he and Jared have a conversation and both figure it out together at the same time?
Dean Kremer @ DET – Kremer’s cutter command is there and the Tigers aren’t scary.
Michael McGreevy vs. CHC – I don’t love facing the Cubs, but it’s in St. Louis and McGreevy is the king of good ratio, low strikeout starts 50% of the time.
Do Not Starts
Christian Scott vs. ATL – It’s Atlanta and Scott hasn’t quite put it all together yet.
Seth Lugo @ MIN – Lugo has a chance for six innings, but the floor is too low and the ceiling is meh.
Brandon Pfaadt @ PIT – I kinda dig Pfaadt’s command and approach these days. Not enough to start him against the Pirates.
Aaron Nola @ MIA – Nola just isn’t the guy he used to be, even when he does a good job commanding his arsenal.
Slade Cecconi @ CIN – Great American Small Park? No thanks. Keep throwing those 88/89 mph cutters though.
Luis Castillo @ LAD – This may be the last time we see Castillo on the Mariners and leaving Seattle to face the Dodgers is rough.
Anthony Kay vs. NYY – The Yankees roll over at times against southpaws, but I still wouldn’t risk it with the low ceiling Kay brings to the table. If he can jam both sides of the plate effectively, he could survive.
Cal Quantrill @ TBR – I wonder how long they’ll let him go or if he’ll have an opener. Either way, no thank you.
Michael Lorenzen @ SDP – You know better.
Reds Bullpen vs. CLE – It’s a doubleheader and the Reds are likely giving their relievers another game on their 2026 resume.
Wednesday 7/29 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Tarik Skubal vs. BAL – Aces gonna ace.
Cam Schlittler @ CHW – Aces gonna ace.
Jesús Luzardo @ MIA – Aces gonna ace.
Joe Ryan vs. KCR – Aces gonna ace. Yes, even with the lower velocity and arm fatigue. If he’s pitching this game, that means the Twins and Ryan feel fine with his status.
Jared Jones vs. ARI – Jones has produced three straight strong outings and I hope he’s able to find the four-seamer whiffs once again.
Logan Webb vs. MIL – Webb is solid. I know it can be frustrating, but he’s at home and should be a strong Holly for the year.
Trevor Rogers @ DET – Rogers has been crushing with four-seamers up at 94 mph and secondaries down.
Probably Starts
Shane Drohan @ SFG – Drohan gets a great matchup and has showcased improved stuff lately. This may be the start that truly grabs us – but don’t let his position at the top of this tier confuse you. All options here are close to the third tier, not close to the top tier.
Matthew Boyd @ STL – Boyd’s pitch separation with his four-seamer and changeup was where we want it to be last time out + Busch Stadium is a better place to pitch than Wrigley.
Ian Seymour vs. TEX – We could see an opener again for Seymour and I’m all for it. Higher chance of a Win and he’s looked comfortable in the role.
Dustin May vs. CHC – This is the best version of May we’ve seen since his pre-TJS days with the Dodgers.
Joey Cantillo @ CIN – Don’t let his last two starts dissuade you. Cantillo is a much better pitcher than the first month of the season with increased velocity and trust in his curveball and changeup over the four-seamer.
Questionable Starts
MacKenzie Gore @ TBR – Gore simply isn’t executing his stuff as well as we want him to. The ceiling is still there, but it’s highly questionable ratio-wise.
Trey Yesavage @ WSH – It’s such a large spectrum of possible outcomes. He could walk seven and last three frames, he could go five and strike out nine, it’s the life of a HIPSTER. A draw against the Nationals does him no favors, too.
Eric Lauer vs. SEA – Lauer is a viable option for a cheap Win, especially with the cold Mariners offense.
Emerson Hancock @ LAD – The bottom line suggests a higher ranking, but his stuff is declining and the Dodgers are obviously a dangerous crew.
Do Not Starts
Brady Singer vs. CLE – Singer has returned to his old sinker/slider tricks and faces a questionable lineup. SIDENOTE: The Reds pushed back Singer after Monday’s rainout and it’s possible he’s involved in a trade in the near future. Don’t bank on him making this start.
Eduardo Rodriguez @ PIT – He should arguably be in the third tier, but the Pirates offense is stellar and the ceiling isn’t phenomenal.
Zack Littell vs. TOR – He could go Dancing With The Disco via sliders and splitters.
Jacob Lopez vs. BOS – We saw the locations last time out that matched his summer breakout. I wonder if that cutter/heater combo and the backfoot sweeper will be there again. On the flip side, the Red Sox are much better against LHP and it’s Sacré Verde.
Davis Martin vs. NYY – Martin is a far cry from his early-season self.
Sean Manaea vs. ATL – I have little confidence in Manaea’s low velocity and limited arsenal.
Gabriel Hughes @ SDP – I’m kinda intrigued by Hughes’ four-seamer that is actually a cutter. If he can locate it like he did last time out, he could have a productive start away from Coors.
Randy Dobnak @ MIN – The dude hurls pitches that move at a low velocity, opening the door for five productive innings. That’s all his ceiling holds, though.
Ryan Gusto vs. PHI – Gusto has done little to prove he can make this work. The stuff is there, though.
Hayden Wesneski @ LAA – Oh snap, it’s Wesneski! I wonder if he’s doing anything interesting.
Grayson Rodriguez vs. HOU – This hasn’t worked at all yet. At least he’s expanding the arsenal from fastball/change, but he’s also lost velocity in the process.
Grant Holmes @ NYM – Don’t buy what the REB is selling.
Griffin Canning vs. COL – At least it’s Rockie Road? He may have an opener to grant a higher Win chance, but the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
Patrick Sandoval @ ATH – The Irish Panda is heading to Sacré Verde. That’s a clear pass.
Thursday 7/30 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)
