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: 56-43
My Pick yesterday: Loss – Stephen Kolek vs. TBR (L): 2.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BB, 0 K
My Pick today: Jake Bennett @ LAA
My Pick tomorrow: Kumar Rocker vs. DET
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: 53-46
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Win – Ian Seymour @ KCR (W): 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BB, 8 K
Friday 7/3 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Shohei Ohtani vs. SDP – Aces gonna ace.
Dylan Cease @ SEA – How could you not start this?
Kyle Harrison @ ARI – This could be Coronation Day, but it’ll require a proper showcase of his changeup and/or fastballs refusing to land low accidentally.
Gavin Williams vs. CHW – Gavin’s increased velocity is awesome. Expect the sinker usage to RHB to come down in time.
Logan Webb @ COL – It’s Coronation Day for Webb with a tough go of it in Coors. Show em where you’re from. What does that even mean? SHOW EM WHERE YER FROM!
Probably Starts
Reid Detmers vs. BOS – Detmers has been HOT. Hard to resist him now that the slider is back.
Foster Griffin vs. PIT – Griffin has been the most surprisingly stud of the year. You’d think he’d be a SWATCH, but his changeup is essentially non-existant, with a splitter instead. Wild.
Jake Bennett @ LAA – Speaking of the SWATCH life, Bennett has looked great in his last two with high heaters getting all the chases. Why not
Gerrit Cole vs. MIN – The command hasn’t been there, but the stuff is still great. I find it hard to believe he’s more often harmful than helpful, even when he’s trying to get his footing.
Questionable Starts
Trevor Rogers @ CIN – Rogers is looking hot, but it’s Cincy and it’s a small sample. Could be a great play, though.
Nick Martinez @ HOU – Martinez’s run is so dang good, but the strikeouts aren’t there, lowering the ceiling.
Jack Perkins vs. MIA – I’m liking the latest version of Perkins and even in Sacré Verde, he could come through against the Marlins.
Anthony Kay @ CLE – It’s the Guardians, even if Kay has been inconsistent.
Luis Castillo vs. TOR – I’m not a believer in Castillo’s stuff, but the command of his slider is lovely and he’s @TEA.
Jose Cabrera vs. MIL – The dude throws strikes. There’s a higher ceiling for six frames for guys like him. Hopefully the sweeper is working down-and-away, too.
Christian Scott @ ATL – I’m becoming a little less of a believer that Scott’s stuff is good enough, as he’s failed to get a ton of depth in his arsenal, outside of a splitter that can appear to LHB. However, if he can command high four-seamers with stabilizing cutters and get whiffs on the sweeper, then I’m still a happy fella.
Spencer Arrighetti vs. TBR – The Pasta Pirate has been serving too many meatballs. Gotta extend the menu a bit, fella! The curve and four-seamer are not the most reliable in the tank.
Michael King @ LAD – The King has lost his crown, wearing a mocking TIARA in the meantime. He’d be in the lower tier if not carrying higher upside than the rest. It could happen.
Do Not Starts
Brady Singer vs. BAL – Singer had a nice little stretch. Now we move on.
Andre Pallante @ CHC – Pallante may deserve a spot in the second tier, but ultimately, it’s hot Wrigley + his arsenal is still meh.
Mitch Keller @ WSH – It’s Keller. You do you.
David Peterson vs. STL – Peterson is better with the Cubs than with the Mets, but not fantasy-relevant.
Grant Holmes vs. NYM – Looks like REB is going Friday against the Mets, and if you need strikeouts, he could find some. We haven’t seen many strikeout explosions from the fella this year, though.
Tyler Phillips @ ATH – Phillips has moments. Why you’d expect one in Sacré Verde is beyond me.
Mike Paredes @ NYY – He’s stretched out to five frames, but the quality is meh and it’s the Yankees.
Ryan Feltner vs. SFG – It’s the Colorado Rockies starting pitcher
Saturday 7/4 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Chris Sale vs. NYM – Aces gonna ace.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. SDP – Aces gonna ace.
Drew Rasmussen @ HOU – Aces gonna ace.
Logan Gilbert vs. TOR – Aces gonna ace.
Hunter Brown vs. TBR – Let’s get those fastballs cooking again.
Jesús Luzardo @ KCR – It’s a great place to pitch. Expect 6+ strikeouts again.
Brandon Woodruff @ ARI – He’s killed it thus far and the Sneks are not a scary offense.
Sonny Gray @ LAA – It’s been so Sonny, I’ve had to turn my AC to 78 degrees. Standard power grid procedures during heat waves y’all. I’m doing my part!
Braxton Ashcraft @ WSH – It could be Coronation Day if Ashcraft dominates. If it’s mid, we wait.
Probably Starts
Shota Imanaga vs. STL – Imanaga’s HR rates are still and issue and it should even out. I’ll stand by him as long as the four-seamer sticks at 92 mph.
Parker Messick vs. CHW – Messick’s 96 mph velocity has fallen back down to 94 mph, but the command is there as a proper SWATCH. We dig.
Carlos Rodón vs. MIN – I’m still waiting for the start where Rodón has his slider and change cooking.
Sean Burke @ CLE – He’s holding a 30%+ strikeout rate across the last month and it’s the Guardians. But the inconsistent breakers! I know, it won’t last. Remember, Guardians.
Robbie Ray @ COL – Robbie is doing what all veterans should do – when something isn’t working, don’t keeping brute forcing the same approach. He’s explored many options to help him find his footing and I have to imagine this TV will get its signal again soon. You can even hear Robbie’s grunts as he bangs the box. Son, can you hold this hanger and extend like a tree branch?
Questionable Starts
Hunter Greene vs. BAL – He’s BACK. It’s a Still ILL n all, and yet, if you have him, you know you want to give it a spin. His velocity is there, though I wonder what the pitch count is and if the slider strike rate will be above 60%.
Jack Flaherty @ TEX – Flaherty was his peak self last game, featuring both slider and curveball at the bottom of the zone for whiffs + a 93+ mph heater. It’s a good matchup and there’s a good case for a gamble to see if it continues.
Michael Wacha vs. PHI – Wacha recovered from a rough stretch and has a kitchen sink that can work for 6+ frames.
Brandon Young @ CIN – He just returned 23 whiffs and I still can’t quite believe it. His four-seamer/splitter combo isn’t this good.
Sandy Alcantara @ ATH – It’s the second stop of The Green Mile and I want to stress that six innings of poor ratios hurts. Here’s to hoping he pulls it off.
Kumar Rocker vs. DET – Rocker has earned a shocking number of whiffs lately, getting tons of LHB fishing for his slider under the zone. The overall mix is awfully mid, though.
Zebby Matthews @ NYY – The Yankees are in a cold stretch and Zebby is sure to throw plenty of strikes. What happened to Prielipp? It looks like they are managing his workload and will pitch later next week. It’s too bad given how awesome he looked last time out.
Shane Bieber @ SEA – It has been rough for his first two starts, and I’m tempted to put him in the bottom tier. That said, it’s a great place to pitch and it could be worth it to try one more time. Hopefully the breakers get their bite back.
Sean Manaea @ ATL – He’s getting close to sitting under 90 mph again (yikes) and it’s Atlanta.
Merrill Kelly vs. MIL – Kelly should be better than what he has been. I have him here only for those searching for potential six innings of decency.
Do Not Starts
Kyle Leahy @ CHC – Leahy has a chance for 5+ innings of something solid, but we haven’t seen huge upside from him thus far.
Aaron Civale vs. MIA – It’s in Sacré Verde, but we’ve seen Civale have unlikely games of success.
Sam Aldegheri vs. BOS – There’s a chance, but I’m unimpressed by Aldegheri’s arsenal thus far.
Zack Littell vs. PIT – Littell ain’t it, especially against a team that hits RHP super well.
Griffin Canning @ LAD – Oh jeez. This hasn’t worked for a while and it’s the Dodgers.
Tomoyuki Sugano vs. SFG – It’s the Colorado pitcher, opposite Webb, in Coors. Poor Sugano.
Sunday 7/5 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)
