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: 69-55
My Pick yesterday: Win – Zebby Matthews @ SEA (ND): 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BB, 10 K
My Pick today: Robert Gasser @ LAA
My Pick tomorrow: Kumar Rocker @ HOU
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: 66-58
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Win – Zebby Matthews @ SEA (ND): 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BB, 10 K
Saturday 8/1 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. BOS – Aces gonna ace.
Jacob deGrom @ HOU – Aces gonna ace.
Logan Gilbert vs. MIN – Aces gonna ace.
Drew Rasmussen vs. CHW – Aces gonna ace.
Parker Messick vs. ARI – He’s back to 95 mph and we love that.
Cristopher Sánchez @ BAL – Sánchez is still a great arm, just not an ace when he’s allowing as many hits as he is.
Probably Starts
Braxton Ashcraft @ CIN – I hope we see the Golden Brax again. It’s not a good park and he’s had trouble navigating LHB with his breaking pitches. It could be fixed overnight.
Kevin Gausman vs. STL – Gausman is presumably making his last start for the Jays (if not dealt beforehand) and boy do I hope he goes to the Cubs. That defense is MADE for him.
Payton Tolle @ LAD – Tolle is more dependent on his ability to get strikes with his Ras Pack than the opponent.
Max Fried @ CHC – Fried is still stretching out and is coming off a rough outing against the White Sox. Expect 75+ pitches here, which we now can cover six innings given his overall efficiency.
Questionable Starts
José Soriano vs. MIL – Soriano’s results have been much better lately, but the skills are still highly suspect as he struggles to consistently earn strikes.
Zac Thornton vs. MIA – Thornton has been a blessing for many who picked him up once he entered the Mets rotation properly. It’s precarious with a four-seamer/cutter focus that lacks a true whiff pitch to RHB, while the cutter is the sole effective weapon to LHB.
Robert Gasser @ LAA – Gasser took advantage of Rockie Road and assuming nothing disrupts this rotation over the weekend, he’ll get a chance to be a decent stream against a questionable Angels lineup.
Connor Prielipp @ SEA – Prielipp got the Still ILL out of the way and now heads to a favorable park. Please throw more curveballs. And what is up with that sinker to RHB?! I wonder what we get.
Shane Baz vs. PHI – Baz’s curveball feel is better, though I’m still wondering when we’ll see a true #3 pitch step up to the occasion.
Andrew Abbott vs. PIT – Abbott gets a tough draw, hosting the Pirates in Great American Small Park. I do like Abbott’s SWATCH approach, though, and he could pull through like he has so many times.
Tyler Mahle @ SDP – Mahle is not just at 93 mph, but now 94 mph and the Padres aren’t a scary crew.
Jack Perkins vs. DET – It’s unfortunate how often Perkins has to deal with Sacré Verde, and the Tigers pack some thump. Be careful here.
Do Not Starts
Framber Valdez @ ATH – Valdez has struggled massively with his arsenal feel and no better place to get it back than in Sacré Verde, right? Was that sarcastic? Yes. 100% yes.
Quinn Mathews @ TOR – It’s the MLB debut for Mathews after a string of injuries and delays in the minors since making a major impression in 2025 spring training. It’s a PILOT Rule, for starters, and despite the high strikeout numbers recently in the minors (10 Ks in seven frames last start!), I see it more as a product of teams neglecting to use platoon splits as the slider does a good job taking down LHB. I expect teams to serve him many RHB in the majors, which puts more pressure on his four-seamer and changeup combo, which needs a whole lot more work. That said, the team context is beneficial and if the Cardinals are giving him a proper runway through the end of the year, he’s sure to be a solid stream at times, especially if he displays growth while in the big leagues.
David Peterson vs. NYY – Peterson has gotten some interest given more success than failure as a part of the Cubs organization, bringing over his added cut from his latter starts with the Mets. His sinker/four-seamer separation to RHB was immaculate last time out, and if that sticks, it’ll work. His consistency has always been a major question, though, while those great outings have also come with few strikeouts. I’d pass.
Noah Schultz (Opener) @ TBR – I’m waiting for Schultz to take the next step and find whiffs with his changeup and sweeper consistently, while showcasing he can confidently jam both LHB and RHB frequently during outings. Until then, he’s a deep league stream in hopes that Koufax is on his side.
Walker Buehler vs. SFG – Buehler has had a whole lot more success than expected with the Padres, and yet…you know.
Reynaldo López vs. WSH – ReyLó’s velocity took a major hit last time out and I don’t like facing the Nationals offense.
Ronel Blanco vs. TEX – I dig that Blanco is back to his slider/changeup ways of old. Once he excels with the pair to give us a glimpse of the upside, I’ll consider moving him out of this tier.
Kohl Drake @ CLE – Drake is trying to be an effective SWATCH and the Guardians could be an opponent that unlocks his next gear. I’ll wait to see it first.
Tyler Phillips @ NYM – The last start from Phillips was a glimpse of what could be, though I’m highly skeptical of his ability to pull it off each outing.
Luinder Avila @ COL – It’s Coors and Avila rarely goes deep into games.
Miles Mikolas @ ATL – Mikolas.
Ryan Feltner vs. KCR – Coors.
Sunday 8/2 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Jacob Misiorowski @ LAA – Aces gonna ace.
Zack Wheeler @ BAL – Aces gonna ace.
Chase Burns vs. PIT – Aces gonna ace.
Gavin Williams vs. ARI – He’s not going to be AGA until we are convinced he’s this for a long time, but four straight of at least 11 strikeouts sure is studly.
Gerrit Cole @ CHC – Aces gonna ace.
Griffin Jax vs. CHW – He’s getting pushed to six innings and 90+ pitches now. This is the good stuff.
Probably Starts
Sandy Alcantara @ NYM – He’s going six frames with ease and the Marlins are not intending to deal Sandy at the deadline. I’m a bit disappointed about it, but it does mean he’s unrestricted here.
Taj Bradley @ SEA – He’s back on a great run and we’ll letting this fly.
Emmet Sheehan vs. BOS – The Sawx hate RHP and Sheehan’s ratios should continue to descend as the season progresses.
Landen Roupp @ SDP – Roupp had a rare off day with his command. He’s sure to deface the bottom of the zone with curveballs and changeups again.
Kyle Bradish vs. PHI – Bradish did not have his breakers doing their job last time out. That should change.
Walbert Ureña vs. MIL – Ureña’s changeup is stellar and was even better last start with +2 ticks of velocity, a boost shared with his sinker and four-seamer as they sat sat 99 mph.
Peter Lambert vs. TEX – With Imai to the pen, Lambert is getting the start on Sunday. He’s been a worthy of a Holly title lately and I hope he forces the issues for Tuesday’s List.
Michael King vs. SFG – King is still missing that extra gear where he can manipulate at least three of his pitches around the zone effectively, but at least it’s the Giants.
George Kirby vs. MIN – He’s a Cherry Bomb, if not a HIPSTER these days. At least he’s @TEA.
Merrill Kelly @ CLE – Kelly is a solid Toby against a questionable Guardians offense. Even with the diminished velocity, his changeup feel is just too good right now.
Cade Cavalli @ ATL – Cavalli is killing it, but I don’t love the matchup against Atlanta.
Questionable Starts
Kumar Rocker @ HOU – I finally saw a full approach I can get behind from Rocker – sinkers with 17″+ inches of run with quality sliders and cutters consistently. Facing a RHB lineup will help plenty, as the next step to make him legit is an approach that confidently takes down LHB, too.
Anthony Kay @ TBR – Kay’s sinker has improved and he’s looking more consistent around the edges with his large arsenal. There could be 5/6 innings of quality.
Gage Jump vs. DET – I hate that it’s at home in Sacré Verde. He has the strikeout upside, let’s just hope he doesn’t give too many free passes or let that park remove a baseball from the field.
Jake Bennett @ LAD – Bennett is a SWATCH who hasn’t had the same pitch sepration he had in his early outings. Throw in the Dodgers and it’s a tough call.
Do Not Starts
Keider Montero @ ATH – Montero has been a WHIP machine this year, but he stumbled last time out and it’s Sacré Verde here.
Clay Holmes vs. MIA – It’s a Still ILL for The Adobe.
Colin Rea vs. NYY – Rea has been a strong streaming option against weak teams, and that may apply to the current Yankee lineup.
Mitch Keller @ CIN – I cannot trust Keller inside Great American Small Park. Nooooope.
Martín Pérez vs. WSH – Pérez is an option for a cheap Win, but he Nationals adore facing LHP.
Seth Lugo @ COL – It’s Coors.
Matthew Liberatore @ TOR – Liberatore may not start this in the end. If it’s Michael McGreevy, I’d put him at the bottom of the third tier as a potential six inning arm with decent ratios. As for Libby, he’s been too dang hittable all year.
Max Scherzer vs. STL – I don’t trust there’s enough left in the tank.
Kyle Freeland vs. KCR – It’s Coors.
Monday 8/3 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)
