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). UPDATE: We’ve added distinctions for Home/Away park factors and projected strength vL and vR handed pitchers:
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: 76-58
My Pick yesterday: Win – Jacob Lopez vs. TBR (ND): 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BB, 5 K
My Pick today: Martín Pérez vs. NYM
My Pick tomorrow: Tyler Mahle 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: 72-62
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Loss – Jameson Taillon vs. BOS (ND): 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BB, 3 K
Tuesday 8/11 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Dylan Cease vs. BOS – Aces gonna ace.
Kyle Harrison @ SDP – Harrison looks good to GO.
Sean Burke vs. CIN – Burke just had a rough outing and I expect him to get back on the horse.
Cristopher Sánchez @ STL – Sánchez isn’t dominating as he should and we just have to tough it out.
Paul Skenes @ MIA – Skenes isn’t nearly as bad as the near 4.00 ERA will tell you. It’s the first adversity of his career and he’s sure to overcome it.
Eury Pérez vs. PIT – Pérez is figuring out the correct mix of sinkers and four-seamers and I believe he’ll find it soon. He was a bit unlucky with his sinker last time out, but please stop throwing them so much to LHB.
Shota Imanaga @ WSH – The Nationals are weaker than they were before the deadline and Shota has been rock solid since a rough patch in June
Bryan Woo @ NYY – The Yankee offense has been much worse since Judge hit the IL (even if they improved at the deadline), but it’s a proper test to see if Woo is truly a Home/Road split arm. I believe he’s not and the skills are there.
Nolan McLean @ ATL – McLean couldn’t figure out the right plan of attack against LHB, but he’s been productive for long enough that I can’t see myself benching him.
Hunter Brown @ SFG – Brown’s fastball is regaining its vert, but it fell in strike rate last time out. Again. The good news? He found the curveball. He’s right there.
Probably Starts
Ryan Weathers vs. SEA – Weathers has been the guy we expected for a bit now. It’s lovely, isn’t it?
Questionable Starts
Nick Martinez @ ATH – This Vargas Rule is incredible and after taking down Coors, it’s hard to bench him for the second half of the “Green Mile”.
Blake Snell vs. KCR – It’s a Still ILL for Snell, who has been stretched out to 70+ pitches, and yet, we all know that could be four frames with Snell’s history of inefficiency.
Brandon Young @ MIN – Young’s four-seamer is impressing me more than I expected. Even after a rough one, I think he can take down a weak offense.
Tanner Bibee @ DET – Bibee is focusing more on lateral movement and just had one of the best games I’ve ever seen with his changeup command.
Martín Pérez vs. NYM – Pérez followed an incredible performance with another one…in three innings due to rain. He’s locked in after his IL stint.
Cody Bradford @ LAA – We saw everything we could hope for from Bradford in his Still ILL return from TJS. With a longer pitch count that could extend past 80 pitches, Bradford’s 90 mph heater that still earns whiffs could carve up the Angels if the changeup stays down. Or he may get lit up as the heater fails to deceive.
Nick Lodolo @ CHW – Lodolo has a Still ILL after making just one rehab start, dealing with blisters. Again. It’s hard to trust him while he fails to get into a rhythm as we saw in 2025.
Michael Wacha @ LAD – Wacha has had a fantastic season as a 15-team Holly, but it’s the Dodgers. Haven’t they been poor lately? Sure, but do you really expect that to last?
Do Not Starts
Andre Pallante vs. PHI – Maybe I’m too low on Pallante, but I still struggle to become an acolyte with his questionable command and hittable nature.
Mitch Bratt vs. COL – Bratt just had an unsustainable outing that makes a date with Rockie Road seem like an easy win. I think it’s a trap.
Jake Irvin vs. CHC – Irvin is flexing a harder cutter now and despite wanting to be sneaky and give this a go, it’s best not to risk it.
Bailey Ober vs. BAL – Ober just returned a PQS with zero walks, zero HRs, and zero strikeouts. Everything concluded in play. NO TRUE OUTCOMES. Unreal.
Mason Barnett vs. TBR – I’m kinda into Barnett’s hard cut-fastball, but it’s far too risky in Sacré Verde as he continues to get stretched out.
Patrick Sandoval @ TOR – Those who expected the Irish Panda on Sunday, should note he was pushed back a few days for Bello to get another outing. Anyway, this is far too risky.
Carson Whisenhunt vs. HOU – Whisenhunt’s fastball needs to be better than its low location and 92/93 mph velocity if he wants to be an effective SWATCH.
Walker Buehler vs. MIL – Buehler is axing the big breakers and going cutter-heavy, while carrying a short 4+ inning leash. Maybe he can keep the ratios down?
Ryan Johnson vs. TEX – There are days his cutter and splitter combo can get him through five with a handful strikeouts. It’s not worth it.
Tomoyuki Sugano @ ARI – He’s away from Coors, which may mean he finds his 12th Win of the season. Wouldn’t that be fun?
Drew Anderson vs. CLE – Anderson didn’t toss 50 pitches in his first game of the Tigers trying to make him a starter. You cannot expect him to go five, let alone with quality.
Wednesday 8/12 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Zack Wheeler @ STL – Aces gonna ace.
Drew Rasmussen @ ATH – Aces gonna ace.
Probably Starts
Dustin May @ SDP – He’s cooking and the Padres aren’t scary.
Robbie Ray vs. MIL – Make way! It’s Ray vs. May in a display of new teams for which they play. Okay. Here’s to another day taking a step forward with Ray’s arsenal.
Bryce Miller @ NYY – Miller is on the road, but the Yankee offense has been lagging and he just had the command we saw when he initially returned, even if it’s under 96 mph.
Merrill Kelly vs. COL – It’s Rockie Road. I know, that’s not a lock for success, and Kelly sure is susceptible to a poor floor, but the change should be good enough.
Foster Griffin @ DET – Griffin has been on a decline for a month, though it’s the Tigers. I’m still sending him out there.
Shane Baz @ MIN – Baz has been kinda great, save for the higher-than-ideal WHIP. The curve is cool and his fastballs are doing enough, while the change/cutter leaves a bit to be desired. The Twins are an easy enough matchup to go for it.
José Soriano vs. BOS – We’re seeing fewer four-seamers and more curves with the Jays and while that seems like a good thing, it is the approach we saw last year from Soriano. Remember, the hot stretch was due to the four-seamer getting more attention and it recording a boatload of strikes. Without the strikes, it makes sense to pull back the four-seamer, but it lowers the ceiling.
Questionable Starts
Tyler Mahle vs. NYM – Mahle is 93/94 mph and the Mets are not a scary crew.
Framber Valdez vs. CLE – It’s a little bit of a trap play against the Guardians for those who saw Valdez’s last outing and thought he was back. He wasn’t – he needed four double-plays to survive.
Ranger Suarez @ TOR – Suarez is not locked in. He could get back to it here, but I prefer to wait for one start to showcase he’s back in rhythm before slotting him in, especially with his 70-pitch peak since returning from the IL.
Will Warren vs. SEA – Warren is fine. I’m not too encouraged by the changeup (it goes in and out), and I still worry about his fastballs.
Eric Lauer vs. KCR – This may be the last time we see Lauer getting a start for the Dodgers as Snell returns to the rotation and the Dodgers need another reliever without Ohtani in the rotation (another pitcher without sacrificing a roster spot). He failed last time out, but this is the Royals. A cheap Win can still be had.
Kyle Leahy vs. PHI – Leahy has been more productive than I expected as of late, and it’s possible he executes well enough to keep the streak going.
David Peterson @ WSH – Peterson’s time with the Cubs has been better than expected, but we the command take a major step back in his last start. Still, it’s a great defense and the Nationals are far weaker in August.
Zebby Matthews vs. BAL – Matthews is finding more strikeouts and is a consistent volume option if you’re searching for it. The floor is terrible, though.
Do Not Starts
Zac Thornton @ ATL – Thornton rebounded last time out, but the four-seamer and cutter combo still needs more support.
Jack Perkins vs. TBR – Perkins has given us some strong outings, yet I’m not comfortable starting him Sacré Verde.
Luis Castillo vs. CIN – The leash will be long against his former squad, if that’s what you need. The quality is a major question.
Cal Quantrill @ LAA – Quantrill has done far better than expected with his cutter and splitter and is stepping in for an injured Eovaldi. He’s a sneaky stream, though this has a high chance of being a Wonka.
Rhett Lowder @ CHW – Lowder’s slider and change are good enough that he can mask risky fastballs over the plate for six innings. A boring play that could be a QS for those in need.
George Klassen vs. TEX – Klassen had higher strike rates in the minors across the last four weeks, and didn’t show that in full in his return to the bigs over the weekend. I won’t rule out a higher strike rate here that forces us to pay attention.
Jackson Kent vs. CHC – It’s an MLB debut! Y’all should follow the PILOT Rule, of course, but here’s the low-down: He’s a southpaw with a 93/94 mph heater, a slider he loves, and a changeup that is struggling to stay above a 50% strike rate. He’s gotten whiffs on all three pitches during his time in the minors for the Nationals, and I think of him as a discount Connor Prielipp with a bigger push to figure out the changeup, but a worse fastball and curveball.
Janson Junk vs. PIT – This could be a quiet five inning outing of decency. At the same time, I really hate trusting Junk and his short leash.
Adrian Houser vs. HOU – Houser may get an opener and survive for a bit in Oracle Park.
Ronel Blanco @ SFG – Blanco isn’t having enough success to chase this.
Carmen Mlodzinski @ MIA – I’m not too impressed by Mlodzinski’s arsenal, nor do I trust the Pirates to let him go long.
Ryan Feltner @ ARI – At least it’s away from Coors.
Daniel Lynch IV @ LAD – He’s not stretched out yet + the Dodgers.
Thursday 8/13 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)
