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: 77-58
My Pick yesterday: Win – Martín Pérez vs. NYM (W): 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BB, 2 K
My Pick today: Tyler Mahle vs. NYM
My Pick tomorrow: Max Scherzer vs. BOS
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: 73-62
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Win – Cody Bradford @ LAA (L): 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BB, 1 K
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.
Tatsuya Imai (Opener) @ SFG – He’ll be opened for by Bryan King and it’s possible that the wider arsenal in a great situation brings out the best in Imai.
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.
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
Auto-Starts
Jacob deGrom @ LAA – Aces gonna ace.
Logan Gilbert @ NYY – Aces gonna ace.
Max Fried vs. SEA – He sure feels like he’s on the verge of AGA.
Payton Tolle @ TOR – He’s fresh off 14 strikeouts. How could you sit him?
Parker Messick @ DET – Messick is up to 95 mph again and I love it.
Kevin Gausman @ WSH – Gausman’s new squad is exactly what he needs.
Probably Starts
Braxton Ashcraft @ MIA – It’s been a bit of a struggle for Ashcraft to dominate with his secondaries as of late, but I expect him to find the high CSW marks again.
Walbert Ureña vs. TEX – It was a no-good, terrible, bad third inning. Let’s not forget everything about him because of it.
Cade Cavalli vs. CHC – Cavalli is a new pitcher since the boosted velocity, and I’d be tempted to let him fly against any squad.
Roki Sasaki vs. MIL – The heat is there, and the splitter feel is looking good enough to make this work.
Questionable Starts
Taj Bradley vs. PHI – I wish he weren’t acting like a HIPSTER, but here we are.
Keider Montero vs. CLE – Montero has been a WHIP fiend this year, and hopefully he can continue to do so against the LHB-heavy Guardians. I have a little worry here given that Montero’s best pitch is his slider to RHB.
Andrew Abbott @ CHW – Abbott will do his normal discount SWATCH routine and let’s hope it gets him through six.
Do Not Starts
Aaron Nola @ MIN – You never know with Nola. The last outing looked similar to everything we’ve seen this year, and worked in his favor. Maybe it’ll strike again.
Shane Drohan @ LAD – Drohan hasn’t come through lately + it’s the Dodgers.
Max Scherzer vs. BOS – Scherzer has been shockingly decent lately and the Red Sox traditionally dislike RHP. It’s either him or Phillips for the stream, and at the very least, I’d go with the one who has gone longer lately. Don’t do either.
Tyler Phillips vs. PIT – There is still some intrigue here, but I wouldn’t. You shouldn’t. He gets limited often, too.
Davis Martin vs. CIN – Martin hasn’t been it for a while.
Friday 8/14 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)
