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: 81-60
My Pick yesterday: Win – Brayan Bello vs. ARI (W): 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BB, 3 Ks
My Pick today: Tyler Mahle @ MIN
My Pick tomorrow: Max Scherzer @ TBR
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: 74-67
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Loss – Carmen Mlodzinski vs. DET (L): 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BB, 3 K
Tuesday 8/18 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Zack Wheeler vs. MIA – Aces gonna ace.
Kevin Gausman vs. CHW – Aces gonna ace.
Braxton Ashcraft vs. DET – Ashcraft just DOMINATED and despite his poor stretch, I can’t foresee y’all sitting him.
Probably Starts
Kyle Harrison vs. SEA – It was awesome, then it was terrible. As long as Harrison is still starting, I’m letting him fly. Why? Because if it wasn’t a product of injury, it was an extreme start that shouldn’t be replicated.
Ranger Suarez vs. ARI – The command was much better last time out with 80+ pitches, and hopefully it sticks for another outing.
Nick Martinez vs. TOR – He was pushed back a day for McShane’s return and this Vargas Rule is hard to put down.
Foster Griffin vs. SFG – Griffin’s shine has dulled over the last month, but at least it’s one of the worst offenses in baseball.
Bryce Miller @ MIL – He’s not @TEA, but if he has great secondary command, that doesn’t matter.
Tyler Mahle @ MIN – Mahle is cooking as a Toby and gets a weak offense. Sign me up.
Robbie Ray @ NYM – It wasn’t the ideal Ray start, but just two hits allowed with a lean on the four-seamer is a good sign. Just throw more to RHB and for strikes + get the slider back to RHB. Please.
Shane Baz vs. NYY – Baz got Singled Out against the Twins and should fare better against the struggling Yankee offense.
Questionable Starts
José Soriano @ TBR – I’m curious how we see Soriano develop as a part of the Jays crew. The Trop may make his four-seamer perform better, which wasn’t axed as people thought after one game. The good news? 70%+ strikes on both fastballs and his curve last time out.
Carlos Rodón @ BAL – He’s BACK! I’m not sure how long he goes and it’s a proper Still ILL, with more upside than usual. I’d prefer just to sit this one out and start confidently after.
Cristian Javier vs. LAA – We haven’t gotten the strikeouts yet, but the cutter addition is a lovely sight and should get him to two strikes more often. I still believe he’s a sleeper for the final six weeks.
Keider Montero @ PIT – Montero is a WHIP value arm, getting a lovely time in PNC Park. Seriously, I was there Saturday night and it was AWESOME.
Zac Thornton vs. SDP – Thornton doesn’t impress me a whole lot, but he’s performed far better than expected and could keep it going against the Friars.
Kyle Leahy @ CIN – Leahy has to deal with Cincy and I’m still skeptical that his approach justifies the hot stretch he’s been on.
George Klassen @ HOU – After a disappointing outing, Klassen gave us a legit start with almost a 70% strike rate across everything in a date against the Rangers. Now against the Astros and their RHB-lineup, I love that he gets to lean more on his elite bullet slider and less on the more erratic changeup.
Jack Perkins @ KCR – On the road in Kansas City is a welcome gift for the Athletics rotation.
Andrew Abbott vs. STL – Abbott does what Abbott does. Obviously don’t love the home park and he’s of consideration in QS leagues moreso than standard.
Do Not Starts
Cal Quantrill vs. WSH – The UnQuantrillfiable is still here! And has gone 5+ with 1 ER in each of his last three starts! It’s the Nationals and in his lovely home park…
Zebby Matthews vs. ATL – I don’t trust Zebby to prevent damage in the zone.
Merrill Kelly @ BOS – It’s a decent matchup, but his ceiling hasn’t been worth the floor. After all, he just failed at Rockie Road.
Jackson Kent @ TEX – He was exactly what we expected – 92/93 mph with a SWATCH approach – and I want to throw away the results given our PILOT Rule. Now in a good park and highly likely to be above 50% strikes on his pitches, there’s a shot at a sneaky QS.
Tyler Phillips (Opener) @ PHI – There’s a chance it works if his breakers earn a ton of strikes again. We simply haven’t seen much of a ceiling to chase yet.
Carson Whisenhunt @ CLE – The changeup is still good, the question is if the four-seamer will do enough to support it.
Eric Lauer @ COL – With Wrobleski hitting the IL, Lauer is still here. Maybe there’s another cheap Win in here…?
Erick Fedde (Opener) @ CHC – Yeaaaah, no thanks.
Daniel Lynch IV vs. ATH – We’re not stretched out yet. Maybe it’s more Mason Black as a possible vulture arm, but I don’t like that either.
Ryan Feltner vs. LAD – In Coors. Against the Dodgers. Good luck.
Wednesday 8/19 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Chris Sale @ MIN – Aces gonna ace.
Drew Rasmussen vs. TOR – Aces gonna ace.
Jacob deGrom vs. WSH – Aces gonna ace.
Chase Burns vs. STL – Aces gonna ace.
Payton Tolle vs. ARI – He’s making a huge case for AGA with the way he’s pitching right now. ALL THE STRIKES.
Logan Gilbert @ MIL – I don’t hate this, I simply ding him a touch for pitching outside of @TEA + it’s stud day
Sandy Alcantara @ PHI – Those in QS leagues are loving this so much.
Parker Messick vs. SFG – Messick is still at 95 mph and cruising.
Paul Skenes vs. DET – You got some extra rest. Can you please throw 97/98 mph and prove you’re okay?
Cade Cavalli @ TEX – He’s kept the velo bump and gets a lovely matchup.
Probably Starts
Dustin May vs. SEA – May is a solid Holly at this point.
Michael King @ NYM – We just saw the best version of King and boy do I hope it continues.
Walbert Ureña @ HOU – If he’s able to get close to the zone with his sweeper, he’ll crush against the Astros.
Jackson Jobe @ PIT – His first start was dope. The second was not. This is PNC Park against a struggling Pirates offense, and it should be okay.
Brandon Pfaadt @ BOS – Pfaadt is on a gorgeous Vargas Rule and you’re not sitting him after the Dodgers and Atlanta.
Questionable Starts
Will Warren @ BAL – Warren is fine. I don’t love the matchup against the hot/cold Orioles crew, but you could find another dub here.
Taj Bradley vs. ATL – Embrace the chaos. I think.
Clay Holmes vs. CHW – The Adobe should get settled in nicely with the Cubs and their stellar defense that pairs well with his sinkerball approach.
Roki Sasaki @ COL – It’s Coors and I have no idea how that is going to affect him.
Do Not Starts
Max Scherzer @ TBR – Scherzer has potential here, but it’s essentially hoping for 5/6 innings of 2 ER ball and a dub.
Seth Lugo vs. ATH – The plus side is the home park and hosting a middling Athletics offense. The downside is Lugo’s declining ability.
Adrian Houser @ CLE – This may be a sneaky one, though Houser against a LHB-heavy lineup works against his four-seamer/sinker combo.
Aaron Nola vs. MIA – Nola hasn’t been trustworthy for a while.
Ethan Pecko vs. LAA – It’s the MLB debut for Pecko, who takes the pearl for the Astros. As always, follow the PILOT Rule and we’ll go from there. I wouldn’t spec add him now.
Jeffrey Springs @ KCR – Springs returns from the IL and is unlikely to find sunshine and rainbows.
Robert Stock vs. SDP – Stock has a chance to go five decent frames, but the floor is too low.
Chris Bassitt vs. NYY – I don’t trust Bassitt in the slightest, even if the Yankee offense is laboring.
Matthew Liberatore @ CIN – Libby ain’t it, and he’s exchanging cushy Busch Stadium for Great American Small Park. Noooope.
José Urquidy @ CHC – I hope the four-pitch mix of old is cooking. I sure ain’t banking on it.
Kyle Freeland vs. LAD – In Coors. Dodgers. Lol.
Thursday 8/20 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)
