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: 82-60
My Pick yesterday: Win – Tyler Mahle @ MIN (L): 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BB, 3 K
My Pick today: Jackson Jobe @ PIT
My Pick tomorrow: Gage Jump @ KCR
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: 74-68
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Loss – Carson Whisenhunt @ CLE (L): 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BB, 1 K
Wednesday 8/19 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Drew Rasmussen vs. TOR – 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.
Walbert Ureña @ HOU – If he’s able to get close to the zone with his sweeper, he’ll crush against the Astros.
Brandon Pfaadt @ BOS – Pfaadt is on a gorgeous Vargas Rule and you’re not sitting him after the Dodgers and Atlanta.
Michael King @ NYM – We just saw the best version of King and boy do I hope it continues.
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.
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.
Kumar Rocker vs. WSH – It’s a great matchup for Rocker, who still has a good slider and cutter. As long as the heaters don’t burn him, we’re fine. He swapped spots with deGrom to give the ace an extra day of recovery following his arm fatigue.
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.
AJ Smith-Shawver @ MIN – You may be surprised by my lack of enthusiasm for AJSS, but after watching him return just two whiffs in an adrenaline-fueled return to the majors, I’m not expecting a high ceiling here to make me ignore the Shag Rug.
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
Auto-Starts
Gerrit Cole @ BAL – Aces gonna ace.
Gavin Williams vs. SFG – Aces gonna not make me regret giving him the AGA tag and throw more strikes this time.
Jacob deGrom vs. WSH – Aces gonna ace. It seems as though he’s good to go after a little extra rest following his triceps fatigue scare last start.
Probably Starts
Peter Lambert vs. LAA – He’s become a stable Holly and you’re not benching him.
Kyle Bradish vs. NYY – Bradish’s strikeouts have disappeared lately and I may be too high on him in this rank. At the same time, they should return, and I’m not ready to give up. That curve and slider are too good to live in this valley.
Ian Seymour vs. TOR – Seymour’s changeup is getting it done, even if the floor seems a bit lower than we like.
George Kirby @ MIL – I truly wonder if all Kirby needs to do is move to the third base side of the rubber. He’s a Cherry Bomb and I think you’re still letting him fly.
Questionable Starts
Shane Bieber @ TBR – I shifted my Bieber ranking after studying his last start further. I’m more of a believer that he’s improved his curveball feel and could find more consistent strikeouts.
Gage Jump @ KCR – Jump is away from home and wish Kansas/Missouri was a place he could call home. Let me just click my heels together three times…
Robert Gasser vs. SEA – I also raised Gasser from yesterday’s edition based on love for his cutter approach inside to RHB.
Anthony Kay vs. ATL – Kay gets Atlanta, but has been a quietly solid ratio arm for many.
Landen Roupp @ CLE – At first glance, I loved Roupp against the Guardians given his consistent pitch separation to LHB. However, he’s failed to turn it into a string of success and it’s riskier than his skills suggest. Don’t quote me on that.
Do Not Starts
Andrew Alvarez @ TEX – Alvarez has found the sixth more often, but he’s still on a low pitch count without the quality to justify it.
Michael McGreevy @ CIN – McGreevy gave us a fun one last time out. That’s cool, this is Great American Small Park.
Brady Singer vs. STL – Singer can find a Quality Start if you’re searching for one. Otherwise, I’d pass.
Randy Dobnak vs. ATH – Dobnak has a chance to sling 5-6 frames while making a Grave Mistake. That’s up to you.
Grant Holmes @ CHW – I know, Holmes has been good lately! I refuse to buy anything the REB is selling. He’s not a new arm in my view, but fine, if you must, there’s a shot.
Grayson Rodriguez @ HOU – Grayson doesn’t truly deserve to be the lowest-ranked arm. There’s hope he can do more with his arsenal and I hope he makes us confident in production moving forward. Get those breakers working and please, THROW A CUTTER.
Friday 8/21 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)
