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: 70-55
My Pick yesterday: Win – Robert Gasser @ LAA (ND): 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BB, 6 K
My Pick today: Kumar Rocker @ HOU
My Pick tomorrow: Brandon Pfaadt vs. SDP
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: 67-58
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Win – David Peterson vs. NYY (ND): 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BB, 8 K
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
Taj Bradley @ SEA – He’s back on a great run and we’re 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.
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.
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 99 mph.
Peter Lambert vs. TEX – With Imai to the pen, Lambert is getting the start on Sunday. He’s been 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. Update: Pushed to tomorrow
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 separation 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.
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.
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.
JR Ritchie vs. WSH – Ritchie is joining the squad and he’s not the guy you want to trust.
Robert Stock vs. MIA – It’s dope seeing Stock back in the majors. He’s not fully stretched out but he is throwing 91 mph cutters and 97 mph fastballs.
Griffin Canning (Opener) @ ARI – Canning may have an opener again, but I’m still waiting for him to showcase something for us to latch onto. In addition, his volume is awfully limited these days. Update: Pushed up a day, with Kyle Hart opening.
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
Auto-Starts
Cam Schlittler vs. STL – Aces gonna ace.
Logan Webb @ TEX – He’s doing Webb things and gets a good matchup.
Probably Starts
Justin Wrobleski @ CHC – Wrobo cop just allowed four HRs. Not again on my watch. I sure hope the wind is blowing in.
Michael King @ ARI – 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. Update: Pushed to Monday from Sunday.
Questionable Starts
Brandon Pfaadt vs. SDP – Pfaadt’s command is improved, though I’m not seeing a major stuff boost, nor an incredible approach to get me amped more than a streaming option.
Dustin May @ NYY – The Yankees are weaker than usual and I’d be inclined to go for it, but it’s the trade deadline tomorrow and the Cardinals could be dealing Dustin away. All games are after the deadline, so if he starts, I think you’re good to go.
Ian Seymour @ COL – Seymour heads to Coors. Not fun at all, but he’ll have an opener and he could be just fine.
Matthew Boyd vs. LAD – It’s the Dodgers. Again, not a great time.
Cristian Javier vs. TOR – Javier is stepping in for Imai after he covered him last outing for five shutout frames and displayed a new cutter that could be a difference maker. This might be a major pickup.
Do Not Starts
Bubba Chandler @ MIL – Bubba has a new, tighter slider, but hasn’t figured out how to make it all work yet. Sigh.
Brandon Sproat vs. PIT – He’s had a rough go of it lately, even if he finally went six innings again last time out. It was mostly just four-seamers brute-forcing through the game and I don’t trust that to work against the Pirates.
Cal Quantrill vs. SFG – Quantrill has been okay…? And it’s a weak Giants offense in a great home park.
Shane Bieber @ HOU – I doubt Bieber is pitching here with the Trade Deadline arriving before any games are played, and it’s not like you want to chance it with Bieber returning six walks in 0.2 IP last game.
Aaron Nola vs. WSH – Nola just isn’t that guy anymore.
Griffin Canning @ ARI – Canning may have an opener again, but I’m still waiting for him to showcase something for us to latch onto. In addition, his volume is awfully limited these days. Update: Moved up a day, likely after Kyle Hart.
Trevor Williams @ PHI – #NeverTrevor. It’s also a Still ILL.
Michael Lorenzen vs. TBR – In Coors. As if that really changes anything for Lorenzen.
Tuesday 8/4 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)
