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: 83-60
My Pick yesterday: Win – Jackson Jobe @ PIT (ND): 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BB, 3 K
My Pick today: Gage Jump @ KCR
My Pick tomorrow: Joe Musgrove vs. MIN
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: 75-68
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Win – Kumar Rocker vs. WSH (L): 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BB, 3 K
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
Auto-Starts
Jacob Misiorowski vs. ATL – Aces gonna ace.
Chris Sale @ MIL – Aces gonna ace.
Cam Schlittler vs. TOR – Aces gonna ace.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. PIT – Aces gonna ace.
Jesús Luzardo vs. STL – Aces gonna ace.
Troy Melton @ KCR – His floor is incredible as a baseline + heading to Kansas City amplifies it further.
Sonny Gray vs. SFG – It sure is Sonny these days and it’s the Giants.
Sean Burke vs. NYM – Two of the last three starts from Burke have been 4.1 IP disappointments, but they were sandwiched by a phenomenal 20 whiff outing. You can’t bench this.
Logan Webb @ BOS – Webb is doing Webb things and the Red Sox don’t like RHP.
Reid Detmers @ TEX – Detmers is cooking and it’s a great matchup in Arlington.
Trevor Rogers vs. TBR – After a day of terrible changeup command, Rogers rebounded to his fantastic self with 94/95 mph heaters up and slowballs + sweepers down.
Probably Starts
Noah Cameron vs. DET – He’s on fire. He’s throwing harder and featuring better command of his secondaries, and he has a good home park.
Eduardo Rodriguez vs. CIN – This Vargas Rule marches on.
Emerson Hancock vs. CHC – Hancock just flexed the ideal RHB approach I’ve wanted him to feature all season with sinkers in and sweepers away. Can you go tell Kirby about it?
Nick Lodolo @ ARI – I may be a little too high here, and I’d traditionally want to wait for Lodolo to get a few more starts under his belt to get into rhythm. However, his changeup feel is there and he just needs one heater and/or his curveball to do the rest.
MacKenzie Gore vs. LAA – Gore demolished the Angels with changeups last time they met, and has since displayed pinpoint accuracy of his heater. If he could combine the two here…
Sean Manaea @ CHW – The velocity is still there for Manaea and I’m still starting him after last week’s mediocrity.
Matthew Boyd @ SEA – Boyd was ambushed by a magical Baez debut and @TEA should quell the longball.
Questionable Starts
Joe Musgrove vs. MIN – It’s a Still ILL for Musgrove, who we haven’t seen for a long time. You’d think I’d have him in the DNS tier, but he tossed 70 pitches in his final rehab start and sat 95 mph in each of his last two Triple-A games. Wait, doesn’t he sit 92/93 mph? YUP. Dude is throwing A LOT HARDER. Grab him while you still can.
Joey Cantillo @ COL – Cantillo is cool, but Coors is not.
Hayden Wesneski vs. ATH – I still question if Wesneski has good enough command of his arsenal to squeeze out success on a given night. It’s a weak Athletics crew, though, and hopefully the sweeper can clean up.
J.T. Ginn @ HOU – If you want to Vargas Rule this, I don’t blame you. At least it’s away from Sacré Verde.
Hunter Dobbins @ PHI – Dobbins is interesting with his 94 mph cut-fastball and wide arsenal, but I hate sending him to Philly, and this could return few strikeouts.
Connor Prielipp @ SDP – Last time out was rough. He won’t be like that all the time and the whiffability is still there.
Do Not Starts
Bubba Chandler @ LAD – It’s the Dodgers. I know Bubba is getting better results than the first half, and he’s making small changes to become a sustainable fantasy arm, but, again, it’s the Dodgers.
Freddy Peralta @ BAL – Peralta is 0/3 giving you what you want as a member of the Rays.
Will Dion @ MIA (Opener) – I’m low key excited about this…? He’s just such a strange arm with one of the most extreme arm angles over-the-top from a southpaw at 90 mph + a 78 mph changeup and an interesting cutter he can throw down at times. JUST SAYIN’.
Ryan Gusto vs. WSH – Gusto has not been consistent and the Marlins keep him on a short leash.
Spencer Arrighetti @ NYY – He’s down to 90 mph during his rehab starts. Yikes.
Tanner Gordon vs. CLE – It’s Coors, y’all.
Saturday 8/22 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)
