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: 84-61
My Pick yesterday: Win – Hayden Wesneski vs. ATH (W): 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BB, 4 K
My Pick today: Jacob Lopez @ HOU
My Pick tomorrow: Cal Quantrill vs. LAA
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: 76-69
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Loss – Spencer Arrighetti @ NYY (L): 3.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BB, 4 K
Saturday 8/22 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Tarik Skubal vs. PIT – Aces gonna ace.
Dylan Cease @ NYY – Aces gonna ace.
Eury Pérez vs. WSH – He’s vying for an AGA tag and this is the Nationals.
Logan Henderson vs. ATL – It’s Coronation Day for Henderson, who gets a solid Atlanta crew that has been colder than expected.
Probably Starts
Jacob Lopez @ HOU – I’m a huge believer in rolling with pitchers who have displayed command/approach improvements mid-season and JLo flipped the switch a month ago to replicate his 2025 summer self, and has replicated its results since. LET IT RIDE.
Ryan Weathers vs. TOR – Weathers is featuring sinkers over four-seamers and cashed in a -1.60 ERA improvement to a 2.70 clip without allowing HRs…at the cost of a higher WHIP and fewer strikeouts. More Wins and fewer ER is worth it, right?
Michael Wacha vs. DET – He’s a reliable Toby in a good matchup.
Michael Soroka vs. CIN – I’m leaning toward START for Soroka given the matchup, but I am a little worried that he hasn’t replicated his elite pitch separation from April/May across his first two starts back from the IL.
Hunter Brown vs. ATH – I’m weirded out by Brown’s inability to feature a dominant four-seamer since his return from the IL. It’s flashed elite again at times, but the strike rates are typically around 50% these days. Please fix this.
Christian Scott @ CHW – I adore Scott’s latest feel for executing the “Canbial McSanchez” to LHB, and I hope he finds that last gear to feature a pitch he can confidently spot down and in town. The sweeper isn’t that (it gets too much lift), the splitter is unreliable, and my hope is that the 90/91 mph “sinker” is used more (I think it’s a changeup). We’ll find out.
Casey Mize vs. MIN – Mize’s velocity is back to normal (phew) and it’s all about nailing down the slider consistently. Splitters for whiffs would be nice, too.
Cody Bradford vs. LAA – It’s tough to put trust in an 89/90 mph velocity arm, I get it. Bradford has a history of outperforming his velocity via 7+ feet of extension and excellent precision upstairs with changeups landing down. The Angels hate changeups from southpaws as this classic SWATCH could feast.
Questionable Starts
Brandon Young vs. TBR – The four-seamer had the extra vert in the Trop, but everything else let him down. There’s still a shot they return with solid fastball command in Camden.
Dean Kremer @ SDP – Kremer was super unlucky with a Careful, Icarus against the Phillies as Bohm hit a high-and-tight splitter for a longball and ruined his night in the sixth. The splitter and cutter are still better than before his revenge game against the Orioles.
Kade Anderson vs. CHC – We’ve been waiting a long time for Kade to make his debut after demolishing Double-A with a 41% strikeout rate and 4% walk rate (LOL). He’s an atypical #1 prospect, though, with 93/94 mph four-seamer velo, an 86 mph gyro slider with extra sweep and a decent changeup from the left side. His command has been impeccable, though, and despite the PILOT Rule, there is hope that it carries over into the majors for his debut. That said, I’m always a little wary of changeup/command driven success in the minors (especially without Triple-A games), and I wonder how well it’ll actually translate. He’s 100% worth adding now and seeing how it goes given the extreme K-BB% rates – I may be overthinking this and should just say “Hey, his K-BB% rate is 100th percentile. So he’s great.”
Andrew Painter vs. STL – I was initially lower on Painter after watching him fail to get whiffs on perfectly dotted sweepers and sliders to RHB, but my OTC podcast co-host Eric Samulski pointed me to a Cole Weintraub article outlining how Painter changed his four-seamer to turn it into a 120 plvStuff+ pitch overnight. Painter said his four-seam fastball was the “best it’s been since TJ.” If that heater actually sticks, then we’ve got something here.
Jared Jones @ LAD – It’s the Dodgers, but we all know the stuff is there to go 5/6 innings of strong production.
Shane McClanahan @ BAL – McShane tossed fewer than 60 pitches in his Still ILL and I worry that he won’t exceed 70 here, let alone the Toby-esque quality of his healthy starts before injury.
David Peterson @ SEA – Peterson is getting the pearl again for the Cubs instead of Assad, though we may see this as a piggyback between them with Assad throwing innings on Tuesday. It’s @TEA and if Peterson has decent enough four-seamer and sinker command, he could skate through frames once again.
Martín Pérez @ MIL – This is your Win stream if you need it. Pérez was stellar for a few games, had a terrible first frame last time, then settled in to go four shutout after. One innings shouldn’t change your impression of him.
Drew Anderson @ KCR – I upgraded Anderson to the bottom of Tier 3 as he’s stretched out and gets a fantastic matchup. If the split-change can earn enough strikes, this could help your squads.
Quinn Mathews @ PHI – Mathews is getting more starts (sweet!) and I want to be more excited, but he hasn’t been efficient enough yet to avoid the Shag Rug + it’s not in Busch Stadium.
Do Not Starts
Rhett Lowder @ ARI – Lowder is away from Great American Small Park, though, like Pallante, the risk/reward balance isn’t in our favor enough to circle in standard situations. Not a bad desperate play for the weekend.
Luis Castillo vs. NYM – I’ve lost all faith in Castillo, but at least he has a long leash.
Blade Tidwell @ BOS – Tidwell is only great when he can throw sweepers away to RHB all day.
Ryan Johnson @ TEX – The Angels are leaving Johnson in the rotation with Kikuchi returning tomorrow (for now…?) and it’s possible he goes five frames of meh.
Patrick Sandoval vs. SFG – Sandoval may be replaced by Brayan Bello and keep an eye out for that. If we get wind of Bello following, he’s in the Probably Start tier.
Tanner Bibee @ COL – Bibee has been super inconsistent + it’s Coors.
Jake Irvin @ MIA – Despite increased velocity and a new changeup & cutter emphasis, Irvin still hasn’t found success. Yet. If the breakers become dope once again, I may be interested.
Gabriel Hughes vs. CLE – It’s Coors. If I believed Hughes could locate the cut-fastball inside to all LHB he faces, then I’d be interested. Alas, we saw that just once this year.
Sunday 8/23 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Blake Snell vs. PIT – It’s #HotSnellSummer and Coronation Day.
Cristopher Sánchez vs. STL – The WHIP is hurting a ton, yet I don’t believe he’ll continue sitting 94 mph with a low strike rate changeup.
Nolan McLean @ CHW – McLean’s approach is “My stuff moves and I just need it to be around the plate.” No, that isn’t the most confidence-inducing approach.
Shota Imanaga @ SEA – It’s a great park and he was back to 91/92 mph.
Probably Starts
Carlos Rodón vs. TOR – He was limited to 66 pitches in his Still ILL, and at 75 pitches, this is a good play, just not a great one.
Tyler Mahle @ MIL – Mahle is on a roll and I still trust him even when he’s not getting an A+ location mark in his PLV card.
Shane Baz vs. TBR – Baz’s curveball is looking awesome. I wish the change and curve were a bit better, but that hook has me…don’t say it…hooked. NOOOOOO.
Jake Bennett vs. SFG – He’s a Toby in a good matchup. Simple as that.
Questionable Starts
José Soriano @ NYY – The Yankees are a questionable offense as of late and if Soriano is a HIPSTER, well capable of a productive outing if he can throw enough strikes.
Nick Martinez @ BAL – Martinez hit a wall last start and you have to wonder if this Vargas Rule is at the end of its legs. One more, right?
Cal Quantrill vs. LAA – It’s pretty awesome to see The UnQuantrillfiable return a string of great starts for the Rangers, rooted in improved splitter and cutter feel. It’s not sustainable, but it could last for another game with the Angels in town.
Bryce Miller vs. CHC – He’s home. I hate the lean on his splitter and lack of feel for his secondaries, and why are we not going to the stellar four-seamer nearly as often? It makes no sense, y’all. Please make it make sense.
Kyle Leahy @ PHI – I originally had him in the second tier, but the Cardinals outlined that they will start limiting Leahy moving forward. JUST WHEN I WAS BUYING IN.
Andrew Abbott @ ARI – Abbott does what Abbott does. Which was better last start. Wow, such incredible content.
Cristian Javier vs. ATH – He gets a little better each outing and the Athletics are not a scary foe.
Do Not Starts
Foster Griffin @ COL – It’s Coors for a Toby.
Shane Drohan vs. ATL – Drohan is getting another chance to start, but it may be limited and I’m not sure what to make of the Atlanta offense.
Walker Buehler vs. MIN – Buehler has produced two straight productive starts and I won’t rule out one more with his textbook kitchen-sink approach that lacks a haymaker.
Erick Fedde vs. NYM – Fedde is throwing more of his harder cutter and had a great inside-outside approach last start. Maybe that can work against the Mets? I hope has an opener, too. Cheap wins are cool things.
Jack Perkins @ HOU – He was limited by the Athletics last start and I wouldn’t be surprised if they do so the rest of the way + we never know what he’ll look like on a given day.. I’m happy he’s not in Sacré Verde, though.
Janson Junk vs. WSH – The stuff hasn’t generated the results we’ve been looking for + the Marlins like give him an early hook. I may be underrating a game against the lowly Nationals, though.
Jackson Kent @ MIA – I can see how this could work super well for Kent against a mediocre offense, but he hasn’t put it all together in a start…yet.
Mitch Bratt vs. CIN – I’m not a fan of what Bratt brings to the table, but sure, on a desperate Sunday, he could go 5/6 innings of something decent.
Bailey Ober @ SDP – Same with Ober. 87 mph?!
Yusei Kikuchi @ TEX – It’s a Still ILL for a guy who just got rocked in his final rehab start.
Matt Wilkinson @ BOS – Is he actually going long or will this be a bullpen game? I hope they let him go five frames and I watched his two innings one YouTube if you’re curious for more. If I knew he were allowed to toss 80+ pitches, I’d have him near the bottom of the Questionable tier. It’s 90 mph with 7 ft extension that is deceptive from the left side + a changeup and breaker that seemingly work.
Tomoyuki Sugano vs. CLE – #SuganoWinWatch2026. I really hope he gets to fifteen.
Daniel Lynch IV vs. DET – Is he going to go five innings? Does it matter?
Tyler Holton @ KCR – I’m not sure what the Tigers are doing here. Is he really starting or is this a bullpen game or is he opening for…someone?
Carmen Mlodzinski @ LAD – He doesn’t go long AND it’s the Dodgers.
Monday 8/24 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)
