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: 85-61
My Pick yesterday: Win – Jacob Lopez @ HOU (ND): 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BB, 9 K
My Pick today: Cal Quantrill vs. LAA
My Pick tomorrow: George Klassen vs. CLE
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: 77-69
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Win – Cody Bradford vs. LAA (L): 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BB, 3 K
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
Andrew Sears @ KCR – The Tigers are calling up Sears after just two starts in Triple-A and I kinda dig the fella. Yes, PILOT Rule, but I can see this working on a desperate Sunday. If he were to stick in the rotation, it would be the Dodgers next, so treat a spec-add as just for today. He’s a 95 mph southpaw with a low arm angle but relatively good vert, a changeup for RHB he may need to throw more, and a slow 82/83 mph slider without a ton of movement. That heater lives upstairs, though, and could be a better version of Manaea’s.
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 (Opener) 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 (Opener) @ 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?
Carmen Mlodzinski (Opener) @ LAD – He doesn’t go long AND it’s the Dodgers.
Monday 8/24 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Chase Burns @ SFG – Aces gonna ace.
Zack Wheeler @ SEA – Aces gonna ace.
Logan Gilbert vs. PHI – Aces gonna ace. Pushed back a day with Kade’s called up, moving Woo to Tuesday.
Drew Rasmussen @ DET – Aces gonna ace and not make us terrified. Please.
Cade Cavalli vs. COL – This should be a cakewalk.
Parker Messick @ LAA – Messick is at 95 mph. We love this.
Braxton Ashcraft @ SDP – Ashcraft has tallied 17 IP in his last two starts, even with his slider feel waning.
Probably Starts
Ranger Suarez @ MIA – He’s not locked in, but it’s the Marlins.
Kevin Gausman @ ARI – COME ON NICK. I’m sorry, but he’s been stupid unlucky and the Cubs’ defense should be helping him more than they have thus far.
Robbie Ray vs. PIT – Ray is slowly, step by step, getting back to the guy he should be + the ratios have been shockingly good despite his struggles.
Questionable Starts
George Klassen vs. CLE – On one hand, I love the gyro slider and his improved ability to throw strikes. On the other, it could be 100% LHB and I’m not sure Klassen has the arsenal to deal with it.
José Urquidy vs. TEX – Urquidy gave us six brilliant frames as a follower. We’re not seeing Peak Urquidy from his time with the Astros, but this could still be good enough.
Framber Valdez vs. TBR – PicardTheresStillTime.gif
Do Not Starts
Kumar Rocker @ CHW – Rocker is getting his slider down and featuring 17″ run on his sinker, but the results aren’t there. He’s an early-week strikeout play if you’re dire for them.
Zebby Matthews @ ATH – He’s HR prone with his ultra-zone approach without hitting the edges and it’s Sacré Verde. Yikes.
Merrill Kelly vs. CHC – Kelly needs a whole lot more luck than usual.
Jeffrey Springs vs. MIN – There’s no reason to expect sunshine and rainbows.
Tyler Phillips vs. BOS – Phillips could easily be limited here.
Carson Whisenhunt vs. CIN – Whisenhunt’s change is great, but we need more from the rest.
Ryan Feltner @ WSH – Even outside Coors in a great matchup, you can’t do this.
Tuesday 8/25 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)
