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: 104-73
My Pick yesterday: Loss – Cristian Javier @ SEA (ND): 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BB, 2 K
My Pick today: Connor Prielipp @ SFG
My Pick tomorrow: Zac Thornton @ TEX
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: 90-87
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Loss – Yusei Kikuchi @ ATH (ND): 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BB, 2 K
Wednesday 9/23 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Chris Sale vs. CIN – Aces gonna ace.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. SDP – Aces gonna ace.
Logan Henderson @ PHI – Aces gonna ace.
Nolan McLean @ TEX – Don’t see why we’d stop now.
Sonny Gray vs. CLE – Ditto.
Probably Starts
Gerrit Cole vs. TBR – I don’t have him in the top tier as he’s still struggling to find whiffs across the arsenal, especially with his secondaries.
Connor Prielipp @ SFG – That game was so good and I imagine I’m higher on Prielipp than most. The increased breaking ball usage is what I’ve been waiting for, and in a fantastic matchup, I have faith Prielipp is dying to get the ball back and do it again.
Walbert Ureña @ ATH – Ureña has had a stupid good season out of nowhere, and Sacré Verde isn’t enough to hold him back.
Ian Seymour @ NYY – Yes, the last one wasn’t great. It’s still Seymour.
Kevin Gausman vs. MIA – But he’s a HIPSTER! Yeah, I get it completely. Personally, I believe that Gausman should do well on a given night against the Marlins with the Cubs defense at his back. You do you, I’m doing it.
Questionable Starts
George Kirby vs. HOU – He really should be fantastic and he’s…not. He’s a pure HIPSTER and I have no idea what will happen here.
Framber Valdez vs. WSH – Same with Valdez, though there is a touch of hope after he had a fantastic curveball last game. Sadly, it was masked by a poor feel for sinker. Now if that sinker returns to normal, that would be swell.
Foster Griffin @ BOS – Griffin’s consistency has teetered more regularly in the second half and Fenway isn’t the best place to pitch. At least the Guardians will work him as much as they can to help win the division.
Robbie Ray @ LAD – Ray just overcame Coors. He’s stepped up against strong teams in the past. It’s all because his success is about his own execution moreso than the opponent he faces. The floor, however, does change.
Aaron Nola vs. MIL – Nola has refused to surrender a HR in three of his last four games. If the curveball can be a CSW darling and the four-seamer can avoid damage, Nola will produce.
Matthew Liberatore @ PIT – The slider propelled an ear 30% strikeout rate for a solid run for Libby, and it was nowhere near as effective the last time we saw him. It’s PNC Park and if you’re searching for punchouts, this is a good dart throw.
Do Not Starts
Merrill Kelly @ COL – If Kelly has the changeup cooking, it gives him a shot, even in Coors.
Cesar Perdomo vs. MIN – Perdomo is displaying the intent of a SWATCH and executed it properly in his debut start. It’s been off since, but it could return against the Twins.
Cody Bradford vs. NYM – This hasn’t worked for a bit, yet he’s been close. It’s still in there if you’re desperate.
Brad Lord (Opener) @ DET – The Nationals have shut down Cade Cavalli for the season (non-injury related), and going opener + Lord as the follower. He’s not a bad arm and there could be a cheap Win here.
Erick Fedde (Opener) @ KCR – Are they going to open for Fedde? If they do, he has a shot at a Win.
Chris Bassitt vs. TOR – Bassitt gives you a long leash, but at what cost?
Max Scherzer @ BAL – That ten-strikeout game was cool. It won’t happen again.
Seth Lugo vs. CHW – Lugo has the leash without the quality.
Ethan Pecko @ SEA – Same with Pecko. Doesn’t hurt to pitch in @TEA.
Andrew Abbott @ ATL – Abbott has been rocky for a while.
CJ Van Eyk @ BAL – He just tossed seven frames in the minors and it’s possible he goes longer than Trey, Matz, Springs, Gusto, and Abbott.
Ryan Gusto @ CHC – Gusto doesn’t go long enough to make this worth a shot.
Jeffrey Springs vs. LAA – Sunshine and Rainbows have abandoned him.
Antwone Kelly (Opener) vs. STL – I expected this to be Khristian Curtis, but it looks as though he’s going later in the week now…? Kelly could be in position to get the Win, but the Pirates may have a whole slew of arms out of the pen today.
Trey Gibson vs. TOR – The Breakers can be cool, but this will most likely be destructive.
Mason Adams vs. ARI – Absolutely not.
Steven Matz @ NYY – This looks like a bullpen game after Tuesday’s doubleheader. But maybe he is allowed to be the follower…?
Thursday 9/24 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Cam Schlittler vs. TBR – Aces gonna ace.
Tyler Glasnow vs. SDP – Aces gonna ace.
Bryan Woo vs. LAA – He’s looking like his best self again.
Tyler Mahle vs. CIN – Let’s be real, you are not benching Mahle anywhere.
Probably Starts
Ranger Suarez vs. CLE – I’m trusting Suarez to be his normal solid self here.
Paul Skenes vs. STL – What do we do with you? Are you actually injured? He’s still earning a ton of whiffs, which makes me inclined to start him despite the ratios.
Clay Holmes vs. MIA – If you’re looking for volume with a good Win chance, The Adobe is the place to rent.
Zac Thornton @ TEX – Thornton has been shockingly good at locating his four-seamer up and cutter inside to RHB, while improving his attack to LHB. The stuff makes me wary, but he’s down it for a while now.
Freddy Peralta @ NYY – Peralta was moved up a day and without Judge in the lineup, I think we’re okay to rely on his recent gains.
Questionable Starts
Peter Lambert @ ATH – I dig Lambert. I don’t dig pitching in Sacré Verde.
Eduardo Rodriguez @ COL – Erod has hit a major wall and now it’s Coors. Yikes.
Nick Pivetta @ LAD – Pivetta is facing the Dodgers after giving us another low-pitch count outing with few whiffs. He’s not back yet.
Randy Dobnak vs. CHW – Randy had that DOB and not that DOG in him last start. He could sling those sinkers, sweepers, and changeups effectively this time against a poor offense.
David Sandlin @ KCR – Sandlin will be opposite Dobnak and is also hoping to rebound from a rough one. He has better stuff without the track record of inducing weak contact and throwing strikes.
Cooper Hjerpe (Opener) @ PIT – We’re expecting Kyle Leahy to open once again, who should allow far fewer runs than he has in limited frames across his last three games. Hjerpe’s side-arm four-seamer has potential for whiffs upstairs and the Pirates aren’t scary.
Do Not Starts
José Urquidy vs. MIL – Urquidy vs. Gordon is a fun one – two quiet
Tanner Bibee @ BOS – I just can’t, y’all. Sure, it could work. It also has been so blegh.
Colton Gordon @ PHI – Oh hey! We haven’t seen Gordon since late April and he’s fresh off multiple 90+ pitch outings, featuring good sinker/sweeper command to LHB and solid pitch separation toward the edges against RHB. A sleeper streamer for deep leagues.
Grayson Rodriguez @ SEA – The four-seamer and changeup command is good, while the breakers were a bit better last time out. Throw in @TEA and this has sneaky written all over it. So that means it won’t work, right? You betcha.
Kumar Rocker vs. NYM – If you need strikeouts, Rocker has been able to get arms fishing under the plate for sliders. However, it’s rare to see him go more than five frames, if that.
Brady Singer @ ATL – It has been difficult to watch Singer lately.
Tyler Phillips @ CHC – Phillips is not the arm you’re looking for. He’s on a short leash and the quality is mid.
Mason Barnett vs. HOU – This hasn’t worked at all.
Ryan Feltner vs. ARI – Absolutely not.
Friday 9/25 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)
