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: 91-67
My Pick yesterday: Loss – Jack Perkins @ SEA (ND): 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BB, 7 K
My Pick today: Jared Jones vs. LAA
My Pick tomorrow: Yusei Kikuchi @ PIT
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: 80-78
PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Loss – Jack Perkins @ SEA (ND): 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BB, 7 K
Friday 9/4 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Chris Sale @ PHI – Aces gonna ace.
Blake Snell vs. WSH – Aces gonna #HOTSNELLSUMMER
Logan Gilbert vs. ATH – Aces gonna ace.
Nolan McLean vs. SFG – It’s the Giants, y’all.
Cristopher Sánchez vs. ATL – Even with the higher WHIP these days, I’m going to let Sánchez fly. He’s still a great play.
Probably Starts
Shota Imanaga @ MIA – Yeah, I know the HRs are back. I’m still doing it. It’s a pitcher’s park and the velocity is there.
Nick Martinez @ TEX – It’s too good of a Vargas Rule to stop now, even without the strikeouts.
Jared Jones vs. LAA – Jones gets a RHB lineup that his stuff is made to dominate.
Foster Griffin vs. DET – Here’s a solid Toby play.
Max Fried @ SDP – The Yankees are piggybacking Fried with Will Warren. That means both Fried and Warren are worthwhile plays for a dub, while neither is exemplary given the lower ceiling.
Questionable Starts
Shane Baz vs. BOS – Baz’s curveball is solid, but he’s run into more trouble lately.
Zebby Matthews @ CHW – Zebby’s command is looking better than ever. I wonder if there’s something to it.
Ranger Suarez @ BAL – Speaking of rhythm, Suarez has lost his. It could be good enough for 5+ frames here, but it’s precarious.
Keider Montero @ CLE – Montero is starting one of the doubleheaders today and the Guardians shouldn’t be a major obstacle to continue his WHIP excellence.
Cristian Javier vs. ARI – Javier is finding more whiffs. This should output strong performances in time. Probably.
Shane Drohan @ CIN – It’s good to see the Brewers giving Drohan a longer shot in the rotation, and I hope he can dominate with his secondaries.
Merrill Kelly @ HOU – Kelly is starting to regain our trust, though this may be difficult with the RHB-lineup.
Do Not Starts
Kumar Rocker (Opener) vs. TBR – Rocker has strikeout potential, but the ratio risk is too high.
Ryan Johnson @ PIT – It’s the Pirates for a pitcher who rarely goes five frames. It’s a super cheap ratio play with a poor floor.
Walker Buehler vs. NYY – Buehler has surprised us all with a prolonged stay in the rotation and multiple successful outings. And yet, the ceiling is too low to risk a huge blowup.
Matt Wilkinson @ NYM – There’s some fun in Tugboat. He’s also carrying a Shag Rug with a 90 mph fastball.
Rhett Lowder vs. MIL – Lowder’s slider and change are solid and give him a chance for six quiet innings. Another low stud ceiling with a long leash.
Janson Junk vs. CHC – He’s not earning whiffs, nor does he get the trust of his team to go long.
Jameson Taillon @ KCR – Taillon is returning and gets a lovely matchup. Who knows, maybe he goes 5+ with Koufax on his side.
Andrew Sears @ CLE – I hope Sears can tower above the rest, but from here, I’m seeing a low pitch count in his last game and stuff that needs a little more oomph for me to take the risk.
Jackson Kent @ LAD – It’s the Dodgers. I’m super curious how he pans out, though.
Andre Pallante @ COL – It’s Coors.
Erick Fedde vs. MIN – Fedde is not one to be trusted. WE WENT OVER THIS.
Daniel Lynch IV vs. TOR – We haven’t seen this work yet.
Logan Allen vs. DET – It’s going to be Allen starting the first game instead of Slade Ceconni and I want nothing to do with this.
Ryan Feltner vs. STL – It’s Coors.
Brady Basso @ SEA – With J.T. Ginn dealing with arm soreness, Basso leads the way for what appears to be a bullpen game for the Athletics.
Saturday 9/5 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Tyler Glasnow vs. WSH – Aces gonna ace.
Drew Rasmussen @ TEX – Aces gonna ace.
Jacob deGrom vs. TBR – Aces gonna ace.
Parker Messick vs. DET – One of the best floors out there.
Sonny Gray @ BAL – Sonny was granted extra rest and should come out hot Hot HOT!
Carlos Rodón @ SDP – Rodón isn’t fully back yet, but he’s stretched out enough and should be trusted.
Cade Cavalli @ LAD – This is Coronation Day for Cavalli.
Braxton Ashcraft vs. LAA – Ashcraft isn’t throwing his breakers as much, which has tanked his whiff count, and thus his strikeout totals with it. And yet, he’s been a great ratio play. Now against the Angels, it should encourage him to throw more breakers down and away to the plethora of RHB.
Zack Wheeler vs. ATL – Wheeler is not at the top of his game. The four-seamer command is lagging behind and it does give me the willies. And also, Wheeler has still been helpful. Mostly. If the Phillies aren’t giving him rest, then he’s good enough for us.
Probably Starts
Clay Holmes @ MIA – We just had a strikeout explosion from The Adobe and now he gets a great matchup. Expect fewer strikeouts than innings, with a solid chance for a WQS – Wonderful Quality Start (Win and low ratios). Should that be a thing? People will think VVPQS is the same thing. No no no, it’s a double-U, how is this so confusing?! Because of the latins and their refusal to chisel a U. Ahhhhh.
Brandon Pfaadt @ HOU – Pfaadt is featuring the best pitch separation he’s ever had. I do wonder how good his sinker/sweeper will be as he won’t be able to cruise on the back of high heaters and low changeups to LHB as much as he has.
Taj Bradley @ CHW – He is who he is. A Cherry Bomb.
George Kirby vs. ATH – Can I just shove Kirby into the Cherry Bomb crew too? This is such a good matchup with the Athletics @TEA that I can’t refuse.
Robbie Ray vs. NYY – Robbie is taking very slow steps forward to get his approach back in order, while also maintaining a super-low ERA during his valley. And a poor WHIP. We’ll let that slide.
Questionable Starts
Yusei Kikuchi @ PIT – I’m kinda down for this after Kikuchi showcased a strong slider last time out while throwing a ton of strikes. He’s a LHP in PNC Park, after all.
Dustin May @ CIN – May’s last three games have been all kinds of abnormal and yet, rhythm is a major deal. I sure hope he gets back on the horse here.
Zac Thornton vs. SFG – Thornton gets a cushy matchup and has continued to locate his four-seamers and cutters effectively to RHB for weak outs in play.
Anthony Kay vs. MIN – It’s been cool seeing Kay take his poor control that nibbled a little too far around the edges of the plate and make the small tweaks to find more strikes across the season. It’s still not a super high ceiling, though.
Martín Pérez @ PHI – Pérez is pitching well enough to give you a chance at a cheap dub.
Framber Valdez @ CLE – Oh Valdez. I have no idea. Please, please make this work.
Do Not Starts
Max Scherzer @ KCR – That last start was AWESOME. It was also an absolute outlier in his season that is unlikely to be repeated.
Andrew Abbott vs. MIL – Abbott does what Abbott does.
Chris Bassitt vs. BOS – The leash is long, but we usually don’t want to see what’s at the end of it.
Seth Lugo vs. TOR – Same with Lugo.
Anthony Molina @ NYM – Molina intrigues me. It’s a four-seamer that creates a better floor than your typical heater and if the secondaries can pair effectively, he could be a sneaky September streamer.
Kyle Leahy @ COL – It’s Coors + Leahy is on a limited pitch count.
Ryan Gusto vs. CHC – Gusto isn’t worth the squeeze. So should I pull back the goons? Lemon squeeze! LEMON SQUEEZE!
Ethan Pecko vs. ARI – We finally saw a decent outing from Pecko and I sure wouldn’t expect that to be the norm.
Jeffrey Springs @ SEA – It’s so hard to find sunshine and rainbows for Springs. Especially in Seattle, eh? Well, not in this context, but sure. Let’s just not.
Mason Adams vs. STL – It’s Coors + Adams ain’t it.
Sunday 9/6 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)
