SP Streamers for today's, tomorrow's and the day after tomorrow's games for fantasy baseball.
Every day of the 2025 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 Playback.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 Playback 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):
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 Playback 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 2025 Streamer Record: 97-54
My Pick yesterday: Loss - Nestor Cortes @ MIN
My Pick today: Spencer Arrighetti vs. LAA
My Pick tomorrow: Ian Seymour @ WSN
My Pick day after tomorrow: Unlock with PL Pro
My picks for the day after tomorrow are located at the bottom of this article for PL Pro members.
In addition, PL Pro Members have access to my 14-Day Sit/Start SP Grid, ranking all expected starters into the four tiers across the next fourteen days. You can find it on the PL Pro Hub Page.
PL Bot's 2025 Streamer Record: 97-54
PL Bot's Pick yesterday: Loss - Nestor Cortes @ MIN
PL Bot's Pick today: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Pick tomorrow: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Pick day Sunday: Unlock with PL Pro
PL Bot's Picks are located at the bottom of this article for PL Pro members.
Saturday 8/30 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Logan Gilbert @ CLE - Aces gonna ace.
Tyler Glasnow vs. ARI - Aces gonna ace.
Trevor Rogers @ SFG - He's on such a good run and the Giants are a gift he doesn't need.
Nick Pivetta @ MIN - Aces gonna ace.
Cristopher Sánchez vs. ATL - Aces gonna ace.
Andrew Abbott vs. STL - Abbott has had more stumbles in the second half, though this isn't the time to start benching.
Probably Starts
David Peterson vs. MIA - It's the Marlins.
Cam Schlittler @ CHW - Cam likely won't have the same command we saw against the Rays, but his stuff is legit and he's finding his groove.
Ryan Pepiot @ WSN - It's not in Tampa Bay and against a mid offense.
Merrill Kelly @ ATH - Despite the bad draw, Kelly is too reliable to fear "Sacré Verde".
Edward Cabrera @ NYM - The Mets are a tough offense these days, while Cabrera is pitching his best ball. It's difficult to hold him back.
Questionable Starts
Jack Flaherty @ KCR - It's your classic sitcom of "Will they, won't they?" for this "HIPSTER".
Kevin Gausman vs. MIL - He's a "HIPSTER".
Gavin Williams vs. SEA - So is he. Good luck with these three.
Spencer Arrighetti vs. LAA - I believe in "The Pasta Pirate" for the longterm, but he hasn't found a consistent groove yet. This could be the one.
Chris Sale @ PHI - It's a "Still ILL" after Sale has expressed lower velocity during his rehab...which could be by design. Up to you.
Quinn Priester @ TOR - Priester was off in his last start and now has a tough assignment. He's overperformed thus far and after being pushed back to help him get extra rest, the confidence is waning.
Do Not Starts
Mick Abel vs. SDP - I'm a big believer in Abel over the course of his career and will have him circled as a sleeper for 2026. Sadly, he's a "Young Gun" at this point, especially with the Padres up next. But there's a chance the command comes back...
Michael McGreevy @ CIN - He's a groundballer with good command, who just got fortunate to return plenty of strikeouts. This is a stream for a Win or QS if you're in need.
Shane Smith vs. NYY - It's the Yankees and Smith hasn't had his secondaries lately.
Javier Assad @ COL - Assad has found a way despite my concerns, but it's Coors. It doesn't feel impactful enough for the risk.
Eduardo Rodriguez @ LAD - Erod could have his precision and come through, and also, it's the Dodgers. Not worth it.
Dustin May vs. PIT - The Pirates, right?! Wellll, May isn't doing anything special since coming to Boston (including the upped cutter usage, I know) + Fenway does him few favors.
Johan Oviedo @ BOS - I wish his command was more reliable and he wasn't heading into Fenway. There's upside in that arm if it were to all come together.
Carson Seymour vs. BAL - He throws hard and I wonder how much he'll actually go in this one. This isn't the time to chase him.
Taj Bradley vs. SDP - You know you can't trust this.
Stephen Kolek vs. DET - The Royals are pushing back Cameron to give him some extra rest. Kolek has a chance to toss five or six boring frames with minimal upside.
Mason Barnett vs. TEX - He's getting the call for the Athletics in "Sacré Verde" and fails to hold exciting stuff to chase.
Jake Irvin vs. TBR - This hasn't worked out much at all.
Kyle Hendricks @ HOU - Ditto.
Tristan Beck vs. BAL - Beck isn't stretched out for this one.
McCade Brown vs. CHC - It's the Colorado SP.
Sunday 8/31 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
Auto-Starts
Tarik Skubal @ KCR - Aces gonna ace.
Jacob deGrom @ ATH - Aces gonna ace.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. ARI - Aces gonna ace.
Joe Ryan vs. SDP - Aces gonna ace.
Hunter Brown vs. LAA - Aces gonna ace.
Brandon Woodruff @ TOR - Woody has been too dang good.
Probably Starts
Kodai Senga vs. MIA - Despite his questionable month, Senga against the Marlins is a lovely play.
Lucas Giolito vs. PIT - It's the Pirates, even in Fenway.
Max Scherzer vs. MIL - The Brewers aren't enough to stop the hot stretch of Scherzer.
Bryce Miller @ CLE - It's not at home, but Miller's emphasis on splitters last time makes me encouraged he can handle the LHB-focused Guardians (though I may be over-estimating the splitter's consistency...).
Matthew Boyd @ COL - Welcome to the sole start remaining for Boyd that will give you pause. I'm going for it - the skills are still there.
Luis Gil @ CHW - Gil hasn't granted us the confidence we're looking for, though it's a good Win chance and he's maneuvered his way through lineups.
Questionable Starts
Jesús Luzardo vs. ATL - He's a "Cherry Bomb" and it's up to you here.
Brady Singer vs. STL - Singer's breakers are working well, I just wish it wasn't at GABP.
Ian Seymour @ WSN - Seymour was fantatic in his first start for the Rays, though he may still be limited, making the realistic ceiling sit around five frames. At least it's not in Tampa Bay.
Michael Wacha vs. DET - He's as much of a "Toby" as any.
Tomoyuki Sugano @ SFG - Sugano's command is everything and the Giants give a little bit of wiggle room if he doesn't have peak precision.
José Soriano @ HOU - He's a "HIPSTER". You know the drill.
Sandy Alcantara @ NYM - Three straight starts of production for your fantasy teams and you're hoping he can make it four. The Mets are a true test and I'm scared.
Justin Verlander vs. BAL - The sliders aren't working as we want them to, though Oracle Park merged with a mid offense is a good combination.
J.T. Ginn vs. TEX - If the command is there, it's possible Ginn can survive "Sacré Verde" and give you a QS.
Hurston Waldrep @ PHI - Waldrep's splitter was gone and it showed against the Marlins. He'll need it back plus require a bit of luck to endure the Phillies.
Do Not Starts
Mitch Keller @ BOS - Keller just had a strikeout explosion that shouldn't be trusted. Now it's Fenway and I'm not a fan.
Tanner Bibee vs. SEA - We've waited too long for Bibee to come through + the Mariners are not an easy offense on the road.
Brandon Pfaadt @ LAD - It's the Dodgers + Pfaadt can't be trusted.
Martín Pérez vs. NYY - I dig Pérez as the veteran version of the standard "southpaw with a changeup", but he needs to be his best self against the mighty Yankee thump.
Brad Lord vs. TBR - At least Lord has a sinker with a ton of run.
Randy Vásquez @ MIN - His ceiling is awfully boring.
Andre Pallante @ CIN - Civale hurts a lot more than helps.
Tanner Gordon vs. CHC - It's the Colorado SP.
Monday 9/1 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings
New for PL Pro members - I am making the streaming table for an extra day out (no write-ups as these pitchers change often). I wanted to add a bonus for those who support us without taking anything away from everyone else, and I thought this was a good compromise.
In addition, PL Pro Members have access to my Sit/Start SP Grid, ranking all expected starters into the four tiers across the next fourteen days. You can find it on the PL Pro Hub Page.
