Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings Fantasy Baseball: 8/15 & 8/16 & 8/17

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: 89-47

My Pick yesterday: Win – Tomoyuki Sugano vs. SEA

My Pick today: Colin Rea vs. PIT

My Pick tomorrow: Zebby Matthews vs. DET

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: 70-46

PL Bot’s Pick yesterday: Win – Eduardo Rodriguez @ COL

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.

 

Friday 8/14 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings

 

Auto-Starts

 

Zack Wheeler @ WSN – Aces gonna ace.

Jacob deGrom @ TOR – Aces gonna ace.

Framber Valdez vs. BAL – Aces gonna ace.

Noah Cameron vs. CHW – He’s a “Holly” with a great matchup.

 

Probably Starts

 

MacKenzie Gore vs. PHI – He just destroyed the Giants, but they served him more LHB than usual and his problems against RHB are still present.

Lucas Giolito vs. MIA – Giolito is a “Holly” with a solid matchup. Stupid Fenway.

Sean Manaea vs. SEA – Manaea has been struggling but this has to be corrected, right? Just avoid the big inning.

Colin Rea vs. PIT – He’s been a reliable streamer and look at that, the Pirates!

Luis Gil @ STL – Gil is earning enough strikes for me to believe he can produce for a dub and strikeouts.

Joey Cantillo vs. ATL – Cantillo is landing his changeup effectively and gets a weakened Atlanta squad.

Luis Castillo @ NYM – I don’t like the matchup and I’m worried about Castillo’s fastballs getting beat more often. This may be the start where we begin to drop him…or maybe not. I’ve been doom and gloom about Castillo all year and he’s helped many fantasy teams.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Chris Bassitt vs. TEX – There’s a decent chance for a dub given his leash.

Charlie Morton @ MIN – Morton’s strikeout ability is still there and the Twins aren’t scary.

Yusei Kikuchi @ ATH – Kikuchi has strikeout upside, but it’s “Sacré Verde” and he’s a “HIPSTER”.

Jacob Misiorowski @ CIN – He’d be in the top tier if we had confidence he’d go at least five frames.

Hurston Waldrep @ CLE – I’m not as hyped as others for Waldrep, though his splitter could fare well against the LHB bats of Cleveland.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Clayton Kershaw vs. SDP – I know he just succeeded, but I can’t trust it.

Jack Perkins vs. LAA – He’s kinda cool with his cutter, but he isn’t going long and I’m not ready to jump in.

Landen Roupp vs. TBR – It’s a “Still ILL”. I’m excited for the start after though.

Nick Martinez vs. MIL – Maybe I’m too low

Joe Boyle @ SFG – He just looked terrible “@TEA”. No thanks.

Brandon Young @ HOU – Young can squeeze out production here and there. This ceiling is too low, sadly.

Brandon Pfaadt @ COL – It’s Coors + Pfaadt is not the guy you want him to be.

Sandy Alcantara @ BOS – He hasn’t found it yet and it’s Fenway.

Aaron Civale @ KCR – At least it’s a pitcher’s park. You just saw how rough this can be.

Andre Pallante vs. NYY – Oh dear.

Braxton Ashcraft @ CHC – He’s not stretched out + the Cubs. Kinda interesting once he is, though.

Randy Vásquez @ LAD – King went back on the IL (MY LIEGE!) and this is so worth our time.

Pierson Ohl vs. DET – This is likely a bullpen game but maybe Pierson gets the volume?

Tanner Gordon vs. ARI – In Coors. Please be reasonable.

 

 

Saturday 8/15 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings

 

Auto-Starts

 

Blake Snell vs. SDP – Aces gonna ace.

Max Fried @ STL – Aces gonna ace.

Bryan Woo @ NYM – Aces gonna ace.

Shota Imanaga vs. PIT – It’s the Pirates. Take another step forward, Imanaga.

 

Probably Starts

 

Sonny Gray vs. NYY – Gray has been Sonny for a few outings now and I imagine he enjoys showing the Yankees how good he could have been.

Dylan Cease @ LAD – The expanded arsenal is working in his favor. Don’t be afraid of the Dodgers.

Zebby Matthews vs. DET – I’m a bit shocked he’s under 15% rostered. What, y’all don’t like a young arm with whiffability, a 96/97 mph four-seamer, and a quintet of pitches?

Brayan Bello vs. MIA – He’s a solid “Toby” against a mid team. Unfortunately, it is in Fenway.

Casey Mize @ MIN – Another “Toby” in a good matchup.

Adrian Houser @ SFG – Houser was bamboozled by the Mariners “@TEA” and recovered after. Now it’s the Giants and he should be fine.

Ryne Nelson @ COL – I know, it’s Coors, but Nelson’s heater is still so dang good.

Justin Verlander vs. TBR – I’m a little worried about Verlander after failing with his slider last time out against a slew of LHB in DC and now the Rays are surely sending many of them to the dish.

Joey Wentz @ CLE – I’m a believer in his cutter and increased extension and the Guardians make for a good outing.

 

Questionable Starts

 

Quinn Priester @ CIN – Priester was far worse in his last start and now heads to GABP. Blegh. Is it the end of the “Vargas Rule”?

Eric Lauer vs. TEX – He just had a mediocre performance but the Rangers aren’t a team to be afraid of. Here’s to hoping the strikeouts return with whiffs on the heater.

Jason Alexander vs. BAL – Alexander just did a fantastic impression of Keuchel against the Yankees and could replicate with sinkers and changeups under the zone to the Orioles.

Zack Littell vs. MIL – I think we’re seeing the magic wear off for Littell, who has to dal with GABP aplenty.

Sean Burke @ KCR – There’s some fun with Burke if he can nail the secondaries in a friendly park.

 

Do Not Starts

 

Nolan McLean vs. SEA – We don’t start MLB debuts, but we do pick them up and make a decision after. Do that with McLean.

Slade Cecconi vs. ATL – I’m not in on Slade, sorry Brigade. I know some of you are, though, and you do you.

Cade Povich @ HOU – Povich located his fastballs incredibly well last game, but there is still work to be done on the changeup and breakers. I’m a little worried that the Astros will jump on him early in this one.

Cade Cavalli vs. PHI – Cavalli has such a pretty curveball at mid-to-upper 80s, but the command isn’t consistent enough for me to trust against a tough team.

Taijuan Walker @ WSN – I GUESS YOU GET ONE MORE. What a savior he’s been for the Phillies.

Tyler Anderson @ ATH – He’s been laboring a bit and it’s “Sacré Verde”. No thanks.

Michael Lorenzen vs. CHW – It’s the CrySox, but a “Still ILL” for a pitcher rarely worth your time.

Mike Burrows @ CHC – Burrows needs to do more to command his entire arsenal before we could trust him against the Cubs.

Patrick Corbin @ TOR – The Jays eat LHP, especially in Toronto. Corbin has had a shockingly good year and improved his changeup feel lately, but we can’t.

Chase Dollander vs. ARI – Dollander was….fine in his last start away from Coors. Now he’s home and it shouldn’t work.

Luis Morales vs. LAA – He’s kinda interesting with his sinker that runs aplenty and pair of breakers. Definitely not fantasy relevant yet, though.

Cal Quantrill @ BOS – This has all the makings of a disaster.

 

 

Sunday 8/16 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.