There are four tiers to these rankings with 12-teamers in mind:<\/p>\n
Auto-Start \u2013\u00a0Just do it. Don\u2019t overthink this, start the man. This includes \u201cif I have them rostered, I\u2019m starting them\u201d pitchers.<\/p>\n
Probably Start \u2013 I\u2019m likely starting these arms, though I recognize there is more risk than we\u2019d like there to be. Either it\u2019s 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\u2019m starting them in the majority of situations.<\/p>\n
Questionable Start \u2013\u00a0Think of this tier as \u201cI don\u2019t want to start these pitchers in a vacuum, but you could do worse.\u201d Streamers found in this tier are not pitchers I\u2019m targeting and are only if you are in dire need of one. To play it safe with streaming, just start the Probably Start streamers.<\/p>\n
Do Not Start \u2013\u00a0The reward is not worth the risk. Don\u2019t do it. Seriously, these pitchers have a very slim chance of success or sometimes\u00a0none at all.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Please keep in mind that streaming is far from a perfect play. In fact, if they work out over half the time, I\u2019d 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\u2019m only trying to help!<\/p>\n
There is a second table (and now third for PL Pro members) for tomorrow\u2019s\u00a0starting 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\u00a0will\u00a0be times when I have the incorrect pitcher going. I thank you for your future understanding.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s streaming pick in the second tier and I\u2019d roll with them everywhere. Those in Yellow are in the third tier and should be okay if you\u2019re searching for something\u00a0on a given day, but I don\u2019t recommend streaming unless you\u2019re in need. Finally, those are Red are those I really don\u2019t want to start (they are labeled as \u201cDo Not Start,\u201d after all) but have no other choice. Don\u2019t stream Do Not Start pitchers unless you are truly desperate. A streaming pick is defined as \u201crostered in 20% or fewer leagues\u201d according to Fantasy Pros<\/a>. This really\u00a0emphasizes the point that I\u2019d be happy if over 50% of these worked. I could do the whole sub 30\/40% rostered, but there\u2019s no fun in that, and it applies to a smaller audience.<\/p>\n As I do my rankings, I thought it would be helpful to showcase a table of how we\u2019re ranking offenses, granted by our PLV-powered Projections (in alphabetical order by tier):<\/p>\n PLV Projections Team Offense Ranking (4\/6 Update)<\/p>\n Remember, these offensive rankings are based on each offense\u2019s Process+ so far this year and how we project their lineups moving forward. It means you\u2019re 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).<\/p>\n To spice up these streaming recommendations, I\u2019ve included our new daily fantasy baseball projections<\/a> powered by PLV, and I\u2019ll be competing against PL Bot to pick the best streaming option each day.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n To get access to PL Bot\u2019s picks each day, sign up for PL Pro here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The streaming record is determined by \u201cWas this a productive game for 12-teamers if I started them?\u201d 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.<\/p>\n Note:\u00a0If no pitcher under 20% rostered would have qualified for a \u201cStreaming Win,\u201d no loss is granted.<\/p>\n (Opener) \u2013 Outlines that a pitcher is being opened for that day & the pitcher listed will follow the opener.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Nick\u2019s 2026 Streamer Record: 11-12 \u2013 UPDATE<\/p>\n My Pick yesterday: Win or Loss \u2013 Dean Kremer<\/a> @ CLE<\/p>\n My Pick today: Mike Burrows<\/a> vs. STL<\/p>\n My Pick tomorrow: Max Meyer<\/a> vs. STL<\/p>\n My Pick day after tomorrow:<\/p>\n 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.<\/a><\/p>\n Nick\u2019s 14-day SP Sit\/Start Grid with Tiers:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n PL Bot\u2019s 2026 Streamer Record: 13-10 \u2013 UPDATE<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n PL Bot\u2019s Pick yesterday: Win or Loss \u2013 Max Scherzer<\/a> @ ARI<\/p>\n PL Bot\u2019s Pick today:<\/p>\n PL Bot\u2019s Pick tomorrow<\/p>\n PL Bot\u2019s Pick day after tomorrow:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Sunday 4\/19 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Auto-Starts<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Bryan Woo<\/a> vs. TEX \u2013\u00a0Aces gonna ace.<\/p>\n Jacob Misiorowski<\/a> @ MIA \u2013\u00a0He feels like he\u2019s close to AGA, doesn\u2019t he?<\/p>\n Trevor Rogers<\/a> @ CLE \u2013\u00a0An easy choice here. He pitched far better than his last start\u2019s line.<\/p>\n Robbie Ray<\/a> @ WSN \u2013\u00a0He\u2019s a pretty safe play.<\/p>\n MacKenzie Gore<\/a> @ SEA \u2013\u00a0It\u2019s a fantasy matchup for Gore.<\/p>\n Garrett Crochet<\/a> vs. DET \u2013\u00a0Aces gonna NOT GIVE UP SO MANY RUNS. It\u2019s really weird not to have him at SP #1 and yet, I have to bank in that start\u00a0somehow.<\/p>\n Cole Ragans<\/a> @ NYY \u2013\u00a0It\u2019s the Yankees, but obviously Aces Gonna Ace.<\/p>\n Kevin Gausman<\/a> @ ARI \u2013\u00a0Gausman is Gausman.<\/p>\n Michael King<\/a> @ LAA \u2013\u00a0King\u2019s command isn\u2019t quite where we want it to be, but he\u2019s still a clear play.<\/p>\n Eury P\u00e9rez<\/a> vs. MIL \u2013\u00a0His command hasn\u2019t developed as much as I thought it would by now, but the stuff is just so good and Milwaukee is a weak lineup at the moment.<\/p>\n Framber Valdez<\/a> @ BOS \u2013\u00a0Valdez\u2019s curveball wasn\u2019t there last time and it\u2019s Fenway. And still, his ceiling is too high.<\/p>\n Shane McClanahan<\/a> @ PIT \u2013\u00a0We haven\u2019t seen peak McShane yet and the changeup has abandoned him in his last two. I don\u2019t expect a low changeup strike rate to last + it\u2019s the Pirates.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Probably Starts<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Jeffrey Springs<\/a> vs. CHW \u2013\u00a0He\u2019s been Sunshine and Rainbows this season. Sacr\u00e9 Verde did make his fastball worse last time out, though, and it\u2019s possible even against the CrySox, a worse fastball ruins this one.<\/p>\n Ryne Nelson<\/a> vs. TOR \u2013\u00a0Nelson\u2019s floor is higher than most with his elite four-seamer and his secondaries create an ajar door of upside.<\/p>\n Joey Cantillo<\/a> vs. BAL \u2013\u00a0The four-seamer scares me, the changeup excites me.<\/p>\n Ryan Weathers<\/a> vs. KCR \u2013\u00a0His stuff is still great, even at the lower fastball velocity, and he\u2019s not going to allow four HRs per game.<\/p>\n Reid Detmers<\/a> vs. SDP \u2013\u00a0The four-seamer\/slider was amplified by a return to his former changeup, and I can\u2019t suggest benching after a stellar performance against the Yankees last time out.<\/p>\n Andrew Painter<\/a> vs. ATL \u2013\u00a0Painter is a low-end Holly for a good squad.<\/p>\n Mike Burrows<\/a> vs. STL \u2013\u00a0Come on Nick.\u00a0He honestly pitched well save for two terrible fastball calls and execution to Naylor (5 of his 6 ER), and Koufax did the rest. It was the return of Burrows\u2019 2025 changeup and paired with his slider, I see a solid start against the Cardinals ahead.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Questionable Starts<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Bailey Ober<\/a> vs. CIN \u2013\u00a0Ober located much better last time out and now gets Reds Carpet. And yet, he\u2019s still sub-90 mph. I\u2019m\u00a0slightly\u00a0tempted. That\u2019s the best I can do.<\/p>\n Javier Assad<\/a> vs. NYM \u2013\u00a0It was\u00a0so bad\u00a0last time out. The Mets offense is\u00a0horrific.\u00a0Immovable object, unstoppable force. I\u2019ll side with Assad slightly.<\/p>\n Brady Singer<\/a> @ MIN \u2013\u00a0He\u2019s a QS option, but we saw last time how that\u2019s usually not worth the gamble.<\/p>\n Mitch Keller<\/a> vs. TBR \u2013\u00a0He\u2019s like Singer but a little worse.<\/p>\n Noah Schultz<\/a> @ ATH \u2013\u00a0We followed the PILOT rule for his debut, and we usually see a drop in jitters for the second outing. That said, Sacr\u00e9 Verde isn\u2019t the best place to get \u201ccomfortable\u201d.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Do Not Starts<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Matthew Liberatore<\/a> @ HOU \u2013\u00a0Liberatore hasn\u2019t shown the feel for his arsenal to trust him here.<\/p>\n Grant Holmes<\/a> @ PHI \u2013\u00a0The slider can get whiffs, but that\u2019s about it. He doesn\u2019t go long and the ratios are a huge risk. Only consider him if you\u2019re desperate for strikeouts.<\/p>\n Roki Sasaki<\/a> @ COL \u2013\u00a0It\u2019s Coors and Sasaki isn\u2019t showing me more than an above-average gyro slider.<\/p>\n Tobias Myers<\/a> @ CHC \u2013\u00a0We\u2019re not sure why David Peterson<\/a> was scratched (apparently not an injury?) and it\u2019s possible he\u2019s going to be the bulk for Myers here, consider Tobias isn\u2019t stretched out yet. Either way, no interest.<\/p>\n Michael Lorenzen<\/a> vs. LAD \u2013\u00a0He\u2019s Strong Bad. In Coors. Against the Dodgers.<\/p>\n Miles Mikolas<\/a> (Opener) vs. SFG \u2013\u00a0Never walk Miles in Mikolas\u2019 shoes. Don\u2019t even put them on. You know, stop looking at them. Run away.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Sunday 4\/19 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Monday 4\/20 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Auto-Starts<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Dylan Cease<\/a> @ LAA \u2013\u00a0You know what you signed up for.<\/p>\n Kyle Bradish<\/a> @ KCR \u2013\u00a0Bradish is better than what you\u2019ve gotten thus far. Pretty wild to see him throw a 98.9 mph sinker last time out and at least we know that\u2019s in there.<\/p>\n Sonny Gray<\/a> vs. DET \u2013\u00a0Just like Cease but with a worse ceiling.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Probably Starts<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Emerson Hancock<\/a> vs. ATH \u2013\u00a0Hancock has been fantastic and I\u2019m a believer that he is a four-seamer command arm now.<\/p>\n Aaron Nola<\/a> @ CHC \u2013\u00a0Nola is a low-end Holly at this point. I understand wanting to bench him, but I\u2019d let him fly if I have him.<\/p>\n Seth Lugo<\/a> vs. BAL \u2013\u00a0It\u2019s a Vargas Rule for Lugo.<\/p>\n Max Meyer<\/a> vs. STL \u2013\u00a0Meyer has his breakers cooking, but the rest is in question. I\u2019m leaning start as I\u2019m itching to perform a Cardinal Sin.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Questionable Starts<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Rhett Lowder<\/a> @ TBR \u2013\u00a0Lowder is a boring Toby in a good matchup away from Cincy. That\u2019s fine with me.<\/p>\n Reynaldo L\u00f3pez<\/a> @ WSN \u2013\u00a0He\u2019s a Vargas Rule against a weak offense. I don\u2019t buy into the idea of his fastball range making all the difference, especially without consistent strikes from his secondaries (lovely exception last time out).<\/p>\n Jesse Scholtens<\/a> vs. CIN \u2013\u00a0It\u2019s the Reds Carpet and could come with an opener once again to open the chance for a vulture win.<\/p>\n J.T. Ginn<\/a> @ SEA \u2013\u00a0It\u2019s @TEA and Ginn has proven capable of finding quick outs.<\/p>\n Michael McGreevy<\/a> @ MIA \u2013\u00a0This is a ratio\/QS play if you need one. Do not expect strikeouts, even against the Marlins.<\/p>\n Jack Flaherty<\/a> @ BOS \u2013\u00a0Flaherty performed well last time and his velocity is higher at the moment. Still awfully risky, especially in Fenway.<\/p>\n Jack Kochanowicz<\/a> vs. TOR \u2013\u00a0This is an improved version of Jackie K. and I\u2019m not sure how afraid we should be of the Blue Jays.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Do Not Starts<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Slade Cecconi<\/a> vs. HOU \u2013\u00a0Unless you need innings, I fail to see a reason to go after this outing.<\/p>\n Colin Rea<\/a> vs. PHI \u2013\u00a0Rea could have an opener and open the door for a vulture win, though I don\u2019t love throwing him to the Phillies.<\/p>\n Justin Wrobleski<\/a> @ COL \u2013\u00a0It\u2019s Coors and Wrobo Cop isn\u2019t impressing me enough to chance it.<\/p>\n Jake Irvin<\/a> vs. ATL \u2013\u00a0Irvin has been\u2026okay? He has more extension this year and a\u00a0slightly\u00a0better fastball, and I need more to trust he\u2019ll succeed for an extended amount of time.<\/p>\n Colton Gordon<\/a> @ CLE \u2013\u00a0Gordon couldn\u2019t take down Rockie Road.<\/p>\n Jose Quintana<\/a> vs. LAD \u2013\u00a0It\u2019s Coors and the Dodgers.\u00a0Oh no.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Monday 4\/20 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Tuesday 4\/21 Starting Pitcher Streamer Rankings<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n PL Pro members<\/a> get an extra day of full SP Streaming rankings for the day after tomorrow.<\/p>\n 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.<\/a><\/p>\n Nick\u2019s 14-day SP Sit\/Start Grid with Tiers:<\/p>\n Tuesday 4\/21\u2019s Starting Pitcher Streamers:<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767742335_221_image.png\")
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