CBS Sports ranks fantasy baseball streaming options for Week 23

CBS Sports has released its weekly rankings for fantasy baseball, providing a structured guide for managers navigating the upcoming scoring period from 24 to 30 August 2026. The report, compiled by Scott White, focuses specifically on "two-start" pitchers, a category defined by players scheduled to take the mound twice during the week. This specific focus allows fantasy managers to identify high-value streaming opportunities that may not be reflected in standard season-long projections.

The rankings categorise pitchers into four distinct tiers of usability, ranging from "Must-start, all formats" to "No thanks." This tiered approach offers a clear institutional framework for decision-making, distinguishing between pitchers who are viable in any league format and those who are only suitable for specific points-based strategies. The list is current as of late Sunday, though the source notes that the names depicted require a degree of forecasting and remain subject to change.

At the top of the "Must-start, all formats" category is Chase Burns of the Cincinnati Reds, who is scheduled to face the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs. Braxton Ashcraft of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tyler Glasnow of the Los Angeles Dodgers are also featured prominently in this top tier. Ashcraft is set to pitch against the San Diego Padres and the St. Louis Cardinals, while Glasnow will face the Atlanta Braves and the Detroit Tigers.

The "Advisable in most cases" tier includes pitchers such as Robbie Ray of the San Diego Padres and Kevin Gausman of the Chicago Cubs. These players are considered reliable options for the majority of fantasy managers, though they may not carry the same universal appeal as the top-ranked pitchers. The rankings continue with a "Better left for points leagues" section, which features names like Andrew Alvarez of the Washington Nationals and Framber Valdez of the Detroit Tigers.

The final tier, labelled "No thanks," lists pitchers who are generally considered poor options for fantasy managers during this specific week. This group includes Matthew Liberatore of the St. Louis Cardinals and Zach Thornton of the New York Mets. By clearly delineating these options, CBS Sports aims to streamline the complex process of weekly roster management in fantasy baseball.

This release is part of a regular series of previews published by CBS Sports, which also covers other major US sports leagues including the NFL, NBA, and NHL. The consistent publication of such detailed rankings underscores the growing institutionalisation of fantasy sports as a distinct segment of the broader sports media landscape.