Fantasy Baseball Today - Injury Updates & Waiver Wire Options for the Final Week! (9/21 Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

Episode Date: September 21, 2026

Freddy Peralta has turned things around with the Rays (2:22)! ... Andrew Alvarez has been pitching very well (5:55). ... News (12:56): Dylan Cease went for an MRI on his shoulder and will not start this week. ... Are we interested in any of these waiver wire hitters in the final week (39:00)? ... Tyler Mahle feels like a slam dunk this week (49:18). ... Start or sit these pitchers in the final week (58:42)? ... We wrap up with leftovers, bullpens and streamers (1:08:37).Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/FantasyBaseballToday⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cbssports.com/newsletters

Welcome to the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast from CBS Sports. Got a fantasy question? Email Fantasy Baseball at CBSI.com. Get ready to win your league. Now here's Frank, Scott, and Chris. Hey there, welcome into Fantasy Baseball today on Monday, September 21st. Here we are the final week of the season. I am Frank Sample joined by Scott White.

Today on the show, this is our final weekend recap of the season. Lots of injury updates, waiver wire options for the final week, and much more. Let's jump in. Gracious! Oh my goodness gracious. Scott, Freddie Peralta is a new man. Yeah, it sure seems that way. He has not improved with the rays in the way I thought he would, which was throwing more sliders.

and yet it sure seems like Freddie Peralta has improved with the race. Who would have guessed that team would know what it was doing. The latest example is Saturday against the Red Sox, good lineup. One run allowed in five and two-thirds inning struck out six, 15 whiffs on 97 pitches. And in his last five starts now, Freddie Peralta has a 0.94 ERA. a 0.70 whip, only 7.2K per 9, which obviously is not Freddie Peralta like. And the swinging strike grade is a modest 11%, which isn't terrible, but, you know, I can't say Freddie Peralta's all the way back.

But he has made some changes since joining the raise that seem to have brought about this success. The biggest being, really a pair of changes, he's raised his arm ankle because it had slipped with the Mets. So it's back from the release height he was using well with the Brewers and regain the extension on his delivery that had also gone missing with the Mets. So they kind of cleaned him up mechanically. Again, still wondering

where that slider's gone for Freddie Peralta. That was at his best, his best pitch. But he's made this work. And he's also four and O during that five-star stretch. So if you haven't been starting him, you've missed out on a lot of lot of good stuff for fantasy. His final start of the season, Freddie Peralta, is at the Yankees,

which got to be nervous about, but I think he's a viable option. I'm not saying in shallow leagues, like, you have to start him, you have to force him in your lineup over somebody else who might be interesting. But for people who play in leagues of any real size, I'm thinking of my own Tau Wars League where I'm currently sitting in first place

and probably can't lose it because I'm like up 14 points. But I'm planning on starting Freddie Peralta in that final week, even with that start at the Yankees because I think he's earned it. Yeah, I think so too, and especially at the Yankees with no Aaron Judge in the lineup. We'll get to that in just a little bit. But he was placed on the IL this weekend. Not that he was doing much since he returned, but obviously just like the presence of Judge being around

and the threat, I think it makes pitchers have to work a little bit more. So he will not be in the Yankees lineup. And there was a very large stretch where whenever Judge was out, the Yankees lineup was pretty bad this season. So I think it's fine to get him in there for this week. He has been pitching very well. Freddie Peralta. He's not exactly back to like the pitcher he was with the Brewers.

The results have been very good. The lack of whiffs is kind of weird. More fastballs and changeups during this stretch. for Freddie Peralta. But yeah, overall, his numbers with the raise. I know you mentioned just the last five, but the nine starts with the race, 360-year-a-point-9-8 whip,

well under a strikeout per inning. But the results have been there. And yeah, who would have thunk it? The raise, they pulled it off again. They got Freddie Peralta back on track. Let's start here with two pitchers. Big starts this weekend. The other name I want to mention is Andrew Alvarez,

who was great at the Cardinals, six shot-out innings with eight strike to one walk. He had 14 whists on 92 pitches. Ten of those came on the curveball and he has really leaned into that curve ball. It was his most used pitch over the weekend, 45% usage, 32% entering that start. And it was great. It had 10 of his 14 whiffs, a 48% whiff rate. It is a really, really good curve ball. And we have mentioned that a lot. I don't really know that he has much else that's good or great outside of that curveball. ball, but he is finding a way to make it work right now.

He gets a lot of ground balls. And over his, he has a quality start in three of his last four. And over that four-star stretch, it's a 116 ERA.94 whip, 10.4K per 9, and a ground ball rate over 50%. So Andrew Alvarez pitching well here down the stretch. He gets the Mets this week. Their lineup is more dangerous, you know, with everyone healthy now. Once again, Soto, Lindoor, those guys back in the lineup.

But just 24th in Wobah against lefties on the season. And I think the way he's pitching right now, Scott, I'd be all right using Alvarez if you need a waiver wire pitcher for this final week. Yes, he's one of my sleeper pitchers for this week, and he was even before this start on Saturday. Since the Mets do struggle against lefties, you go back nine starts now for Andrew Alvarez, a 215 ERA, a .97 whip and 8.8K per 9. I wasn't emphasizing the curveball for that entire stretch, but I think you tell me, If you tell me a guy with a 50% ground ball rate is striking out nearly a batter per inning, kind of hard to mess that up.

I suppose you could walk enough guys to mess it up, but at least recently, that hasn't been something Alvarez is doing, and I think he is underrated just in general. Honestly, I'm presuming he'll have the inside track on a rotation spot for the nationals next year, and I think he'll be something of a sleeper. Not a huge upside, but I think a good high floor sleeper.

Yeah, and again, digging into his individual pitch mix, this is Andrew Alvarez we're talking about. Curveball is awesome. Slider has a 35% whiff rate, but does give up some hard contact. Both his four-scene fastball and sinker have expected Wobas over 370. So those are pretty high marks.

Fastball's not great. Breaking pitch is very good here for Andrew Alvarez, who again is finishing strong. I think he's a totally fine name to stream in the final week of the season. Oh my goodness. Just got to mention this one, Scott. Get it out of the way. To anybody who used Jacob Lopez this weekend,

I am sorry. My goodness. He was destroyed by the Guardians. Negative 16 and a half fantasy points on CBS. And that is just, man, the nail in the coffin. Ten earned runs over two and two-thirds innings here for Jacob Lopez. Not like the start was at home in Sacramento. where you know you can be prone to some of these blow-up starts,

you know, give up a couple home runs, which he did in this one. It was on the road in Cleveland against that Guardians lineup. And, Scott, it has just come to a screeching halt, unfortunately, for Jacob Lopez. Yeah, it has. And he gave us a couple warning signs his previous two starts, especially the one right before where I think he had one strikeout, right? And, you know, I lowered him quite a bit in my sleeper. pitchers and kind of put some caveats in there that like I would like to be able to replace them,

but there's just nobody else interesting out there on the waiver wire. So hopefully, you know, I was kind of straddling the fence there, but hopefully people who were also on the fence, he did that warning. I started Lopez in one league. I dropped them in two others. You know, it kind of just depends on league context, whether or not it made sense to use them, but hopefully very few of you listening did. Yeah, and if you're still somehow alive and competing for anything pretty obvious, but go ahead and drop Jacob Lopez for Andrew Alvarez if you if you need that final start this weekend. This week, excuse me. I guess just a little heads up on the way things are going to be moving forward programming wise. We are still going to be

live every weeknight this week, you know, from Monday through Thursday as we usually are. We will not be live again next Sunday with a weekend recap. That's when we will move into our offseason schedule, which will be Monday and Wednesday nights will be live and that'll be in your audio podcast feed on Tuesday and Thursday. So again, this week, normal schedule, and then the following week after that, we moved to two podcasts per week through the end of December. And then we start to ramp up there once again. Let's take our first break. And when we return, lots of news, lots of injuries, I hope Alex Breggman's eye does not fall out because that is a very, very scary look. We'll talk about all that right after this. Welcome back, Fantasy Baseball today.

And let's run through the news and notes, lots of injuries to talk about. And the first one, a massive one. Dylan Cease underwent an MRI on his shoulder on Saturday and will not make his scheduled start this week against the Orioles. He had a rough start on Friday at the Rangers 2 and 2 thirds, 4 runs

allowed, 6 walks, only 3 strikeouts in that one and his velocity remains down big time. We have mentioned it over the past month whenever he starts. Like, hey man, his velocity is down. Longer than a month. Yeah, I mean, basically

since July. It's been weird because the results have mostly still been very good, except now they're starting to really kind of spin out of control. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, so he obviously had a bad start Friday, Dylan C's lasting only two and two-thirds innings, walk six. So that has a bad start. In the, let's see, did I put the number down here? Yeah, in the, eight starts. Okay, okay, here's what it is. So last three starts for Dylan's cease. It was a season low average fastball velocity each time with the biggest drop coming here over the weekend.

Averaged only 93.6. And that was 94.8th the previous start. So three in a row is season low, but the biggest drop here and the most recent one over a mile per hour. in the eight starts prior to that when the velocity first started diminishing it was the best till and cease we've ever seen a 13080RA a 0.83 whip

11.4K per 9 so judging from that you know it wasn't just run prevention the strikeouts were amazing too it seemed like something he was doing intentionally and we don't have a timeline for exactly how long his shoulder was bothering him just that he was pitching with

through shoulder fatigue for a while. So, you know, I don't know if it totally coincides with that 11 start stretch. Again, the first eight of which were amazing and the last three of which not so much. But obviously, this has gone from being just a curiosity to a major concern, something that could impact him even going into next season. Yeah, I mean, that's kind of where we're left now is trying to figure out, And obviously we'll have all offseason. It does become troublesome with the lockout.

We're just not going to get player updates, unfortunately, on injuries and things like that. But it's something we're going to have to pay attention to with Dylan Seas. I mean, he was in the, he's still going to get Cy Young votes. I think Cam Schittler has pretty clearly pulled away at this point. But, yeah, it was a great season up until now, which coincides with his velocity drop. I did want to mention his first 18 starts.

Dillon Cees averaged 97.7 miles per hour on his fastball. His last 11, it's 95.5. So that is a stark drop. And he's been below 95, each of those last three outings, as you pointed out. So very scary stuff here for Dillen C's, who will not pitch this week, get him out of your lineups. And we'll try to figure out what we do with him for next season. We have a lot of Yankee updates as well. Aaron Judge placed on the I.L. Saturday with that ripe calf strain.

It was retroactive to the... Thursday. Judge and the Yankees hoped that he's back for the playoffs, but really nobody knows right now. I would probably bet against it, but I guess the only person who knows is Judge and how that calf is feeling, but any calf strain

usually takes more than, you know, 10 days, two weeks to recover from. So I just don't really see it happening. Just a brutal season all around for Judge. The rib injury, now the calf. With Judge out, Elliot Romo started all three games this weekend. He homered on Saturday and Sunday, so

I think he could be a streamer this week with seven games, just kind of a volume play. Faces the raise for four, so they have some tough pitchers. Yeah. And then it's, I think, the Orioles over the weekend.

And they are one of two teams, the Yankees with seven games this week. But unfortunately, both of the teams with seven games are facing some pretty tough pitchers. Yep, yep. I don't really know what we'll make of judge. I guess we'll see if he plays in the postseason or not,

but, know, as great as he is, Scott. I think if he's healthy, he still is, you know, one of, if not the best hitter in all baseball. But getting up there in age, and now he got the rib and the calf popping up. It does at least add a little cloud of doubt heading into the top of drafts next season.

Yeah. I mean, he's going to go at the highest third, probably, and I could see him drop into more like fifth or sixth, potentially. my initial inclination was to rank him second, but when I considered that he'll be, I believe, 35 next year, right? I think that's right. Yeah, that was enough to talk me out of it

and put Pete Crow Armstrong ahead of him in addition to Otani. 35 in late April next season. Yeah, and, yeah, it's probably just an injury-plagued year, but even during the stretch before the injury, the strikeout rate was way up again like it was earlier in his career after he'd made huge strides as far as that goes. So I can't rule out the possibility of there being some decline that we just didn't get a chance to observe fully because he missed so much time. That would be the biggest concern for me with Judge. Anyone could have an injury plague dear.

Obviously, the older you get, the more likely it becomes. I would guess as he gets older he spend a lot more time with DH and we've seen that help further the career of so many sluggers over the years

like Nelson Cruz used to have a reputation for being injury prone and then he became a full-time DH and it's like he'd never get injured again and he became this huge fantasy asset because of it so that's something that could work in judge's favor potentially

I agree with you. The problem is the log jam. That is the Yankees. They still have Luis Garcia on the roster for next season. They have Ben Rice. So just right there, that's what I presume will be first base in DH, unless they move Ben Rice back to catcher,

which I just, I don't see it happening. So, yeah. Just, yeah, it'll be interesting. I think Stanton still has another year on the contract, but I have no idea if he even plays it. I don't know that they're counting on him for much anymore. Yeah.

So it's, I agree with you. I just, I don't really know how realistic it will be for... Right. I don't know that it'll be realistic for next year. That's fair. Yeah.

Jazz Chisholm could return as early as Tuesday, and he's been on the aisle since September 8th with a thumb sprain. If he returns, Anthony Volpey likely moves to a bench roll, maybe short side platoon with Jazz. Volpe did play some games at third base in the minors. Ryan McMahon has been terrible offensively. So I guess Volpe maybe could play third. I don't know if they're willing to take that leap.

this late into the season. But yeah, if you were using Volpe as a middle infield, he's probably going to lose some playing time this week. Spencer Jones was out on Saturday with foot soreness, but then he returned on Sunday and he homered. So that's a good sign there. Trent Grisham is unlikely to return this week, but could be ready for the playoffs.

He went on the IL in early September with a hamstring strain. Shohay Otani said after Saturday's game that there's a... I wrote, Shohei Otani said that he will be back. pretty sure it was Dave Roberts who said this. I don't know. Someone said it. Anyway, Otani will be activated. A good chance he'll be activated against the Padres. He's eligible to return on Wednesday. So, Scott, if you have Otani, the hitter, would you use them this week?

Knowing you might get, like, I don't know. He'll probably sit out another game, like four games out of Otani. Yeah, that's the tough thing. Like, first of all, I don't think we realize, much they backdated him, because we were thinking he might get two games at the end of the year, counting up the 15 days. But apparently they backdated him more than that. So there's a chance for, what is it? It's five games, right? Potentially. But you're saying he's likely to sit even more. And yeah, what are the Dodgers playing for at this point?

They've pretty much secured the buy in round one. I believe they're four games. ahead of the Braves with six to play. Like, they're not blowing that. So I think the last week is mostly going to be about making sure everybody's ready for the playoffs. Because of the buy, they don't want

to overdo it and have everybody rusty going into that second round. But I would imagine Otani fresh off the IEL would not see true everyday duty. So I think it would have to be

a situation where you the alternative really isn't great for you in that D.H. spot and it's like, well, I'm just going to roll with Otani and hope he does Otani things for four days. In most cases, though, I'd probably steer clear. All right, Alex Breggman left early on Sunday. Very scary scene. He got struck in the face by a foul ball

while in the on-deck circle. And yeah, scary stuff. Definitely had a bloody nose. There was a cut. Apparently his cheek was pretty swollen. He actually put out a picture on his Instagram, and he looked pretty beat up. It looks like he went like, you know, 10 rounds with Mike Tyson or something like that.

He is pretty banged up. It's bad. I don't even, I don't know if he's going to play this week. We don't really have updates. I don't know if he's going to play in playoffs. Like, I don't know. Like, other than the picture,

he hasn't really offered any updates. He said, I'll be back, I think. in the Instagram update with the picture. Obviously didn't offer a timetable. I hope his eyes okay. I mean, obviously, eyes are everything to a hitter, a baseball player in general. And I hope it's okay.

We don't have any updates. Obviously, I shouldn't expect to use Alex Bregman in the final week. It looks bad, though. Yeah. And if you need third base, help in his absence. Some names on Scott Sleeper Hitters for this week. Nolan Aronado,

who has three games in Coresfield, revenge games. Javier Sinoja. He's been, he homered again this weekend. He has six games this week. And then Zach Gelloff has the six games at home in Sacramento. So a couple of third base options there for you in place of Alex Bregman. And in the league where I have Bregman and in playing for the championship,

I put in claims for both Aeronado and Sinoa. It is on the shallower side than both being available like that, but I am putting my money where my mouth is. I love it. Andy Paheads will return Tuesday against the Padres. He missed a month with a fractured hand. If people are still playing and have Andy Paheads on their roster scout, would you use him this week?

First week back from a fractured hand. Seems scary. Yeah, for the same reason, using Otani fresh off the IEL seems scary. I'm kind of doubtful the Dodgers are going to start Pahas every game. Yeah, I would try to get away from him if you can. Andres Munoz left early on Sunday with a knee injury. He'll undergo an MRI.

It was Eduardo Bazzardo who picked up the save in his absence. So pay attention there. You could need a Munoz replacement this week. Logan Webb was officially placed in the IL with a blister on his right middle finger. Troy Melton will be examined after he complained of achiness in his arm after leaving on Sunday. He allowed four runs over three and two-thirds innings. This is another pitcher, not to the level that Jacob Lopez is kind of, you know,

stumbling to the finish line. But Troy Melton has definitely slowed down and perhaps this arm achiness could explain why he's been so bad lately. Yeah, it's been even longer since I've wanted to start Melton than Lopez. because last seven starts, 577 ERA, 166 whip. I'm kind of hoping the achiness explains it because he was a source of much optimism mid-season. And even now, his ERA for as bad as this finish has been

is what is it? Is it below three still? That goes to show you just how effective Melton was earlier in the year. 276 for the year, the ERA. But yeah, even without this report of achiness, he's not somebody you would have wanted to use for the final week. Peyton totally had his start push back from this past weekend as the Red Sox looked to line him up for game one of the wild card round.

Don't be surprised if that's like a start on the shorter end of things. A lot of teams are, teams that are locked into their playoff spot, they're kind of, you know, they're restricting their pitchers a little bit so they don't push them too much ahead of the playoffs. And let me go ahead and say right now with Peyton Tolly, he's scheduled to go Tuesday, and if you go to your lineup page,

as of right now, he's going to have two baseballs next to his name because he's starting Tuesday, automatically the algorithm is slotting him Sunday as well. He's not starting Sunday. No. The Red Sox, there's nothing to gain from them using their best pitcher

on the final day of the season, when obviously they're going to be in a dogfight right after that. So just presume one star for tolling. Might be worth starting. Like you said, it could be a shorter start. I don't know that it will be. That is kind of the chaotic nature of this final week. He has, you know, got a resting period until that first playoff start.

But you might want to use him for the one start, but just not to. If you're expecting to, you're going to be dishearting. How about that potential wildcard game one matchup, Scott? Cam Schlittler up against Peyton Tolly. This year, Cy Young winner versus next year, so I like it. Take the under. Take the under in that game. A roll of Chapman was not available this weekend as he works through that lat issue. It was lefty reliever Eric Miller who picked up the save on Friday night. I believe Garrett Whitlock gave up a walkoff hit this weekend. So, yeah, Chapman battling this lat thing. If you have a safe, healthier reliever option

in a weekly lineup league might want to go in a different direction there. Garrett Crochet threw a two-inning side session on Saturday. The Red Sox won him to face hitters at Fenway early this week and if that goes well he could return later this week or they could just save him to return in the playoffs.

Pete Fairbanks will have thoracic outlet surgery and depending on which type of thoracic outlet surgery he has, he could miss a large chunk of next season. Vlad Jr. left early on Sunday due to lower back tightness. I mean, if you ever needed

a reason to get them out of your lineup, if you're still playing and have Vlad Jr., I mean, probably shouldn't use him anyway. He's been really bad this year. It's been the back all year, right? Or was it something else around the All-Star? I think it's mostly been the back. I think there was a leg thing that popped up somewhere, maybe a knee or a hamstring or something, but

I think it's mostly been the back. Check to be sure. It was what what, he didn't end up playing in the All-Star game because it right, he was voted in to the outrage of many, but then didn't play because his back was ailing him. My getting all this right? That sounds right.

Yeah. I'll check. All right. Be sure it's the back. Kyle Tucker. No. No. Wait?

No. He left a hamstring injury early in the second half, but it was the back before then. Yeah. Yeah. Kyle Tucker was out of the lineup Sunday after fouling a ball off his right knee slash shin on Saturday and he's actually been pretty hot so hopefully Kyle Sucker good to go early this week

Chase Burns was placed in the aisle with a right groin strain and his season ends with a 286 ERA 117 whip, 185 strikeouts over 154 in a third innings. Obviously great season Scott. It stinks for those in head to head leagues

that Chase Burns was limited down the stretch here. Yeah it stinks for anyone who had him honestly but yeah I think he'll rank as a probably top 15, top 20 starting pitcher for next season. Chase Burns. I think he might be in my top 10. I don't think that's crazy.

Yeah. All right. Again, that was Chase Burns. Trey is Savage is returning Monday against the Orioles. And that makes him a two-star pitcher, I think, at the Orioles and home against the Reds. He is 73% rostered. He is 8% started. And he only threw 34 pitches in his loan rehab start. And he was bad.

So, Scott, I would not recommend using Treyie Savage. I agree. Sounds like a bad plan. Sorry, I was trying to pick up my pen. You want me to fill a bester. I'm trying to pick up my pen. It fell on the floor. Roki Sasaki will return during this upcoming series

against the Padres. We don't know if he will be a starter, a bulk reliever, a short reliever, so do not use Roki Sasaki. Braxton Ashcraft played catch on Friday, but is not expected to return the season. And his season ends with 28 starts, a 365 ERA 109 whip,

173 strikeouts over 165 and a third. And yeah, he'll be a bit of an interesting one to rank. Obviously, his first half of the season was so good. And then he hit that middle part that was pretty rough stretch there for Ashcraft. And then was looking to finish strong, although the strikeouts did kind of disappear on him. But I think it's like a low end, two, high end three for next year. That makes sense right now in my mind. Yeah.

Yeah, so probably like at that 25 to 30 range of the starting pitcher rankings, that sounds about right just going top of mind for Braxton Ashcraft. The Tigers will promote River Ryan to start Monday against the Nationals. He was one of the big pieces that came over in the Terrick Scuba trade. And his most recent rehab start, it was two and two thirds innings, five hits, two runs, only got up to 39 pitches, 19% rostered. Scott, I'm interested to see what River Ryan looks like here. but I don't think that we can recommend actually using him. I would agree with that. The Orioles reinstated Felix Bautista on Saturday

and announced that Ryan Helsley will be shut down for the remainder of the season. Do you think that Bautista works into the saves mix at all for the Orioles? I mean, it wouldn't be the most shocking thing if he got to save the final week, but I'd be pretty surprised if he got two saves. I would guess nobody in the Orioles bullpen gets two saves in the final.

a week. And he did pitch on Sunday, it looks like, and he was not good. He pitched in the seventh inning. He allowed to run on a walk and two hits. He did have two strikeouts. I can pull up the

velocity real quick. See how the velocity look. Felix Batista first outing back after arm surgery and it was, yeah, his velocity was mostly, yeah, mostly in line with where it was.

Well, that's good. Because it was down in the minors last I saw. Yeah. So, all right. Yeah, I don't think Felix Batesa really matters. But he's the name that could matter for next season. We have another one of those wonky baseball injuries. Bryce Eldridge reportedly bumped his head at the team hotel,

resulting in a laceration and concussion symptoms. And he's in the concussion protocol and did not play on Sunday. So I know he had some tough matchups this week, so maybe he wanted to get away from him anyway. Obviously, he was finishing very strong. I don't know. Obviously he is a really tall guy, so I guess there are ways that

like he could have hit his head on something and just wasn't paying attention. Oh my gosh. Do you do you have any idea how I hit how often I hit my head on light fixtures and my new house sits like the hood over the oven? Like I'm constantly banging my forehead on it.

That's right. And I'm only 6-2. So 6-7. I can't I can't even imagine the difficulty He's probably a lot more coordinated Than me, Bryce Eldridge He's a professional athlete Well, I am anything but but

Still, it's got to happen a lot I can relate Yeah Calquantrol left early Saturday With lat tightness and then he was placed on the aisle On Sunday so that ends the magical run For Cal Quantril Shane Boz is scheduled to start Monday

Despite leaving his previous start With a comebacker off of his elbow 67% rostered. He is home against the Blue Jays and at the Yankees. Scott, can I interest you at all in Shane Boz? Final week. I don't think so. I could understand, like, you might do crazy things this final week.

There are very few two-star pitchers just because only two-teams are playing seven games. And then there are going to be even fewer two-star pitchers than it seems because there are going to be a lot of like spot starters inserted or bullpen games this final week that end up canceling that second start for a lot of pitchers. So as a general rule, I would say don't count on anyone making two starts. But if you're looking to throw a Hail Mary in a Roto League where you're trying to catch up and strikeouts and wins,

or you're in a points league, maybe you're in the second week of a two-week matchup and you're behind and you just, you kind of need a Hail Mary. I get it. That's the only scenario where I'd be interested in Shane Bosn, though. All right, it turns out that the Dodgers were called Emmachian of course they did on Sunday and he pitched very well against the Giants

five and a third shut out innings with nine strikeouts and over his last three games in the majors 17 innings of one run ball 24 strikeouts to three walks he is 46% rostered and I don't have an update Scott maybe you do whether or not

Sheehan is going to pitch again this week if he does I would be interested I just don't know yeah he's looked so good in the last three chances with a trip to the minors in between that in a daily lineup league

I would try not to drop them or I would try to pick him up even depending on what I would have to forfeit just in case we find out the day before oh yeah she ends starting this day kind of like we did Saturday

or was it even Sunday morning that we found out he was going Sunday technically not a start but we knew he was going to pitch in a bulk roll so I imagine the Dodgers If Sheehan does go again, it'll be kind of a last minute announcement like that, but that's the advantage of a daily lineup league.

It could sub them in and hopefully profit. But if you're in a weekly lineup league, there's no way you could risk it. I think it's likely. I think it's likely Sheehan starts again because they're resetting their rotation for the playoffs, but not a guarantee. A couple others here.

The nationals signed Cade Cavali to a four-year contract extension that includes a club. option for 2031. The deal is worth $47 million guaranteed and could be worth $70 million if the option is picked up. And some other names who went on the aisle this weekend, Joshua Baez with a left oblique strain. Jared Young went to the concussion aisle and Trevor Larnick with left wrist sorness. Let's take our final break. When we return, I've got some waiver wire options for the final week, some players who are finishing strong and more. We'll do that right after this. Welcome back Fantasy Baseball today.

Waver Wire hitters for the final week. And we will start with some shallow names. We can go yay or nay on some of these picks whether or not we want to use them. Zach Gelloff, we spoke about. He's on Scott's Sleeper Hitters list. Matchups are a little bit tougher for the pitching matchups,

but it is six games in Sacramento. And he stayed hot this weekend. He homered on Friday, and then he had multi-hit games on both Saturday and Sunday. So Zach Gelloff is a yay. a yes for this week. Travis Bazaana. He has been hot here in September.

He homered on Friday and in the month 302 batting average, six homers, 1101 OPS, 73% rostered, six games this week, got the problem. Four lefties on the schedule. So as hot as Bazaana is,

I don't think we can recommend him. Yeah, I would agree with that, but I am encouraged by the general direction he's trending here, got off to such a hot start, and then kind of collapsed, and we weren't sure how to value him in fantasy moving forward. But this strong finish, I think,

put him in pretty good standing for next year. Rather not use him this week, though. All right, Danesby Swanson, back with a bang. He was activated on Friday. He went two-for-forward with the home run on Saturday, and he's 67% rostered. He has six games this week, and some pretty bad pitchers on the schedule.

Scott, can I interest you in Dansby-Swanson? Say some pretty bad pitch. I actually have a, I actually marked the Cubs matchup as good for the final week. So we may have a little disagreement there. No, no, no, we're in agreement, Scott. He's facing bad pitchers? He's facing bad pitchers.

I was, okay, I heard his matchups are bad. Okay, good matchups because those bad pitchers. Yep, yeah. So yes. because Danesby Swanson started his first two games back, home or didn't one, doesn't seem like the rest is there. And now they're without Alex Bregman. I think, you know, it is kind of a similar situation

to those Dodgers hitters where I don't think the Cubs have much to play for the final week. But I think one of the things they will have to play for is, well, I don't know. I think I would guess Swanson would at least start four of those six games and maybe five. All right, some mid-tier names that I have on the list here, and two of them that, again, are on Scott's sleeper hitters. Ty France, who just remains very hot. He homered on Friday. He had three more hits on Saturday.

He's hitting 362 with a 992 OPS in September, and he's 58% rostered. So as a first baseman, as a corner infielder, the only thing Scott, you know, three games against the Dodgers. He'll have to face some tough pitchers there. But then he also gets three against the debacks, which, you know, Brandon fought, Burns and Soroka, not really scared off by those guys.

No, I think Swanson, like, I don't even think it matters anymore. You got a guy. France, France, Ty Franz. I'm sorry, Ty, who did I say? Swanson. Gosh. Ty France, yes. You've got a guy who, for the year, is batting over 300 with an OPS around 900.

And he's sitting there on the waiver wire, free for the taking. Like it doesn't even really matter what the matchups are. For what it's worth, I think the Dodgers are going to go with like Justin Robleski types for at least the first two games of the series against the Padres. So I don't think it's going to end up being tough matchups for him anyway. All right. Javier Sinoja also on your sleeper hitter list. He hit a three-run home run on Sunday, mentioned his name earlier, 18 games in

September. He's hitting 347, four homers, two steals, and OPS over a thousand. He's been good for a while now, and second, third, shortstop, outfield eligible there for Sanoha. So that is a yes for him. George Lombard Jr. is finishing strong here. He homered twice this weekend.

And over his last six games, he has eight hits, two homers, a steal. It's been very up and down. I think that's, you know, to be expected from a rookie. But he does have the seven games this week. So, I don't know, Scott, can I interest you at all in George Lombard as a mostly as like a middle infielder.

I don't think we could do it as like a shortstop in a shallower league. I was feeling like he would be hotter than he actually is when I looked at the numbers. Like yes, he does have the home runs recently, but the batting average is still lagging. I think the most encouraging thing was that this home run he hit Sunday,

George Lombard was 108 miles per hour and I think I think it was over 440. It was a bomb, 440 plus feet. Which is the kind of way he was impacting the ball of AAA, but it isn't the best matchups. And again, it's kind of just a few isolated home runs as opposed to him really getting hot.

So I think it would have to be a pretty desperate situation to start George Lombard in the final. Is that also the case for Walker Jenkins, who is showing some signs of life. Three for four with a home run on Friday. Also had three hits on a home run on Thursday. Had two more hits on Saturday. So that was three straight multi-hit games for Walker Jenkins, who has six games this week against Blade Tidwell, Anthony Molina,

Sazar, Pardomo, Jordan Montgomery, Jacob de Grom and McKenzie Gore. So DeGrom is obviously that's a tough matchup, but everything else looks pretty good. Can I interest you at all in Walker Jenkins? But a couple lefties there, which I don't think, I think they did start sitting in against lefties because he got off to such a slow start. So that might be reason enough to avoid Walker Jenkins, but I'm, I was encouraged by what I saw over the week in three straight multi-gates games after doing next to nothing. I'm hopeful he's turned the corner. I just think it's too big of a risk for anything 20. 12 teams are shallower.

Yep, no, I get that. What about Anhele Martinez had a huge game on Saturday? Four for five with a double dong, four RBI. He started Saturday and Sunday. He sat out the three games before that. He has crushed lefties this year, and I mentioned this earlier with Travis Bazana. They're on the same team, the Guardians.

Four lefties on the schedule. And so, again, Anhele Martinez has crushed lefties this year. Can you see yourself using him at all? He got 34% rostered. He has a second base in outfield eligibility. I mean, it's the fifth worst hitter matchups in addition to the five lefties. So let me see exactly what crushed means in the case of Anhele Martinez, 295 batting average 820 OPS against lefties, at least going into Sunday's game.

Yeah. It's pretty good. Any second base eligible. I could see maybe doing it if there was like a glaring need there. but it is tough matchups on the whole. Yeah, totally sunny gray, Ranger Suarez, Noah Cameron, Michael Waka, and Daniel Lynch there for Anheel Martinez.

And then Yainer Diaz went two for four with his 13th home run. I did not write down which day that was. I'm pretty sure it was Sunday. Is that the case? Yep. On Sunday for Yiner Diaz, he's looked very good in September, 357, three homers, 961 OPS. 39% rostered and six road games this week.

Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and then four in Sacramento. So the Gilbert part I don't love, Kirby is hitable. But the four games in Sacramento, I like that a lot, Scott. So Yiner Diaz is like a second catcher, or even if like a low-end catcher won, if you're just desperate. I like those matchups this week. He's basically been a 300 hitter since returning from, I think it was an oblique injury.

I was just writing about this the other day but yeah he spent like a month and a half on the IL and was really struggling before that. Comes back, it's hitting about 300, OPS, about 830. Like basically it looks like Yainer Diaz again. The playing time hasn't been as consistent

as some catchers and of course he doesn't walk at all which really holds him back in points leagues but I think he needs to be more rostered started than he is. Yeah, I definitely agree with that for the final week. Again, those four games in Sacramento, I love that. Some deeper names, Samad Taylor is finishing strong for the Padres.

He has started six straight and ten of the last 11 during those 11 games, hitting 406 with a homer and three steals. He is 7% rostered, does have some of those matchups against the Dodgers this week. Jake Cronoward had himself a big weekend, two for three with a run on Friday. He had two steals on Saturday. he went three for four, double dong, five RBI on Sunday. 9% rostered, first and second base eligible. Again, same matchups as Taylor and the aforementioned Thai France.

And Victor Mesa, Jr. homered off of a lefty on Sunday. And he is having a big September, 357, 4 homers, 3 Seals, 1080 OPS. He's actually been better against lefties than he has been against righties. And he is 30% rostered. Scott, can I interest you in any of these deeper names? Samad Taylor, Jake Crono. Victor Mesa Jr. I think Mesa's the most interesting,

except for the fact that the race have the fourth worst hitter matchups, so that kind of takes him out of the running. Not a lot to get excited there about Cronomworth. He has been good over the last week, but that's like the first time we could say that all season. Yeah. So, no, I'm not particularly interested in the others.

All right, some waiver wire pitcher, options again final week of the season some shallow league names Tyler Malley strong start at the Astros six innings one run six strikeouts and over his last 12 starts 197 IRA 0.96 whip he is home against the reds this week I mean you've got to love that Griffin Jacks pitched well against the Red Sox five shutout innings with five strikeouts he has not thrown more than 74 pitches or more than five innings since coming off the IL but he has looked

pretty good he is at the Phillies this week and Joey Cantillo pitched well in bulk relief against the athletics. Fool me once. Fool me twice. Fool me three times. A million times. Joey Cantillo. Yeah, I feel like we've been fooled quite a bit on him.

But his last two games in bulk relief have looked very good. Ten shutout innings with 13 strikeouts and two walks at the Royals this week. Not really a matchup that scares you much at all. Scott, how would you rank these three for the final week? Cantillo at the Royals, Griffin Jackson at the Phillies, and Tyler Malley home against the Reds. Malley by long shot. Agree.

Mally probably needs to be started in every league with the kind of run he's been on with the Braves, doesn't really have a miss yet with them. And this is one of the better matches he's had. He's been coming through against much tougher matchups than the Reds. The other two I don't really want to start. I'd be more likely to start Griffin than Cantillo. Or, yeah, yeah, I'd be more likely to...

Yeah, I would be more likely to start Griffin. of the two. And three straight starts. He's managed to go five innings, but the pitch count is still low. And I'd be worried about it just being a waste of a lineup spot, but I don't think he's going to do much harm

with that start. So that would be my take there. All right. So mid-tier name, Zach Thornton turned in equality starting against the Phillies, six innings, two runs, four strikeouts for him.

His curb ball was very, very different. I don't know why, but it could be a classification thing, but the velocity was up like six miles per hour and the movement profile was completely different. But Thornton has actually been pretty consistent. Three and runs are fewer and 12 of 14 starts. He is at

the Rangers this week. Brandon Young took a tough loss Sunday against the Brewers, six innings, two runs. Nine strikeouts had 15 whiffs on 84 pitches. And he is at the Yankees this week. Quinn Matthews turned in a quality start against the Nationals. Seven innings, three runs, two walks,

only three strikeouts. He has a quality start in three straight, and he is at the Brewers this week. Brewers, tough lineup, but they are much better against righties and they are against lefties. And Jackson Job, he took the L, but he racked up a bunch of whiffs here at the White Sox. Nine strikeouts, three runs over six innings,

had 16 whiffs on 96 pitches, and he gets the Pirates this week. They're very good against right-handed pitching. Scott, any interest in this group, Jackson Job against the Pirates, Quinn Matthews, at the Brewers, Brandon Young at the Yankees,

and Zach Thornton at the Rangers. I mean, I could talk about some things I observed in the starts for these four from the weekend, but I'm not going to recommend any of them for the final week.

They're not trustworthy enough and the matchups aren't good enough. I guess I've been most encouraged with Jackson Job, his last couple outings, both being so good, getting 17 strikeouts across 12 and a third innings.

The slider has begun to pick up whiffs unlike it was previously. Has had some extra drop the last couple starts. Six extra inches of drop two starts ago. That was

the velocity was lower on it too. Only two extra inches of drop in this one, but the velocity he held pretty steady and he's beginning lots of whiffs with it. So he seems to be working on that pitch and finding success again. But that doesn't

mean I'd be thrilled to start him against the pirates. He's probably the most startable of these four, Jackson Job. Quinn Matthews of course has been on a nice little run here lately showing his upside throwing more strikes, which I think is kind of the key to everything. If he throw strikes,

this stuff is definitely good enough. Brewers, I don't know. That makes me nervous. I wouldn't touch Brandon Young or Zach Thornton. I can see Thornton with a favorable matchup, but the Rangers beat up on lefties, so that doesn't make sense. Yeah.

I suspect that you will have the same thoughts for this next group, but I'll ask anyway. Some lower-end names. David Peterson pitched well at the Reds, and in 15 games with the Cubs, he has a 394 ERA 139 whips. He's at the Red Sox this week.

Connor prelip was great at the Angels seven shutout with eight strike. He's looked much better in September. He also gets the Rangers, who, again, they're good against lefties. Dean Kramer, great outing at the Angels. Actually, I think that got changed. Okay.

But the pre-lip one, I think he's going to be at San Francisco because, and this is worth bringing up, Bailey Ober unexpectedly came in for a three-inning save on Sunday, which eliminates him as a two-star pitcher for the final week, which is unfortunate because he was on the sleeper pitchers list. but theoretically that bumps everybody up a day which would mean prelips start as at San Francisco. So I actually ended up adding him to the sleeper pitchers

as the replacement for Ober, now that Ober is not going to be at San Francisco. At the end of the list, it's not a strong recommendation by any means that was his first seven-inning start. More likely he's going to go five. But he's at San Francisco against a really weak lineup. The last name on this list is Dean Kramer.

who pitched well six shutout innings, one hit eight strikeouts at the Angels, and he gets the Rangers this week who are bat against Wrighties. So can I, you kind of like pre-lip. He's on the list, but any interest in Kramer

versus the Rangers or David Peterson at the Red Sox? I mean, Kramer, I mean, has been on a good run lately. I don't really get why. Velocity was down on everything. Most especially the splitter. best pitch in this start Sunday where he allowed just one hit.

I think the fact he was facing the Angels probably had something to do with it. Rangers is a good matchup for Rides, but it still seems way too risky for me to recommend Kramer in that start. All right. And then in the deepest of leagues, we have Robert Gasser, who had a solid outing at the Orioles, seven shutout innings, three walks, two strikeouts. he is home against the Cardinals this week. Brian Beow, a pretty awesome outing here at the raise.

Eight innings of one-run ball, 11 strikeouts to zero walks. He had 17 whiffs on 93 pitches. And if he makes his start this week, I think he will. It looks like it'll come against the Cubs, maybe without Alex Bregman. And Jack Perkins, two good outings in a row. Numbers are still very, very bad for the season. But six innings, one run, four strikeouts at the Guardians. I always kind of think that there could be something there with Jack Perkins.

It feels like the stuff is better than the numbers have led on this year. But the numbers are what they are. 590, ERA, 145 whip for Perkins. And he is home against the Astros. So very deep league name, Scott. But any thoughts on Perkins, Beio, or Robert Gasson? Not going to use any of them. So we'll start with that.

Perkins, two good starts in a row. He's begun to increase his change-up usage. And it is his best pitch. with a 188 batting average against and 38% whiff rate. So that may have something to do with it. It's not drastic increase, but it's a notable one. So we'll see if he can make it three in a row, good in a row to end the season, Jack Perkins.

And then Brian Bayo, he's been pretty much excellent since returning from the miners. That was 13 appearances ago. I say appearances because most of them have been in relief, generally in the four-inning range, though some as little as two. During that time, those 13 appearances, he has a 228 ERA, a 101-whip, 8.1K per 9,

with a 59% ground ball rate. I mean, 50's good. 60 is, you might lead the league with that. And an 11% swinging strike rate, which for a ground ball pitcher is good, enough. Again, I don't want to use Bayo against the Cubs, but it's nice to see him get a true start

and be allowed to go eight innings and dominate like this against a good line. I think it bodes well for him next year. I mean, there's only so much upside here for Bayo, but he could be of some deep interest. All right, catch, what do I have here? Start or sit these pitchers in the final week. Some polarizing names and none more polarizing than Paul Skeens,

who gave us another clunker. This one against the Royals, five runs allowed over six innings, two homers allowed as well. Did have seven strikeouts, had 17 whiffs on 89 pitches. Velocity was down a little bit across the board, as it has been for a lot of starts here for Paul Skeens. The updated last 15 starts 506-ERA 135 whip. He's 82% started.

do you use them against the Cardinals in the final week? This was. Paul Skeens. Paul Skeens. I'd rather not. The good starts haven't been good enough. I don't know that he's a hard avoid, particularly in deeper leagues, but I'm not confident he's going to give me a good start.

And, like, you know, obviously your mileage would vary if you're in a daily lineup league with daily transactions and it's just kind of a race to the bottom at starting pitcher because you have to stream as many as you can every day. Okay, you're probably going to start Paul Skeens. He's better than most of what you'll find

on the waiver wire. But if you're limited weekly by either the lineups you set or the add drops you can make, which I think you should be so that it doesn't become a race to the bottom, but whatever, then you don't, you probably don't want to start Paul Skeens. I agree.

Garrett Cole bounced back at the D-back, six innings, two runs, six strikeouts to zero walks. It's pretty astounding to me that Garikol has managed a K-rate over a strike operating while his swinging strike rate is just as bad as it is. I mean, it is

now down below 10%. It is 9.8% on the season. So that is pretty bad. He is 76% started and he gets the raise this week. Scott, start or sit, Garik Cole. I feel better about starting him than Paul Skeens. I'm not going to call a must start.

But I think even in weekly leagues, I'd lean toward yes. All right. Eduardo Rodriguez is a rough one against the Yankees. Seven earned runs or five and a third. Four walks, two homers allowed in this one. He could not locate his changeup, which has been his money pitch all season. And he 63% started at the Rockies this week.

I think this one's pretty easy. Rodriguez. Yeah, I mean, there were some good starts at Colorado this weekend from, I mean, Kate Anderson, what are you doing, guy? He dominates is a little strong. I'm not sure he's dominated anybody yet, but he has a really good start against the Rangers who are supposed to beat up on lefties. Then he has a terrible start against the angels who are terrible. And then he has a great start at Colorado. So like, he's good when it's the kind of start. We're supposed to avoid. Yeah. And a bad when it's not. So that's frustrating.

But you were asking me about O'Wrador Rodriguez, and with the kind of September he's had, maybe it's all finally collapsing on him. The walls are giving in finally. I think we can avoid using Eduardo Rodriguez at Colorado. Let's talk about Kate Anderson, who had that great start in course field, seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts.

He had 14 whiffs on 84 pitches. and he did mix in a new sinker that he threw seven times, and it was okay for him here. The curve was really his best pitch, but it's really hard to take much away from a starting course field. He is 82%. A curveball is not supposed to work that well at Goresfield. I know, that's why it's just like, what are we doing here?

82% rostered, 46% started for Kate Anderson, and he gets those angels again who just hit him hard. So what do we do? I mean, that same league where I'm starting, Freddie Peralta, my Tout Wars League. Again, I have a pretty safe lead, so I'm trying not to overthank anything. I'm planning on

leaving Kate Anderson in. But that's a 15-teamer. I don't know that in 12-teamers. It's a priority. I want to say he's a priority even at a 15-teamor. Just I get to understand using him. A couple other names here. Sean Burke's solid

outing against the tiger's six innings, one run, five strikeouts. And his velocity was actually down across the board, but managed a good outing here. His last two starts have looked much better. He gets the Rockies at home this week, as in him being home in Chicago. So that seems pretty good.

I know Sean Burke has been scary lately, Scott, but you got to like that matchup. I do like the matchup. I like the matchup this week, too. I just didn't trust the pitcher. Right. After all, he's put us through. But now,

uh, now he's followed the opener last time. seemed to get back on track, carried it over into this tiger start. He still walk three, which makes me nervous. But I would take Sean Burke. I would use Sean Burke over all but the top three streamers on my list for this week, which are, let's see, those are the hitters. Top three streamers for this week are two-star Jared Jones, a one-start Tyler Malley

and one-star Walbert-Rang. Yeah, I would use Sean Burke over, not over those three, but anyone else on the list. And the last name here is Trevor Rogers, who took a very tough loss against the Brewers. He allowed just one run over eight innings. He had 10 strikeouts to one walk. 17 whiffs on 99 pitches. He has double-digit strikeouts in two of his last four starts. And he's been very good during that stretch.

He is 63% started and at the Yankees this week. What do you think about Trevor Rogers? I don't know why it's a Trevor Rogers. He's been... I mean, he's only 63% started, so... I don't under... Like, the thing is, he still has an ERA over four because that's how bad his first two months were.

You entered June with a 684 ERA to Trevor Rogers, but in 19 starts since then, he has a 292 ERA, a 103-WIP, 8.8K. Burnine. He's been exactly who you drafted him to be for the last four months, and you should just write it out. I lied, I have one more name here for Starter Sit, and that is...

Wait, you're kidding, right? Jacob Miziarowski, the reason being that he was limited to just three innings and 44 pitches at the Orioles on Sunday. It makes sense the Brewers are locked in. They're going to be the number one seat in the postseason. And I could see the Miz having another short start this week.

So it's tough, Scott. On the off chance that they, you know, let him go five innings and pick up a win or something, you know, he could strike out 10 over five innings, but if he's limited to just three innings once again, then it's obviously not very useful. So what would you do with the Miz this week?

So this is quoting the Brewers Beatwriter for MLB.com, Adam McAlvey. He said Mizorowski's 44 pitch outing was designed to be short. Manager Pat Murphy said before the game is a way to provide the right-hander a bit of a breather before what is expected to be a more normal out. in his regular season finale against the Cardinals next weekend.

Okay. So if that's correct and I have no reason to doubt it, I would plan on starting Mizorowski. Agreed. I can't see a world where anyone is using Yuri Perez in the final week, Scott, he's just been so bad,

but what has happened? I mean, this is just a very, very tough end to the season for Yuri Perez. Five runs over four and two-thirds innings, three walks, two homers allowed. What's going on with Yuri Perez? I guess, I mean, as best I can tell, he just started walking guys again,

seemed to move past that when he started incorporating the Sinker more mid-season. Sinker never went away, but the walks came back, and I just don't think he can survive that. So he's going to be a very tough case for next year. Of course, you don't use him in the final week. It's been so bad over the past month plus. I don't have a great answer for you now. Like the upside is huge,

but he still has work to do, and maybe he makes the leap next year. It's going to be a boomer bus type of pick, though, as it was coming into this year. Actually, you know, I think I'll go later next year than he did this year, because I think, I don't think people, you were, to your credit. I remember you were probably the most skeptical of Yuri Perez, of anyone I talk to.

But I think everybody can see the downside now. Yeah, it's just like when the command is off, it's really off. And he walks guys, he gives up barrels. So it could just lead to kind of disaster outings where he's giving up home runs with runners on base. And I still think he has a world of talent. It's just can we get it consistently enough from Yuri Perez? That's the next step for him. Do you think he will rank in a similar range as Braxton Ashcraft, that 25,

30 range or are you thinking even lower than that at starting pitcher? In a sane world, he'd rank lower. I'll rank them lower. I feel pretty confident saying. His numbers are quite a bit worse. Jared Jones or

Yuri Perez? They'll probably rank similarly, I would think. All right. Some hitting leftovers here. Some names that are finishing strong. Ronald de Cunia homered on Friday, a grand slam on Saturday. and I'll keep citing it, but 22 games since that mental day off,

372 batting average, 7 homers, 20 RBI, and 2 steals there for Ronald Acuna. Jackson Turyo had a huge game on Friday, 2 for 5, with a sock and two shoes, and then he had two more steals on Sunday. He is blistering hot to close it out. Mookie Betts also finishing strong, he had a double dog on Friday. He went 4 for 4 on Saturday. His last 40 games, 327, 9. homers, 26 runs, 31 RBI, and OPS around 1,000.

We can't fall for it again, can we? He finished the season strong last year, Mookiee Betz did, but honestly, he was, he's been bad for most of the season before August, right? And then from August on, Mookie Betts has been a beast. Cow Raleigh, Monster home run in Corr's Field on Saturday. It was 459 feet. His last 27 games, he has 10 home runs and an OPS around 1,000. Fernando Tatis Jr., he just keeps on mashing. sock and a shoe on Saturday, another home run on Sunday. He has 20 homers and 13 steals in the second half alone.

That's 59 games. He's just been incredible. And Vinnie Pee! Baby! Vinny Pass Quantino, he homered two more times this weekend. And 29 games since returning from the IL, 279, eight homers, 21 RBI, 936 OPS for Vinny P. So lots of names here, Scott, but anything you'd like to add on Vinny P, Tatis, the Big Dumper, Mookie Betz, Turyo, and Ronald O'Cunia.

So the Royals do have good matchups this week. Pasquantino did come off the bench Sunday to hit that home run, so that makes me a little wary of him in shallower leagues. But I would say not a bad start, given that he's hot and the matchups are pretty good. Betts, how many short stops would you guess have more head-to-head points per game than bets this year.

Prior to Sunday's game, it's not even including Sunday's big game. How many short steps would you guess have more head-to-head points per game? Six. Six. Oh, you had it right, though. It was five. C.J. Ramselli, Dela Cruz,

Bobby Witt, Otto Lopez, and Kevin McGonicle. Those were the five I was thinking about. Nice. Were they? Yeah. really? Yeah. That's pretty good mental Rolodex there for you.

You'd be good at Fantasy Feud. It's a little bit tougher when you're on the spot, I think. So, look, I think I think he's become the sort of player that stands out a lot more in points than Roto since he doesn't steal bases anymore and he's not a batting average standout anymore. But he compiles well still.

And I don't know that he should go that late in points leagues next year. It's going to be an interesting case for sure. You know who else has finished really strong for the Dodgers? And I don't think we can start him the final week because he currently has an injury tag. Kyle Tucker? Kyle Tucker, yeah. Had a really strong September. Not as strong as Mookies, but strong.

guys stepping up with Otani and O'Tonie ailing and Freeman kind of in and out of lineup. All these Dodgers hitters getting hot right into the postseason. Just what we need. Other hitting leftover is Brandon Lau

Homer twice this weekend. He has four home runs in his past six games. Up to 33 home runs on the season. Jose Ramirez two for five with a sock and a shoe on, I believe that was Friday. He had multiple hits in each game this weekend. So that was nice to see. I mean, he's been a shell of himself since coming back from the IL.

Miguel Vargas hit another home run on Friday, a sock and a shoe on Saturday. This massive season, man. 33 homers, 20 steals for Vargas. C.J. Abrams is running a lot here down the stretch. He had four steals this weekend and has five steals in his last seven games. And PCA, just another ho-hum, three-for-five sock into shoe on Sunday, his 45th home run, his 38th steals. So five more names there. Al, J. Ram, Vargas, Abrams, PCA.

Anything on those five, Scott? Good to see. J. Ram had a home run. That had been really lacking since he came back from the broken handmade bone, possibly because of that injury. I think likely because of that injury. I'm still on the fence about whether or not

I'll want him as a second rounder next year versus the third rounder. Yeah, I mean, PCA, he's going to get 45. 540 is what I think this is shaping up to be. I don't think he's going to get to 50 home runs, but, man, what a year. Yeah, six games left to get two steals. I feel pretty confident he'll get it done here.

He'll find a way. Yeah. You can't, you can't come within a stolen base or two of a 40-40 season. That's like a home run or two, I get because you can't, you can't conjure a home run. You could conjure a stolen base. You know, it's, you just go. Just force it.

All right, some pitching leftovers here. Tyler Glass now, great outing against the Giants, six innings, two runs, 10 strikeouts, 15 whiffs on 98 pitches here. Christopher Sanchez, better result on Sunday at the Mets, six and a third, two runs, six strikeouts to zero walks. But he did not have his best changeup working, and he still gave up 12 hard hits in that outing for Sanchez. Gavin Williams, awesome here.

Seven shutout. strikeouts, 21 whiffs on 89 pitches, and his four starts in September 144 ERA.84 whip, 40 strikeouts over 25 innings for Gavin Williams. And Hunter Brown, he is racking up the wifts

to close it out, five shutout, ten strikeouts against the Braves, and he has double-digit strikeouts in back-to-back starts and three of his last five. Scott, anything to add here on Hunter Brown, Gavin Williams, Christopher Sanchez, and Tyler Glassnow.

Strong finish for Williams. You know, he's had his ups in debt, very high highs and not very low lows, but, you know, there's a reason why his ERAs above 350. Four September starts, though, it's 144. 0.84 whip, 14.4K per 9. Obviously looking good to finish out the year. Hunter Brown, interestingly enough. through his cutter 12% of the time.

I think he had only thrown it 11 times previously all year. So he incorporates it in his arsenal, not in a major way, but in a way, against the Braves here and has arguably his best start. Still, six of his last eight have been less than six innings. So not giving you that ace production you were hoping for. But I think Hunter Brown is somebody, that you wouldn't mind using in his final start against the athletics.

I think you'd probably use them. Yeah, I think so. The call to the bullpen for the Twins on Friday with Yo-endris Gomez unavailable. Travis Adams picked up his third save. Then on Saturday, Joendris Gomez was using the eighth inning with a three-run lead, a walk, a double, a strikeout, then he gave up a two-run double. And another walk, he was relieved by lefty Cody Funderberg, who got out of it. Then AJ Minter got the ninth inning with a one-run lead.

He gave up a game-tie-homer, and the twins would lose in extras. Then on Sunday, as you mentioned, Scott, Bailey Ober, the unexpected three shutout innings for his first career save. Yendris Gomez, he is struggling to the end here in 8 September games, 1137 ERA 253 whip. And, you know, honestly, even if I'm just protecting ratios for this final week, if you're in a head-to-head league, I mean, Gomez has looked so bad. I could see getting away from him for this final week.

Mm-hmm. Yeah, if you can help it. Is there any Twins reliever that stands out to you? Maybe Travis Adams, I don't know. I want to say, I haven't looked at it recently because the last bullpen report I wrote was a couple weeks ago. But, I mean, wouldn't Jeff Hoffman still be the first choice? I know.

I'd just bring up Adams because he picked up a save on Friday. I mean, and I know AJ Minter got a save too, but Hoffman's been, it was a little bumpy at first, but his last 11 appearances have been scoreless with 16 strikeouts and just two hits allowed. Like, he's clearly their best reliever. Yeah. I don't know how much you want to mess with it

the final week of the season. Like gambling on a prospective closer, but I don't know. I picked up Juan Murillo in a league. So just depends how deep the league is, how desperate you are for saves. For the White Sox on Saturday, Grant Taylor got the final four outs for his 10th save. For the Cubs on Saturday, Ryan Zephyrjan recorded three outs across the 8th and the 9th. And then it was lefty, Ryan Rawlison, who came on to get the final out for his third save.

I've said this a lot recently, but it feels like it's a combination of these two names. I don't know that you want to roster either of them, even in deeper league, Scott. But Zephyr John and Rawlinson, it kind of feels like they're... tag teaming the Cubs close the roll right now. It does appear that way. And I would hope you don't have to rely on either. Agreed. For the Royals on Saturday,

Stephen Cruz got the eighth inning with a one run lead. He gave up a two-run homer. He took his second blown save and fourth loss. Then on Sunday, it was Nate Pearson who got the eighth with a one-run lead. He instantly gave up a single, and then a two-run homer. He took his second-blown save and third loss.

So rough weekend there for the Royals bullpen. For the Nationals on Saturday, honestly, there's a lot of stuff to read here. I'm not going to read it. The Nads do not have a closer and they never will ever again. For the Cardinals on Sunday, Riley O'Brien picked up his 38th save, which was nice to see he has struggled big time in the second half. To stream or not to stream on Monday, three games slate. Might be a night for Fantasy Feud.

We'll see what that is. We have Shane Boss against the Blue Jays. River Ryan and his Tigers debut against the Nationals. DJ Hers makes his Nationals return at the Tigers. Zemby Matthews. Chris Towers' favor from a couple years ago. That's right. Zebby Matthews is at the Giants and Blade Tidwell is home against the Twins.

I mean, for three games late, Zebby Matthews at San Francisco's looking awfully good. He's coming off a really good start. I don't think he is that good. but I might be willing to roll the dice against a Giants lineup that clearly isn't that good even more so without Bryce Eldridge and it's in San Francisco which should help mitigate potential damage

yeah Zebi Matthew seems like the top choice there if you're forced me to pick a second shame boss I agree on Tuesday we have Max Scherzer at the Orioles Chris Bassett home against the Blue Jays Drew Anderson is home against the Nationals Andre Palante at the Pirates Dustin May at the Phillies J.R. Ritchie home against the Reds.

Anthony Kay at the Royals, Daniel Lynch home against the White Sox, Jansen Junk at the Cubs, Sean Mania at the Rangers, Yusi Kikuchi at the Athletics, Christian Javier at the Mariners, and Anthony Molina home against the twins. Don't think we can do the Dustin May thing.

The random number generator turned up a bad number over the weekend. I just don't want to mess with that anymore. Yeah. Let's see. I think Javier at the Mariners. Yep. Christian Javier at the Mariners.

Clearly the best. Anthony Molina's had some interesting starts recently. Don't really buy it. But the twins are out of it at this point, and I don't know how much fight they have left in them. So that might be my second choice. Andre Palante's been a pretty good streamer all year, but I feel like he's let us down lately

and had some shorter outings. So I don't know that I want to do. chance it at Pittsburgh. But he might be the third choice by default. That might be right. I think Bassett and Scherzer actually faced off against each other last time out as well. And Bassett pitched pretty well. Shurzer got rocked.

Wouldn't surprise me one bit if those roles are reversed. Feels pretty hard to predict anything great from those guys at this point in their careers. But yeah, I would put Javier at the top and then probably Palante second. And if you really need another run on Tuesday, I think I would lean Basset against the Blue Jays, but not with much confidence at all. We are going to wrap there for Scott. I am Frank.

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