Fantasy Baseball Today - Sheehan Shines, Injury Updates & Start or Sit Decisions! (9/22 Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

Episode Date: September 22, 2025

Emmet Sheehan shined again (3:00)! ... Spencer Steer is finishing strong (11:50). ... Jacob Misiorowski is struggling (15:22). ... News (23:57): Yordan Alvarez was officially placed on the IL. ... The Dog of the Week goes to Robbie Ray (34:48). ... The Royals put up 20 runs on Friday against the Blue Jays (42:45). ... Isaac Paredes is back for the Astros (45:36). ... There are a bunch of waiver wire pitcher options heading into the final week (49:03). ... Start or sit these pitchers (57:48)? ... We wrap up with leftovers, bullpen updates and streamers (1:02:07). Fantasy Baseball Today is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.  Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/FantasyBaseballToday⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Download and Follow Fantasy Baseball Today on Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sptfy.com/QiKv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get awesome Fantasy Baseball Today merch here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3y8dUqi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow FBT on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@fbtpod?_t=8WyMkPdKOJ1&_r=1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow our FBT team on Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@FBTPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@CPTowers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@CBSScottWhite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Roto_Frank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Facebook group at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtoday⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for the FBT Newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cbssports.com/newsletters/fantasy-baseball-today/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Well, fantasy. Now here's Frank, Scott, and Chris. We made it the final week of the season. Welcome into Fantasy Baseball today on Monday, September 22nd.

I am Frank Stamphill joined by Scott White and Chris Towers. day on the show. We have a bunch of injury updates, a bunch of pitchers went on the aisle this weekend. Yorda Alvarez finally placing the aisle as well. Potential waiver wire ads to plug in, start or sit decisions, and much more. Let's jump in. Oh my goodness gracious. All right. Thank you guys for leaving me the Olive Garden breadstick of the weekend. That is Emmett Sheehan who saw his amazing start go to waste on Sunday. Against the Giants, seven shutout innings, one hit, 10 strikeouts to zero walk, 17 whiffs on 84 pitches, 10 of those on the fastball,

six on the slider. Velocity was down in this one, it has been down the past couple of starts, but it has not mattered one bit. I mentioned fastball and slider, we're amazing here. Last five games, four of those being starts for Sheehan, 115 ERA, a 0.61 whip, 42 strikeouts to just seven walks, over 31 and a third innings. Sixty-three percent rostered. He's at the Mariners. He's at the this week. I don't think it matters. I think Emmachian's just must start. Final week. Throw him out there. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I was, he's still available enough to qualify for sleeper pitchers.

I moved him up. One spot ahead of two-starty and Seymour. I was tempted to move him up ahead of two-start Justin Verlander to, as good as Verlander's matchups are for this week, because I don't see how you sit Sheehan with the kind of run he's on. I have over his last six-star. It's like a 19% swinging strike rate, which is something only, Paul Skeen's Terrick Scoobel, they can only dream of a 19% swinging strike rate. That is not something ordinary pitchers do. Obviously, it's over a small sample.

But we've seen this from Schiaen before in the minors. He was a huge bat misser like that. 2023 is a rookie. That final month, he started doing that. This guy has incredible bat missing ability. And I think the biggest worry for Emmett Sheehan as kind of the start of the career of his career is playing out here is just would the Dodgers let him pitch long enough for it to amount to something in fantasy. But, you know, four of his last six starts, six innings or more. I don't know that they're all technically starts, but four of his last six appearances, six innings or more.

And two or three of them are like seven, including this one. So like that doesn't seem to be an issue for Image Sheehan anymore. I think he's just, he's great. I'll just also point out, I don't really even think we have to do the like last six starts thing for Amish Sheen to make him look good. You just take the the total package right now. You're talking about a 286 ERA, a 302 FIPP, a strikeout rate. I'm going to guess it's up over 30 percent. right at 30% good enough control you're talking about like an 8% walk rate um even taking the whole

season as a as a sample size among pitchers with at least 60 innings he is 18th in swinging strike rate that's out of 262 pitchers who have thrown at least 60 innings looking at other starters who are ahead of him hunter green dylan cease Logan gilbert tarick scoble that is it in the entire league Those are the only starting pitchers with a higher whiff rate than MSShee in this season. It's only 72 innings. There are, I still think some questions about what his role is going to be in 2026, but at this point, I think they have to have him in the rotation. Like, I get that they've got a lot more invested in Roki Sasaki.

I mean, not literally. It's a minimum contract, but, you know, for the, for the organization, it sure feels like Roki Sasaki is. Yeah, I don't. I don't know why he would get. He's just another minor leaguer. I mean, in theory. No, in reality, that is what his contract was. Right.

No, no, no. His car, but like, but his status. Yeah, he's a bigger deal than Bobby Miller, you know? Like getting him right matters more for that franchise, for that organization than anything. I don't know that I agree with that. Even with that. But I would say even with that. They're going to have a six-man rotation next year.

Clayton Kirshall is out of the picture. There should be room for both Sheehan and Roki Sasaki at the start of next season. If those are the two guys, because you've got Snell, Yamamoto, Glassnow, and Otani. I'm not forgetting. I mean, it just seems like a cell, like we don't even have any evidence Roki Sasaki can pitch in the majors. Like, we have yet to see him do that with even a modicum of success. I agree. So you got this breakout ace.

Yeah, I agree. That would be self-destructive on the dog's part. And I think they're smarter than that. Say it again, Chris. I agree. Well, it just, like, it took a long time for Sheehan to actually get the opportunity this year. And then to consistently get the opportunity. Yeah, it was coming back from Tommy John.

I mean, right. And he was unproven at the time too. Right. But what I'm saying is rookie Sasaki was penciled in the rotation at the start of the season. Sheen had to earn his spot. Maybe he's done enough. And maybe there's just a spot for both of them anyway. But I'm just saying, I wish it was 100% guaranteed because it should be.

I mean, the way we've seen them handle Roki Sasaki, because he's been back for like six weeks, right, pitching? Clearly he's had to earn his way back onto the roster, and he hasn't been able to do that. So I think that says a lot. I'm going to go ahead and nominate Emmett Sheehan as the guy when fantasy footballers come back next spring and they're cramming for their fantasy baseball draft, they're going to be like, Emmett Sheehan, why is this guy so high? He's going to be the one fantasy footballers don't see

coming because this basically happened beginning, that five-star stretch is like right at the end of August when they would have tuned out of fantasy baseball. So there's your guy, fantasy footballers won't see coming, Emmett Sheehan. I do have two quick follow-ups here on Emmett Sheehan. I think shallow league problems for this week, Kyle Bradish, 77% roster. He's not really out there in too many leagues, but he was amazing again this weekend. Who would you guys rather use for just this week? Sheehan at the Mariners or Kyle Bradish at the Yankees? Sheehan. Even if it was just the same matchup, I think it's a toss-up, but at Seattle is a better place to pitch than at New York. Okay, so realistically,

you should start both. Yeah. So let's just put that out there. But if you're forcing me to choose, there is, I think, a small chance that, like, Sheehan's become such an instrumental part of the Dodgers pitching staff. His turn lines up for the very last day of the season. Would they be like, eh, let's just run a spot starter out there and have him at Sheehan fresh, totally fresh for the playoffs. I think there is a small percentage chance of that. Look, I assume their playoff rotation would begin Yamamoto Snell Glass now all over Sheen. and maybe Otani too I mean well they've talked about using Otani

and I don't know what they're going to do with Otani but I presume Sheehan would be no higher than fourth in a playoff scenario and so they might like him getting that work the final day of the season but they might not and and Bradish for sure Orioles aren't going anywhere he struck out nine or more Kyle Bradish has in in three of his five starts nine strikeouts or more so he's been excellent too

I wouldn't be scared of using them against the Yankees. And I'm not saying, Chris, that you are scared of using them. But I would be more fearful of maybe than doing something funny with Sheehan on the last day of the season. And just give me a yes or no to this question. And perhaps I'm forgetting about someone else. But has Emmett Sheehan leapfrogged Nolan McLean as the breakout exciting pitcher for next season? Do you think Sheen will go higher than Nolan McLean? because it feels like those two are kind of going to be like

the most hyped up breakouts for next season. The only reason he wouldn't would just be concerns about his role in 2026. Obviously not just even if assuming he's in the rotation. It'll be a six-man rotation. That doesn't matter a whole lot, but it matters a little bit. So if you think they're close

enough that it's a tiebreaker, that could be a reason to use a tiebreaker. But one, the Mets are probably going to use a six-man rotation for long stretches of next season. I would guess, given the fact that they will likely have at least three young guys in there. And I'm not necessarily even sure it's a tiebreaker. I might just take MS. Sheen ahead of Nolan McLean right now.

Yeah, I think Chris summed it up well, though he didn't do it in one word. Yes, fair enough. All right, Scott, let's go over to you for your player of the weekend. Okay, here's a guy everybody's forgotten about. And I say that, looking at his roster rate, Spencer Steer. He took an O for Sunday. But Homer twice on Friday, Homer again on Saturday, he actually now has more home runs this year than last year. And a higher OPS this year than last year when he was regarded as pretty much a must-star player, right?

Now, he hasn't stolen as many bases. He has seven steals versus 25 last year. So maybe it's fair that he's not. being regarded in nearly the same way. But I think everybody kind of wrote Spencer Steer off early. He had the injury that was kind of keeping him out of the lineup and impacting his production. But he's really come around here in the second half.

And given that, steals are such a matter of intent, a decision-based stat, I've called them before. Like, there's no reason he couldn't get back to stealing bases next year. I don't know that we should treat that decline in steals the same way we might treat a decline in home runs. Sure, it makes steer less bankable for them, but does it really change the stolen base potential for him? I don't think so.

So, you know, it looks like he still matters in fantasy. He was written off too soon. I actually added them to my sleeper hitters list for the final week, not because the Reds matchups are so great, because we lost Daylon Mile to an injury. And boy, it was really hard to come up with 10 sleeper hitters for this final week. So Spencer Steers in there. and I imagine we're going to care about him in drafts again next year.

I think that's going to depend on where he's playing. Do the Reds, he's not a free agent, but he is, I think, entering his first or second year of arbitration eligibility. And I feel like he is really park dependent because you look at the expected home runs by Park for his career in Cincinnati at 76. If he spent his whole career in Pittsburgh, it would be 37. Yeah. That's a good point. For a guy who has hit 20 homers in each of his first three seasons, he has pretty limited raw power. It's, I would say average, maybe a little below.

Now he, you know, hits the ball in the air and does the things we want. You know, the pulled air rate is very strong. But even saying that this is a guy that like if a bat needy team like, I don't know, the Marlins or pirates, let's say, went and traded for him. that would probably be a pretty big ding that has value. Yeah, no, I mean, if he left Cincinnati, that would be a problem. I know it's been a point of frustration for people who picked up Sal Stewart. That Spencer Steer has been starting over Sal Stewart. I think South Stewart sat out three games in a row.

I'm sure the Reds front office probably wants to make Sal Stewart a prominent part of the lineup. And so they may want to take that decision out of Terry Frankona's hands. Of course, we've seen Steer completely. play the outfield. So there are avenues for him. But yeah, I mean, that's, it's not totally unthinkable that Steer could get traded in the offseason. That would definitely change things to Chris's point.

And a fine replacement if you lost out on Yordon Alvarez, though. If we're being honest, if you had Yordon Alvarez and drafted him early, you're probably not playing for much at this point in the season anyway. All right, Chris, let's go over to you for your player of the weekend. Yeah, let's talk about Jacob Izurowski, who, if the season had ended in July, like late July, we're probably talking about him as like a top 20 starting pitcher in 26, right? And now he's been pretty bad

since coming off the IL. It was a leg injury, no idea. I think we kind of assumed it was not a serious injury and was mostly just a way to limit his innings, but he has looked really bad. It's 21 runs in 30 in a third inning. Still 37 strike. in that stretch, which is very healthy, but he had, I think, I think it was 47 strikeouts in his first 33 innings. So that number has come down significantly. The walks are still super high. In this one, he gave up turn runs in three and two thirds innings, three strikeouts, three walks. That is the fourth time in, fifth time and fourth time in his last six starts that he has failed to go to finish five innings.

I really don't know where we're going to rank Jacob Mizirowski for next season. I'm going to be doing, you know, I've been doing my toughest players to rank at every position. And starting pitching obviously has about 40 guys who are impossible to rank. But Mizirowski feels like he's going to be right at the top of that list because the upside is obvious. He's got some of the nastiest stuff in the game. He is an intimidating presence on the mound. and we saw it in action. We saw him be an impact player for fantasy

even with those limitations. But we are getting a reminder here that as impressive as Ms. Dierowski has been, there's a reason he was not really ever considered one of the two or three best pitching prospects in baseball. Maybe after he got to the majors and we saw it in action, maybe people would have put him in that discussion.

But, you know, coming up, this was a guy who, had a lot to prove and was more like, I don't know, the 10th best pitching prospect before his debut. So, I don't know. I think we'll definitely have them behind Nolan McLean and Emmett Shee. I would say behind Chase Burns now that we've seen a little downside for Mizirassky, which I was leaning that way anyway. So yeah, it's going to be fascinating. I would still think top 30 or top 36 starting pitcher.

at the very least he's going to get drafted that way. I think the upside is going to push him that range. But I agree with the faces that you two were both making when I said that. I'm just thinking who's in that range of my starting my current rest of season. That's where I have Kyle Bradish right now. Braddisch should be higher than that next year, I would say. Okay, but you get much higher than that. You get into like George Kirby and.

Yeah, Bratish should bro. be higher I guess but like I got Andrew Abbott there in that range Cole Reagan's will obviously have to move up I think Dylan is in that range miss you're asking is definitely gonna go ahead of Andrew Abbott next year I whether he should or not is a different question but no I think that's fair I have Yuri Perez lower than that who that's that's an interesting one I could see Mizoraz still being ahead of Perez Cam Schlettler I would guess Mizorowski is gonna be ahead of Schlitler

this is a tough conversation because it's trying to predict not just what I would do but what other people would do like I would think miserables is going to be ranked ahead of Matthew Boyd next season yeah yeah I mean given how hard Boyd is faded here at the end that's but how high should Boyd rank like I don't know that any of these guys have no idea I will let you know the next try to figure out exactly where the cutoff is its starting pitcher where it's like oh I definitely want this guy starting every game for me versus, eh, maybe he'll be good. Because I think Jacob Mizorowski belongs in the latter category.

Maybe he'll be good. And I'm not sure that, I'm not sure that's inside the top 40. But it's, maybe he'll be great. I think that's the thing that's going to push with your ask. Sure. I agree. It's just, I think the upside is what's going to tantalize people. What I do find continuously interesting about Mizorowski is,

The slider is the pitch that has gotten the most attention and like the most jiffs and because it's a 94 mile an hour slider. It's his worst pitch by basically every metric. Quality of contact allowed. Whiff rate. Everything about his slide. It's not a bad pitch certainly, but 20% whiff rate 340 X Woba. That is worse than the rest of his arsenal across the board, which I find fascinating.

For this final week, Mizzi Arrowsky is 53% 60%. started and he faces the Reds at home. Would you guys start or sit Mizirowski? I would sit him. I think I would start him, but I would only expect five innings from it. So it's fringy. I would use both Kyle Bradish and Emmachian over a ticket, Missyrosky. Yeah.

Yeah. I got, I'm playing for the championship in the For the People League, which is a 16-teen categories, had-dead Categories League. I'm dropping them. I'm dropping him. Obviously, I don't have to worry about anybody picking them up at this point. But I need, I'm picking up like Parker Messick or whoever else is on my sleeper pitchers list for Jacob Mizorowski. All right, buckle up because we do have some tight postseason races as well entering the final week of the season.

The Guardians are red hot. They are just one game behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central and they face each other starting on Tuesday. So that is going to be crazy. The Mariners swept the Astros this weekend, giving them a three-game lead in the AL-West. The Astros and Guardians, by the way, are tied for the final wild-card spot in the American League. The Yankees, two games behind the Blue Jays and the ALE East. The Reds and Mets are tied for the final NL wild-cart spot. The Reds own the tiebreaker there.

So if the season ended right now, the Mets would be out, and the Reds would be in the playoffs. Also, the D-backs are just one game behind bolts. So lots to play for, lots to pay attention to this final week. of the season. Big thank you to everybody who is sending in tweets and emails telling us how you won your league this season. Love to see it. Continue to send those in. If we helped you win your league and or you just enjoy our content all season long, make sure to drop a five-star rating on Apple or Spotify and leave a review on Apple if you could. It does help things out quite a bit here, so we appreciate that. And thanks to those watching live, make sure to hit that like button

and subscribe or stay subscribed throughout the off season as well. Let's take that break. We'll be right after this. Welcome back in fantasy baseball today. News and notes, lots of injuries from the weekend. Yordon Alvarez was officially placed in the aisle with that left ankle sprain retroactive to September 16th.

He's yet to take part in baseball activities and will not play at all in the final week. Just a brutal season of injuries all around here for Alvarez and replacements for the final week on Scott's sleeper-hitter list. We have Trent Grisham, Dylan Cruz, Chandler Simpson, Spencer Steer.

Also an option there. Yep. If you lost out on Yorna Alvarez. Brandon Woodruff was placed in the aisle with a moderate right latch rein retroactive to September 18th. He suffered the injury during his bullpen on Saturday. Pat Murphy said it's too early to tell if Woodruff will be available for the postseason. Brian Wu left his start early Friday with right peck tightness, imaging or a field minor inflammation. And we don't know if he will start this week.

He threw five shutout innings with seven strikeouts against the Astros on Friday. He picked up the win before he left that start. Have you guys seen anything? Would you not risk it? I wouldn't risk it. Yeah, I can't. So the Mariners are in first place with the three-game lead, which is going to be difficult to blow in a six-game week.

And like he's their ace. At least he has been this year. So I think it's going to be a much higher priority to make sure Brian Wu is right for the playoffs than to have them pitch what could be a meaningless start at the end of this week. I agree. Pablo Lopez went on the aisle with a mild right forearm strain. His MRI showed no concerns with his elbow or UCL ligament. Rough season for Lopez as well.

He's dealt with shoulder injury and now this. So does create some questions heading into next season. Mick Abel was recalled. I assume we have no interest in Mick Abel, right? I mean, not no interest long term, but yes, this week. Certainly. Chris Bassett was

placing the aisle with lower back inflammation retroactive to Friday. Imaging revealed a hairline fracture in Will Smith's

right hand. Dave Roberts said it's doubtful that Smith will play again in the regular season and is unsure about the postseason.

There's there's three catchers on the sleeper hitters list for this week. I hate putting three catchers, but there's

three on there. So it's a good week to lose your catcher certainly in a one catcher league. But you know what? Two of those catchers

probably available in two catcher leagues, too. Carter Jensen and was by Esteros. Yeah. Did he Sunday also? I know he did Saturday, Jensen. Okay. Yeah, he's been great. And Dalton Rushing has only played two games since coming off the IL last week,

or started only two games, so I don't think this is going to lead to playing time for him. Unfortunately, it is the Ben Rortfitt show in Los Angeles. Yeah, so Carter Jensen, off on Friday and Saturday. He was betting seventh here on Sunday, but he has started eight straight games here for the Royals. So getting some run, making the most of it, has prospect pedigree. And of course, in one catcher leagues, you know, Drake Baldwin is at the top of that list. He's hit two more home runs this weekend. He's been awesome. He's playing nearly every day as well. Trey Turner is scheduled to face live pitching Tuesday and Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park. He's working his way back

from a grade one right hamstring train and is hoping to be ready for the postseason. Jeremy Pena was scratched Sunday due to a left oblique soreness. Start or sit, Jeremy Pena. I haven't seen the severity of this one. Obliq soreness sounds like it could be serious. Obviously, the Astros are fighting tooth and nail right now,

so they might be more willing to risk it. And shortstop's a tough position to fill. I think the best on my sleeper hitters list is Hassan Kim. Who did Homer twice over the weekend? and the Braves have the fourth best matchups. So maybe if you're worried, that might be okay to sit Pena for Kim. But I would prefer to wait

until I got confirmation that Pena's out. Junior Camerro returns to the lineup Saturday after missing two straight with a back issue. CJ Abrams was out of the lineup Sunday with a jammed right shoulder. He's also been pretty bad in the second half. Now dealing with this injury, it feels like a pretty good excuse

to get away from Abrams in the final week unless you need steel. Obviously, he's still really good in that category. There are only three games Monday. So every team plays six games, but most of the off days are Monday. Three games Monday, the Braves are playing one of the games. So you're going to have to make a decision on Kim probably before you see anything on Pena, unfortunately. Yeah, and Abrams, if you want to go that direction too.

Yeah, the Nationals do play on Monday, so I guess we'll find out right away if Abrams is in the lineup or not on Monday. Wyatt Langford returned to the lineup Sunday after missing two games with left side tightness. He's dealt with issues to both obliques this season. Start or sit, Wyatt Langford. He played Sunday, right? Yeah, he should be fine.

Edward Cabrera is returning on Tuesday, which might make him a two-star pitcher against the Mets and at the Phillies. If only makes one start, it's at the Phillies. 59% rostered. He did not have a rehab assignment. I assume we're staying away from Edward Cabrera.

Seems like the prudent course of action with no rehab assignment especially. They're not a great matchup, so yeah, I think that's a note. The best case scenario for Trevor McGill is to return for the playoffs. Abder Aribe and Jared Canig will continue to share high leverage situations.

Zander Bogartz is expected to return on Monday. He's 78% rostered. Could be out there in some shallower leagues if you are in need of a shortstop who, I mean, we just spoke about Jeremy and C.J. Abrams, so perhaps Bogart's is an option. Marcus Semyon took live BP and did some running on Friday.

He's trying to return from a fracture in his left foot. The A's play Sean Nukum on the aisle with left elbow inflammation. Hogan Harris and Michael Kelly should see high leverage situations there for those in the deepest of leagues, chasing saves at this point. Austin Hayes left Saturday's game with back spasms and then was out of the lineup on Sunday,

so might want to get away from Austin. and Hayes this final week. Seth Lugo will not return the season due to that back injury. The Tiger is designated Charlie Morton for assignment after trading for him at the deadline. Willi Air Abraeu was activated from the IL Sunday after missing a month with a calf strain. Start or sit, Willier Abraeu. Let me double check the matchups there. How many lefties are on the schedule for Boston?

It looks like just one. Feels like just five alpha leagues, right? For him? Yeah. Yeah, the opposing pitchers are pretty tough. And he did strike out four times in his return here. So I'd have to be a deeper league to use Willier or Brayu, I think. Dale and Lyle left Sunday's game with a knee contusion.

Again, the nationals play on Monday, so we'll find out about that. Good news for Yvonne Herrera's 2026 value, as manager Oliver Marmull said, Herrera will prepare exclusively as a catcher this offseason. So middle of the year, he went on the aisle, dealt with some knee issues, And so that's the reason why he hasn't caught here in the second half. But good news that Herrera will be likely used as a catcher again next season. And he's been a great hitter. So just add another one to the crowded catcher position for next season.

Well, I read he had an elbow thing too. Like he's going to have elbow surgery this off season because he has something going on in there that prevented him from doing the throwing motion needed to catch, which is the main reason why they took up. them took him off the position. I don't know if you guys had heard that. That was news to me. Yeah, I thought it was mostly the knee thing, but yeah, I'm seeing the elbow surgery as well now. Yeah, so that's very interesting. Doesn't mean he's going to be the primary catcher, and he doesn't have catcher eligibility.

He's not going to retain it into next year. So it's unclear how long it will take him to regain it, but just the fact he will. And, you know, it'll be one of those sneaky picks. Like, what's the most recent example? I remember it was true for Stephen Vote, like 10 years ago. He's the Guardians manager now, so that's probably a really old reference. But like one of those non-catchers, they don't currently have catcher eligibility, so you can't draft them to fill the catcher spot.

But you anticipate them picking up eligibility at the position, so they end up being really valuable. That's with maybe the deepest catcher pool ever now. So maybe it's not as lucrative of a pick as it might have seemed a few years ago. But we all believe Herrera is a really good hitter. I will say if he's going to play as much as the average catcher, so not Cowr Alley or Steameris. But the average guy plays four and a half times per week, let's say.

is he the number six catcher number 10? I think somewhere in that range. Yeah, I think top 10 or 12. Like, would you rather, if they were both catcher eligible entering next season, who would you rather have, Ben Rice or Yvonne Herrera?

I would take Rice. Yeah. Right. I think so. He's six for me right now. Would you rather have Salvador Perez or Ivan Herrera? And it's, take Salvi.

Because we don't. I mean, you're kind of, you're kind of setting, you're saying if we assume Herrera's going to play as much as the average catcher. Right, we don't know. So am I supposed to assume that when deciding whether I want him or Salvi?

Well, yeah, that was the, that's what the question was credited. Presuming he has catcher to start out and presuming he's playing every day. I still think I'd take Salvi, but I'm saying we don't actually, like he won't actually have catcher eligibility and we can't assume how often he's playing. So. But I,

I think top 12 for sure. Yeah, and possibly top 10. Yeah, I agree with that. You guys mentioned this earlier, but Sal Stewart has sat out three straight with Spencer Steer back in the lineup. I assume we should avoid South Stewart here, final week.

Yep. Yep. Others who went on the aisle this weekend, Colt Keith with right rib cage inflammation, Matt Walner with a strained right oblique, Zach Gelloff with a dislocated left shoulder, Nolan Jones with a right oblique strain, Michael Kopec with right knee inflammation,

Lucas Ursaig with a right shoulder impingement, and Martin Perez with a left shoulder strain. All right, Chris, I'll throw it over to you for the dog of the week. Robbie Ray is the dog of the week, and he's kind of been the dog of the second half at this point. He was facing the Dodgers for the second start in a row. That's a tall task for any pitcher, but he now has, I believe it's a 554 ERA since the All-Star break.

it was 265. Before the break, his strikeout rate has dropped from 20 to 21 percent, from 27 percent in that time. He's gone from 9 and a half walk rate to 10 and a half. I'm open to the idea that Robbie Ray was maybe pitching a little over his head in the first half. He was not a true talent level top 12 pitcher or whatever he looked like, but I'm having trouble making a lot of sense of the second half slide. outside of he threw 34 innings the previous two seasons combined. There have been some velocity fluctuations. There was one start especially where he was averaging like 91, 92 with his fastball,

which was alarming. But for the most part, his fastball velocity has actually been up in the second half of the season. So I don't have a good reason to think that he's fatigued, but that just seems like the most likely explanation for why Robbie Ray. been so bad, right? I don't have a better one. I wish I did because it's frustrating. I mean, there's a lot of this going around.

Like, pitchers who we had become mainstays in fantasy rotations, borderline aces even, and they're just collapsing down the stretch from Brambertz, Joe Ryan. Of course, we mentioned Matthew Boyd and Andrew Abbott already. it's they're kind of reshaping the 2026 rankings in real

time because particularly in the case of those first three I mentioned Ray Ryan and who was the third one I mentioned Rumber Valdez they seem like potential top 15 pitchers and now I don't know I mean Valdez has the track record

that maybe he'll still get that benefit of the doubt 31 heading into free agency. The thing that's most worrisome about Valdez for me is he's already throwing the curveball like 30, 38% of the time over the past six starts and he's still been bad. That's always been kind of the, well, he's struggling, but it's because he doesn't have a curveball.

Well, right now he's throwing the curve ball and he's struggling. So what is the, what's the break glass in case of emergency move for Framber Valdez? The thing is he used to not need the curveball. Yeah. And so I don't know. I mean, I give a lot of credence to track record. Unless I see clear signs of decline, I'm not going to worry age 31. I mean, that doesn't sound too old for a pitcher, less his velocity is like dropping, but it's not.

For me, it's a combination of just he's old enough that if he dropped off, it wouldn't be surprising. And he might be dealing with a change of scenery this offseason. Like, there are a couple of pitchers. Zach Allen's kind of having the opposite situation from Framber while he's only looking good now in August and September and it's like I might let the market tell me like the actual MLB market tell me how to feel about Framber Valdez and Zach Allen

just because if Framber still gets a $100 million contract is that too much? I assume he will. I would assume so. I assume he'll get the biggest contract of any free agent pitcher, right? could he get more than Doan cease, I would think? That'll probably be close. It'd be close between those two, but is anyone else even in the same category?

Depends how you feel about Ranger Suarez, I guess. Yeah, I think Suarez is going to be in that range, yeah. Yeah. I didn't realize he was a free agent. Okay. Yeah, I don't know. I just, like, Robbie raised a different scenario because he had been off our radar for two years. So our expectations were so low that a second,

rough second half might be enough to undo a good first half. But I, Fron Bervalde has been so bankable year in and year out. I think he gets, I think he gets a pass for a bad half of pitching, even if it is the most recent half we've seen. I think so. Robbie Ray, by the way, I just wanted to put some numbers on it as well. Last six starts, 813 ERA 177 whip. 5.2 walks for nine. So his control has just been abysmal.

53% started in the final week. He gets the Cardinals, which is pretty good. Matchup. I'd start them, yeah. You guys are using Robbie Ray? No, I'm probably not. I mean, he's been, I don't, I don't try. Like, it always depends, like, what kind of league are you thinking?

I think the default, the league size we default to on this podcast is 12 teams, so that's usually what I have in mind. And as a 12 teamer, like, I would sit from Ver Valdez with the way he's been pitching the last six weeks for any of my sleeper pitchers. I actually kind of like my sleeper pitchers for the final week. Yeah, I agree with that. Yeah, I would bench Ray for, you know, any of the guys we mentioned earlier, Sheehan and Braddish and Verlander with the great matchup. So, yeah, totally fine with that. Yeah, but even, like, further down the list, Tyler Wells, who doesn't even have as favorable a matchup. I think it's Tampa Bay.

Treyia Savage, who just will get to him, I'm sure. But his second start wasn't so great. He's back against the Ray's in his third start, who he had the nine strikeouts against. First time out, I think I'd start Yassavage over Ray or Fromber. See, my last pitcher is Stephen Koleck on the sleeper pitchers list. Would I go that far? I would not. I don't think so.

It would depend what I'm looking for, I think, because I expect Robbie, Robbie Ray and Framber Valdez to actively hurt my ERA and whip right now. If it's a points league or if I'm looking for strikeouts mainly, Okay, maybe you're right. All right, let's take our final break. When we return, we'll recap the rest of this weekend right after this. Welcome back in Fantasy Baseball today. I did want to get to this earlier, but here we are. The Royals wanted to mention 20 runs against the Blue Jays on Friday.

They did that on 27 hits, including three homers, took full advantage of a position player, Tyler Heideman, who allowed 10 earn runs over in the inning in a third of work here. Carter Jensen, who we mentioned, he went three, for seven with three doubles, two runs, two RBI, has started eight straight, nine percent roster in a name you can look at in two catcher leagues. Vinnie Pasquantino, VP, baby.

Four for four with two doubles and two RBI, big second half, he's up to 31 homers, 107 RBI and 809 OPS on the season. Salvador Perez is finishing strong last seven games for him, 333 with three homers and 12 RBI. Jack Caglione, nice game here, two for five with seven, his seventh home run, for RBI. He has started seven straight. He's 55% rostered, has first an outfield eligibility.

Mostly has been underwhelming this season, no doubt about it. The Royals have the second best hitter matchups. Can I interest either of you in Jack Caglione this week? Unfortunately, it is two lefties at least in the six games. So probably not. I mean, deep five outfielder league, maybe. But it wouldn't be something I'd, be eager to do. I'm very interested in him for next season though. I know it's been largely a disaster. I mean, he's hitting 164 with a 550. 51 OPS. The underlying numbers are much better. They're not like great, but a 335 X Woba is actually not bad. For as bad as Caglione has been, his plate discipline isn't horrible. 21.6% strike rate is basically average.

He doesn't walk hard. Obviously, there's huge upside. He's going to be someone, if he falls outside of the top 150 in drafts next year, which I would expect he will. I will be very interested in drafting Jack Caglion. Remember, he was not viewed that differently from Nick Kurtz when they got called up. Obviously, it's gone very differently so far. Who started for the Blue Jays in this game, by the way?

Max Scherzer did not escape the first inning. He gave up seven runs. recorded two outs in this one and over his last five starts a 945 IRA a 175 whip gets the red stocks this week I assume we're just out on Max Scherzer for this see no reason to risk it with him I mean even with Chris Bassett on the IL and Jose Bereas out of the rotation I'm not sure sure she's gonna be in the rotation for the season I assume Burrios is back in the rotation yeah I guess I went on the I L the next day though I haven't seen that for sure yeah

Waverwire hitters for this last week of action. I have some shallow league third baseman. Royce Lewis is really finishing strong here. Had a steal on Friday, a three-run homer on Sunday. Last 28 games hitting 275 with seven homers, 22 RBI, 11 steals during that time. Alec Bome returned with a big weekend. Eight hits, one homer for RBI.

And Esoc Paratus returned this weekend. He started all three games. He homered on Sunday. Scott, I know he was, Number two. Very high on your- On the sleeper hitters, yeah. So I assume he would rank over those other two this last week?

Yes. Yeah, I think, I don't know. He was dropped in so many leagues. Maybe you have a stud third baseman and just don't need to pick up Peritas. But I think he'd be a solid starter utility spot, corner infield spot, wherever. And he was must start before the injury. And like I said, he got dropped in so many leagues. because it wasn't clear he'd be back at all.

Well, here he is back for the final week. After starting all three games over the weekend, homering in one, Astros have the best hitter matchups for the final week. I think anywhere where you can fit Perettas in the lineup and you don't feel good about the player currently in that spot. I think you should just start Perretta's. I think he could be really good. If you still need a catcher in a one catcher league,

we mentioned a name, but Drake Baldwin last seven games, hitting 393 with three homers and 12 RBI. The Reds, we spoke about Spencer Steer, who's been heating up. Matt McLean has been solid lately as well. 246 batting average over his last 21 games. Has four homers, two steals, and OPS around 850. And again, we might need shortstop replacements, so Matt McLean, a potential option for this week.

And some deeper league names, Hassan Kim, Homer twice this weekend. Christian Moore has three. three homers and two steals over his last seven games. Jared Triolo has actually been solid for a while now. Last 34 games, hitting over 300 with four homers, seven steals, an OPS over 850, and Zach Cole hit a mammoth home run off of Logan Gilbert here on Sunday.

The Astros six games this week, at least five righties on the schedule, one TBD. So if you're in a very deep five outfieler league, I think Zach Cole could be an option for you. any thoughts any interest in these other names here triolo christian more has some kim who we kind of spoke about i mean hason kim is the most interesting for this last week you brought up zander bogarts before and i i think i'd just go with kim over bogarts for this final week even though bogarts is owned in five times as many leagues or something like that

three times as many leagues um yeah the others i i i don't i mean obviously christian more has a prospect pedigree. He was good in the minors. We've seen, he's been up in the majors long enough that we should have seen something by now to remain interested in him and we haven't. So I don't see myself using him in the final week. Cole, yeah, I like the matches for the Astros. He had been, I believe, 0 for 11 prior to this game. And the strikeouts are an issue.

So I do think that's more of a deeper league play, Zach Cole. All right, any interest in these Waverwire pitchers for the final week? I'm pretty sure we like all of these names, so I'm just going to have you rank them based on matchups here. But Kyle Bradish is at the Yankees, who we spoke about. Emmett Sheehan is at the Mariners. Luis Morales had another quality start. He gets the Royals this week.

Bubba Chandler looked great against the athletics. He had 15 whiffs on just 68 pitches. He is at the Braves, and Parker Messick continues to pitch. Well, he had nine strikeouts over five in a third at the Twins. and he gets to Tigers this week in that massive series. So how would you rank those five names? Messick, Baba Chandler, Morales, Sheehan, and Kyle Braddish. I will go Bradish, Sheehan, Messick, Morales Chandler.

Did I miss anybody? Nope, those are the five. I think I'd go Sheehan over Bradish, but I can't disagree. The only thing I would say is just because that game with the Tigers could effectively be a playoff game for Parker Messick and the Guardians, you do have to be on guard for the potential of them treating it like a playoff game. And if you've watched the playoffs in the last decade, you know that might mean he gets in trouble in the third inning. He gets pulled because the guardians have a strong bullpen and they have zero margin for error. So that would be the one thing I would say in that situation. And then there's the Sheehan one where they might have nothing to play for him, just want him fresh and just opt to skip his start.

So there are some contingencies like that to keep an eye on. But I was very impressed by Bubba Chandler's start, I want to say. Last two have been excellent. I think one earned run over 13 in the last two starts, from remembering correctly. 11 innings. 11 innings. He only went five in this one. That's what it was.

Okay. It's 13 strikeouts over the last two starts. It was really good to see four whiffs on the slider because it's been fastball changeup have been the good whiff pitches for Bubba Chandler and the breaking balls haven't really been there. So it's good to see that as we, you know, project ahead for 2026 where I have no idea where he's going to rank. It's been such a weird season for him, but. Chandler or Mizorowski. I think you'd have to go Mizorowski. But Chandler was considered the best, the better prospect of the two.

And I don't think it was all that close up until Mizorowski got to the major. So I think it's close. Some other shallow league names that I think are all behind the group that we just spoke about. But Noah Cameron is finishing strong here. He's at the athletics this week. James and Tyone, a great two-star week. He gets the Cardinals. and Clayton Kirshaw made his final home start of the regular season of his career, rather.

Well, no regular season because he could pitch in the postseason. But he wasn't great in that one. He's at the Mariners this week. Do any of those names or matchups interest you? Noah Cameron, Tyone, and Clayton Kirchow? Probably rank them. Forgetting the names now. Tyone second, Kershaw, third, and who was first?

Noah Cameron. Noah Cameron. Yeah, I'd probably put Cameron. first, but the athletics can be, they can pose a problem sometimes. So I don't have Cameron on my sleeper pitcher list. Plus, he's pretty, I think he's rostered over 75%.

So he didn't quite make the threshold. Yeah. But he's okay. The way his last three starts have gone, I think it's fine to use them. I have no interest in using Kershaw. Medium-sized leagues. Trey I Savage took a step back here in his second start

at the Royals, four innings, four runs allowed, three walks, the two strikeouts. Tyler Malley looked pretty good in his return against the Marlins, four and two-thirds shutout with six strikeouts. Slade Cicone was great at the twins, seven shutout innings with eight strikeouts for him. Eduardo Rodriguez, a strong start against the Phillies, six shutout innings with five strikeouts, and Cade Covelli was solid at the Mets, five shutout with three strikeouts, and he, if I'm going over to the matchups real quick, Cavali gets to White Sox,

Erod at the Padres. Cicone gets the Rangers. Tyler Malley is home against the Twins, and Trey Savage gets the Rays. Are you interested in using any of those names in this final week? I think Savage is interesting. Yeah.

He's got a pretty good matchup, like Scott said earlier, against the Rays, a team that he just had nine trackouts in his major league debut against. Splitter looks very good still. The rest of the Arsenal, obviously, wasn't quite there.

in this one. He's a work in progress. And the thing to keep in mind about Tray Savage is it was pretty surprising that they called him up. I don't think we really had that one on the bingo board there. So it's sort of found money, but he's clearly a talented

pitcher. I think he's right in in terms of talent. Is he much beyond like Nolan McLean? I don't really think so. It's just obviously he's much less proven against major league talent. So when you're looking at 2026, he'll be ranked below, but I think it's similar upside, similar talent.

So that's definitely... Before they got called up, I'm sure Yassavid ranked higher on all the prospect lists. So he's definitely talented. Obviously, this was disappointment at Kansas City. The matchup was so good. The control kind of came back on him, 58% strike rate in this one. And that was an issue in the minors, too. So I'm a little worried that, okay, your savage gets called up.

I'm like, well, you can't use him right away with so much on the line. And then he has a great start. It's like, okay, use him against Kansas City. Not so good. It's like, well, okay. But look what he just did against the race last time. I use him against the raise again. If it goes bad, then it's like, oh, I said to sit him for the one great start

and then start him for the two bad ones. I have a bad feeling that's what's going to happen. I did, after this start, just in terms of ranking sleeper pitchers for next week, I dropped Yassavich behind Parker Messick. And Connolly Early, even though his start wasn't, his third start wasn't the greatest either. I still think I'd go with those two against the Tigers over Yosavage against the race. I don't have a ton of interest in any of the other guys. Sikoni, he's had a couple of good starts, but on the whole has been pretty overwhelming.

Malley, I, it's a decent, it's a pretty good matchup against the twins, but he got to 68 pitches. Are they going to push him to 80? I could see it, but it's not a guarantee, especially because if the Rangers have anything left to play for when that start comes, they will, yeah, they probably don't have anything left to play for, right? They're like five games back. Yeah. Rangers are further back than the Marlins at this point. it looks like tough break. So I guess that won't matter.

They won't necessarily have a ton riding on it, so they won't have that slim margin for error. So maybe they give him a little run. But I have never been much of a believer in Tyler Malley this season anyway. So I don't really think he's all that good. Anything to see here with these Deeper League names, Bryce Elder gets the nationals this week. Michael Lorenzen is at the Angels.

Jansson Junk at the Phillies. Kyle Harrison gets the Tigers and Logan Allen gets the Rangers. All five pitched well this weekend. Again, just deep league names, but can you see yourself using any in like a 15-team league or something? I mean, if you need a deep league option, I think Stephen Kolek's the one against the Angels

who've made everybody look like Nolan Ryan here in recent weeks. I did pick up Bryce Elder in a deeper league for this upcoming week. The Nationals is a good matchup. His last six starts, 263, ERA 101 whip. I think there is some volatility for him to just have a complete blowup outing here. But he's been pitching well. He's getting ground balls and a good matchup there against the nationals. Bryce Elder's pitching really well.

His slider has been awesome. Lately it's got like a 43% whiff rate in the month of September. I don't buy it at all. But I think the last time we talked about him, I said I wanted to look for reasons to get away from my knee-jerk opposition. to him given his success and that would be the one reason I guess. All right, starter sit these pitchers in the final week. Let's try to move a little quicker through this.

Just give me a starter sit on these names, but Shota Imanaga has been struggling. He's given up 10 homers over his last five starts. He gets the Cardinals this week. Start giving the matchup. He's going to be fascinating to rank for 2026. I'm not sure he's a top 40 starting pitcher. I don't know. I don't know about that one.

Start unless you're just loaded. Yeah. Nick Ladolo, two rough starts in a row. He in four starts since returning a 595 ERA and a 142 whip, but he gets the pirates this week. So I think we have to use Lidolo, right? He actually got a ton of whiffs in this outing over the weekend, even though the result wasn't good.

20 whiffs? Am I reading this right here? He got 20 whiffs? That's, that's, uh, that would suggest the stuff. was good, even though the result was bad against the pirates. I'd trust Lodolo. We mentioned his name earlier, but Framber Valdez over his last nine starts is a 671 ERA and a 159 whip. He is at the athletics this week.

It's a tough place to pitch, given the way he's pitching. I would lean towards starting him, but I totally get if you don't want to. I'd lean sit. Yeah, I think I would probably lean sit as well. I did just want to quickly see how he's performed. He performed against the athletics this year, six innings, two runs, five strikeouts, and that was the only start that he made against him. But, yeah, he's pitching pretty poorly right now.

That's for Amber Valdez. Zach Gallen continues to pitch well. This time against the Philly, seven innings, three runs, nine strikeouts, 14 whiffs on 103 pitches, but he gets the Dodgers this week. I have to sit him against the Dodgers. Yeah, I don't trust it. Last 10 starts, by the way, 282 ERA and a 0.99 whip there for Zach Gowan. Yeah, I want to find it.

I think the peripherals are still not great in that stretch, even though it's a 375 FIP over the last 10 starts. Striker rates only 21%. That would be the lowest of his career by four percentage points. Yeah. I don't see much reason to buy into this run for him. He is doing some things a little bit better. He's the walks are way down. The ground ball.

Change up. The ground ball rate is up and the hard contact is down too. So he's kind of like traded in some strikeouts here. But all the other things look pretty promising, I guess, for Zach Gallen during that 10-star stretch. Joe Ryan is struggling quite a bit. Last six starts, 733 ERA 163 whip, nine homers allowed during that time. And he is at the Phillies this week. I'd start him.

I mean, it hasn't been as long as. It's been for Fromber and Robbie Ray. Yeah, there's not really a common thread to explain why Joe Ryan has struggled so much. A lot of home runs. And that's part of the package with him. I don't want to start him. So I would look for reasons not too. But depending on the size of your league, the depth of pitching on the waiver wire,

he may end up being your best choice regardless, Joe Ryan. Yuri Perez had himself a nice two-star week nine. out innings with 15 strikeouts, just one walk, but he gets the Mets this week. And I think he struggled against them quite a bit last time. Yes, he didn't get out of the first inning last time he faced them. Yeah. So what do you guys think about using him this week? I'd use him, but I've tended to be on the more optimistic side about Yuri Perez

for most of the season. So he's been last two starts mixing in a sweeper more that might be helping his slider be more effective. I don't know. Other than the results themselves, that's the main thing I've noticed for Yuri Perez. So maybe it's something. I would lean,

I would lean towards starting him in a Categories League because I'm not sure he's going to give you, like, I'm not sure he's going to go deep into the game. I might look out to where it had Dead Points League. All right, some early round hitters who did some things this weekend. Ellie Daler Cruz broke his homerless streak on Friday. that was his 20th home run of the season. Ronald de Cunia is finishing strong here last 10 games hitting 368

with three homers and two steals. Jazz Chisholm, homered twice this weekend and he becomes the third Yankee ever to go 30-30. Juan Soto will not stop. Two for three with a sock in a shoe on Friday. He added another steal on Saturday. He's up to 42 homers and 35 steals. He absolutely has to be gutting for 40-40.

Screw it, yeah, let's get a 40-40 season. Why not? We've got six games to get five more steals, but I mean, at his pace, he can get it done this week. Shohei Otani stayed hot. He homered two more times this weekend and having a pretty massive September,

eight homers, 1258 OPS. Cal Raleigh hit two more homers this weekend. He's up to 58 now. Jose Ramirez has secured back-to-back 30-40 seasons. He is just the fourth player in MLB history with multiple seasons of 30 homers and 40 steals. Bobby Bonds did it four times. Alfonso Soriano did it twice.

Barry Bonds also did it twice. Fernando Tatees Jr. is having himself a strong September, hitting 288 with five homers, five steals, 839 OPS. And Corbyn Carroll had a huge game on Sunday, two for five with a sock and a shoe, his 31st homer, his 30th steal,

the first 30-30 season in D-BACs history. Some big names here. The Yankees have only had three? It's kind of surprising, right? counting Chisholm? Yeah. I'm trying, so, I think it's Soriano was one.

It's the third. It's the third Yankee ever to do it, but maybe there were Yankees that did it multiple times, but yeah. I believe Bobby Bonds was the other one. So none of them are even the Hall of Famers. I don't think so. That's crazy.

I mean, well, that's the thing is who would have. You know, I was trying to think the rhythm. Mantle's sole stole some bases, but I don't think it was a ton. Yeah, I don't think they were. That's a 21. They weren't even really like speedsters, right? So yeah, I know, it was it was Bobby by I love how much how often like Bobby Bonds was like I don't know half the player his son was a third of the son his son was he was still a great player that's not a knock on him.

But he shows up on all of these like 30 30 30 30 40 lists way more than you would expect. Yeah. Yeah. So pretty big weekends there just want to point. Shohatani has 141 runs. He's averaging almost a run. per game this season. Yeah. 141 runs and 153 games. That's crazy. Like non-zero chance he gets to 150 runs,

which I don't think has happened since Jeff Bagwell in like 1998 or something. Damn. Some hitting leftovers here. Jackson Merrill continues his nice stretch. Last 14 games, 316 batting average with six homers. OPS over 1100, just hitting a ton of fly balls and hitting the ball extremely hard during that time. Ben Rice putting the finishing touches on a strong season, four for five with his

24th Homer and 5 RBI on Sunday. George Springer, just a ridiculous bounce back year, hit his 30th homer on Friday, 305 batting average, 101 run scored, 16 steals. He also, I think, had an I-L stint this year. At 36 years old, I have no idea how he'll be treated in drafts next season. He's going to be a fascinating player, George Springer.

That's going to be one of the toughest to rank, regardless of position. Is he a free agent? I don't believe so No I think he has at least one more year he has one year left Okay yeah because that would that would throw Even more uncertainty

Yeah, and that ended fast Six years That was a fast six years And Brandon Lau I wanted to mention Has quietly just had a great season Hit his 30th home run on Sunday He has done that in 130 games With 81 RBI and a 786 OPS as well

Some pitching leftovers here we have just four names. Trevor Rogers, awesome again, this time against the Yankees, six shutout innings with seven strikeouts. Hunter Brown, a tough loss against the Mariners, six innings, two runs, nine strikeouts. Carlos Rodon picked up his 17th win. This one at the Orioles, seven innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts, through his changeup a lot more, and it was incredible. And George Kirby, two strong starts in a row. This one at the Astros, six shutout innings with seven strikeouts. Anything on Curvee. Kirby, Rodan, Hunter Brown, and Trevor Rogers.

Kirby, looking ahead to 2026, I think there are going to be, there's going to be where I rank George Kirby, and then there's going to be where I rank George Kirby once I see what he looks like next spring, because even with the good start here and a couple good starts in a row, it's still no splitter, very few changeups. He hasn't thrown a splitter in a start, I think, since the first start of August. and that's something I've talked about. He had to change his mechanics as a result. I assume it was as a result of the shoulder injury, but it's caused him to lose the feel for the splitter. And I think it's just made him a worse pitcher. And so I kind of want to see him next spring,

see, does he have the splitter back? Is he pitching like he was pre-20205? That'll probably be the difference between ranking him, I don't know, 18th and ranking him 30th at starting pitcher. All right, the call to the bullpen for the athletics on Friday. Michael Kelly got the ninth with a one-run lead. He allowed a hit and walk, but picked up his second save.

For the Orioles on Friday, Kegan Aiken got the ninth with a two-run lead. He struck out two for his eighth save. But then he pitched here on Sunday in extra innings with the game tied, and he gave up three runs, including two homers. So not great there for Kegan Aiken. For the Rockies on Friday,

Victor Vodnick picked up his ninth save, and then on Sunday he picked up his 10th. He is pretty much just the closer for the Rockies. For the Dodgers on Friday, Tanner Scott, got the ninth inning with a three-run lead. He allowed two base runners, but picked up his 22nd save. And then on Saturday, they went with Jack Dreyer, who picked up his fourth save of the season.

For the Tigers on Saturday, Will Vest got the ninth with a one-run lead. He gave up two runs on four hits, took his seventh blown save and fifth loss. That is two pretty rough outings in a row here for, Will Vest. And for the Marlins on Saturday, Calvin Foshae, got the ninth inning with a two-run lead. He allowed a run, but picked up his 15th save. And then on Sunday, George Soriano got the ninth inning with a two-run lead.

He struck out one for his first save. The Marlins do not have a closer, and they never will ever again. To stream or not to stream on Monday, we have a three-game slate. So your options are Michael McGreevy at the Giants and Justin Verlander against the Cardinals. Actually, I think both are fine. Yeah, I don't hate them. Verlander. Verlander's really good, in fact.

I especially like them if it's a weekly lineup and he gets the second start against the Rockies in San Francisco. And then on Tuesday we have Johann Oviedo at the Reds. Edward Cabrera, I don't think we're using him. Shane Smith at the Yankees.

Brad Lord is at the Braves. Zebby Matthews at the Rangers. Christian Javier at the Athletics, Jeffrey Springs, home against the Astros. Springs could be fine. because he always has a chance to be fine. And then I like Christian Javier. There's a fly ball pitcher in Sacramento is a little scary, but yeah.

Chance it goes really poorly. And one who I'm not even, I'm not even sure he's good. I think he's pretty good. I don't know if he's good, but I think he's like, you know, on the way to good. I ended up removing Javier from the sleeper pitchers list, even though he was one of the few who lined up for two starts. one, I don't think you can really count on anybody making two starts the final week, and two, the first start is in Sacramento.

So I just, I just didn't feel good about it. Having said that, you probably want me to pick somebody to stream here on Tuesday. And I don't like any of the options, really. Not the best. Javier does feel like the highest upside play, maybe. I feel a little safer with Ovi-80 at Cincinnati, I think. All right, look at us. Our final weekend recap of the year,

and it wasn't an hour and 20 minutes, so that was nice. I guess we'll talk more about this as the week goes on, but our off-season programming, starting next week, we'll transition into just two podcasts per week, and that'll be our schedule basically through December, and then we'll start to ramp things back up after that.

But we are still here for five days for the rest of, well, four more days for the rest of this week, and then that will change head of it. into the offseason. We're going to wrap there for Scott and Chris. I am Frank. Thanks as always for tuning into fantasy baseball today. Please make sure to follow and leave a five-star rating on Apple or Spotify and we will be back again tomorrow. Bye-bye.