Razzballers, the finish line is near!
We are winding down on the 2026 MLB season, and most leagues should be finishing in the next two weeks! :(
I know there are some of us in leagues that run the full length of the season, and that is absolute chaos (I am in two.)
A couple things to remember as the season winds down;
-Teams that are out of contention will start to rest their aces, especially if they are under contract.
-Young arms have been nearing their innings limit for the past few weeks. I would expect extended rest days between starts or shorter outings in general especially if they have a playoff spot.
-Prospect call ups for spot starts or bullpen games in general.
As I look back on this past year… How the heck did Justin Verlander get $13 Million to pitch 3.2 innings for my Tigers?! Ugh.
Good luck for those of you in the semi-finals or championship matchups!
Now on to this week’s rankings…
Start Your Studs-
Dylan Cease – @ATH, vs BAL – This boy good.
Cam Schlittler – vs COL, vs NYM – (Future) 2026 Cy Young Winner
Yoshinobu Yamamoto – vs CIN, @MIA – Cook ‘em Yoshi
Jesus Luzardo – vs ATL, @ATL – I admit I am terrified of back-to-back starts vs the Braves, but we will let it ride.
Best Of the Rest-
Logan Webb – vs STL, vs SD
Troy Melton – vs MIN, vs COL – Favorable opponents but hitters are figuring him out.
Jabob Lopez – vs TOR, vs SEA
Hayden Wesneski – @PHI, @TB
(Two)-Start At Your Own Risk– (High Risk/High Reward)
Landen Roupp – vs STL, vs SD
Randy Vasquez – vs WSH, @SF
Andrew Painter – vs HOU, @ATL – Tough schedule but much better as of late.
Noah Cameron – vs ARI, @BOS
Chase Burns – @LAD, @MIL – Great arm but brutal matchups
Eury Perez – vs NYM, vs LAD – Highest upside (and risk) of this group if he limits the walks.
(Stressful) Two-Starts
Connor Prielipp – @DET, vs CLE
Joey Cantillo – @BAL, @MIN
Patrick Sandoval – vs LAA, vs KC
Davis Martin – vs PIT, @STL
Bryce Miller – vs TEX, @ATH
Grayson Rodriguez – @BOS, @WSH
Do Not Start- Not a lot here I would start, but maybe for one matchup only.
Michael McGreevy – @SF, vs CHW
Bryce Elder – @PHI, vs PHI – He might succeed in one of these starts but will be shelled in the other. Impossible to tell which is which.
Cody Bradford – @SEA, @ARI – An arm to watch for next year.
Bubba Chandler – @CHW, @CHC
Brandon Young – vs CLE, @TOR
Will Dion – @SD, vs LAA
Gabriel Hughes – @NYY, @DET
Andrew Morris – @DET, vs CLE
Two start Cantillo @Balt @Minny or Bennett v LAA?
Will Freddy Peralta have two starts this week? He’s starting Tuesday but I’m not sure if they’re running out 6 starters or not. Thoughts?
I think he will go Sunday, but it’s hard to say officially. Some sites still have McShane going this week when he is on the IL. I think he ultimately will get two-starts.
Nick Pivetta is starting today. He’s gonna be on a pitch count, but he will get two this week barring a disaster. There’s some high risk high reward stuff in a pts league.
Yeah, he SHOULD get two this week but it’s always tricky with a player coming off of the IL. Great matchups for him vs WSH and @SF for his week, but likely getting the 4.2IP treatment in the games for his pitch count.
Boyd?
Sal, you’re absolutely right. I am going to hire proofreaders for next season, and I will add you to the list. lol
Boyd will be @MIL and vs PIT this week. I slot him in the middle of the Two-Start at Your Own Risk. He did well vs MIL last time, but I always fade the 2nd matchup with two consecutive starts vs the same team.
Nick Pivetta?
Trevor Rogers?
Yes, and he is a strong play this week. I think he sits atop the best of the rest category.
Proof reading is obviously hard for me. No idea how I left him off this week’s list.
Although not a two start pitcher, thank goodness, looks like Kyle Harrison has hit the proverbial brick wall. Can’t trust him in a playoff game at this juncture. Reid Detmers clearly a better option at this point than Harrison who needs to be put on ice for 2027.
It’s a real thing and sometimes pitchers run out of gas. I could see him in a long relief role down the stretch which may give him some value. They did just recall Sproat today as well. It’s hard to say which arm will go to the bullpen in place of Anderson.
Appreciate ya Chucky. I always look forward to the comments!