Roto Riteup: August 20, 2026

• No words, just vibes:

The new RP1 https://t.co/fS7o0stUzK

— Vlad Sedler (@RotoGut) August 19, 2026

On the Agenda: 

1. Closer Chaos
2. Quick Hits
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitchers

Closer Chaos

New Mets closer Kodai Senga locked down his fourth save in as many appearances since stepping in for a sidelined Devin Williams. Senga gave up a hit, walk, and a run, and did not punch anyone out. If he keeps this up, it’s unlikely that Senga gives the job back to Williams, who is on the IL with a shoulder strain. Williams has produced poor ratios (4.66 ERA, 1.66 WHIP) and his strikeout rate (28.7%) is below 37% for only the second time in his career. It was 34.7% last season.

There is no question about who owns the ninth for the Minnesota Twins, it’s Yoendrys Gómez. He has held strong since the Twins acquired Jeff Hoffman at the MLB Trade Deadline. Gómez earned his 20th save of the season, his 17th since June 1, which is tied for fourth-most since then. Gómez has been “getting away with it” for quite some time now, considering the large differential between his ERA (3.25) and xFIP (5.11), and  a 12.1% walk rate.

Grant Taylor earned his seventh save of the season in a 3-0 victory over the Cubs, throwing 12 total pitches (eight strikes), striking out two batters, and walking one. Bullpen lefty Sean Newcomb was the opener for this contest, throwing two shutout innings, with two walks and no punchouts.

The Cubs plan to activate reliever Daniel Palencia from the 60-day IL on Friday. Palencia has only made nine appearances this season, earning three saves with a 19:6 K:BB over 16.2 innings. He has made five rehab appearances since August 5. Jacob Webb has been stellar in his place and hasn’t allowed a run since June 20. Palencia may be eased in and likely will not take over the closer’s job immediately.

With Edwin Díaz back on the shelf, Dodgers saves leader Tanner Scott steps back into as the closer. On Wednesday evening, he pitched a perfect 10th inning to secure his 18th save of the season against the Rockies.

Quick Hits

Rafael Flores Jr. did not start against a right-handed pitcher, but that didn’t matter. He crushed a pinch-hit home run in the seventh and a game-tying home run in the ninth.

Flores hit two homers in last Thursday’s contest against the Marlins.

Brandon Lowe walked it off, hammering a pitch off Tigers closer, Kenley Jansen:

This was Lowe’s 27th of the season, in his 475th plate appearance. In his final year with the Rays last season, he hit 31 in 507 PA.

José Urquidy was nails on Wednesday:

Urquidy hasn’t started a game since he was with the Astros, way back in 2023. This one wasn’t a start either, as he took the mound in the third inning after opener Sean Newcomb. Urquidy looked incredible, firing six scoreless innings against the Cubs, with eight strikeouts, and just two hits allowed. He did not walk a batter.

Cade Cavalli’s breakout season continues:

Cavalli lowered his ERA to 3.22 after toying with Rangers hitters, punching out 11 over six scoreless innings. Cavalli has an 80:13 K:BB over his last 11 starts (59.1 innings).

Various News and Notes

Seattle Mariners infielder J.P. Crawford begins a rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma today. He has been out since July 31 with left wrist inflammation. Switch-hitter Brock Rodden has been starting at shortstop since Colt Emerson was optioned last week. Crawford should move back to to shortstop since Emerson is still down and Brendan Donovan has been covering third base.

Thirty-eight-year-old reliever Craig Kimbrel earned his first win since August 23, 2024 when he was a member of the Orioles. Now on the Royals, his third team this season, Kimbrel retired all three A’s hitters he faced in the top of the eighth inning. Steven Cruz pitched the ninth and gave up a two-run home run to Max Muncy.

Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon hurt his left thumb sliding into second base on Wednesday. He stayed in the game for a few innings, but will undergo X-rays on Thursday. If McMahon were to miss time, José Caballero and/or Amed Rosario would be in line for more ice time.

The Cubs claimed super-utility guy, Gabriel Arias, from the Mets. He will mostly provide assistance off the bench, but should earn occasional starts in the infield.

Jorge Polanco will undergo surgery on his left ankle and will not play again this season. Polanco managed to play in just 37 games (145 PA), batting .148 with 2 HR and 6 RBI.

Samuel Basallo was activated from the injured list on Wednesday after missing a month due to a shoulder injury. He batted cleanup behind Gunnar Henderson and went 1-for-3.

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% on Yahoo)

Pitcher for Today: Robert Gasser, MIL (10%) vs. SEA

This is a solid matchup for the lefty whose ballclub should be hefty home favorites for. Gasser has walked two or fewer batters in nine consecutive starts dating back to June 16.

Other Options: Gage Jump, ATH (18%) at KC

Unsurprisingly, the rookie southpaw has been much better in road starts (2.60) than home ones (6.02). In his last road tilt, August 8 in Fenway, he set a career-high in strikeouts with 11.

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Hayden Wesneski, HOU (13%) vs. ATH

His last start against the Mariners was a rough one (5 ER in 4 IP), though he punched out six batters. This matchup against an A’s offense, without their four best hitters, should go his way.

Other Options: Joe Musgrove, SD (23%) vs. MIN

Musgrove will make his first start since 2024 following Tommy John surgery. He threw 70 pitches in his last rehab outing and his fastball velocity was up to 95 mph, two ticks higher than his career average.