Roto Riteup: August 25, 2026

PICKLE!

On the Agenda: 

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

Closer Chaos

Pete Fairbanks left Monday’s game with nerve irritation.

Consider him day-to-day for now. Calvin Faucher received a save earlier in the week and is likely the next man up.

Quick Hits
Victor Bericoto was placed on the IL with a bone bruise in his knee. There is no timetable for his return. Nate Furman was recalled to take his spot on the roster.

Willy Adames was placed on the IL with an elbow strain. There is no timetable for his return, but this could end his season. Shay Whitcomb was recalled to take his spot on the roster.

Bryce Eldridge was placed on the bereavement list. Grant McCray was recalled to take his spot on the roster.

Ezequiel Tovar left Monday’s game with a wrist injury.
He will be reevaluated on Tuesday. Consider him day-to-day for now.

Various News and Notes
Cal Raleigh went 3-for-3 with three home runs in the victory over the Phillies on Monday.

Raleigh has been terrible this year, hitting .167/.282/.336, but now is up to 17 home runs on the season. The average has always been a risky bet for him as he doesn’t make a ton of contact in the zone, but the power outage a year after 60 homers has been the concerning part. Hopefully this is the start of a hot end to the season, but there isn’t much he can do to not go down as a bust for 2026.

Zebby Matthews threw seven innings against the A’s allowing one run on six hits and a walk while striking out seven in the victory over on Monday.

Matthews was fantastic in the outing, getting a 53% whiff rate on his slider and a 40% whiff rate overall. The upside hasn’t shown through as much this season, but he has struck out 29 in 27.2 innings over his last five starts.

Jake Burger went 2-for-3 with a home run in the victory over the White Sox on Monday.

Burger has been in a slump over the last week, posting four straight hitless games prior to going yard in this one. Burger is a streaky power hitter that is better versus lefties, but he is projected to face six lefties over the next ten days.

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in Yahoo)

Pitcher for Today: Clay Holmes at ARI

Holmes has pitched great this season and has a nice matchup in Arizona. 

Other Options: Brady Singer at SF, Andrew Alvarez vs COL, Aaron Nola at SEA, Walbert Urena vs CLE. 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Shane Bieber vs KC

Bieber has pitched better as of late and had a good matchup at home. 

Other Options: Peter Lambert vs NYY, Grayson Rodriguez vs CLE, Connor Prielipp vs MIN, Joey Cantillo at LAA, Dustin May at NYM

For those of you that would like to see how these picks play out, I have a doc I put together to track the stats from my recommended pitchers. It does not include the “Other Options.”