Roto Riteup: August 6, 2026

Go, Nando, Go!

Fernando Tatis Jr. hasn’t reached double-digit homers this season, but is the only hitter with two 465-ft or greater blasts. Keep ’em coming.

On the Agenda: 

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

Closer Chaos

Ryan Helsley is still out with no clear timetable and Tyler Wells was traded to the Rays, where he is already flourishing in a setup role. That leaves veterans Andrew Kittredge and Yennier Cano to pick up the slack in the ninth innings going forward. Cano earned a save on Tuesday and Kittredge converted his opportunity on Wednesday. They are both righties and seem to be the two who will handle the closer role in Baltimore. I can’t wait for them to get Felix Bautista back next season. Bautista just turned 31.

There’s a new trend in the making in Kansas City and that’s making right-handed fireballer Steven Cruz the Royals new closer. On Wednesday, Cruz stepped into the ninth after eight incredible innings from lefty Noah Cameron, and converted the save on three consecutive outs, including a punchout of Kody Clemens to end the game. Cruz has improved significantly after two rough months, is touching 100 mph frequently and appears comfortable in high-leverage situations. If you need a closer, take a look at your waiver wire to see if he’s still there.

Quick Hits

NL MVP contenders Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong each hit two homers in the Dodgers/Cubs tilt at Wrigley on Wednesday afternoon.

The Dodgers were swept by the Cubs in their three-game series, after being swept by the Red Sox in three. Ohtani and PCA are currently tied (-110) as favorites to win the NL MVP.

Texas Rangers southpaw Cody Bradford made his first Major League start in 22 months and it went well.

Bradford covered 4.1 scoreless innings, throwing 50-of-70 pitches for strikes. He gave up five hits and two free passes, punching out five.

Casey Mize had a forgettable debut for the San Diego Padres. His eight earned runs allowed were a career worst and it matched Jhoulys Chacín’s 2017 Padres record for most runs allowed in a debut. On the flip side of that contest, rookie Mitch Bratt turned out a masterful performance (7 IP – 1 H – 0 ER – 3 BB – 9 K) for his first career win in his fifth big-league start. Bratt should remain in the Diamondbacks rotation even when Michael Soroka is activated. Kohl Drake will soon be on the outside, looking in.

A MattMac signing for us #McLainiacs! Matt McLain hit his first home run in almost two months, off A’s lefty Jacob Lopez. It was McLain’s ninth of the season.

Orange-clad lefty mashers Coby Mayo and Tyler O’Neill each hit dingers in the Orioles 5-2 victory over the Angels. Both were off…you guessed it…a lefty: Reid Detmers. Mayo and TON may earn occasional starts against southpaws, but the Orioles are only slated to face two in their next eight games.

What an impressive debut for Cleveland Guardians top-rated prospect, shortstop Angel Genao.

Genao made the most of his big-league debut, setting the franchise’s record for most hits in a players debut, with four. Originally a shortstop, Genao started at third base for José Ramírez, who has missed the last two games dealing with a sore hand. If J-Ram doesn’t go on the IL, there is no clear position for him since the guys up the middle (Brayan Rocchio, SS and Travis Bazzana, 2B) aren’t going anywhere. If Genao continues to prove that he belongs, I’m sure manager Stephen Vogt will get creative to make it work.

The Nationals took their lump (James Wood to the IL) and are moving on. CJ Abrams led the charge on Wednesday with a triple, two runs, three RBI and a swipe in their 10-4 victory over the Phillies on Wednesday.

Phillies rookie pitcher Andrew Painter was pulled from the game with hamstring tightness. Painter was pitching well (1 ER, 4 K in 4 IP) before being removed.

Various News and Notes

Pittsburgh Pirates hitter Oneil Cruz does not have a timeline for returning from his hand injury, per GM Ben Cherington. Cruz won’t return when he’s ready to come off the 60-day IL (August 7), but is still trending towards returning sometime this month.

Phillies short-side platoon outfielder Derek Hill was pulled from that game with the Nats after colliding with an outfield wall (bad wall, bad!).

Derek Hill running the bases with a toothpick pic.twitter.com/ikIRGuEmGB

— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) August 6, 2026

I sure hope he doesn’t play the outfield with a toothpick.

Sonny Gray earned his AL-leading 14th win against the White Sox. He struck out eight batters and did not allow a run in six innings. He’s second in the Majors in wins, behind Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sánchez.

Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt continues to rehab as he works his way back from a long absence. He had a live batting practice session on Tuesday and will play catch Thursday. When Schmidt is eventually activated, it will be in a bulk relief role.

Freddie Freeman was struck in the hand by a pitch on Wednesday and was removed from the game. The X-Rays came back negative and Freeman should be in the lineup when the Dodgers are back on the field this Friday, against the Diamondbacks.

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% on Yahoo)

Pitcher for Today: Dustin May, MLW (26%) vs. PIT

He’s in great company alongside potential future Cy Young Award winners Jacob Misiorowski, Kyle Harrison and Logan Henderson and he’s pumped to be a part of the Brew-Crew. The Brewers are -133 home favorites with a low projected run total of 7.5.

Other Options: David Peterson, CHC (18%) vs. TOR, Brandon Young, BAL (26%) vs. LAA

Peterson has had his share of rough outings, but his last one (6.1 IP – 1 ER – 0 BB – 8 K) was a doozie. Now he faces Toronto’s futile offense alongside a surging team that just swept the Dodgers. Young should have a strong start against the woeful Angels.

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Kyle Leahy, STL (34%) vs. COL

Starts like these can often be traps. Leahy sports a ridiculous 1.21 ERA and a 32:9 K:BB over his last seven starts and will face the road Rockies in their pitcher-friendly abode.

Other Options: Keider Montero, DET (36%) at SF

Montero keeps getting his job done. His ratios of 3.17 (ERA) and 1.00 (WHIP) sparkle, as does his Kirbyan walk rate of 5.4%. I thought I knew every player in baseball, including all the Triple-A guys, but I can safely admit I’ve never heard of half these hitters in the San Francisco Giants’ “new-look” lineup.