Roto Riteup: March 28, 2026

And that is how you celebrate after hanging an American League Championship banner.

On the Agenda:

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

Various News and Notes

I can’t promise you that Chase DeLauter will hit a HR in every MLB game he plays in. But you can’t be sure he won’t.

While DeLauter mashed his third dinger in two games, fellow AL Central Rookie Kevin McGonigle had one of the more impressive at bats you’ll see from a 21-year-old. Top 8, tie game, left-on-left against one of the top bullpens in MLB, McGonigle fouled off pitch after pitch before doing this on the 10th pitch of the at bat:

Wandy Peralta kept everything on the edges, left one pitch a little too far over the plate, and McGonigle turned it into the game-winning RBI. For what it’s worth, McGonigle would have had a home tonight, as well, if not for Jackson Merrill.

Cam Schlittler threw a gem Friday afternoon, striking out eight, walking none, and allowing just one hit over 5.1 shutout innings. He was pulled at 68 pitches – on a different night, who knows how much deeper he could have gone.

He wasn’t even the best AL East starter, though, as Kevin Gausman went 6, giving up a solo shot to Shea Langeliers (the first of two he hit), and nothing else – no walks, no other hits, nothing – while piling up 11 K.

Yes, it was the Rockies away from Coors, but seeing Sandy Alcantara through 7 innings without allowing an earned run, and doing it on just 73 pitches? That’s vintage Sandy.

Chris Sale’s velo was up and he threw 6 shutout innings. He looks healthy and a healthy Sale is a force. Opposite him, Cole Ragans struck out five, but walked four and gave up 4 ER on 6 H in just 4 IP. His velocity was down on the four-seam and the cutter, and his spin rate was down across the board. It’s just one start, but given his spotty 2025 health, this is something to track.

Mike Trout had three hits including this:

Another LA veteran (Mookie Betts) went yard, as well, but his double-play partner, Alex Freeland, is maybe a more interesting story. He went 2-3 with a homer, a double, two runs, and an RBI. As good as the Dodgers lineup is, their depth is a little shaky and Freeland could carve out a real role.

Quick Hits

Christopher Morel was scratched due to an oblique issue, and while the Marlins haven’t share much yet, they already announced that they will be promoting Deyvison De Los Santos. Oblique strains are rarely a day-to-day kinda thing, so Morel may be headed to the IL. De Los Santos looked like a legit power prospect with Arizona a couple of years ago, but has struggled in Triple-A since coming to Miami, and his Spring Training wasn’t particularly good.

After a concerning report of shoulder inflammation for Tanner Bibee Thursday, Friday the news was that he’s day-to-day and may make his next start. The Guardians are the rare team without an off-day until next Thursday, so if Bibee can’t go, they will need to call someone up to take his start.

Colorado put Mickey Moniak on the IL with a finger sprain, which also put one of my Bold Predictions in early jeopardy. Moniak got hurt in his last spring game. He was hoping to avoid the IL, and even tested the finger in the batting cage, suggesting this may be a short IL stint. Catcher Braxton Fulford replaced him on the roster, while Edouard Julien stepped into the DH role and Willi Castro started at 2B. Later, Fulford PH for Julien and Castro moved to LF after Ryan Ritter PH for Jake McCarthy and then took over at 2B.

Closer Chaos

Jeff Hoffman was supposed to be back to his old self this year, after an uncharacteristically homer-prone 2025. Well…about that…Hoffman struck out four an in inning of work (Tyler Soderstrom K’d reached on a wild pitch), but in the middle of that, he blew his first save chance of the year, giving up the aforementioned homer to Shea Langeliers. There’s no shame in getting taken deep by Langeliers, and the Jays won in the bottom of the 9th, so no harm, no foul. But this is something to watch.

The Athletics pen is as clear as mud. There was no save today, but in a close game, Scott Barlow came on in the 6th and threw 1.2 innings; Hogan Harris finished the 7th and took the 8th. With the game tied, they turned to Justin Sterner, who took the loss in the 9th. So we learned…nothing? Maybe nothing.

Kenley Jansen struck out the side on 11 pitches – five whiffs, four called strikes, one foul ball, and one measly ball – for his first save as a Tiger. There isn’t going to be a committee here.

Edwin Diaz struck out two and walked one wrapping up his first save as a Dodger.

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: Chad Patrick (48%) MIL vs. CWS

Am I just picking on the White Sox? Well, kind of? They probably won’t be a great offensive team and they have a lot of swing-and-miss in that lineup. But also, Patrick was solid last year with matching 3.53 ERA and FIP. Home start, cold weather, bad opponent? Let’s do it.

Other Options: If you need to go deeper, Joe Boyle (12%) for Tampa and Michael McGreevy (13%) for the Cards face each other in Tampa.

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Brandon Sproat (36%) MIL vs. CWS

Am I just picking on the White Sox? Well, kind of? Sproat is a riskier play than Patrick, because he is less proven, but his upside is higher, too.

Other Options: Dustin May (35%) STL vs. TBR; Slade Cecconi (30%) CLE at SEA

Honestly, Sunday is loaded with options – maybe you prefer Rhett Lowder even though he has to face Boston? Or Emerson Hancock even though he has to face Chase DeLauter? But these are the ones I would roll with. Honorable Mention to Max Meyer who gets Colorado in Miami and would easily be the best option, but is 56% rostered. If you are in that 44%, go get him.

Featured Image Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images