Roto Riteup: September 3, 2026

Brother Luis Luis Luis!

He sure does look good in orange.

On the Agenda: 

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

Quick Hits

Among the most intriguing September call-ups is former Guardians prospect, Juan Brito, acquired by the Reds for cash, right before the trade deadline. Brito had a 56-PA cup of tea with Cleveland this April, and spent the rest of the time in the minors. In his second career game as a member of the Reds, he hit his first Major League home run:

Brito’s rookie teammate Héctor Rodríguez stayed hot, launching his fifth home run in just his 22nd career game:

The Atlanta Braves demolished the Washington Nationals 9-0, though the damage began after Brad Lord’s 3.1 scoreless innings (with six strikeouts). Sean Murphy stayed hot with a three-run shot…

…and Ronald Acuña Jr. delivered his 200th career blast.

Trevor Rogers had an outstanding outing for the Orioles, punching out a career-high 11 batters:

Athletics hitters combined for five dingers in a 9-2 victory over the Rangers. Zack Gelof hit his 15th, Jonah Heim his 13th and rookie Henry Bolte smashed two of them. It was a rough one for starter Cody Bradford, who allowed five runs on seven hits over four innings.

Andrew Painter hurled a gem for the Phillies (7 IP – 2 H – 0 ER – 0 BB – 6 K), but it wasn’t enough as the Diamondbacks utilized seven relievers (if we count Jose Cabrera) to combine for nine scoreless innings with just three hits allowed and nine strikeouts. Painter pulled his ERA down from 5.95 to 5.55. James McCann accounted for the lone run, a homer off reliever Jonathan Bowlan in the bottom of the eighth.

Let’s see if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can finish the season off strong. He racked up five RBIs  on three hits, including this three-run bomb:

It was another road homer as all eight of his this season were hit away from Rogers Centre. The Jays aren’t due back home until next Friday, September 11 when they host the Orioles for a three-game set.

St. Louis Cardinals rookie catcher Leo Bernal hit a home run in his second career game on Wednesday. Bernal replaces Jimmy Crooks on the roster and will try to earn consistent playing time at catcher and sometimes as the designated hitter. Bernal was in the starting lineup on Tuesday and Wednesday, against a lefty and then a righty. Pedro Pagés hasn’t started a contest since last Thursday. Bernal is a solid defender and succeeding behind the dish can allow the manager Oli Marmol to utilize Iván Herrera mostly as the DH.

A rare rough outing for Miz the Wiz, Jacob Misiorowski, who allowed five runs on five hits with four walks and five punchouts over four innings. Meanwhile, Cam Schlittler dazzled with yet another gem, this time against the Angels. Schlittler struck out nine over eight innings with just two hits allowed and no walks. Astros Hayden Wesneski fire a seven-inning scoreless outing with one walk and five punchouts. It was his seventh start of the season. He’s allowed just one earned run in his last three.

Various News and Notes

Los Angeles Dodgers southpaw Eric Lauer 라우어 was placed on the 15-day IL with left elbow inflammation, two days after getting torched for seven runs. The Dodgers activated reliever Blake Treinen.

James Wood was activated ahead of Wednesday’s game, hopefully fully recovered from the oblique injury that has held him out of action since August 4. Wood only fell to hitter number eight on the 12-team Fantasy Player Rater.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was activated on Tuesday when MLB rosters expanded, though he has yet to start a game or earn a plate appearance. Veteran left-handed hitter Max Kepler has been losing playing time lately, warming the bench for two of the last three contests against a righty starter. Jordan Lawlar has been earning consistent playing time over the last several days.

The Kansas City Royals called up outfielder Drew Waters when rosters expanded on Tuesday, but immediately designated him for assignment, and activated infielder Michael Massey from the 7-day IL.

Jameson Taillon will be activated ahead of Friday’s tilt with the Royals in Kansas City. Fantasy people, you know what to do!…not a darn thing.

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% on Yahoo)

Pitcher for Today: Cal Quantrill, TEX (43%) vs. TB

Quantrill is using his one-time card to turn back the clock, using some voodoo to produce a 1.10 WHIP and a 3.01 ERA (4.23 SIERA) over 89.2 innings. His 93-94 mph four-seamer has been a plus pitch, but his top offering has been a sinker, which he has held opposing batters to a .299 SLG and .264 wOBA. The Rays are tough customers, but we don’t have much to choose from among sub-50% pitchers today.

Other Options: None

Jake Bennett (BOS) fits the criteria (43%), but I fear the gaggle of lefty-crushers the Orioles will roll out today. Brandon Young (27%) is an option as well, but not one we can be confident in.

Pitcher for Tomorrow: J.T. Ginn, ATH (30%) at SEA

Ginn represents the next best of the sub-50% arms, facing a Mariners team that is last in runs scored. Though Cal Raleigh finally has a pulse (.321, 6 HR in his last eight games) and Randy Arozarena has been hot (Mon/Tues: 2 HR, 7 RBI). Ginn has been very good away from Sutter Health Park (3.63 ERA, 3.83 xFIP, 1.06 WHIP, 15.7% K-BB%) and had a couple of extra days of rest.

Other Options: Keider Montero, DET (32%) at CLE

The Guardians are a tough matchup but he’s faced him a few this season and the last one went well — on August 3 he threw 6.1 scoreless innings against them. Montero has been solid all around, but even better on the road (3.02 ERA, 0.82 WHIP).