Why Pitching Still Matters
As the fantasy baseball season draws to a close, managers are shifting their focus from accumulation to pruning, and few positions are as pivotal as the starting pitcher slot. A strong rotation can swing weekly matchups, and the final weeks often decide whether a team finishes strong or fades out.
Several hurlers who have been on many rosters all season are now looking like liabilities. Michael McGreevy, MacKenzie Gore, Mitch Keller, Davis Martin and Noah Cameron have all posted disappointing peripheral numbers, and their recent outings suggest a continued decline.
Players on the Chopping Block
Michael McGreevy’s strikeout rate has slipped below league average, while his walk percentage has crept upward, making him a candidate for a drop. MacKenzie Gore, once a top prospect, has struggled to find consistency, and his recent ERA reflects that volatility. Mitch Keller’s performance has been erratic, with his strikeout-to-walk ratio falling sharply over the last month. Davis Martin’s numbers have been on a downward trend since May, and his recent starts have been short and ineffective. Noah Cameron, despite still being rostered in many leagues, has posted some of the worst peripheral metrics among starters, indicating that he is unlikely to turn things around before the season ends.
Potential Add‑Ons
On the upside, a handful of arms are emerging as strong add‑on candidates. Griffin Jax has been delivering quality starts with a rising strikeout rate, making him a solid streaming option. Hayden Wesneski’s return from Tommy John surgery has been smoother than expected, and his recent velocity gains suggest he could provide a reliable back‑end starter. AJ Smith‑Shawver brings high strikeout upside, especially when he can work deep into games. Ben Brown, if he can overcome a lingering injury, possesses a fastball that can miss bats when healthy, while Clay Holmes continues to show a strong mix of strikeouts and control that could stabilize a rotation in need of depth.
The key takeaway for fantasy managers is to act quickly: drop the underperforming starters before their schedules tighten, and pick up the emerging pitchers who are poised to deliver strong finishes. Making these moves now can be the difference between a championship run and a missed playoff spot.