Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup: Standout Starts and Surprising Performances
Sunday’s action delivered a mix of dominance, resilience, and unexpected breakthroughs, reshaping fantasy lineups as the season winds down.
Aug 31, 2026
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Braxton Ashcraft
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Braxton Ashcraft across Baseball.
Pitchers’ Tactical Shifts Translate to Fantasy Dominance
A look at how five MLB starters altered their pitch mixes, turning statistical volatility into sustained dominance
Aug 31, 2026
Pirates Edge Cardinals 5-4 in Thrilling Series Opener
The Pittsburgh Pirates secured a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, highlighted by Esmerlyn Valdez’s two‑run homer, Jared Triolo’s 412‑foot blast and Oneil Cruz’s game‑changing steals. Braxton Ashcraft became the first Pirate to reach 14 wins since 2018, while Mason Montgomery posted his seventh save of August.
Aug 30, 2026
Ashcraft’s Balk Controversy Sparks Calls for Rule 5.07 Overhaul
A late‑inning balk call by umpire Dan Merzel forced Pittsburgh’s Braxton Ashcraft to confront a rule he calls the ‘dumbest in baseball,’ reigniting debate over its clarity and enforcement.
Aug 25, 2026
Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup: Wheeler’s Rough Outing Highlights Command Concerns
Zack Wheeler’s uncharacteristic struggle with command sets the tone for a mixed slate of starts, while several arms demonstrate the fine line between dominance and inconsistency.
Aug 25, 2026
Braxton Ashcraft’s Balk Blunder Highlights MLB’s ‘David Price Rule’
A forgotten windup declaration under MLB’s ‘David Price rule’ forced the Pirates to navigate an extra six innings, prompting criticism from starter Braxton Ashcraft and a dramatic 12‑inning victory.
Aug 25, 2026
Pirates Edge Padres in 12‑Inning Thriller at Petco Park
The Pittsburgh Pirates rallied in the 12th inning to defeat the San Diego Padres 3‑2, highlighted by Nick Gonzales' RBI single and a dominant bullpen performance.
Aug 25, 2026
Dodgers Blank Pirates 4-0, Sweep Series as Snell Shines
The Pittsburgh Pirates fell 4-0 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a series sweep at Dodger Stadium, with Blake Snell delivering six shutout innings and the Pirates' offense collapsing after an early rally.
Aug 23, 2026
Week 22 Fantasy Baseball Start-and-Stash Guide
A concise look at the most favorable hitting environments and player recommendations for the upcoming scoring period.
Aug 23, 2026
Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup: Tuesday’s Starting Pitchers
A look at Tuesday’s starting pitcher performances, highlighting Klassen’s efficiency and the varying control issues across the rotation.
Aug 19, 2026
Braxton Ashcraft’s August Masterclass Powers Pirates Toward Postseason
After a rocky start to the season, Braxton Ashcraft has rebounded with two dominant performances, including a nine‑inning shutout, propelling the Pirates as they battle for a wild‑card spot.
Aug 19, 2026
Ashcraft and Cruz Power Pirates to 4-1 Win Over Tigers, Playoff Hopes Surge
Braxton Ashcraft delivered another masterful outing and Oneil Cruz returned from injury with a 422‑foot homer, propelling the Pirates past the Detroit Tigers and tightening their grip on a postseason spot.
Aug 19, 2026
Tigers Outlast Pirates 8-5 in Tense Home Clash
The Detroit Tigers edged the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-5 on Monday night, with Hao-Yu Lee delivering a career-high three-hit performance that proved decisive.
Aug 18, 2026
MLB Thursday: Dramatic Wins, Record‑Breaking Homers and Playoff‑Bound Battles
The Brewers edged the Dodgers after Edwin Díaz’s ninth‑inning meltdown, while the Tigers posted a rare strikeout‑free shutout. Braxton Ashcraft’s efficient complete game, Max Muncy’s 131st Dodger Stadium homer, and a 7‑0 Red Sox romp highlighted a slate that reshaped league standings.
Aug 14, 2026
Pirates’ Slide Deepens as Manager Don Kelly Calls for Immediate Turnaround
After dropping seven of eight series since the All-Star break, the Pittsburgh Pirates face a daunting schedule and a manager's rare outburst, underscoring the urgency of a rapid turnaround.
Aug 13, 2026
Ashcraft’s Clutch Performance Spares Pirates from Sweep
Braxton Ashcraft tossed a complete game and delivered a pivotal hit as Pittsburgh edged Miami 5‑4, avoiding a three‑game sweep in a crucial late‑season showdown.
Aug 13, 2026
Bryce Miller’s Fastball Faltering Amid Playoff Push
Recent outings have seen Bryce Miller's fastball dip below 96 mph, his ERA climb to 5.81, and his breaking pitches lose bite, raising questions about his ability to stay in the rotation as the playoffs approach.
Aug 8, 2026
Pirates Fall to Brewers as Skenes’ Early Struggles Prove Costly
The Pirates lost 4-2 to Milwaukee after Paul Skenes surrendered five straight baserunners in the fourth inning, while Kyle Harrison's shutout effort and a rally by Endy Rodríguez couldn't secure a win.
Aug 6, 2026
Fantasy Baseball Startup Spotlight: Quinn Mathews and the Week’s Top Starting Pitchers
The latest starter roundup highlights Quinn Mathews’ MLB debut, key veteran performances, and the fantasy implications of a pitching landscape in flux.
Aug 2, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates Target Bullpen and Rotation Upgrades Ahead of Playoff Push
The Pirates' bullpen struggles and need for starting pitching have put the front office under pressure to act before the MLB trade deadline, with three potential trade targets emerging.
Aug 1, 2026
Fantasy Baseball Streamers: Daily Pitcher Rankings and Streaming Strategy
The article breaks down a three‑day streamer model that categorizes starting pitchers into Auto‑Start, Probably Start, Questionable Start and Do Not Start, highlighting the metrics and matchups that guide fantasy managers.
Aug 1, 2026
Ottoneu’s August 3–9 Starting Pitcher Planner: Navigating Tiers, Matchups, and Trade Deadline Ripples
The latest Ottoneu Starting Pitching Planner breaks down MLB starters into four categories, uses a matchup score that blends opponent wOBA, recent performance and park factors, and flags trade‑deadline‑affected arms. Here’s how to interpret the tiers and which projected starters deserve a start, a maybe, or a sit.
Jul 31, 2026
Pirates’ Trade Deadline Calculus: Bullpen Arms and Right‑Handed Bats
The Pirates are targeting bullpen help and a left‑handed‑hitting right‑handed bat before the deadline, balancing ambition with fiscal prudence.
Jul 31, 2026
Pirates Eye High‑Priced Closer as Trade Deadline Looms
With a 4.38 ERA and a wild‑card spot within reach, the Pirates are weighing a steep trade package for Padres closer Mason Miller.
Jul 30, 2026