Johnathan Empire
Johnathan Rodríguez (CLE): 2-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB.
On Saturday, after a 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers, the Cleveland Guardians clinched their spot in the postseason. They have a chance to win the division on Sunday with a win or a Detroit loss.
Outfielder Johnathan Rodríguez was a significant factor in the Guardians’ playoff-clinching victory.
For the season, Rodriguez’s stat line is pedestrian, to put it kindly. In 74 plate appearances, the 25-year-old is hitting .188 with a .605 OPS. That includes two home runs, six runs scored, and eight RBI. For his career, over the past two seasons, Rodriguez is slashing .170/.272/.300 with a .572 OPS and two home runs in 114 plate appearances.
Saturday was a friendly reminder of what Rodriguez could be with more plate appearances under his belt.
In the Guardians’ one-run victory over the Rangers, Rodriguez set the tone in the bottom of the first with a two-out, two-run home run off Rangers starter Jacob Latz. That gave Cleveland an early 2-1 lead, and though Texas tied it in the fourth, the Guardians were able to walk it off in the bottom of the ninth on a C.J. Kayfus hit-by-pitch.
It will be interesting to see if Rodriguez will have more opportunities in 2026 to secure a regular role in the Guardians’ lineup. Right now, he’s platooning primarily in right field with fellow rookie George Valera, and it’s hard to see that platoon changing next year. That said, a strong postseason and perhaps a strong start next year could help him earn some more plate appearances, which will only boost his slim fantasy value.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Saturday
Michael Busch (CHC): 4-4, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB.
The Cubs clinched home-field advantage in the Wild Card round, and Busch helped get them there with a big day on Saturday. Against the rival Cardinals, Busch collected four hits and was a single away from the cycle. He did hit two home runs, which improved his HR total to 34 for the season. With a .263 average and .871 OPS in 589 plate appearances, Cubs fans have to be encouraged about Busch’s outlook in 2026.
Pete Alonso (NYM): 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.
The Mets stayed alive with a 5-0 victory over the Marlins, and Alonso certainly did his part in the crucial win. He not only had two hits and two RBI, but he also launched his 38th home run of the year. New York not only needs help from Cincinnati on Sunday, but they also need one last big game from Alonso in their season finale.
Zach Cole (HOU): 2-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB.
The Astros were eliminated from playoff contention after the Guardians won tonight, marking the end of a disappointing second half for Houston. On a positive note, they may have found a CF for the future in Cole. The 25-year-old hit .268 with a .943 OPS in 68 plate appearances, and that includes four home runs, nine runs scored, and three stolen bases in 45 plate appearances. Cole is a bit of a late-blooming rookie, but they need all the help they can get if they wish to return to the postseason.
Jordan Walker (STL): 1-2, HR, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB.
After a fantastic rookie campaign in 2023 (16 home runs; .787 OPS), Walker has declined heavily over the past two seasons. In 178 plate appearances in 2024, he posted a .619 OPS. This year, in 392 plate appearances, his OPS is even worse at .590. On Saturday, Walker at least showed some encouraging signs, with two walks, a stolen base, and a home run. Nonetheless, it’s hard to depend on him as a fantasy asset in drafts in 2026.
Colson Montgomery (CHW): 3-4, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI.
The White Sox lost in the Nation’s Capital on Saturday, but Chicago’s rookie sensation continues to stay hot. Against the Nationals on Saturday, he collected three hits, two RBI, and launched his 21st home run of the year. The .239 average isn’t excellent, but he makes up for it with a .534 slugging and .843 OPS. Montgomery is a guy fantasy managers should feel good about in 2026.
Sal Stewart (CIN): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
The Reds’ rookie helped Cincinnati inch one step closer to their postseason dreams in a 7-4 win over Milwaukee. He had two hits, two runs scored, two RBI, and hit his fifth home run of the year. The corner infielder is off to a great start in his Cincinnati career with a .255 average and .838 OPS in 58 plate appearances.
Aaron Judge (NYY): 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI.
Judge hit his 53rd home run of the year on Saturday and also collected three RBI. That raises his RBI total to 114 for the year. Will that be enough to surpass Cal Raleigh in the AL MVP race? Baseball fans will find out this offseason after the season concludes.
Jorge Polanco (SEA): 1-2, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB.
Polanco accounted for all three of the Mariners’ runs in their 5-3 loss to the Dodgers. In fact, all the Mariners’ runs were collected on Polanco’s three-run home run swing. It’s been a nice bounce-back season for Polanco, as he is hitting .266 with an .823 OPS and 26 home runs in 523 plate appearances. His home run total is the second-highest in a single season in his career.
Daylen Lile (WSN): 2-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB.
Lile could be a sleeper in fantasy in 2026, especially if the Nationals decide to make him the everyday left fielder. In 348 plate appearances, the 22-year-old is hitting .302 with an .853 OPS. He also has nine home runs and eight stolen bases. He doesn’t barrel the ball all that much (4.9%), but his substantial sweet-spot percentage (44.7%) and squared-up rate (28.3%) hint that some more power may be on the horizon.
