Welcome to the Waiver Wire Picks, our daily fantasy baseball article that reviews the best players to add to your rosters. We’ll look at players who are likely available in most leagues, as well as some deep-league options. We’ll also look at the most-added players in fantasy baseball across the major sites and tell you who to add and who to leave on the wire.
Hitters to Consider
Whenever I’m faced with tough start-sit questions in daily lineup leagues, I usually let the adage “good pitching beats good hitting” do the work. Let’s finish with a bang by looking at which teams will face decent matchups this upcoming weekend.
at A’s: Lopez, Perkins, Basso
The Astros get the best matchup of the weekend at Sacramento, but unfortunately, there aren’t many standout options here under 50% rostered on Yahoo. Yainer Diaz (43% on Yahoo) is easily the most interesting one. He’s been pretty decent this year (.756 OPS) and has hit two home runs over his last five games.
Cam Smith (10%) hasn’t done much this season (.662 OPS), but at least he swings the bat ridiculously hard and plays every day. That’s something, right? You could do worse as a Hail Mary fifth OFer. Hey, anybody can have a day at Sutter Health Park.
The A’s
vs. HOU: Wesneski, Brown, TBD
Speaking of bat speed, Henry Bolte (42%) has plenty. He’s not a great bet for a home run (62.5% GB rate), but he is a very solid option this weekend, given that he’s hitting leadoff, performed well (.754 OPS), and has speed (21 steals on 29 attempts). I’d consider him a solid third OFer.
Zack Gelof (49%) is a top priority; if you’re in a shallow league, check if he was dropped. Jeff McNeil (19%) is a streamable play in points leagues, or if you’re looking for batting average help and R/RBI. He has hit second or fifth against RHP, so he should be in there this weekend against Wesneski and Brown. On the final day versus Javier’s replacement? Who knows. Donovan Walton (1%) is a dart throw for deep 15-team leagues; he’s started all but two games since September 4th.
vs. BAL: Rogers, Young, Baz.
Heliot Ramos (30% on Yahoo) has started every game since Judge’s injury. He hasn’t done much this year (.707 OPS). But his 112 Process is pretty good, and he’s settled in hitting third or cleanup. He’s on the board as a fifth OF, particularly if you need HR/RBI.
Same goes for Spencer Jones (29%). He’s hit fifth lately and produced a little better than Ramos (.757 OPS), but brings a little more risk with his penchant for whiffs.
George Lombard Jr. (28%) has generally hit a little lower in the order. He has struggled a bit as a rookie (.670 OPS) but has had some good games lately, so I could see taking a chance on his talent if you’re not happy with your MI situation. If you’re in a daily lineup 15-teamer with free agents, Anthony Volpe (6%) might be an option: Boone mentioned he will get reps at third base with Jazz back. That’s a dart throw for sure.
at NYY: Warren, TBD, TBD
This could be a sneaky spot for the Orioles; they won’t see Rodón, Schlittler, Cole, or Fried. And Boone will most likely rest his best arms in the pen with nothing on the line.
Dylan Beavers (2%) has led off lately. But as much as I like him as a sleeper next season, his lack of results (.664 OPS) leaves me with no choice but to consider him a fifth OF dart in deep leagues. Christian Encarnacion-Strand (11%) and Coby Mayo (27%) have pretty clear warts, but they also have a ton of power. You could certainly do much worse if you’re chasing HR/RBI. Colton Cowser (4%) has also played regularly, but is just a Hail Mary in the bottom third of the order.
vs. COL: Quintana, Sugano, Freeland
It’s not at Coors, but I don’t think it would be a surprise if the White Sox scored some runs this weekend. Chase Meidroth (44%) has been productive (.756 OPS) and has done damage against left-handers; he could be a solid option this weekend against Freeland and Quintana. Sam Antonacci (28%) has hit pretty well too (.753 OPS), but he has fallen into a strict strong-side platoon lately; he might only get one game this weekend.
Tristan Peters (18%) was a pretty hot waiver wire add earlier this season, but has struggled in September (.679 OPS). He returned yesterday following a three-game absence, though, and could be a Hail Mary fifth OFer. Kyle Teel (2%) has struggled mightily since returning from an ankle injury (.614 OPS). But he’s a very interesting catcher to stream this weekend if you’re willing to bank on his pedigree as a former first-rounder. He has hit second against RHP and sixth against LHP lately.
Garrett Mitchell (MIL) – OF (Yahoo – 16%)
Mitchell has power and speed (I think he’s a little like Bolte) and has led off Milwaukee’s high-octane lineup two consecutive games. He should see two RHP this weekend (McGreevy and Pallante), and that could certainly be worthwhile (123 wRC+ vs. RHP this season).
JJ Bleday (CIN) – OF (Yahoo – 14%)
Bleday has fallen off as the season has worn on (.741 OPS), but could be a last-ditch power option with the Reds scheduled to face at least two right-handers at the Rogers Centre (Soriano, Yesavage, and who knows).
Jake Burger (TEX) – 1B (Yahoo – 26%)
Burger has very quietly totaled a career-high 89 RBI. I wish the matchups were a little better; he’ll face three right-handers (Ryan, Kremer, and Matthews). Still, at least you know he’ll be in the lineup with Texas having everything on the line.
Jonah Cox (SF) – OF (Yahoo – 12%)
I haven’t the slightest idea what the Dodgers’ pitching plans are this weekend. Regardless, Cox is playing near the top of the order every day and has stolen 15 bases on 19 attempts. That’ll do.
A.J. Ewing (NYM) – 2B/OF (Yahoo – 25%)
Unfortunately, Ewing will face three left-handers this weekend in D.C. (Alvarez, Irvin, Herz), but he could be an option at second base if you’re looking for speed (25 stolen bases on 33 attempts).
Walker Jenkins (MIN) – OF (Yahoo – 11%)
Minnesota’s top prospect is riding a nice eight-game hitting streak that includes three home runs. Unfortunately, the matchups aren’t great (Montgomery, deGrom, Gore). Still, his prospect pedigree lands him on the board as an upside fifth OF.
Griffin Conine (MIA) – 1B, OF (Yahoo – 8%)
Conine has big-time pop and will face two shaky right-handers this weekend in Atlanta (Holmes tomorrow and Ritchie on Sunday). He’s a play in deep daily leagues where you can swap him out Saturday against Pérez.
Francisco Alvarez (NYM) – C (Yahoo – 16%)
Alvarez sat today but has notched multiple hits in four consecutive games. He’s got pop, and he won’t face anyone scary this weekend in D.C. (Alvarez, Irvin, Herz).
Pitchers
Piggybacking on yesterday’s column, let’s review the remaining Probable Pitchers who could be worthwhile. As always, check out Nick’s Streamer Ranks.
Today
Must-Starts: Tyler Mahle (65%) vs. CIN, Ian Seymour (61%) at NYY
Questionable: Andrew Painter (29%) vs. MIL, Peter Lambert (42%) at A’s, Zac Thornton (29%) at TEX
Tomorrow
Must-Starts: Sean Burke (63%) vs. COL, Jackson Jobe (34%) vs. PIT, Will Warren (45%) vs. BAL, Jake Bennett (38%) vs. CHC
Questionable: Hayden Wesneski (31%) at A’s, Andrew Alvarez (38%) vs. NYM
I don’t feel good about this, but it might work: Robert Gasser (23%) vs. STL
Saturday
Must-Starts: Kade Anderson (43%) vs. LAA
Questionable: Dustin May (28%) vs. STL, Davis Martin (36%) vs. COL
I don’t feel good about this, but it might work: Jonah Tong (19%) at WSN
Sunday
Must-Starts: Jared Jones (63%) at DET
Questionable: Anthony Kay (12%) vs. COL
Yahoo and ESPN Most Added Players
We won’t see Merrill Kelly or Ethan Pecko again this season, but at least the former got the win yesterday. Phew.
Nolan Arenado pushed his modest hitting streak to nine games. His .791 OPS is the best we’ve seen from him since 2022. Unfortunately, the Diamondbacks’ season will end at Petco Park, a place that’s not great for runs. Still, I’d let him roll. Mize and Buehler have had their fair share of struggles, and who knows how the Padres handle the final game.
Zac Thornton will make his final start of the season at Arlington today. Normally I wouldn’t argue much with a 3.40 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, but I think he has pitched a little over his head. He’s also a rookie on the road facing a team that needs to win. He seems like a dice roll to me, and one with nominal strikeout upside.
Tyler Mahle has posted a 1.28 ERA and 0.89 WHIP across eight starts with the Braves. He’s a must-start tonight against the Reds at Atlanta.
Connor Prielipp finished his 2026 season on a forgettable note yesterday at Oracle Park. But don’t worry, I’ve already got him circled as a sleeper next season. He’s better than that 4.87 ERA.
Peter Lambert has been a little rough in the second half (4.43 ERA / 1.37 WHIP) and will make his final start tonight at Sacré Verde. Yes, he could get the win, but he could easily struggle, like Walbert Ureña last night. Things can get ugly there. Nick has it listed as a questionable start. That seems about right.
It’s been a long season, and now I bid you adieu. May the BABIP Lord smile upon you.
