RADIO
Andrew Painter a Late-Season Waiver-Wire Target Amid Hot Stretch
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Andrew Painter has turned things around lately, and he's back on the fantasy radar as an appealing waiver wire target for the month of September. Painter owns a 5.55 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP over 21 outings this year. However, over just his last seven starts, he has a 3.12 ERA with 8.5 K/9 and just 2.9 BB/9. Two of his last three outings have gone seven innings with one or fewer runs. In his most recent start on Wednesday, he went seven shutout innings with six strikeouts, two hits, and no walks. Painter isn't currently a top-85 starter in RotoBaller's rest-of-season fantasy baseball rankings, but that will change if he continues to pitch at such a high level. There's a real opportunity for fantasy managers to pick up Painter off the waiver wire and reap the rewards going forward. As it stands, he's rostered in just 24% of leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gage Wood Features Elite Strikeout Upside
Philadelphia Phillies top pitching prospect Gage Wood pitched four strong innings in his start on Thursday night with two earned runs, four hits, and two walks to go with 10 strikeouts. The strikeout upside is a picture of what makes Wood such a special pitching prospect. The results haven't been overwhelming for Wood at Double-A Reading, but he has featured that strikeout potential. In 16 starts at Reading, the right-hander has pitched 63 2/3 innings and struck out 94 batters, which is at an elite level. But he has an ERA of 4.81 and a WHIP of 1.29, which are good but not great at Double-A. Wood features a 70-grade fastball with a 55-grade curveball and a 50-grade slider. Overall, Wood looks like a promising future fantasy starter but now looks more like a dynasty league play than a redraft play, as he will probably remain in the minors for the rest of this season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Gage Wood Offers High Upside For Dynasty Formats
Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Gage Wood is the top prospect in the Phillies system and has advanced to Double-A in his age-22 season this year. Wood has shown modest results at Double-A Reading with 14 starts and an 0-2 record with a 4.45 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 77 strikeouts in 54 2/3 innings pitched. The strikeout rate is very good, but the other numbers leave a bit to be desired. He started the season at A-ball pitching for Clearwater before his promotion to Reading on May 18. Wood has a dominant fastball, with the pitch graded out at 70. But he has work to do on his secondary pitches, with the top-graded one being his curveball at 55-grade, with a 50-grade slider, and a 45-grade changeup. Wood likely needs more time in the minors but is a good name for dynasty leagues, as he could debut for the Phillies next season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Luis Arraez Shipped to Phillies in Major Trade
The San Francisco Giants are trading infielder Luis Arraez to the Philadelphia Phillies, according to The Athletic's Jason Stark. In this deal, the Phillies are also receiving bullpen arm Caleb Kilian and sending No. 9-ranked prospect Ramon Marquez and pitching prospect Marty Gair. Arraez was viewed as one of the top remaining hitters on the market and will bolster one of the most potent lineups in the National League. With the Giants this season, the infielder has posted a dominant .324 AVG with a .360 OBP and .440 SLG. He is in the 92nd percentile in xBA but has generated very soft contact, with a first percentile hard-hit rate and barrel rate. However, Arraez possesses elite eye at the dish, holding a low 4.5% K% and 7.9% whiff rate, both of which place him in the top percentile among qualified hitters. While managers should not expect his power totals to increase going forward, he should be put in prime scoring positions, batting in a lineup alongside Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. He is expected to have an everyday role at the keystone, which would push Bryson Stott to a utility role. Kilian should compete for low-leverage opportunities and is not expected to hold much fantasy value outside of deep 15+ team formats that reward holds. UPDATE: Francys Romero reports that Arraez is unlikely to debut with the Phillies until Tuesday's game against the division-rival Washington Nationals.
Source: Jayson Stark
Source: Jayson Stark
Zack Wheeler Fine Physically After Off Night on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said that right-hander Zack Wheeler told him he "felt fine physically" following his rough outing on Monday night in the 8-7 loss to the division-rival Miami Marlins, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. The 36-year-old veteran's velocity was noticeably down, and he lacked command. It was his shortest outing in more than four seasons and featured his second-lowest average velocity on his four-seam fastball. "Just one of those games," said Wheeler, who allowed five runs in those three innings Monday. "One of these days. It just wasn't coming out. I don't know. No excuse, just a bad game." Mattingly noted that Wheeler reported some nausea after his outing, so perhaps he's dealing with a little bug, which could help explain his bad outing against Miami. Despite the poor performance, the three-time All-Star has defied expectations in 2026 after being less than a year removed from a dangerous blood clot that revealed thoracic outlet syndrome, as he's currently 10-2 with a 2.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 123:23 K:BB in 103 innings over 17 starts. As long as Wheeler isn't injured, he'll look to bounce back in his next outing.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
Gage Wood Still Trending Up After Nine-Strikeout Performance
Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Gage Wood was promoted to Double-A Reading in late May and has not been fazed by the stiffer competition. The Phils' top pitching prospect has posted a 3.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and an elite 29.5 percent K-BB% in nine starts at that level, culminating with a career-high nine-strikeout performance in his latest outing for the Fightin Phils. The 2025 first-rounder could make the jump to Triple-A before the season is out, bringing with him an arsenal of pitches that produce tons of whiffs, though a 2026 debut is unlikely. Nevertheless, the right-hander has solidified his status as a strong dynasty asset who could be making an impact in the majors sometime next season.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Cristopher Sanchez Not Listed Among Phillies Probables This Weekend
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez is not listed among his team's probable starters for their first series of the second half against the New York Mets this weekend, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Sanchez last pitched for the Phillies last Saturday, but he started the All-Star Game on Tuesday for the National League and threw 34 pitches in his one inning of work. The 29-year-old has been one of the better pitchers in baseball so far this season, recording an 11-4 record with a 2.62 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 144 strikeouts across 127 1/3 innings (20 starts). While the Phillies could have chosen to push him back out onto the mound as quickly as possible, it looks as though the team will instead prioritize getting him a few extra days of rest before the true push for the playoffs begins. As a result, Sanchez's next start will likely come at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on either Monday or Tuesday.
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Zack Wheeler Not Scheduled to Pitch This Weekend
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler is not listed among his team's probable starters for their first series after the All-Star break against the New York Mets, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. The 36-year-old has been dominant so far this season, recording a 10-1 record with a 2.13 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 108 strikeouts across 93 innings (15 starts). Wheeler's last start came last Sunday, so Philadelphia could have chosen to give him the ball this upcoming weekend. Instead, it appears that the team will allow the 36-year-old a few extra days of rest coming out of the break. As a result, Wheeler's next start will likely come at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on either Monday or Tuesday.
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Zack Wheeler Continues to Pitch With a Chip on his Shoulder, Fans 10 on Sunday
After admitting that he turned down an invitation to the 2026 All-Star Game in Philadelphia next week, Philadelphia Phillies veteran right-hander Zack Wheeler had another dominant outing on Sunday in the team's 5-0 shutout win in Motown over the Detroit Tigers. Wheeler outdueled ace Tarik Skubal, tossing six shutout innings, allowing only two hits, walking two, and striking out 10 batters to lower his season ERA to 2.13 and pick up his 10th win of the 2026 season. After initially being a National League All-Star snub, the 36-year-old declined an invite and said that he wouldn't stand for being disrespected. Wheeler had been pitching well all year, but this seems to have really lit a fire under him, and he's now recorded double-digit strikeouts in his last three starts while fanning 34 hitters in 17 1/3 innings over that span. In addition to his sharp 2.13 ERA, Wheeler has a 0.89 WHIP with 108 strikeouts and only 22 innings over 15 starts and 93 innings in his 12th year in the league. The three-time All-Star has exceeded expectations after coming into the 2026 campaign as more of a question mark following thoracic outlet syndrome that shut him down early in 2025.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Cristopher Sanchez Named National League Starting Pitcher for All-Star Game
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez has been named the starting pitcher for the National League during the upcoming All-Star Game. It's only fitting that Sanchez gets the nod in his home ballpark in Philadelphia. The fact it's in Philly likely helped his case to start, but Sanchez is deserving of the honor. The southpaw owns a 2.62 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 144/25 K/BB ratio across 20 starts this season. This will be the second All-Star selection of his career. Sanchez also made the team during the 2024 season as a member of the Phillies. Toronto Blue Jays stud Dylan Cease will be on the opposing side during Tuesday's All-Star contest.
Source: Matt Gelb
Source: Matt Gelb
Zack Wheeler Turns Down All-Star Invitation
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler has decided to decline an invitation to the upcoming All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Wheeler was asked if he wanted to be a replacement on the National League roster. He declined, stating that he felt disrespected to be the fifth choice as a replacement. Wheeler has been outstanding when healthy this season, so he's certainly deserving of an All-Star nod. The right-hander owns a 2.28 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and a 98/20 K/BB ratio across 14 starts this season. Wheeler has bounced back nicely since having thoracic outlet surgery last year. He'll rest up during the All-Star break and look forward to helping the Phillies in the second half of the season.
Source: Lochlahn March
Source: Lochlahn March
Jesus Luzardo Keeps Rolling, Shuts Down Reds on Thursday
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo is on a strong run, and that continued as he shut down the Cincinnati Reds on the road on Thursday in a 1-0 victory. Luzardo threw seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits, walking two, and striking out 11 to win his eighth game of the 2026 season. The 28-year-old southpaw from Peru has had some uneven performances this year for sure, but he has also allowed two or fewer runs in 13 of his 19 starts in his second year in Philly. He will take an 8-4 record, 3.52 ERA, and 136:35 K:BB in 110 1/3 innings into next week's All-Star break after posting his fourth start of the season with double-digit strikeouts. Since allowing five earned runs in six innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox on June 5, Luzardo has given up only six earned runs while walking 14 and striking out 56 in 37 1/3 innings pitched in six starts versus the Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins, Washington Nationals, New York Mets, and Kansas City Royals. He's rolling going into the break, and fantasy managers can only hope he keeps this form to begin the second half later this month.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Zack Wheeler Reaches Double-Digit Strikeouts for Second Straight Outing
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler wasn't too happy about being an All-Star Game snub, and he took it out on the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night in the Phillies' 4-1 victory at Great American Ballpark. Wheeler was dominant, allowing an earned run on four hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out a season-high 14 hitters in seven innings for his ninth win of 2026. It was Wheeler's second straight start with double-digit punchouts after he fanned 10 in just 4 2/3 innings on July 1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The only run the Reds mustered was on a solo homer by Eugenio Suarez. Wheeler will try to keep the good times rolling this year and close out the first half of the season strong in a good matchup this Sunday against the Detroit Tigers. Wheeler came into 2026 fantasy drafts with some volatility following surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, but he hasn't missed a beat in his 12th MLB season and is now sporting a 2.28 ERA. Keep him in all starting lineups for his upcoming matchup against the Tigers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Zack Wheeler Fans 10 in Just 4 2/3 Innings Against Pirates
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler had an unusual day on Wednesday in the team's 10-6 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Wheeler only lasted 4 2/3 innings on the mound and allowed four earned runs on nine hits (one homer), but he walked only one and struck out a season-high 10 batters in the no-decision. It was the first time that the 36-year-old veteran didn't make it through five innings all year, and he wasn't happy about the early hook after the game when speaking to the media. Still, the three-time All-Star is now 8-1 on the season with a sharp 2.36 ERA (3.30 FIP) and 0.94 WHIP with 84 strikeouts and 20 walks in 80 innings pitched across his 13 starts in his 12th season in the majors. Coming into the 2026 campaign, there was some uncertainty as to whether Wheeler could rebound to ace form following surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. Through the first half of the year, it's safe to say that he has exceeded expectations. Fantasy managers will want Wheeler in their starting lineups for his final start of the first half next week against the Cincinnati Reds.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jesus Luzardo Shows his Upside With 13-Strikeout Performance Against Nats
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo has been hit or miss for fantasy managers in 2026 with the Phillies, but he showed his upside in his outing on Tuesday against the division-rival Washington Nationals on the road in the team's 14-9 victory. Luzardo allowed five earned runs on six hits while walking three and striking out a career-high 13 batters in 6 2/3 innings for a no-decision. Most of the damage the 28-year-old southpaw absorbed on the night came during a four-run fourth inning at Nationals Ballpark. Despite allowing five earned runs, Luzardo generated 19 swings and misses on his 104 pitches. He's now 6-4 on the year with a 4.39 ERA (3.13 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with 110 strikeouts and 30 walks in 92 1/3 innings across 16 starts. The month of June has been very indicative of Luzardo's inconsistent season, as he allowed three earned runs with 17 strikeouts in his previous two outings, but he gave up another five earned runs with just two K's in six innings to begin the month on June 5 against the Chicago White Sox. Fantasy managers should consider Luzardo a must-start in his upcoming matchup against the division-rival New York Mets, his first meeting with them in 2026.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
