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Chase Meidroth Powers White Sox to Wild Card Series Win on Wednesday
Chicago White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth was one of the stars of his team's 7-3 closeout victory over the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card Series on Wednesday, going two-for-three with a home run, a walk, and three RBI. Meidroth was one of the drivers of Chicago's two-game sweep, logging four hits and four RBI in eight plate appearances in the series. The 25-year-old was a steady presence in the White Sox lineup all season long in 2026, slashing .276/.350/.415 with 16 home runs, 63 RBI, 90 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 643 plate appearances. With his 9.5% walk rate and elite defense at second base, Meidroth profiles as the type of under-the-radar contributor who could help power a deeper-than-expected postseason run for Chicago.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Andrew Painter Steps Up in Key Relief Appearance on Wednesday
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Andrew Painter helped save his team's season on Wednesday, shutting the door out of the bullpen in Philadelphia's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series. Painter entered the game in the eighth inning and pitched three scoreless frames, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out three. The 23-year-old had an up-and-down season as a member of the Phillies rotation in 2026, recording a 3-10 record with a 5.40 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 115 strikeouts across 126 2/3 innings. However, the hard-throwing right-hander was better in the second half of the year, pitching to a 3.65 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with a 24.5% strikeout rate across 61 2/3 innings after the All-Star break. If Painter can emerge as a reliable relief option for the Phillies in October, he could help spark a postseason run.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
RJ Harvey Emerging as a Factor in Broncos Passing Game
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey has barely been involved as a runner, but Denver keeps finding him in the passing game. Harvey returned from a hamstring injury in Week 3 and caught six of seven targets for 41 yards against the Rams. That came after he caught all four of his targets for 23 yards in the opener. Through two appearances, he has 10 receptions on 11 targets despite only five carries. J.K. Dobbins is still handling the bulk of the rushing work, but his start has been uneven. He has 121 yards on 35 carries, an average of 3.5 yards per attempt, and has yet to score on the ground. Harvey is not taking that job away right now. The receiving work still gives him a real path to fantasy value, though, and it is a role he handled well as a rookie with 47 catches for 356 yards and five touchdowns. If Denver keeps leaning on him in passing situations, Harvey can keep climbing even without a major shift in carries.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ernie Clement Not Assured of Blue Jays Second Base Job Entering 2027
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that infielder Ernie Clement "will have to earn" the team's starting second base job in 2027, per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. After being one of the heroes of Toronto's run to a World Series appearance in 2025, Clement's numbers regressed in 2026. Across 621 plate appearances this past season, the 30-year-old hit .259/.285/.364 with nine home runs, 48 RBI, 60 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. Perhaps most concerningly for Toronto, his defensive metrics plummeted after he graded out as a plus defender in 2025. Clement rarely strikes out (9.3% strikeout rate) and can line up all over the diamond, which makes him a valuable piece for the Blue Jays. However, the 30-year-old may be best suited for a utility role in Toronto going forward.
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Terry McLaurin Getting Back on Track After Slow Start
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin finally got going in Week 3, catching six of nine targets for 77 yards and a touchdown against Seattle. His first two games were much quieter, with four catches for 64 yards combined, but the usage had already started to turn. McLaurin went from four targets in Week 1 to nine in Week 2, then saw nine more with Marcus Mariota starting on Sunday. That is much closer to what Washington talked about during the offseason, when offensive coordinator David Blough said the goal was to get McLaurin around 10 targets per game. The quarterback situation is still worth watching. Jayden Daniels was limited in Wednesday's practice as he works back from a left elbow injury, so Mariota could remain under center against Indianapolis. Either way, McLaurin just showed the target volume can survive a quarterback change. After a slow opening week, his fantasy stock is moving back up heading into Sunday's game in London.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Daulton Varsho Undergoes Left Wrist Surgery
Houston Astros outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist on Tuesday, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Varsho hit the 10-day injured list in mid-September due to the wrist issue and wound up missing the remainder of the regular season and Houston's brief playoff run. Across 526 plate appearances split between the Astros and Toronto Blue Jays in 2026, the 30-year-old hit .221/.281/.355 with 12 home runs, 40 RBI, 51 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. Varsho is now set to hit free agency, so the health of his wrist is crucial for his earning potential this offseason. Varsho is one of the better defensive outfielders in baseball and hit 20 home runs across just 271 plate appearances with Toronto in 2025. However, he's never reached 600 plate appearances in any of his seven seasons in the big leagues. Depending on where he lands in free agency and his health status, Varsho could be a decent bounce-back candidate for fantasy managers to target going into 2027.
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
NC State Vander Ploog Still Out For Week 5
North Carolina State tight end Vander Ploog has been ruled out for the Week 5 matchup with Louisville with the same injury that has hampered him all season. Ploog missed time in fall camp but played in the team's season opener against Virginia, catching 2 passes for 25 yards, and has not played since. It's unclear when the sophomore will return to the field for the Wolfpack.
Source: ACC Avaialbility Report
Source: ACC Avaialbility Report
Phillies Likely to Start Aaron Nola in Game 3 of National League Wild Card Series
The Philadelphia Phillies are planning to start right-hander Aaron Nola in Game 3 of their National League Wild Card Series matchup against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night, per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Philadelphia had the option of throwing ace right-hander Zack Wheeler on three days' rest, but it appears as though they will opt for Nola instead. Across 175 1/3 innings (33 starts) in the regular season, Nola recorded a 7-12 record with a 4.67 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 177 strikeouts. While the 33-year-old's overall line is not pretty, he was a significantly better pitcher in the second half of the season. Across 78 1/3 innings after the All-Star break, Nola recorded a 3.33 ERA and 1.24 WHIP while logging 75 strikeouts. Philadelphia will likely operate with an all-hands-on-deck approach in a do-or-die matchup against Atlanta, so Wheeler could still make an appearance out of the bullpen on Thursday night.
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Jim Salisbury
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Jim Salisbury
Louisville Running Back Keyjuan Brown Probable For Week 5
Louisville running back Keyjuan Brown is listed as probable for the Week 5 matchup against NC State. The senior running back has been nursing an injury he sustained in Week 2 against Villanova and has been on the injury report for the last three weeks, but he has played through it. Keyjuan Brown currently leads the Cardinals in rushing yards with 279 yards despite running back Isaac Brown out-touching him by 18 carries. If Keyjuan Brown is out, Isaac Brown becomes an interesting flex option against an NC State defense that is allowing 121.5 rushing yards per game.
Source: ACC Avaialbility Report
Source: ACC Avaialbility Report
Bhayshul Tuten Firmly Establishing Himself as Jaguars' Lead Back
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten keeps giving the team reasons to leave him at the front of the backfield. He handled 15 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown against New England on Sunday, adding two catches for another 17 yards. More importantly, he played 30 offensive snaps compared with 13 for Chris Rodriguez Jr. and finished with 17 touches to Rodriguez's nine. That was not a one-week development, either. Tuten has now led Rodriguez in both snaps and touches in all three games, while averaging 4.7 yards on his 43 carries. He has rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns so far and has not fallen below 13 carries in a game. Rodriguez will continue to get work, and Jacksonville has other backs involved on passing downs, so Tuten is not suddenly a 20-touch workhorse. Still, the lead role looks more secure now than it did entering the season. His fantasy value continues to move up heading into Sunday's matchup with Cincinnati.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Mahle Pitching Through Abdominal Issue
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that starting pitcher Tyler Mahle (abdominal) felt an abdominal pull while warming up for his start against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series, per Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game. McAuley also reports that Mahle downplayed the issue, saying he "didn't feel it affected him whatsoever" and that it "wouldn't stop him from pitching today or in the future." Mahle pitched well against Philadelphia on Wednesday, allowing one earned run and recording six strikeouts across seven innings of work. Still, it's worth noting that the veteran right-hander could be operating at less than 100% if Atlanta advances to the National League Division Series and beyond. Mahle emerged as the Braves' number two starter behind ace Chris Sale down the stretch of the regular season, recording a 1.99 ERA across nine starts after Atlanta acquired him from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline.
Source: 92.9 The Game - Grant McAuley
Source: 92.9 The Game - Grant McAuley
George Kittle Has Been the Top-Scoring Tight End Since Returning to Full Health
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has been an elite fantasy option in the two weeks since he returned to being 100% healthy. Kittle had a limited role in the season opener since it was his first game back from an Achilles injury, but over the last two weeks, he ranks as the overall TE1 in PPR leagues with 10 catches, 162 yards, and three touchdowns. His fantasy stock has benefitted from injuries at other positions, with wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs) up in the air for Week 4 and Demarcus Robinson (ankle), De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), and Christian Kirk (calf) all on injured reserve. The 49ers are 3-0 and firing on all cylinders offensively, so Kittle should be able to sustain his top-tier fantasy value even as the receivers work back to full health. He should be treated as a high-end TE1 heading into Week 4 against the Broncos.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Travis Kelce Remains a High-Scoring Tight End at 36 Years Old
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is past the peak of his career, but he's still a top fantasy option for managers seeking consistent production at the tight end position. At 36 years old, Kelce ranks as the TE2 in PPR scoring through the first three weeks of the season. He already has 14 catches for 231 yards and a pair of touchdowns. It's early, but he's currently on pace to post his highest touchdown total since 2022, which is also the last time he finished a season as the overall TE1. Kansas City's offense is firing on all cylinders right now, so Kelce should remain a must-start fantasy tight end going forward. Given that his ADP was in the eighth round of fantasy drafts, he also has league-winning upside if he continues to produce at his current pace.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mario Craver Questionable For Week 5
Texas A&M wide receiver Mario Craver is listed as questionable for the team's Week 5 matchup against Arkansas with a left ankle injury that he suffered in Week 4 against LSU. Craver missed time in the Week 4 loss but returned to action. The Aggies offense has been a huge letdown this season, as quarterback Marcel Reed has taken a major step backward in his development. Reed has been inaccurate all season, completing only 55% of his passes and has thrown only six touchdowns to four interceptions. Craver has been Reed's favorite target early in the season, with 22 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Craver has a 25% target share this season, and with wide receiver Terry Bussey out for the game as well, it will be interesting to see who steps up as a top target for the Aggies.
Source: SEC Availability Report
Source: SEC Availability Report
Colston Loveland Trending Up After Bounce-Back Showing on Monday Night
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland endured a very disappointing start to the season, but his performance in Week 3 suggests that he has turned a corner and will return to fantasy relevance going forward. After catching just one pass through the first two weeks, Loveland bounced back on Monday night with four catches for 31 yards. He also nearly had a touchdown, but he was ruled short of the goal line upon further review. Nevertheless, seeing Loveland handle increased volume and get involved around the goal line was very encouraging. He has played more than 79% of snaps in every game so far, so there's no concern about his ability to get on the field. The Bears' quarterback situation is up in the air for Week 4, but regardless of who gets the nod, Loveland is suddenly in a much better place from a fantasy perspective. He's a relatively safe bet to finish this week as a top-12 fantasy tight end.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
