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Week 26 Start/Sit: MLB Starting Pitcher (SP) Matchups

By Keith Allison on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsWhat’s up RotoBallers. If you are reading the column, then your teams are most likely still in the championship chase as we head into the final week of the fantasy baseball season. It's been a fun and exciting year of MLB action, and we've had a blast here at RotoBaller providing our fantasy baseball analysis.

Hopefully we've helped you along the way, and you are in a position to bring home those championships. Many RotoBaller writers have been burning off their fingertips all season long, typing and sharing their thoughts, and providing their MLB analysis with the goal of getting to this exact point in the season. We hope you've enjoyed it all, and remember you can always let us know in the comments if you have. It means a lot to writers to get feedback, and know when their work is being appreciated by readers. Most importantly, thank you all for checking in here regularly, reading this column and others, and continuing to create a great "get advice/give advice" environment in RotoBaller's live chat rooms.

With that being said, let's get back to business. Below are all of the starting pitching matchups for Week 26. The final week. The home stretch. Where dreams are made, or shattered. Where we try to bring home the bacon. As always, for every week of the fantasy baseball season we look to analyze all of the projected starting pitcher matchups and put together our optimal lineups. This week there are a lot of rock solid two-start pitchers going (Felix Hernandez, Johnny Cueto, Zack Greinke, Tanner Roark, Alex Wood, David Price, Yordano Ventura, Cole Hamels, Madison Bumgarner, Alex Cobb, Adam Wainwright, Michael Pineda, Carlos Carrasco, Jeff Samardzija). In fact, one might call this the week of the tw0-start aces. It should be a fun one. And as always, there are some viable starting pitcher sleepers and streamers to consider off the waiver wire (Derek Holland, Edinson Volquez, Taijuan Walker, Shane Greene, Kevin Gausman, Kyle HendricksJames Paxton, Danny DuffyJose Quintana), depending on your league size and format including AL-Only and NL-Only leagues.

Here at RotoBaller, we believe that it’s key to analyze every SP matchup, each and every week, to help determine which SPs to start/sit and to hopefully find some hidden gems to bolster your teams. This weekly piece considers all of the pitching performances thus far this season, the pitcher’s opponents, their career stats against the opponent, some ballpark factors and historical splits. With all of this information, we then provide our start/sit recommendations for each starting pitcher matchup for the approaching week of fantasy baseball.

Good luck this week RotoBallers. Let’s win some leagues!

 

SP Matchups & Start/Sit Recommendations

Editor’s Note: For you fantasy football fans, be sure to also check out RotoBaller's 2014 fantasy football waiver wire pickups list and dominate your football leagues. You can also download the waiver wire iPhone app for free, and stay easily updated on the run.

Projected starters and matchups last updated Monday 9/22:

Probable Pitchers - Monday (9/22/14)

Game Visiting Starter Start / Sit Home Starter Start / Sit
ARI@MIN Collmenter, Josh RP | ARI Start Nolasco, Ricky SP | MIN Sit
BAL@NYY Chen, Wei-Yin SP | BAL Start Pineda, Michael SP | NYY Start
CHW@DET Bassitt, Chris SP | CHW Sit Lobstein, Kyle SP | DET Sit
COL@SD Matzek, Tyler SP | COL Start Stults, Eric SP | SD Sit
HOU@TEX Tropeano, Nick SP | HOU Sit Holland, Derek SP | TEX Start
KC@CLE Duffy, Danny SP | KC Start Carrasco, Carlos SP | CLE Start
LAA@OAK Wilson, C.J. SP | LAA Start Samardzija, Jeff SP | OAK Start
PIT@ATL Liriano, Francisco SP | PIT Start Harang, Aaron SP | ATL Start
SEA@TOR Paxton, James SP | SEA Start Happ, J.A. SP | TOR Sit
SF@LAD Peavy, Jake SP | SF Start Haren, Dan SP | LAD Start
STL@CHC Wainwright, Adam SP | STL Start Wood, Travis SP | CHC Sit

Probable Pitchers - Tuesday (9/23/14)

Game Visiting Starter Start / Sit Home Starter Start / Sit
ARI@MIN Chafin, Andrew SP | ARI Sit Gibson, Kyle SP | MIN Sit
BAL@NYY Jimenez, Ubaldo SP | BAL Sit McCarthy, Brandon SP | NYY Start
CHW@DET Carroll, Scott SP | CHW Sit Price, David SP | DET Start
COL@SD De La Rosa, Jorge SP | COL Sit Erlin, Robbie SP | SD Sit
HOU@TEX Oberholtzer, Brett SP | HOU Sit Martinez, Nick P | TEX Sit
KC@CLE Ventura, Yordano SP | KC Start Salazar, Danny SP | CLE Start
LAA@OAK LeBlanc, Wade RP | LAA Sit Gray, Sonny SP | OAK Start
MIL@CIN Fiers, Mike RP | MIL Start Cueto, Johnny SP | CIN Start
NYM@WAS Colon, Bartolo SP | NYM Sit Roark, Tanner SP | WAS Start
PHI@MIA Hamels, Cole SP | PHI Start Alvarez, Henderson SP | MIA Start
PIT@ATL Cole, Gerrit SP | PIT Start Wood, Alex RP | ATL Start
SEA@TOR Hernandez, Felix SP | SEA Start Dickey, R.A. SP | TOR Sit
SF@LAD Bumgarner, Madison SP | SF Start Greinke, Zack SP | LAD Start
STL@CHC Miller, Shelby SP | STL Start Hendricks, Kyle SP | CHC Start
TB@BOS Cobb, Alex SP | TB Start Buchholz, Clay SP | BOS Sit

Probable Pitchers - Wednesday (9/24/14)

Game Visiting Starter Start / Sit Home Starter Start / Sit
ARI@MIN Nuno, Vidal SP | ARI Sit Hughes, Phil SP | MIN Start
BAL@NYY Norris, Bud SP | BAL Start Greene, Shane SP | NYY Start
CHW@DET Sale, Chris SP | CHW Start Verlander, Justin SP | DET Sit
COL@SD Flande, Yohan SP | COL Sit TBD TBD
HOU@TEX Feldman, Scott SP | HOU Sit Bonilla, Lisalverto RP | TEX Sit
KC@CLE Vargas, Jason SP | KC Sit Bauer, Trevor SP | CLE Sit
LAA@OAK Santiago, Hector SP | LAA Sit Lester, Jon SP | OAK Start
MIL@CIN Lohse, Kyle SP | MIL Start Corcino, Daniel SP | CIN Sit
NYM@WAS Gee, Dillon SP | NYM Start Gonzalez, Gio SP | WAS Start
PHI@MIA Kendrick, Kyle SP | PHI Sit Hand, Brad RP | MIA Sit
PIT@ATL Locke, Jeff SP | PIT Start Teheran, Julio SP | ATL Start
SEA@TOR Walker, Taijuan SP | SEA Start Buehrle, Mark SP | TOR Sit
SF@LAD Hudson, Tim SP | SF Sit Kershaw, Clayton SP | LAD Start
STL@CHC Lackey, John SP | STL Start Arrieta, Jake SP | CHC Start
TB@BOS Odorizzi, Jake SP | TB Start Ranaudo, Anthony SP | BOS Sit

Probable Pitchers - Thursday (9/25/14)

Game Visiting Starter Start / Sit Home Starter Start / Sit
BAL@NYY Gausman, Kevin RP | BAL Start Kuroda, Hiroki SP | NYY Start
KC@CHW Shields, James SP | KC Start Quintana, Jose SP | CHW Start
MIL@CIN Gallardo, Yovani SP | MIL Start Holmberg, David SP | CIN Sit
MIN@DET May, Trevor SP | MIN Sit Scherzer, Max SP | DET Start
NYM@WAS Niese, Jonathon SP | NYM Start Fister, Doug SP | WAS Start
OAK@TEX Hammel, Jason SP | OAK Start Lewis, Colby SP | TEX Sit
PHI@MIA Buchanan, David SP | PHI Sit Koehler, Tom SP | MIA Start
PIT@ATL Volquez, Edinson SP | PIT Start Minor, Mike SP | ATL Sit
SD@SF Cashner, Andrew SP | SD Start Petit, Yusmeiro SP | SF Start
SEA@TOR Young, Chris SP | SEA Sit Redmond, Todd SP | TOR Sit
TB@BOS Hellickson, Jeremy SP | TB Sit Webster, Allen SP | BOS Sit

Probable Pitchers - Friday (9/26/14)

Game Visiting Starter Start / Sit Home Starter Start / Sit
ATL@PHI Santana, Ervin SP | ATL Sit Williams, Jerome SP | PHI Sit
BAL@TOR Tillman, Chris SP | BAL Start Stroman, Marcus SP | TOR Start
CHC@MIL Jackson, Edwin SP | CHC Sit Garza, Matt SP | MIL Start
COL@LAD Lyles, Jordan SP | COL Sit Hernandez, Roberto SP | LAD Sit
HOU@NYM Peacock, Brad SP | HOU Start Wheeler, Zack SP | NYM Start
KC@CHW Guthrie, Jeremy SP | KC Sit Noesi, Hector RP | CHW Sit
LAA@SEA Weaver, Jered SP | LAA Start Iwakuma, Hisashi SP | SEA Start
MIA@WAS Cosart, Jarred SP | MIA Start Zimmermann, Jordan SP | WAS Start
MIN@DET Swarzak, Anthony RP | MIN Sit Porcello, Rick SP | DET Start
NYY@BOS Capuano, Chris SP | NYY Sit TBD TBD
OAK@TEX Kazmir, Scott SP | OAK Start Tepesch, Nick SP | TEX Sit
PIT@CIN TBD TBD Leake, Mike SP | CIN Sit
SD@SF Kennedy, Ian SP | SD Start Vogelsong, Ryan SP | SF Sit
STL@ARI Wacha, Michael SP | STL Start Cahill, Trevor SP | ARI Sit
TB@CLE Archer, Chris SP | TB Start House, T.J. SP | CLE Start

Probable Pitchers - Saturday (9/27/14)

Game Visiting Starter Start / Sit Home Starter Start / Sit
ATL@PHI Harang, Aaron SP | ATL Start Burnett, A.J. SP | PHI Sit
BAL@TOR Gonzalez, Miguel SP | BAL Start Happ, J.A. SP | TOR Sit
CHC@MIL Doubront, Felix SP | CHC Sit Peralta, Wily SP | MIL Start
COL@LAD Butler, Eddie SP | COL Sit Wright, Jamey RP | LAD Sit
HOU@NYM TBD TBD TBD TBD
KC@CHW Duffy, Danny SP | KC Start Danks, John SP | CHW Start
LAA@SEA Rasmus, Cory RP | LAA Sit Paxton, James SP | SEA Start
MIA@WAS TBD TBD TBD TBD
MIN@DET Nolasco, Ricky SP | MIN Sit Lobstein, Kyle SP | DET Sit
NYY@BOS Tanaka, Masahiro SP | NYY Start Kelly, Joe RP | BOS Sit
OAK@TEX Samardzija, Jeff SP | OAK Start Holland, Derek SP | TEX Start
PIT@CIN Liriano, Francisco SP | PIT Start Simon, Alfredo RP | CIN Start
SD@SF Stults, Eric SP | SD Sit Peavy, Jake SP | SF Start
STL@ARI Lynn, Lance SP | STL Start Miley, Wade SP | ARI Start
TB@CLE Karns, Nathan SP | TB Sit Kluber, Corey SP | CLE Start

Probable Pitchers - Sunday (9/28/14)

Game Visiting Starter Start / Sit Home Starter Start / Sit
ATL@PHI Wood, Alex RP | ATL Start Hamels, Cole SP | PHI Start
BAL@TOR Chen, Wei-Yin SP | BAL Start Dickey, R.A. SP | TOR Sit
CHC@MIL Turner, Jacob SP | CHC Sit Fiers, Mike RP | MIL Start
COL@LAD Bergman, Christian SP | COL Sit Haren, Dan SP | LAD Start
HOU@NYM McHugh, Collin SP | HOU Start Colon, Bartolo SP | NYM Sit
KC@CHW Ventura, Yordano SP | KC Start Bassitt, Chris SP | CHW Sit
LAA@SEA Wilson, C.J. SP | LAA Start Hernandez, Felix SP | SEA Start
MIA@WAS Alvarez, Henderson SP | MIA Start Roark, Tanner SP | WAS Start
MIN@DET Gibson, Kyle SP | MIN Sit Price, David SP | DET Start
NYY@BOS Pineda, Michael SP | NYY Start Buchholz, Clay SP | BOS Sit
OAK@TEX Gray, Sonny SP | OAK Start Martinez, Nick P | TEX Sit
PIT@CIN Cole, Gerrit SP | PIT Start Cueto, Johnny SP | CIN Start
SD@SF Erlin, Robbie SP | SD Sit Bumgarner, Madison SP | SF Start
STL@ARI Wainwright, Adam SP | STL Start Collmenter, Josh RP | ARI Start
TB@CLE Cobb, Alex SP | TB Start Carrasco, Carlos SP | CLE Start




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Odell Beckham Jr.

Giants Not Looking to Sign Odell Beckham Jr. Right Now
Bo Nix

Will be Full Speed Before Training Camp
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen the Heavy Favorite at Watkins Glen
Chase Elliott

Is Chase Elliott a No-Brainer DFS Pick at Watkins Glen?
Chris Buescher

Qualifies 14th at Watkins Glen
Ryan Blaney

Has Upside at Watkins Glen After Signing Contract Extension
Michael McDowell

Still Searching for First Top-Five Finish at Watkins Glen
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar Too Aggressive for Road-Course Racing?
Joey Logano

Needs a Good Run at Watkins Glen
Duncan Robinson

Shines on Both Ends Saturday
Cade Cunningham

Records Second Career Postseason Triple-Double
Donovan Mitchell

Logs 35-Point Double-Double
James Harden

Plays Late Hero Saturday
OG Anunoby

Could Miss Another Game Sunday
Joel Embiid

Considered Probable for Sunday's Elimination Game
Jarred Vanderbilt

Active on Saturday Night
Logan Webb

Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Knee Bursitis
CHI

Blackhawks Bring in Roman Kantserov for Next Season
Mason McTavish

Set to Rejoin Ducks Lineup Sunday
Lukas Dostal

to Remain in Ducks Crease Sunday
Zach Bogosian

Back for Wild Saturday
Jesper Wallstedt

Starting Game 3 Against Avalanche
Joel Eriksson Ek

Not Ready to Return Saturday
Owen Tippett

Won't Play Saturday
Cooper Kupp

a Dynasty Hold into the Start of 2026 Season
Jaylen Warren

a Safe Dynasty Depth Piece with Insurance Upside
Christian McCaffrey

a Risky Dynasty Hold Who Still Exceeds His Trade Value
Brian Thomas Jr.

A Risky Buy-Low with Immense Upside
Tre' Harris

a Dynasty Hold That Could Require Patience
Braelon Allen

Dynasty Stock Takes a Hit After Teammate's Extension
Josh Allen

Still the Top Dynasty QB in his Prime
Kyler Murray

Suddenly a Rising Dynasty Target in Minnesota
Logan Webb

on Track to Start Against Dodgers on Monday
Mike Matheson

Leads by Example in Game 2 Win
Jakub Dobes

Rebounds After Loss Yet Again for Montreal
Rachaad White

Undervalued in Dynasty Leagues Despite a Path to Upside
Alex Newhook

Sets Tone in Big Montreal Victory
Stephon Castle

Overcomes Shooting Struggles Friday
Jake Tonges

Should by Now Be Rostered by Every Kittle Dynasty Manager
Anthony Edwards

Carries Heavy Usage in Defeat
Chig Okonkwo

a Clear Breakout Candidate in Washington
Lukas Dostal

Gets Pulled in Game 3 Loss on Friday
Victor Wembanyama

Joins Historic Playoff Company
Mikal Bridges

Continues Postseason Surge with 23-Point Game
Aaron Jones Sr.

Still a Low-Cost, Short-Term Dynasty Target
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Keeps Scoring Role Alive
Romeo Doubs

' Buy Window Could Soon Be Wide Open
Joel Embiid

Held to 18 Points in 76ers Game 3 Loss
Brett Howden

Notches Sixth Goal of the Postseason
Jalen Brunson

Tallies 33 Points to Take 3-0 Series Lead
VEG

Mitch Marner Hat Trick Helps Vegas Take Series Lead
Pat Bryant

Working With Training Staff This Offseason
Jacoby Brissett

in Communication With Cardinals Despite Skipping Workouts
Daniel Jones

Could Take Part in 7-on-7 Drills at OTAs
Tyler Glasnow

Dodgers Put Tyler Glasnow on Injured List With Back Spasms
Sam Merrill

Iffy for Game 3 on Saturday
Anthony Edwards

Rejoins Starting Lineup Friday
Kevin Huerter

Likely to Remain Out Saturday
Jarred Vanderbilt

Considered Questionable for Saturday
Jalen Williams

Ruled Out for Game 3 Against Lakers
Ayo Dosunmu

Cleared to Play Friday
Anthony Edwards

Available Friday Night
Mats Zuccarello

Expected to Play Saturday
Joel Eriksson Ek

to Be a Game-Time Decision Saturday
Jonas Brodin

Still Out Saturday
Josh Manson

Could Return Saturday
Kaedan Korczak

Scratched for Game 3 Against Ducks
Radko Gudas

Likely to Remain Out Friday
Sam Carrick

Won't Play Friday
Isiah Pacheco

Can Isiah Pacheco Re-Establish His Dynasty Value in Detroit?
Rico Dowdle

Dynasty Ceiling Limited By Backfield Committee in Pittsburgh
Rashid Shaheed

a High-Risk, High-Reward Buy-Low Candidate for Dynasty Managers
Blake Snell

to Make Season Debut for Dodgers on Saturday
Cole Ragans

Royals Place Cole Ragans on Injured List With Elbow Impingement
Sean Strickland

An Underdog At UFC 328
Khamzat Chimaev

Set For UFC 328 Main Event
Tatsuro Taira

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Joshua Van

Set For His First Title Defense
Alexander Volkov

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Nick Lodolo

Officially Activated, Making Season Debut on Friday
CFB

Walker Lyons Could be Go-To Target for Bear Bachmeier
CFB

Ty Benefield a Potential Game-Changer for LSU Defense
CFB

Hayden Lowe Set for Significant Role Following Miami's NFL Departures
CFB

Taylor Wein in Position for Big Season on Oklahoma's Defensive Line
CFB

Rasheem Biles an Instant Impact Player for Texas
Dan Vladar

Looks to Return to Winning Ways Thursday
Roman Anthony

Heading for the Injured List
CFB

Sam Leavitt Expected to Be Full-Go for Fall Camp
Tarik Skubal

Could Return in 4-6 Weeks After Successful Elbow Surgery
Cole Ragans

Royals Hopeful That Cole Ragans Makes his Next Start
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan has Grade 2 Hamstring Strain, Expected to Miss 4-8 Weeks
Joe Ryan

Listed as Scheduled Starter for Saturday Against Cleveland
Tyler Glasnow

Not Expected to Land on the Injured List
Framber Valdez

Suspension Reduced to Five Games
Framber Valdez

Suspended Six Games
Tyler Glasnow

Exits Early on Wednesday With Back Pain
CFB

Brauntae Johnson the Next Star in Notre Dame's Secondary?
CFB

Ethan Barbour a Name to Know in Georgia's Tight End Room
CFB

Payton Pierce Next Up at Linebacker for Ohio State
CFB

Javin Gordon to Play Significant Role for Tennessee?
CFB

Tanook Hines Stepping into WR1 Role for USC
CFB

Rueben Owens II has "Star Potential" in Fourth Campaign
Brandon Woodruff

has Fluid Drained From his Right Shoulder
Brandon Woodruff

to Resume Throwing on Saturday, Return Imminent?
Carlos Correa

to Have Season-Ending Ankle Surgery
Jacob Misiorowski

Listed as Friday's Probable Starter
Logan Webb

Dealing With Knee Discomfort
Carlos Correa

Expected to Miss Significant Time With Ankle Injury
Collin Morikawa

Withdraws From Truist Championship
Xander Schauffele

Carries Elite Form Into Quail Hollow
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Bounce Back at Truist Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Secures Third Win of 2026 Season
Patrick Cantlay

Continues Playing Well Heading to Truist Championship
Ludvig Aberg

Returns to Action For Truist Championship
Justin Thomas

Searching for Consistency at Quail Hollow
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Break Through at Quail Hollow
Adam Scott

Brings Strong Form to Quail Hollow
Robert MacIntyre

a Steady Option at Truist Championship
Jason Day

Looks to Overcome Approach Struggles at Quail Hollow
Akshay Bhatia

Looks for Complete Game at Truist Championship
Justin Rose

to Continue Mid-Season Club Change at Truist Championship
Si Woo Kim

is Back to Peak Form Ahead of Truist Championship
Sam Burns

to Bounce Back at Truist Championship
Cameron Young

Looks to Carry Dominance to Quail Hollow
Rory McIlroy

Returns to Familiar Stomping Grounds This Week at Quail Hollow
Chris Gotterup

Looking to Bounce Back at Quail Hollow
Tommy Fleetwood

Looking For Better Iron Play at Quail Hollow
CFB

Mario Craver Enters No. 1 Wide Receiver Role for Marcel Reed
CFB

LaNorris Sellers a Strong Rebound Candidate in 2026
CFB

Cam Coleman Poised for Monster Year at Texas?
CFB

Will Hammond Pushing to Be Ready for Week 1
Alex Fitzpatrick

Looking to Keep Up Ball-Striking Output at Quail Hollow
CFB

Notre Dame Leads College Football in Returning Snaps
CFB

Two Ole Miss Football Players Arrested, Charged with DUI
Ben Griffin

Looks Solid on the Surface Heading to Charlotte
Chase Elliott

Earns his Second Texas Motor Speedway Victory
Denny Hamlin

Misses Out on Winning at Texas
Alex Bowman

Finishes Third for the Second Week in a Row at Texas
Tyler Reddick

Earns Seventh Top-Five Finish of the Season at Texas
Chris Buescher

Scores his First Career Texas Finish in the Top Five
CFB

Bryce Underwood in Better Situation Entering Sophomore Season
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Emerging as Leader, Playmaker for UCLA
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated At UFC Perth
Carlos Prates

Shines At UFC Perth
Beneil Dariush

Suffers A First-Round TKO Loss
Quillan Salkilld

Remains Unbeaten In The UFC
Tim Elliott

Drops Decision At UFC Perth
Steve Erceg

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Ollie Schmid

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Marwan Rahiki

Remains Unbeaten
RANKINGS
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