With just 10 days remaining in the regular season, this will be the last waiver wire article of 2026. Thank you to those who regularly took the time to add the players recommended in this space, and those who are still reading at this time of year have likely benefited from the additions. This week’s list is a balance of players with favorable schedules next week and those who can push a fantasy squad over the top this weekend.
Cam Smith, OF, Astros, 10%: Fantasy managers should be ready to regularly hear Smith’s name mentioned as a popular sleeper pick next season, as this year he is already a 20-10 player despite dealing with a .247 BABIP and underperforming against his expected stats. In the meantime, the 23-year-old has the potential for a productive finish to the season when the Astros play four games at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park against an Athletics pitching staff that ranks 29th in baseball with a 5.42 ERA. Houston should be among the most motivated teams in baseball down the stretch, as its AL West race against the Rangers should come down to the wire.
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Josue De Paula, OF, Dodgers, 17%: Wise fantasy managers will look past the .167 batting average slash line for De Paula, who is one of baseball’s best hitting prospects. The 21-year-old has shown outstanding control over the strike zone in his seven-game sample (7:2 BB:K ratio) while dealing with a .133 BABIP. De Paula has played regularly since being promoted on Sept. 10 and even occupied the leadoff spot in one game. The guess here is that manager Dave Roberts will use the final nine games of the season to determine if the phenom is ready to help Los Angeles in October.
Lars Nootbaar, 1B, Diamondbacks, 2%: Being traded to Arizona at the deadline has given a spark to Nootbaar, who has logged a .777 OPS with his new team (.688 OPS with St. Louis). His production uptick has caught the eye of manager Torey Lovullo, who has deployed the outfielder as his leadoff hitter against right-handers. Nootbaar could collect plenty of hits and runs at the outset of next week, when the Diamondbacks spend three games at Coors Field against starters who each have a WHIP of at least 1.45. The list of appealing Arizona players for the outset of next week also includes third baseman Nolan Arenado (30%) and utilityman Tim Tawa (11%).
Cristian Javier, Astros, 21%: Although Javier lacks impressive season-long numbers (5.31 ERA, 1.46 WHIP), he has been effective in his past three starts (16.1 IP, 4 ER, 15 SO). At this time of year, someone who is pitching well on a team that is battling for a postseason berth is as good as it gets in the world of waiver wire two-start pitchers, which makes Javier a coveted hurler for the final week of the season. He will open the scoring period against a Mariners lineup that ranks 28th in runs scored before finishing up against a 61-92 Athletics squad that may already be thinking ahead to the offseason.
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Anthony Kay, White Sox, 11%: Kay has been a key part of the White Sox resurgence, going 9-9 with a 4.41 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 149 innings. But fantasy managers don’t need an innings eater in the same way that a real major league team does. Kay wouldn’t normally be an appealing two-start pitcher for the final week, but he has a favorable schedule that includes the Royals and Rockies, who have two of the five worst records in baseball. Although there is risk, Kay could earn a win or two.
Andre Pallante, Cardinals, 29% (@ PIT, @ MIL): Although Pallante is coming off one of his worst starts of the season (5 IP, 6 ER), he has generally been someone with a high floor en route to going 12-7 with a 3.70 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. The groundball specialist has been especially effective on the road (7-0, 2.76 ERA), which is where he will make both of his starts next week. Pallante’s initial outing will take place against the Pirates, who rank 29th in runs scored since the All-Star break. And his season will end against the Brewers, who may have nothing to play for during the final weekend.
Dominic Canzone, OF, Mariners, 23%: Canzone is putting the finishing touches on his best season, and his improvements against left-handers (.833 OPS) are a big reason. But his gains in that area have mostly been caused by an improved walk rate, and his power continues to come against right-handers (17 of 22 HR). Canzone could hit for average or power this weekend, when the Mariners play three games against subpar right-handed starters at Coors Field.
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Thomas Saggese, 2B/3B/SS/OF, Cardinals, 30%: Saggese has been a late-season revelation for the Cardinals, posting a .961 OPS in September while filling in for JJ Wetherholt. The right-handed hitter has been terrific against southpaws (.922 OPS), which puts him in position to excel against two Nationals lefties this weekend. The Nats third starter will be Jake Irvin (5.51 ERA). Even with Wetherholt having recently returned to the active roster, Saggese is playing well enough to get into the lineup for most games.
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Jacob Lopez @ CLE (Saturday, 30%)
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Cal Quantrill vs. TOR (Saturday, 51%)
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Zac Thornton vs. PHI (Friday, 26%)
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Connor Prielipp @ LAA (Friday, 12%)
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Andrew Painter @ NYM (Saturday, 29%)
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Kumar Rocker vs. TOR (Friday, 10%)
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Quinn Mathews vs. WSH (Sunday, 26%)
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Dean Kremer @ LAA (Sunday, 8%)
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Peter Lambert vs. ATL (Friday, 44%)
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Hayden Wesneski vs. ATL (Saturday, 33%)
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Grant Holmes @ HOU (Sunday, 36%)
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Christian Scott vs. PHI (Saturday, 28%)
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Shane Drohan @ BAL (Friday, 20%)
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Joey Cantillo vs. ATH (Friday, 38%)
