Outlook Walker Buehler
Former Ace Navigates Depleted Rotation as High-Risk Option
Walker Buehler slots in as a mid-to-back-end starter for the second-place Padres, a role that is highly secure due to a wave of rotation injuries. With key starters like Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Nick Pivetta all currently sidelined, San Diego has no choice but to rely on Buehler for bulk innings. At 31 years old, the veteran is no longer the top-tier option he was during his prime, but his secure rotation spot makes him an volume-based option for fantasy managers willing to stomach some risk.
Our projections reflect this diminished profile, expecting Buehler to post a 5.06 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP across 121.0 innings of work. These figures align closely with his post-surgery career stats, including a 5.04 ERA in 2025 and a 4.97 ERA in 2024. While his strikeout rate is projected for a modest 95 strikeouts over that span, his elevated walk rate and tendency to allow heavy traffic limit his ability to provide ratio stabilization. He remains a heavy ratio risk who is highly dependent on run support to salvage fantasy value.
For fantasy managers, Buehler is best treated as a fringe starter or streamer rather than a locked-in option. His lack of elite strikeout upside means he cannot easily bail himself out of trouble when his command wavers. He should only be deployed in favorable matchups where the Padres' offense can prop him up for potential victories, and benched against elite lineups that can exploit his high WHIP.
Updated 3 days ago
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Outlook Andrew Alvarez
Bulk Reliever Andrew Alvarez Faces Volatile Role and Matchup Risk This Week
Andrew Alvarez has functioned as a primary bulk-relief option for the second-place Nationals (31-29), who are currently riding a positive two-game win streak in the NL East. With several rotation starters like Jake Irvin and Josiah Gray currently sidelined on the injured list, Alvarez's multi-inning capability is crucial for Washington's staff, though he lacked command and sharpness in his bulk relief appearance on May 29.
Over the last 30 days, Alvarez has struggled to a 5.68 ERA and 1.44 WHIP, representing a significant step back from his 4.14 ERA on the year. Our season projection model expects him to stabilize around a 4.42 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 114.0 innings of work. While he possesses some strikeout upside, his fluctuating hybrid role limits his long-term fantasy floor.
Alvarez is scheduled for a projected matchup on June 3 against the division-rival Marlins, where he is slated to face Max Meyer and his strong 2.97 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. Our weekly projection expects him to log just 3.1 innings of work, which does not provide enough volume to warrant a spot in standard starting lineups. Verdict: Sit.
Updated 3 days ago
