Outlook Javier Assad
Assad solidifies rotation spot with spectacular run of scoreless frames
Javier Assad has quickly pitched his way into a secure role for the Cubs. With rotation mates Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd sidelined on the injured list, Assad has stepped up and slots in as the number four starter in the rotation. At 28 years old, the right-hander has shown the versatility to excel both in relief and as a starter, making him an invaluable depth piece for a Chicago pitching staff currently navigating several key injuries.
Our season projections expect Assad to post a solid 3.80 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP over 64.0 innings of work, with roughly 75 strikeouts. These marks align nicely with his 3.88 career ERA from 2024. While he is more of a pitch-to-contact option rather than a high-strikeout force, his ability to suppress hard hits and limit walks makes him a stabilizing force for fantasy rotations needing depth in standard formats.
Ultimately, Assad represents a high-floor fantasy asset who can provide valuable innings and ratio support when the matchups are right. While he lacks the elite strikeout upside of a true fantasy ace, his secure starting role and solid defense behind him make him a highly reliable option to plug into active lineups, especially during favorable home matchups.
Updated 1 day ago
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Outlook Kevin Kelly
Kevin Kelly's elite control and solidifying setup role make him a key holds target
After a difficult 2025 season where his ERA ballooned to 6.96, Kevin Kelly has bounced back in a major way for the second-place Rays, asserting himself as a vital late-inning weapon. Currently slotting in as a key setup option in Tampa Bay's bullpen, Kelly has benefited from a series of injuries to fellow relievers Edwin Uceta and Steven Wilson. This has cleared a path for consistent high-leverage opportunities, which was highlighted by a recent crucial save against the Red Sox. At 28 years old, Kelly is pitching with the confidence of a seasoned high-leverage arm.
The underlying numbers suggest Kelly's turnaround is highly sustainable. Across 27.0 innings of work this year, he has logged a sparkling 2.67 ERA and an elite 0.93 WHIP, which stands in stark contrast to our conservative season projection of a 3.89 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. The secret to his success has been pinpoint control, having walked only six batters all season. While he remains more of a groundball specialist than a pure bat-misser—averaging under a strikeout per inning—his ability to limit base runners keeps his ratios incredibly clean and protects his fantasy value.
For fantasy managers, Kelly is a highly valuable asset in leagues that reward holds, and he is a useful ratio stabilizer even in standard formats. While his lack of consistent save opportunities caps his absolute ceiling, his reliable volume and ability to protect ERA and WHIP make him a very safe floor play. He should be rostered and active in all deep and holds-leagues as he continues to play a prominent late-inning role for a winning club.
Updated 1 day ago
