Mason Montgomery (RP-PIT) fired a dominant inning against the Tigers (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K) on Tuesday to pick up his 5th save of the campaign as he appears to be the top closer option in Pittsburgh. The 26 year-old seems to be the preferred option to close out games in Pittsburgh despite Gregory Soto serving as the team's closer for much of the season and the club acquiring Luke Weaver ahead of the trade deadline. The 26 year-old southpaw has now earned 3 saves in 5 appearances this month. Montgomery has been electric in 2026, compiling a 3.47 ERA, 14.6 K/9, 3.8 BB/9, and 2.10 xFIP across 49.1 IP, dominating hitters with his 98.5-mph average heater, 89.5-mph slider, and 86.5 mph curve. He misses lots of bats (15% swinging-strike rate), limits contact overall (69%) and in the zone (80.5%) while getting hitters to chase (32%). And he induces lots of grounders (52.5% of batted balls). Add him wherever he's still lingering on the waiver wire.
Oneil Cruz (OF-PIT) powered the Pirates to victory over the Tigers as he went 1-3 with a 2-run shot and a pair of strikeouts as he returned from the IL (hand) on Tuesday. The 27 year-old missed over two months of action as he recovered from a fracture in his left hand suffered back in early June. Cruz is now hitting .265 with 15 HR, 46 RBI, 46 R, and 21 SB across 286 PA on the year. Aside from his putrid defensive, it was shaping up to be a career year for Cruz before he sustained that injury, but he seems to be picking up where he left off, strikeouts and all. His 35% strikeout rate rides on a 15.5% swinging-strike rate, 64.5% overall contact rate, 32.5% chase rate, and 77% in-zone contact rate, but he sure does damage when he gets the bat on the ball as Statcast shows a 59% hard-hit rate, 16.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 96 mph. Make sure he's back in your lineup.
Robbie Ray (SP-SD) put together a quality start at the Mets as he allowed 1 run on 3 hits and 3 walks while fanning 4 over 6 IP. The 34 year-old lefty served up a dinger while firing 53 of his 91 offerings for strikes. Ray continues to outperform his peripherals as he now owns a 3.20 ERA, 7.7 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, and 4.84 xFIP over 137.2 IP. He's benefited from a .254 BABIP and 79.5% strand rate that have suppressed his ERA. Meanwhile, his swinging-strike rate is down to 10.5% from 12.5% a year ago while the opposition's overall (77.5%) and in-zone (86.5%) contact rates are up (from 74.5% and 83%, respectively). His saving grace has been modest loud contact as he's kept the opposition to an average exit velo of 89 mph, 8.5% barrel rate, and 37.5% hard-hit rate. He's slated to take on the Pirates on Monday.
Nick Martinez (SP-TB) did not fare well against the Blue Jays as he coughed up 6 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks while fanning 5 over just 3.2 IP. The 36 year-old RHP yielded one homer while throwing 56 of his 82 pitches for strikes in the rough outing. Regression was coming for Martinez, who owned a 2.74 ERA against a 4.54 xFIP in 138 IP entering the contest, with a lucky 85% strand rate and .262 BABIP suppressing his ERA. To his credit, Martinez has limited loud contact to a 33.5% hard-hit rate, 7% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 87 mph while limiting the free passes to an elite 3.5% rate. But he misses so few bats (17.5% whiff rate and 14% strikeout rate) while yielding lots of contact - 84% overall and 91% in zone. Up next is a turn in Baltimore on Sunday.
Jo Adell (OF-CLE) erupted against the Giants as he went 3-4 with a homer and 6 RBI. The 27 year-old started his tenure in Cleveland slowly, batting just .167 with 2 HR, 5 RBI, and 5 R over 50 PA with his new club entering Tuesday's game. On the year, he's now hitting .237 with 19 HR, 73 RBI, 52 R, and 3 SB over 510 PA. His 24% strikeout rate is a career best while he's maintained his 73.5% overall and 84.5% in-zone contact rates from a year ago. Adell is, however, making significantly less loud contact than he did in 2025, with a 44% hard-hit rate (49.5% last season), 9.5% barrel rate (17%), and average exit velocity of 90 mph (91.5). He's chasing more often (36% in 2026, 32.5% in 2025) and making more contact outside the zone (up to 54.5% from 50%), so that might be a factor there. Fantasy owners will have to hope that Tuesday's performance is the start of a hot streak.
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