Week 26 of 2025 brings a deep pool of starting pitchers on the waiver wire as playoff pushes heat up. Top shalers include Emmet Sheehan and Ryne Nelson, each offering mixed strikeout upside and ratios that can anchor a fantasy staff in shallower leagues. Deeper-league options like Brandon Sproat and Trey Yesavage add upside with low ownership, while names such as Joey Cantillo and Ian Seymour offer late-season run-ins for contenders chasing streaming wins. Prepare for a mix of veteran floor and young upside as the rotation turns into playoff mode.

Expect pitchers who can deliver quality innings with favorable matchups and a path to wins. Sheehan’s multi-role usefulness, Nelson’s ratio control, and Warren’s steady output stand out for week-long streams. In deeper formats, Sproat and Yesavage carry upside with limited track records, while Cantillo and Tong could surprise in favorable late-season slots. Track bullpen usage, park factors, and opponent lineups to maximize weekly streaming value.

Stay proactive with these adds as the calendar closes. If your league uses platoon-heavy or bullpen-heavy scoring, verify the schedule density and the likelihood of spot starts. The right mix of proven innings and lottery-ticket arms can propel fantasy rosters into the postseason.

The Diamondbacks drop the series opener to the Phillies 8-2 in Arizona as the offense scuffles and Ryne Nelson endures a taxing five innings. Nelson’s stuff wasn’t sharp, but he battled through two earned runs on five hits with just one strikeout, keeping the game within reach early. Ketel Marte supplied a bright spot, going 3-for-4 with a first-inning solo homer and multi-hit frame, while the D-backs’ bullpen and offense couldn’t sustain momentum after a rough middle frame.