Shay Whitcomb - Houston Astros : Qwiket: Integrated Sports Knowledge

Shay Whitcomb

Shay Whitcomb

Shay Whitcomb

Shay Whitcomb

September 18, 2025

Astros ready for pivotal AL West showdown with Mariners

Houston Chronicle

Astros ready for pivotal AL West showdown with Mariners

Peña seized control, taking deGrom’s first-pitch slider and catalyzing a patient, assembly-line approach that unlocked Houston’s offense. Diaz’s two-run single, Altuve’s third-inning homer, and a disciplined, multi-at-bat attack fueled a 5-2 win that swept the Rangers and tightened the AL West chase behind Seattle. Peña finished the series 7-for-11 with seven runs, signaling a contagious spark as Houston retools its lineup post-deadline with a focus on quality at-bats and timely hits.

Which Astros hitters benefited most from deGrom's first-pitch slider avoidance in this series, and how should fantasy managers value them going forward?What is the core takeaway for fantasy managers from Houston’s offense in this series against Texas?How does Peña's leadoff spark drive the Astros' offensive philosophy and which players could benefit next?What does deGrom’s five-inning, five-run line imply about Texas’ rotation and bullpen plans for the rest of the season?

Mentions:

Houston Astros | MLB

Houston Astros | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jeremy Peña | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jeremy Peña | Houston Astros | MLB

Texas Rangers | MLB

Texas Rangers | MLB

@Wyatt Langford | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Wyatt Langford | Texas Rangers | MLB

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/art..

September 18, 2025

After being Rangers’ backbone all season, starting pitching fails them in do-or-die series

After being Rangers’ backbone all season, starting pitching fails them in do-or-die series

Texas' playoff push stalled in Houston as Jacob deGrom labored through a 35-pitch, bases-loaded first inning that opened the door for a 5-2 loss and the Rangers' worst series of the season. The rotation, the backbone of their chase, was tagged for 14 earned runs across the three games. Seattle sits 4.5 games back with nine to play.

Houston seized momentum with timely hitting from Yainer Diaz, Jose Altuve and Jeremy Peña, while Texas failed to spark after the first inning. The sweep underscored volatility in a rotation that must rebound quickly if Texas is to keep its wild-card hopes alive.

Mentions:

@Carlos Correa | Houston Astros | MLB

@Carlos Correa | Houston Astros | MLB

Houston Astros | MLB

Houston Astros | MLB

@Jack Leiter | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jack Leiter | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jeremy Peña | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jeremy Peña | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | MLB

@Merrill Kelly | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Merrill Kelly | Texas Rangers | MLB

Texas Rangers | MLB

Texas Rangers | MLB

@Yainer Diaz | Houston Astros | MLB

@Yainer Diaz | Houston Astros | MLB

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2025/09/..

September 18, 2025

Rangers’ surprising playoff push ends with thud as Astros put final nail in Texas’ coffin

Rangers’ surprising playoff push ends with thud as Astros put final nail in Texas’ coffin

Texas Rangers' playoff hopes faded in Houston as deGrom’s return season hit a setback, yielding all five runs in a five-inning start and a glove tossed in frustration. The rotation faltered, with Leiter, Kelly and deGrom each allowing big innings, while Pederson, Tellez and García scuffled in the 3-5 spots. With nine games left and an elimination number of six, Bochy urged a no-lose mindset and defense, prioritizing health as the chase tightens around a demanding finish.

Which Rangers bats should fantasy managers target in the final stretch if the lineup tightens and deGrom remains a question mark?In light of the series sweep, which pitchers should be prioritized for streaming during the final weeks?What signs would indicate Bochy should pull deGrom early to preserve him for next season?Which late-season outcomes would most positively affect Rangers fantasy value, assuming deGrom’s workload remains a concern?

Mentions:

@Adolis García | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Adolis García | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Bruce Bochy | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Bruce Bochy | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | MLB

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2025/09/..

September 18, 2025

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Last call for saves as end of season nears - NBC Sports

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Last call for saves as end of season nears - NBC Sports

Closer Report recap: Chapman and Muñoz pace Tier 1 with crisp holds and high K rates, while Duran and Díaz juggle wins and blown saves. Suárez still NL-best with 39 saves; Bednar, Fairbanks and Jansen show bounce-back form amid late-season churn. Iglesias and Uribe anchor mid-tier saves; multiple teams (Royals, Reds, Cubs, Cardinals, Marlins, etc.) deploy committees, and rookie Chase Burns adds depth in Cleveland, fueling late-season fantasy decisions.

Which closers are best poised for the final-week saves and why?How should fantasy owners hedge against last-minute closer churn?Which teams have the clearest closer pipelines for the playoffs?What metrics best forecast final-week saves for a given closer?

Mentions:

@Abner Uribe | Milwaukee Brewers | MLB

@Abner Uribe | Milwaukee Brewers | MLB

@Andrés Muñoz | Seattle Mariners | MLB

@Andrés Muñoz | Seattle Mariners | MLB

@Aroldis Chapman | Boston Red Sox | MLB

@Aroldis Chapman | Boston Red Sox | MLB

@Bryan Abreu | Houston Astros | MLB

@Bryan Abreu | Houston Astros | MLB

@Cade Smith | Cleveland Guardians | MLB

@Cade Smith | Cleveland Guardians | MLB

@Carlos Estevez | Kansas City Royals | MLB

@Carlos Estevez | Kansas City Royals | MLB

@Chase Burns | Cleveland Guardians | MLB

@Chase Burns | Cleveland Guardians | MLB

@David Bednar | New York Yankees | MLB

@David Bednar | New York Yankees | MLB

@Dennis Santana | Pittsburgh Pirates | MLB

@Dennis Santana | Pittsburgh Pirates | MLB

@Edwin Díaz | New York Mets | MLB

@Edwin Díaz | New York Mets | MLB

@Emilio Pagán | Cincinnati Reds | MLB

@Emilio Pagán | Cincinnati Reds | MLB

@Jeff Hoffman | Toronto Blue Jays | MLB

@Jeff Hoffman | Toronto Blue Jays | MLB

@Jhoan Duran | Philadelphia Phillies | MLB

@Jhoan Duran | Philadelphia Phillies | MLB

@Kenley Jansen | Los Angeles Angels | MLB

@Kenley Jansen | Los Angeles Angels | MLB

@Pete Fairbanks | Tampa Bay Rays | MLB

@Pete Fairbanks | Tampa Bay Rays | MLB

@Raisel Iglesias | Atlanta Braves | MLB

@Raisel Iglesias | Atlanta Braves | MLB

@Robert Suárez | San Diego Padres | MLB

@Robert Suárez | San Diego Padres | MLB

@Ryan Walker | San Francisco Giants | MLB

@Ryan Walker | San Francisco Giants | MLB

@Tanner Scott | Los Angeles Dodgers | MLB

@Tanner Scott | Los Angeles Dodgers | MLB

@Will Vest | Detroit Tigers | MLB

@Will Vest | Detroit Tigers | MLB

https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/fa..

September 17, 2025

Astros sweep Rangers, move back into first place in AL West

Houston Chronicle

Astros sweep Rangers, move back into first place in AL West

Astros sweep Texas 5-2, reclaiming first in the AL West behind six innings from Cristian Javier and two homers by Altuve and Peña off Jacob deGrom. Houston clamps down with Kimbrel, Okert, and King finishing the job as they push for a fifth straight division title. The win preserves Houston’s constancy in interleague play with a pivotal series against Seattle on the horizon, offering a clear fantasy takeaway: trust in Altuve and Peña for power, ride Javier’s steady progression, and monitor bullpen roles as they reshape late-season usage.

Which Astros pitcher benefited most from the Texas series and could be a value play down the stretch?Should you chase Altuve and Peña together in daily fantasy during the Seattle series?What is the most realistic path for deGrom to rebound his fantasy value after this start?Which Rangers hitter offers the best post-series swing in fantasy value against Houston’s pitching staff?

Mentions:

@Cristian Javier | Houston Astros | MLB

@Cristian Javier | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jeremy Peña | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jeremy Peña | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | MLB

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/art..

September 18, 2025

Astros ready for pivotal AL West showdown with Mariners

Houston Chronicle

Astros ready for pivotal AL West showdown with Mariners

Peña seized control, taking deGrom’s first-pitch slider and catalyzing a patient, assembly-line approach that unlocked Houston’s offense. Diaz’s two-run single, Altuve’s third-inning homer, and a disciplined, multi-at-bat attack fueled a 5-2 win that swept the Rangers and tightened the AL West chase behind Seattle. Peña finished the series 7-for-11 with seven runs, signaling a contagious spark as Houston retools its lineup post-deadline with a focus on quality at-bats and timely hits.

Which Astros hitters benefited most from deGrom's first-pitch slider avoidance in this series, and how should fantasy managers value them going forward?What is the core takeaway for fantasy managers from Houston’s offense in this series against Texas?How does Peña's leadoff spark drive the Astros' offensive philosophy and which players could benefit next?What does deGrom’s five-inning, five-run line imply about Texas’ rotation and bullpen plans for the rest of the season?

Mentions:

Houston Astros | MLB

Houston Astros | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jeremy Peña | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jeremy Peña | Houston Astros | MLB

Texas Rangers | MLB

Texas Rangers | MLB

@Wyatt Langford | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Wyatt Langford | Texas Rangers | MLB

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/art..

September 18, 2025

After being Rangers’ backbone all season, starting pitching fails them in do-or-die series

After being Rangers’ backbone all season, starting pitching fails them in do-or-die series

Texas' playoff push stalled in Houston as Jacob deGrom labored through a 35-pitch, bases-loaded first inning that opened the door for a 5-2 loss and the Rangers' worst series of the season. The rotation, the backbone of their chase, was tagged for 14 earned runs across the three games. Seattle sits 4.5 games back with nine to play.

Houston seized momentum with timely hitting from Yainer Diaz, Jose Altuve and Jeremy Peña, while Texas failed to spark after the first inning. The sweep underscored volatility in a rotation that must rebound quickly if Texas is to keep its wild-card hopes alive.

Mentions:

@Carlos Correa | Houston Astros | MLB

@Carlos Correa | Houston Astros | MLB

Houston Astros | MLB

Houston Astros | MLB

@Jack Leiter | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jack Leiter | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jeremy Peña | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jeremy Peña | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | MLB

@Merrill Kelly | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Merrill Kelly | Texas Rangers | MLB

Texas Rangers | MLB

Texas Rangers | MLB

@Yainer Diaz | Houston Astros | MLB

@Yainer Diaz | Houston Astros | MLB

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2025/09/..

September 18, 2025

Rangers’ surprising playoff push ends with thud as Astros put final nail in Texas’ coffin

Rangers’ surprising playoff push ends with thud as Astros put final nail in Texas’ coffin

Texas Rangers' playoff hopes faded in Houston as deGrom’s return season hit a setback, yielding all five runs in a five-inning start and a glove tossed in frustration. The rotation faltered, with Leiter, Kelly and deGrom each allowing big innings, while Pederson, Tellez and García scuffled in the 3-5 spots. With nine games left and an elimination number of six, Bochy urged a no-lose mindset and defense, prioritizing health as the chase tightens around a demanding finish.

Which Rangers bats should fantasy managers target in the final stretch if the lineup tightens and deGrom remains a question mark?In light of the series sweep, which pitchers should be prioritized for streaming during the final weeks?What signs would indicate Bochy should pull deGrom early to preserve him for next season?Which late-season outcomes would most positively affect Rangers fantasy value, assuming deGrom’s workload remains a concern?

Mentions:

@Adolis García | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Adolis García | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Bruce Bochy | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Bruce Bochy | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | MLB

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2025/09/..

September 18, 2025

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Last call for saves as end of season nears - NBC Sports

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Last call for saves as end of season nears - NBC Sports

Closer Report recap: Chapman and Muñoz pace Tier 1 with crisp holds and high K rates, while Duran and Díaz juggle wins and blown saves. Suárez still NL-best with 39 saves; Bednar, Fairbanks and Jansen show bounce-back form amid late-season churn. Iglesias and Uribe anchor mid-tier saves; multiple teams (Royals, Reds, Cubs, Cardinals, Marlins, etc.) deploy committees, and rookie Chase Burns adds depth in Cleveland, fueling late-season fantasy decisions.

Which closers are best poised for the final-week saves and why?How should fantasy owners hedge against last-minute closer churn?Which teams have the clearest closer pipelines for the playoffs?What metrics best forecast final-week saves for a given closer?

Mentions:

@Abner Uribe | Milwaukee Brewers | MLB

@Abner Uribe | Milwaukee Brewers | MLB

@Andrés Muñoz | Seattle Mariners | MLB

@Andrés Muñoz | Seattle Mariners | MLB

@Aroldis Chapman | Boston Red Sox | MLB

@Aroldis Chapman | Boston Red Sox | MLB

@Bryan Abreu | Houston Astros | MLB

@Bryan Abreu | Houston Astros | MLB

@Cade Smith | Cleveland Guardians | MLB

@Cade Smith | Cleveland Guardians | MLB

@Carlos Estevez | Kansas City Royals | MLB

@Carlos Estevez | Kansas City Royals | MLB

@Chase Burns | Cleveland Guardians | MLB

@Chase Burns | Cleveland Guardians | MLB

@David Bednar | New York Yankees | MLB

@David Bednar | New York Yankees | MLB

@Dennis Santana | Pittsburgh Pirates | MLB

@Dennis Santana | Pittsburgh Pirates | MLB

@Edwin Díaz | New York Mets | MLB

@Edwin Díaz | New York Mets | MLB

@Emilio Pagán | Cincinnati Reds | MLB

@Emilio Pagán | Cincinnati Reds | MLB

@Jeff Hoffman | Toronto Blue Jays | MLB

@Jeff Hoffman | Toronto Blue Jays | MLB

@Jhoan Duran | Philadelphia Phillies | MLB

@Jhoan Duran | Philadelphia Phillies | MLB

@Kenley Jansen | Los Angeles Angels | MLB

@Kenley Jansen | Los Angeles Angels | MLB

@Pete Fairbanks | Tampa Bay Rays | MLB

@Pete Fairbanks | Tampa Bay Rays | MLB

@Raisel Iglesias | Atlanta Braves | MLB

@Raisel Iglesias | Atlanta Braves | MLB

@Robert Suárez | San Diego Padres | MLB

@Robert Suárez | San Diego Padres | MLB

@Ryan Walker | San Francisco Giants | MLB

@Ryan Walker | San Francisco Giants | MLB

@Tanner Scott | Los Angeles Dodgers | MLB

@Tanner Scott | Los Angeles Dodgers | MLB

@Will Vest | Detroit Tigers | MLB

@Will Vest | Detroit Tigers | MLB

https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/fa..

September 17, 2025

Astros sweep Rangers, move back into first place in AL West

Houston Chronicle

Astros sweep Rangers, move back into first place in AL West

Astros sweep Texas 5-2, reclaiming first in the AL West behind six innings from Cristian Javier and two homers by Altuve and Peña off Jacob deGrom. Houston clamps down with Kimbrel, Okert, and King finishing the job as they push for a fifth straight division title. The win preserves Houston’s constancy in interleague play with a pivotal series against Seattle on the horizon, offering a clear fantasy takeaway: trust in Altuve and Peña for power, ride Javier’s steady progression, and monitor bullpen roles as they reshape late-season usage.

Which Astros pitcher benefited most from the Texas series and could be a value play down the stretch?Should you chase Altuve and Peña together in daily fantasy during the Seattle series?What is the most realistic path for deGrom to rebound his fantasy value after this start?Which Rangers hitter offers the best post-series swing in fantasy value against Houston’s pitching staff?

Mentions:

@Cristian Javier | Houston Astros | MLB

@Cristian Javier | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | MLB

@Jeremy Peña | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jeremy Peña | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | MLB

@Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | MLB

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/art..

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