Nolan McLean exploded onto the NL scene with a 3-0 start, 20.1 innings, 24 strikeouts, a 0.89 ERA and a .167 opponent average. His eight-inning, nine-K gem vs Philadelphia underscored a groundball-heavy, slider-sinker approach that induced 12 groundouts and a 69.2% GB rate. With injuries thinning the Mets' rotation, his early impact could pivot a pennant race and accelerate the team’s development model toward multi-talented pitching prospects.

McLean’s rapid ascent mirrors a broader MLB trend toward athletic, two-way-style development and the belief that young arms can immediate contribute at a high level. The Mets’ success could catalyze similar trajectories for Painter and Povich, turning a rebuild-like period into a potential wildcard push and reshaping fantasy rosters around a rising internal ace.

As the Mets chase the NL Wild Card and contend with roster churn, McLean’s rookie breakout offers both real-world and fantasy intrigue: a sub-1.00 ERA through three starts, a sky-high strikeout rate, and the ability to force rotation decisions that could amplify value for Mets pitchers down the stretch.

Painter leads Week 22 as the top pitching stash, with expansion in workload potentially pushing him to Philadelphia’s playoff push. Snelling follows, riding a dominant Triple-A stretch that screams upside in a Marlins call-up. Trey Yesavage offers a rapid Toronto ascent and a real long-relief or spot-start path. Quinn Mathews and Hunter Barco reinforce the deeper options, while Noah Schultz and Mick Abel add more strikeout potential. Target these on benches in 12+ team formats as Week 22 approaches.

New call-ups and bullpen roles loom, so prioritize pitchers with ceiling and a realistic MLB ETA. The guide emphasizes K upside, favorable matchups, and park factors, using weekly lineup tools to optimize Week 22 lineups and long-term fantasy value. Ride the volatility, stash the upside, and monitor promotions as rosters expand late in the season.

With Bieber’s return and a six-man Toronto rotation looming, these prospects become even more intriguing in dynasty and keeper formats. The piece highlights risk-reward, workload management, and the nuanced path from Triple-A to the majors, offering concrete rostering strategies for Week 22 and beyond.

Bubba Chandler finally reached the majors with Pittsburgh, debuting in relief and delivering four scoreless innings with three strikeouts and no walks. He earned a four-inning save, the first Pirate to do so in his MLB debut. The early role is long relief, with a possible rotation turn late in the season, keeping fantasy managers optimistic about his long-term upside.

For fantasy, stashing Chandler in all formats is sensible this weekend. His velocity around 100 mph and the prospect pedigree suggest upside even if the immediate role stays bullpen-based. Monitor how the Pirates manage his workload as August approaches.