Pittsburgh Pirates rookie starting pitcher Paul Skenes continued to dazzle in Monday's 3-2 win over the Marlins. Skenes pitched six innings, allowing one run on six hits and a walk with nine strikeouts. The 22-year-old has lived up to all the hype that came with being a No. 1 overall pick and is 10-2 with a 2.10 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP, and an 11.33 K/9 rate (151 strikeouts) in 20 starts and 120 IP. Not only did the start help Skenes break the Pirates franchise record for strikeouts by a rookie, but it put him in a select group of all historical pitchers with more strikeouts in their first 20 games. Skenes' next start is slated to be a favorable matchup at the Cardinals, although the team does not strike out much.

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers delivered another solid performance in Monday's 6-2 win over the Twins. Detmers pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits (including a solo home run) and two walks with eight strikeouts. The 25-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on September 3 and has allowed four runs in 12 IP with 18 strikeouts in his two starts back. Detmers has shown fantasy promise at times throughout his career but has also been very inconsistent. Fantasy managers may not be willing to trust him, but his next start could be an excellent one against the White Sox. Given the strong matchup and recent performance, he may be worth a fantasy start consideration if he were to make the start.

The St. Louis Cardinals are calling up infield prospect Thomas Saggese from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, according to sources. Saggese, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was acquired by the Cardinals from the Texas Rangers in the trade that involved left-hander Jordan Montgomery being shipped to Texas last year. Saggese could be replacing the injured Brendan Donovan (foot) on the active roster and could see regular playing time at the keystone in St. Louis to close out the year. The 22-year-old former fifth-rounder by Texas in 2020 gets his first big-league call after slashing .253/.313/.438 with a .752 OPS, 20 home runs, 67 RBI and nine stolen bases in 125 games for Memphis this year. Saggese came up as a shortstop but can also play second or third base in a pinch. None of his tools jump off the page exactly, but Saggese does have 15-plus-homer power as a middle-infielder.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Ben Lively is getting the starting nod on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Rookie Joey Cantillo got the start in Lively's place for the series opener against Chicago and was lights-out in seven innings of work. The Guardians were looking to give Lively an extra day of rest, and he'll now be even more attractive in the best matchup a pitcher could ask for. The 32-year-old has struggled of late, giving up 10 runs in his last two starts, but he now has the perfect bounce-back opportunity against the worst team in baseball. You better believe Lively will be a popular fantasy streamer on Tuesday. Since the All-Star break, Lively has struggled to a 4.98 ERA (5.33 FIP) with 18 walks and 30 strikeouts in his nine starts. In his two starts against Chicago in 2024, he's allowed six earned runs while walking four and fanning eight in 11 2/3 frames.

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said on his weekly appearance on 93.7 The Fan that as of right now, offseason back surgery is not on the table for third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back). The current focus is on strengthening Hayes' back. He has yet to resume baseball activities since landing on the injured list three-plus weeks ago. The 27-year-old tanked offensively in 2024, but most of his issues could stem from back issues that have plagued him all year. Hayes is not going to return in 2024, and his and the Pirates primary focus this offseason will be to get his back issues sorted out so that he can try to get back to form in 2025. The former first-rounder in 2015 struggled to a .233/.283/.290 slash line with a terrible .573 OPS, four homers, 25 RBI and 11 steals in 365 at-bats this year. Jared Triolo has been the primary beneficiary at third in Pittsburgh with Hayes on the IL.