The Final Day of Fantasy Baseball: Travis d'Arnaud, Starling Marte, Luis Severino and Other Players to Add for the Last Push

The MLB regular season is over for all but two teams: the Braves and the Mets. Their doubleheader today has major playoff implications, as the second and third wild cards won’t be decided until both games are played.

If Atlanta and New York split the games, the Braves will be the No. 5 seed (facing San Diego in the first round) and the Mets the No. 6 seed (heading to Milwaukee). If either team sweeps the doubleheader, that squad will be No. 5 and the Arizona Diamondbacks will be No. 6.

No matter who wins the games, there is a chance for one last fantasy baseball gasp for anyone fighting for position. If you’re not in a keeper league and today is truly the last day for your current team, you can drop anyone and not worry about ramifications; Shohei Ohtani’s season is over, and he doesn’t need a spot on your roster to put up zero points.

That means you can add as many players as you want/can from the Braves and Mets and reap any benefits from their last games of production. This won’t matter for a lot of owners, as most fantasy teams are out of the running and have nothing to gain from getting a few more stats.

For those looking for every last fantasy point, though, let’s look at the players who are probably available from either Atlanta or New York and could be picked up for their potential fantasy production on the final day. I’ll include some really deep options who might not get into either game but could enter in the right situation, like as a pinch runner or defensive replacement who lucks into an at-bat.

Catcher

Braves: Sean Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud

Mets: Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens

There’s enough talent here to find real fantasy value, and none of the four is owned in more than 50% of leagues. Alvarez had a back issue a few days ago then exited early yesterday with a sore hamstring, so it’s uncertain how much he will play.

Any of the four here are worth adding, as they could all get time depending on game situation and injury status. Alvarez and Murphy are most appealing, with d’Arnaud next and Torrens fourth.

First Base

The regular first basemen, Matt Olson and Pete Alonso are both owned in virtually every league, and the listed backups are starters at other positions. There aren’t any guys here to add.

Second Base

Braves: Whit Merrifield

Mets: Jose Iglesias and Eddy Alvarez

Iglesias has been starting and playing pretty well when on the field. He doesn’t hit for any power but has a nice .340 batting average over 261 at-bats (less than half of a full season). Iglesias could get you a couple hits and/or runs.

Merrifield and Alvarez are backups. They could get in the game, but it’s hard to project more than an at-bat.

Third Base

Braves: Gio Urshela

Mets: Mark Vientos

Urshela is currently starting for the Braves with Austin Riley out, providing opportunity if nothing else. There’s not much excitement to his game, but he’s available and active, which is more than you can say for most players in the league on Monday.

Vientos is owned in more leagues than a lot of guys listed here, but there’s still enough availability to check on New York’s starting third baseman who has 27 home runs this season.

Shortstop

Braves: Orlando Arcia

Mets: Luisangel Acuna

Arcia is more of a defensive presence than a hitter, so he’s not a great fantasy performer despite being a starter. His 17 home runs are good for a shortstop (especially combined with 24 doubles), but Arcia is more of an all-or-nothing hitter, batting .220 this season.

Acuna backs up Francisco Lindor (who is owned in almost every league) and others. He could play but isn’t guaranteed to see any time.

Outfielders

Braves: Adam Duvall, Jarred Kelenic, Ramon Laureano, Eli White

Mets: Harrison Bader, Starling Marte, J.D. Martinez, Tyrone Taylor, Jesse Winker

Kelenic was starting much of the season but has lost a lot of time to Laureano lately, making the latter the better fantasy option on the final day. Kelenic could get in the lineup for one of the games or take an at-bat, but he’s unlikely to produce volume stats on Monday.

None of the others for Atlanta are more than lottery tickets who might get an at-bat or could get a little time if the Braves win the first game. Duvall used to be a contributor but has fallen out of the lineup, while White is a pinch-runner type.

Marte missed some time with injury but is starting most games now. It’s been a light season for Marte, who has just seven homers and 13 doubles in 331 at-bats, and he’s a middling guy right now. Bader is the same story, supplying a little value but far from a consistent contributor.

The other Mets guys listed aren’t likely to make much impact except for Martinez, who mostly plays DH but is also able to be slotted in as an outfielder in many leagues. He’s far from his heights, but Martinez has 41 extra-base hits and can provide a little value.

Starting Pitchers

Braves: Spencer Schwellenbach

Mets: Tylor Megill and Luis Severino

Schwellenbach and Severino are both owned in half of leagues or more, and they are worthy of spots in your rotation if they’re available. Chris Sale is the other starter for Atlanta; he’s owned in every league.

Megill is a player who showed up on our fantasy baseball streamer list every now and then, seeing his fantasy value fluctuate depending on his opponent. This isn’t a good matchup, and I wouldn’t recommend Megill on a usual day, but if you’re looking for volume more than results, he will be on the mound.

Relief Pitchers

Braves: Aaron Bummer, Jesse Chavez, Daysbel Hernandez, Grant Holmes, Luke Jackson, Joe Jimenez, Pierce Johnson, Dylan Lee

Mets: Huascar Brazoban, Jose Butto, Reed Garrett, Phil Maton, Adam Ottavino, Ryne Stanek, Alex Young, Danny Young

There are a lot of guys here; it’s basically every relief pitcher on both teams other than the closers, who are owned in most leagues. If you’re super desperate for innings, you could make a whole pitching staff out of these guys and hope someone throws a few good frames.

If you’re more worried about ERA, WHIP, or other rate stats, I’d be hesitant to add any of these guys. It’s more about volume here, hopefully with some strikeouts thrown in. Some relievers are more likely than others to contribute.

For the Braves, Bummer, Johnson and Lee are each over 50 appearances, while Holmes has been a spot starter at times and Jimenez leads the team with 67 appearances (Chavez is at 46). Jimenez and Lee have been best with strikeouts.

Just Ottavino and Reed reached 50 appearances for New York, and they have both done really good strikeout work. Danny Young is worth mentioning as well for the same reasons.

It’s such a guessing game with relievers. The games will dictate who gets used most and for the longest outings. Jimenez, Lee, Ottavino and Reed are my best picks, but it could be anyone listed here.