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Wednesday, 17 September 2025

Diamondbacks move to 4-man starting rotation for playoff push

September 17, 2025 Arizona Sports, News No comments

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks are moving into a four-man starting pitching rotation for the final three series of the regular season as they push for a postseason spot.

Nabil Crismatt will come out of the bullpen as a long reliever, leaving a rotation of Brandon Pfaadt starting Wednesday, followed by Ryne Nelson, Zac Gallen and Eduardo Rodriguez.

“Nothing against Crismatt, he’s been throwing the ball extremely well,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “We felt like there would be some value to get dependable length out of the bullpen. We wanted to match up the best way we could against the most critical teams at the most critical times.”

The Diamondbacks have two more off days that will allow each starter to pitch on regular rest: Thursday after a series finale against San Francisco and Monday after a three-game set against Philadelphia.

They entered Wednesday’s slate 1.5 games behind the New York Mets for the third National League Wild Card spot, seeing their playoff odds shoot up over the past couple weeks.

Nelson, who has been Arizona’s most consistent starter on the active roster, would get the season finale at Petco Park under this layout, while Gallen would line up for Game 1 of a potential playoff series.

Arizona Diamondbacks rotation order for the rest of the 2025 season

– Wednesday: Pfaadt vs. San Francisco
– Friday: Nelson vs. Philadelphia
– Saturday: Gallen vs. Philadelphia
– Sunday: Rodriguez vs. Philadelphia
– Tuesday: Pfaadt vs. Los Angeles
– Wednesday: Nelson vs. Los Angeles
– Thursday: Gallen vs. Los Angeles
– Friday: Rodriguez at San Diego
– Saturday: Pfaadt at San Diego
– Sunday: Nelson at San Diego

The Diamondbacks have a starting pitcher ERA of 3.75 over their last 30 games, which ranks eighth in Major League Baseball.

Gallen has a 2.45 ERA in six starts during that span, while Nelson is at 2.97.

Crismatt has worked a 2.70 ERA in 30 innings pitched for the Diamondbacks as a diamond in the rough minor-league signing, and he adds depth to a bullpen that has gone through plenty of changes this year.

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Fantasy Football Week 3 Wide Receiver Rankings (2025)

September 16, 2025 FantasyPros, News No comments

Here are our fantasy football wide receiver rankings for the week from our analysts. You can find our expert consensus fantasy football rankings for the week here. And you can also sync your fantasy football league for free using our My Playbook tool for custom advice, rankings, and analysis.

Fantasy Football Rankings (2025)

Fantasy Football Lineup Basics: Roster Positions

A fantasy football lineup consists of various roster positions, including quarterbacks (QB), running backs (RB), wide receivers (WR), tight ends (TE), kickers (K), and team defenses (D/ST). Most leagues require you to start:

1 Quarterback (QB)
2 Running Backs (RB)
2 Wide Receivers (WR)
1 Tight End (TE)
1 Kicker (K)
1 Team Defense/Special Teams (D/ST)

Additionally, many leagues feature a “flex” position, which allows you to start an extra RB, WR or TE, providing more flexibility in your lineup. Others add another quarterback, or a “superflex,” which can be any position, including quarterback.

The Importance of Bye Weeks

Bye weeks are weeks during the NFL season when a team does not have a game. It’s crucial to be aware of your players’ bye weeks, as you’ll need to find suitable replacements to fill in for them in your lineup. Keep an eye on the NFL schedule, and plan ahead to ensure you have enough depth on your roster to cover bye weeks without sacrificing too many points.

Strategies for Setting Your Lineup

Matchups matter
Analyze your players’ opponents each week and identify favorable matchups that could lead to higher point totals. Start players facing weaker defenses to increase your scoring potential.

Consistency vs. upside
Balance your lineup with consistent performers and players with high upside, or potential for a breakout game. Consistent players provide a solid point floor, while high-upside players can be difference-makers in tight matchups.

Monitor injuries and depth charts
Stay informed about player injuries and their position on their team’s depth chart. Injuries can create opportunities for backups to step into significant roles, providing valuable fantasy points.

Stay active on the waiver wire
Regularly check the waiver wire for potential lineup additions. Key pickups can fill in for injured or underperforming players, or even become long-term starters on your team.

Making Last-Minute Adjustments

Sometimes, last-minute changes to your lineup are necessary due to unforeseen circumstances, such as injuries or weather conditions. Stay informed and be prepared to make adjustments to your lineup when needed. Use trusted sources for NFL news and updates, and always have a backup plan in place.

Understanding and setting your fantasy football lineup is an essential skill for success in your league. By mastering roster positions, managing bye weeks and employing strategic lineup-setting techniques, you’ll be well on your way to dominating your league and claiming the championship. Stay proactive, informed, and adaptable, and you’ll be celebrating your fantasy football victories in no time. Good luck, and may the best lineup win!

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Fantasy Football Week 3 Running Back Rankings (2025)

September 16, 2025 FantasyPros, News No comments

Here are our fantasy football running back rankings for the week from our analysts. You can find our expert consensus fantasy football rankings for the week here. And you can also sync your fantasy football league for free using our My Playbook tool for custom advice, rankings, and analysis. Now, let’s dive into our fantasy football rankings for kickers for the upcoming week.

Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs