PPP 784 – Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers To Add And Drop – 5-5-26

Nick Pollack delivers a sharp, data-driven breakdown of fantasy baseball starting pitchers for May 5th, 2026, highlighting standout performances and strategic roster moves. The episode centers on a pivotal shift in pitching strategy: the resurgence of high-velocity, high-strikeout pitchers who rely on elite command and pitch efficiency rather than traditional 'ace' profiles. Pollack praises Davis Martin and Peyton Tolley for their dominant shutout starts, but singles out Trevor McDonald as the breakout performer—his 7-inning, 8-strikeout gem powered by a 60%+ sinker usage with 17-18 inches of ride and 1.4 vertical movement, which Pollack calls 'insanely good' for a sinker. He also celebrates Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s breakthrough, finally throwing more high four-seamers with 83% strike rate and 25% swing strike rate—proving his long-held theory correct. Meanwhile, he warns against overvaluing pitchers like Ty Madden and Jose Soriano, whose inconsistent command and lack of elite secondary pitches make them risky in fantasy. The episode ends with a strong call to stream Jameson Tyon against the Reds Carpet—a low-ownership, high-upside option—while cautioning against overcommitting to volatile arms like Jake Bennett and Grant Holmes. The core insight? In today’s game, elite command and pitch-specific dominance matter more than raw velocity or pedigree.