While RHP Ken Giles seems well on his way to locking down the Blue Jays' closer role, new faces in AL East rotations in 2019 may include Justus Sheffield (LHP, NYY) and Sean Reid-Foley (RHP, TOR), among others

Reading the tea leaves on Schwarber, plus Cahill and Fletcher. Earlier: G. Polanco will likely miss the start of 2019. News on Wright, Strop, Cashner, and Belt. Is Sano done? Jose Iglesias? Manaea gets some terrible news. Plus, an update on Corey Seager.

Patrick Corbin headlines a list of "Strong Start" options that include Stephen Strasburg, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Tyler Glasnow, Zack Wheeler and Mike Foltynewicz.

Andrew Suarez is available in a lot of shallow leagues, and looks like a good bet to provide strikeouts and perhaps a win or two this week.

If all goes well, Brandon Morrow will join a group hoping to close games for the Cubs. Plus, Clay Buchholz done for the year, Aaron Judge activated, Ross Stripling to rejoin rotation, and Pete Kozma added to DET roster.

Owners will want to tread carefully on Sunday, as there are a few surefire aces but some potential pitfalls in the middle tier.

CIN and PIT each have one significant FA contributor to replace in 2019, while CHC, MIL and STL have multiple decisions facing them once their playoff chases run their course.

German Marquez draws a SF club batting .190/.226/.313 in September.

Max Scherzer has logged a 20% hard-contact rate over his last 5 GS.

Cory Spangenberg and Jose Pirela get a bump in playing time for the Padres. Plus, Kluber to skip start, Tropeano out for rest of 2018, Darvish undergoes surgery and Gyorko off DL.

Five strong starts and several interesting judgment calls head an abbreviated Thursday slate.