Jacob Lopez kept the momentum rolling with another strong showing, gutting Tampa Bay for seven shutout innings while piling up nine strikeouts. The altered slider usage—lower velocity but sharper chase metrics—has him throwing a pitch that whiffs more often, making him a viable two-start option for next week for 61% rostering. The slider’s movement is a conscious shift, and while the home park limits homers, Lopez has flashed enough upside to be in the mix.

Roman Anthony’s breakout continues, as the 21-year-old the leadoff experiment and four walks in one game fuel a high on-base profile and potential for more power and speed as the season winds down. Mets-Brewers slugfests highlighted Pete Alonso’s surge and Francisco Alvarez’s recall, a reminder that big-name bats and top catching prospects can reshape fantasy rosters in a tight stretch run.

Spencer Strider’s struggles grew with the Mets hammering him for eight earned over four, prompting Warometer debates about benching or taxing starts and a broader look at his internal brace recovery. Ranger Suárez also faced velocity dips, a looming question mark for a pitcher who’s historically built on precision and command. Across the board, the mix of hot hitters (Judge, Yordan, Ramirez) and up-and-coming talents (Anthony, Vaughn) is driving a volatile but upside-filled fantasy landscape.

Warometer Wednesday underscored the ongoing calculus: stay aggressive on risers like Vaughn and Alvarez while charting paths around names showing strain or changing velocity. The next week promises a live-test of midseason rhythm and postseason readiness for fantasy rosters.

Carlos Correa has been mashing since returning to Houston, elevating his fantasy value as he repeatedly posts multi-hit efforts and drives in runs in a strong Astros lineup. His overall batting average stays solid, and the counting stats are trending up, making him a must-consider in medium and deeper leagues as his spot in the order floats between top four spots. Drake Baldwin and Hurston Waldrep add to the Houston/Atlanta chatter, while Ezekiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle hot-streaks in Colorado highlight the Rockies’ breakout possibilities. Jurickson Profar’s leadoff value and Jacob Lopez’s improving Athletics baseline round out a streamable, upside-heavy week, with Michael Wacha providing a viable pitching pickup to balance the lineups.

Drake Baldwin’s breakout in Atlanta has him hovering around a useful power-speed mix for catchers, especially in deeper formats. Tovar’s Colorado surge keeps him in the two- to four-category mix, while Doyle’s cores-anchored performance offers daily upside in Colorado’s hitter-friendly environment. Profar’s speed and patience, Lopez’s recent 7.2-inning gem with 10 Ks, and Wacha’s steady control give fantasy managers several streaming and platoon opportunities as Week 21 looms. Waldrep’s early Braves success adds a high-upside arm to rosters, giving believers a reason to diversify pitching holds and manufactured wins.

Owners should chase hot hands but watch for Coors-induced volatility; Correa, Tovar, Profar, and Lopez present scalable value across standard and deeper formats, with Waldrep and Baldwin offering pedigree-driven upside. A balanced mix of proven veterans and breakout talent could tilt the week in fantasy favor, especially for managers who stay aggressive on adds with favorable matchups.

The latest insights into fantasy baseball focus on Jacob Lopez, who delivered a remarkable performance against the Nationals, showcasing his potential with 10 strikeouts in just under eight innings. After a rough patch, this performance positions him as a sleeper for week 21, though his upcoming matchup against the Rays, his former team, raises concerns. Meanwhile, Drake Baldwin's double home run game reminds fans of his promising rookie status, while Josh Naylor's shoulder injury puts a damper on his impressive run. Michael King is returning from the IL, but caution is advised for his first start back. The podcast also discusses other players like Luis Robert, Randy Arozarena, and Brian Reynolds as they assess their current form and fantasy viability.

Dominic Martino and Matthew Wet dive into today's episode of Locked on Fantasy Baseball, highlighting players that fantasy managers should keep an eye on. Kumar Rocker, a Texas Rangers pitcher, has shown promise in his recent outings, while Nick Martinez of the Cincinnati Reds is another strong consideration after a stellar last performance. Jacob Lopez of the Oakland Athletics is also mentioned but comes with caution against tougher matchups. The hosts emphasize the value of three Miami Marlins players who are making waves in the league and could be pivotal additions for teams looking for an edge.