Elder has a 7-9 record with a 5.35 ERA, showing struggle at times but holds strikeout upside. Facing Houston’s disciplined lineup will test his control and pitch sequencing. His performance could swing this key series and influence Braves’ late-season momentum.

Elder has heated up, delivering four quality starts in five and benefiting from a slider that's finally coming around. The Houston matchup is manageable for a floor-based streamer who can generate weak contact and groundballs, supporting ratios with decent strikeout upside if his slider continues to sharpen.

Elder is framed as a key Braves arm in a Cubs-focused slate, offering a manageable floor with limited upside against Atlanta’s offense support; a pivotal GPP decision in Cubs stacks.

Elder delivered another seven-inning gem, allowing one earned run with six strikeouts and efficient run support, reinforcing his value as a reliable long-start option for Atlanta.

Elder has been a step back from his 2023 peak, posting a high ERA across recent starts and facing Chicago’s offense in a game that could set the tone for Braves’ late-season push. His strikeout potential remains, but control and consistency have been uneven, making him a matchup-dependent fantasy asset.