Spencer Strider’s August stumble raises caution on-profit risk; fastball shape compromised post-injury, leading to a string of rough starts. Still a 95+ mph rider with elite strikeout upside, but benching could be prudent until back-to-back solid showings restore confidence. Overall, Strider remains rostered in 96% leagues and is hard to drop given his ceiling—the kind of asset that can swing a season when he clicks.

Strider endured a rough start against the White Sox, going 3 innings with 10 hits and 7 ER, inflating his ERA and sparking questions about his depth and approach as the rotation recalibrates.

Strider left the game with a tough matchup after yielding a six-run inning, including Tauchman’s bases-loaded double that knocked him out. While he remains an elite strikeout pitcher, this outing exposed vulnerability to Chicago’s deeper lineup and a night where the Braves’ bullpen couldn’t quite limit the damage.

Strider heads to Atlanta as a marquee opponent for Chicago’s next slate, presenting a brutal test for Sox hitters. His elite strikeout profile and ground-ball tendencies offer robust fantasy upside in road starts, where aerial risk is mitigated by a strong strike zone discipline.

Strider’s line has slipped after elbow-surgery-era optimism, posting a 4.69 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP and 100 Ks in 86.1 innings. His velocity remains stout, but the Braves’ season downturn and the possibility of a six-man rotation raise questions about reliable volume. He’s teetering on roster risk, needing a string of solid starts to reclaim trust as a fantasy asset.