AL free-agent bids get real in this week’s FAAB-focused look, with two-start windows and keeper-grade upside driving the top targets. Expect big money on Bradish and Early as immediate impact bets, while Alexander, Urquidy, and Mahle offer upside in shallower formats or as roll-the-dice options when a two-start week aligns. Depth pieces like Rivero, Cole, Eaton, and Loperfido provide later-week dart throws, and a handful of power bets (Meadows, O’Neill, Meadows) could swing the week in the right matchups.

Grid-based pricing and a player-grade scale guide decisions, helping managers allocate a $100 FAAB budget efficiently. The slate features a mix of rotation depth, bullpen stability, and situational bats—useful for chasing wins, ERA/WHIP gains, and stolen-base upside down the stretch. Keep an eye on two-start schedules, IL-returns, and late-season callups that can reshape rosters in competitive leagues.

Royals playoff odds have collapsed to 1.8%, turning the rest of the season into a test of upside in KC’s pipeline. Jac Caglianone’s June promotion is a flashpoint: a rough 3-for-17 return and a 38 wRC+ temper expectations even as his ceiling tantalizes dynasty rosters.

India and Isbel spark sporadic offense while the rest of KC’s lineup struggles; Maile offers steady catching depth. Caglianone’s World Baseball Classic Italy decision and rehab story add a roadmap for KC’s next wave and future value for fantasy rosters.

Jamie's MLB DFS notebook for Thursday 8/21/25 spotlights a six-game DK slate and a three-game FD slate, with the Dodgers anchoring the night and an emphasis on elite arms alongside shrewd value plays. Ohtani’s absence nudges the lineup toward a power-heavy Dodgers pipeline and raises the floor for Freeman, Betts, and Hernandez. Immanaga and Gore headline the pitching options, while Cease and Priester offer differentiated paths on a short slate. India and Smith stand out among infielders and Seager, Pederson, and Teoscar headline the outfield mix, with Grichuk and KC stacks weaving through a few key playbooks. Dodgers stacks against Dollander dominate the strategy, Royals vs Corbin adds another high-upside angle, and Oakland vs Urena provides a rarer DK-only angle. Windy conditions and Coors Field volatility add another layer of nuance.

Value picks abound: India leads off Kansas City with run-scoring upside against Corbin, Kurtz and Pederson bring budget-friendly pop, and Will Smith’s multi-position eligibility creates lineup flexibility. Teoscar Hernandez and Freeman help round out a potent Dodgers lineup while Seager and Betts fill premium slots. In diversified builds, mixing Dodgers core with Royals and A’s targets can unlock salary relief without sacrificing upside. Injury news and lineup shifts remain critical as the day unfolds.

In short, the slate rewards balanced exposure: a top arm pairing in Imanaga/Gore with Cease/ Priester as a flexible pivot, big Dodgers stacks, and selective value adds across KC and OAK while staying mindful of weather and time constraints across DK and FD.

Will Banfield will make his MLB debut for the Cincinnati Reds after being promoted from Triple-A Louisville to cover for an injured Tyler Stephenson. Banfield, 25, has slashed .220/. with two homers and 23 RBIs across 253 plate appearances this season in the minors, and he’s positioned to provide immediate catching depth for a Reds club navigating injury trouble behind the plate.

The Reds picked Banfield in 2024 on a minor-league deal after his time with the Marlins organization, where he was regarded as a beacon of defense at catcher and a leader-type presence. His background includes a second-round selection in 2018, a late-blooming offensive projection, and a long-running link to Brookwood High School in Georgia, the same school as Lucas Sims, weaving a narrative of close ties to Reds history and future potential.