Ronald Acuña Jr. was activated for a Braves-Gurdian series opener, returning from a 10-day IL stint for a strained right calf. He’s been a key producer when healthy, hitting .306 with 14 homers and 26 RBIs in 55 games this season after missing 49 games to ACL reconstruction. He batted third against Cleveland lefty Joey Cantillo, signaling immediate trust in his bat as Atlanta tries to climb out of a deep hole. Sandy León was optioned to Triple-A, narrowing Atlanta’s depth behind the plate.

Acuña’s return injects big-time fantasy value for Braves' hitters and for bettors tracking pace and lineup leverage. He’s a former NL MVP whose ceiling remains elite; guidance for fantasy: expect a power-speed boost and a top-of-order bump, but monitor calf risk and workload as he works back into an every-day rhythm. With Atlanta 15 games under .500, every win now carries outsized importance, and Acuña’s presence should help reset the lineup’s fantasy upside down the stretch.

In the Guardians’ side, Joey Cantillo started in his return to action, facing Acuña’s lineup as Cleveland opens the series. Cantillo represents a potential streaming option for fantasy managers if he settles into a consistent role and can exploit Atlanta’s left-on-left platoon dynamics. Cantillo’s performance could influence how often Guardians lean on him, especially against a Braves club that will lean on Acuña’s power and speed the moment he’s at full throttle.

Atlanta travels to Progressive Field on Friday night riding a six-win cadence over eight games, while Cleveland sits hot at 7-2 in their last nine and riding five straight series wins. Waldrep vs Cantillo sets the pace in a pitchers’ duel that fantasy players will note for daily formats and season-long implications. The model flags Guardians on the moneyline with a lean to Braves at +1.5, while staying away from a game total at 9.0, underscoring a tight ceiling for offense.

Trend lines favor Cleveland at home, with the Over 4-1 in their last five at home and Atlanta having covered in four of their past five. Waldrep’s 2-0, 1.54 ERA start profile and Cantillo’s 3-2, 4.11 ERA form shape this one as a strategic punt for DFS lineups and sportsbook angles, especially for those targeting expensive stacks or contrarian spreads.

From a fantasy lens, Waldrep’s strike-loom is real but tempered by Cleveland’s lineup depth; Cantillo’s control will be key against a Braves offense climbing back to form. The Guardians’ bullpen depth could tilt late-game outcomes, making this a careful, pace-driven contest for bettors and managers alike.

Injuries and roster decisions have unlocked a wave of pitching depth across MLB, creating fresh two-way SP/RP options that are still widely available in many leagues. Waldrep’s shift into Atlanta’s rotation signals a real pitching profile upgrade, with a six-man plan likely on the horizon when Chris Sale returns. Cavalli’s return from Tommy John keeps him on fantasy radars for 2025, though streaming this year remains a gamble. Cantillo has been stretched to a starter in Cleveland, while Javier stands as the most proven name on the list, though his TJ return brings rust risk. Perkins in Oakland flaunts high strikeout upside as the A’s try him as a starter for the final weeks. McGreevy offers a dependable innings floor for St. Louis, and McLean is a top prospect whose big-league debut could materialize soon. This cohort underscores how injuries and development pipelines reshape weekly fantasy options with SP/RP eligibility.

Bulpen development is the latest path for turning high-end arms into frontline talents. Cantillo’s rise with Cleveland illustrates how a relief role can sharpen a pitcher’s aggressiveness, pitch sequencing, and two-way readiness. The trend is reinforced by Detmers, Casparius, and others who found a clearer, attack-first mindset when trust in the next inning isn’t guaranteed.

Cantillo’s toolkit—an elite extension-fastball, a game-changing changeup, and a curve gaining usage—has transformed him from bullpen weapon to rotation-worthy asset. His approach—attack first, minimize wasted pitches, and mix aggressively—has translated to better zone control and more consistent results as a starter, even as his velocity work-in-progress remains the focal point for fantasy managers.

With a slate of October-hopeful starts looming for Cleveland, fantasy players should monitor Cantillo’s continued shift in mindset and pitch usage. The Guardians’ plan to leverage bullpen-born aggressiveness could yield steady outings and boost the team’s playoff odds, making Cantillo a compelling rest-of-season target in some formats.

RotoBallers’ Unlikely Aces for Week 20 weighs three rising arms—Ryne Nelson, Jacob Lopez and Joey Cantillo—to decide who’s a real add and who’s a stay-away. Nelson has flipped to a trusted Arizona starter role, Lopez continues to chew through hitters with elite strikeouts, and Cantillo shows a viable changeup-driven path but remains a higher-risk add. Expect cautious upgrades in deeper formats and selective streaming in standard leagues as fantasy managers parse upside against underlying metrics.

Nelson’s breakout is built on a heavy four-seam reliance, delivering a sub-3.20 ERA over a long run while piling up strikeouts, but advanced stats warn of regression (xERA around 4.07 and suboptimal whiff/hard-hit marks). Lopez loves the strikeout punch (10.9 K/9 with a 3.30 ERA through 15 starts), supported by a lethal fastball/slider combo and strong peripherals. Cantillo has shown late-season spark with his changeup as a primary weapon, posting a strikeout-friendly profile, yet his overall line remains fragile due to walks and efficiencies. In Week 20, Nelson is a borderline add in 12-team leagues, Lopez is a strong 12+ team target, and Cantillo belongs in only the deepest of formats unless his consistency solidifies.