Week 22 edges into a turbulent fantasy landscape with a mix of breakout performers and riskier veterans. Max Scherzer continues to punch above his weight in a four-start quality-streak stretch, posting sub-3.00 ERA and sub-1.00 WHIP with efficient outings that keep him in strong two-step lineups when the matchup suits. Brenton Doyle has emerged as a late-season spark for Colorado, flipping a rough first half into a second-half run that looks sustainable thanks to improved attack metrics and a ball-in-play approach that should yield value in a seven-game slate next week.

The slate also highlights Julio Rodríguez and Vlad Jr., two power-plus talents who have rekindled fantasy relevance as the season closes. Rodríguez is showing the speed and swing decisions that fuel multi-category upside, while Vlad Jr. maintains power production with steady plate discipline and a favorable park mix. Taylor Ward’s ongoing production raises questions about multi-category constellations for rosters in deeper formats. Kyle Tucker remains a focal point of contention and opportunity, with rest-of-season upside tempered by recent cold stretches that necessitate cautious rostering rather than outright selling.

Injury notes and roster moves pepper the week, with slugging linesman energy across the outfield and infield alike. Managers should prioritize outfield depth in formats with four or five spots, leverage second-half recency for veterans who have shown true outcomes, and consider Doyle as a sleeper in 5-outfield leagues given Rockies’ seven-game week, four at Coors Field. A steady baseline from Scherzer and strategic buys around Rodríguez, Vlad Jr., and Ward can unlock strong roto gains while navigating a week with uneven scheduling.

Edward Cabrera’s breakout performance over his last handful of starts has flipped the script on his fantasy fantasy value. Miami’s righty has delivered a late-season surge: 2.06 ERA, 0.78 WHIP across seven starts, and a crisp 9.3 strikeouts per nine with a deceptive fade on both the four-seamer and two-seamer. He’s now a near-automatic add in most formats, with the ceiling to push him into league-winner territory if the heater stays dominant. Brandon Woodruff also looks like a legitimate post-ARC comeback candidate, posting a string of quality starts and high strikeout totals after shoulder concerns, reinforcing that both innings and upside can be real again.

Beyond the obvious arms, several under-the-radar bats jumped into the mix for the weekend. Luke Kishel and Jacob Marcy built hot streaks, while Xavier Edwards produced a rare blend of on-base skills and speed, delivering multiple steals as a standout hot hand in deeper formats. Isaac Collins’ second-half surge added to the growing belief that, in the right matchup, you can ride these inexpensive, high-contact options. Brenton Doyle, Kyle Manzardo, and Matt Shaw joined the roster-shuffling chorus, offering varied paths to value in shallower and deeper leagues alike.

On the pitching side, a handful of waiver candidates flashed enough upside to warrant roster attention: Chase Burns, Mackenzie Gore, and Zebby Matthews each showed two-start upside, with Burns’ 10 strikeouts in a six-inning step-forward and Gore’s late-career resurgence hinting at upside if they stay healthy. The hitting landscape remained elevated thanks to the usual suspects turning it on in the second half—Altuve, Bogaerts, Ohtani, Soto, Lindor, and Rodriguez supplied multi-homer weekends and stolen-base bursts that can swing categories in games or weeks. The overall thread: the waiver wire still has life, and a patient, roster-tight approach can reap solid returns in the weeks ahead.

The podcast evaluates struggling hitters as the MLB season reaches the two-month mark, offering insights for fantasy baseball enthusiasts. It begins with Gunnar Henderson, whose performance has dipped significantly compared to last year. Despite some struggles, there's optimism about his potential to bounce back, with an emphasis on underlying metrics suggesting improvement. Next, the discussion shifts to José Altuve and Marcus Semien, both aging players facing declines in performance, sparking debate over their viability in fantasy leagues.

Michael Harris' sporadic performance is also analyzed, alongside Brendan Doyle, who is navigating personal challenges as well as on-field underperformance. The analysis does not stop there; players like Christian Walker and Yainer Díaz are scrutinized, pointing out issues like injuries and swing mechanics that could affect their future contributions. The episode highlights the volatility and unpredictability of player performance in the game, urging listeners to consider both current form and underlying stats when making roster decisions.

This episode offers a deep dive into significant fantasy baseball dilemmas surrounding players like Aaron Nola, Christian Campbell, and Brentton Doyle. Nola, once a top draft choice, has been struggling with a sky-high ERA and alarming home run rate, leaving many to question if dropping him is the right move. On the other hand, Campbell has shown flashes of potential that suggest patience is key, while Doyle's performance has raised concerns about his long-term viability on fantasy rosters.

With in-depth analysis of recent trends, including strikeout rates and underlying stats, this podcast is a necessary listen for fantasy enthusiasts looking to navigate the murky waters of player performance amid the season's ups and downs.