Christian Javier’s return from Tommy John offers a glimmer of late-season upside, with a velocity jump back toward 94 mph and a firmer changeup that produced better whiffs. It wasn’t perfect—an early hiccup followed by four scoreless innings—but the fastball cadence and new sinker/slider dynamics hint at a usable late-stage option in fantasy. Zebby Matthews impressed with nine strikeouts and a clean leash, underscoring his big‑league upside despite allowing three solo homers. Colson Montgomery continued to mash, his 10th homer in 32 games fueling a compelling rookie profile, though a high strikeout rate tempers excitement. On the injuries and rotations front, Judge’s limited outfield action and Alvarez’s live-batting-practice return keep watchful optimism alive for Houston and New York. Everson Pereira’s acquisition chatter and a broader rookies wave (Baldwin, Hayes, and more) add depth to the week’s waiver wires. In bullpen news, Abreu’s potential uptick in close-save chances adds flexibility for holds and saves leagues. Taken together, pitching upside jumps from Javier, Matthews, and Montgomery anchor a week that otherwise teems with high-variance youngsters and patchwork middle-infield depth.

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, targeting the right players is crucial for fantasy baseball success. Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants is a prime candidate to acquire, despite recent struggles marked by a high ERA. His underlying stats indicate potential for a turnaround. Similarly, Austin Riley of the Atlanta Braves, returning from injury, offers great upside as his expected stats suggest he could return to form. Keep an eye on set and forget options like Ketel Marte and Yordan Alvarez, both of whom present favorable trade opportunities. On the flip side, it's wise to sell high on names like Jacob deGrom, whose injury history raises red flags about his future performance. Making these strategic moves could be the difference in clinching your league's title.

Edward Cabrera continues to impress with his recent performance, including a stellar 2.05 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over his last ten starts. His transformation after adjusting his arm slot has resulted in a greater command of his pitches, especially when utilizing his sinker more effectively. The Marlins pitcher is gaining traction in fantasy leagues, with only 52% rostered but showing potential to be a reliable option in most formats.

Zack Gallen had a noteworthy outing last week, striking out ten over seven innings against the Giants. Despite control issues in prior appearances, he is showing flashes of brilliance, making him a player to monitor closely. Meanwhile, George Springer has rebounded from a tough stretch, showcasing power with a grand slam and consistent contact, reminding fans of his capabilities.

The latest fantasy baseball discussions highlight standout performances from players over the weekend, focusing particularly on pitchers and offensive explosions from teams. Quinn Priester shone against the Rockies with a dominant seven shutout innings and 11 strikeouts, while Spencer Steer has seen an impressive resurgence, notably with a three-homer game. Notably, the Orioles scored 22 runs in a single game, marking a significant offensive explosion. Injury updates include Yordan Alvarez and Bryce Harper, both of whom could be returning shortly, adding intrigue to fantasy lineups. The episode also discusses waiver wire strategies, pointing out a plethora of emerging players and matchups for the upcoming week, ideal for savvy fantasy managers.