Two big themes dominate the latest fantasy baseball today: two starting pitchers are being relegated to the drop pile as the season tightens, while a flock of power-rich Yankees and top-end NL stars keep fantasy managers marching toward playoff bids. Baz is dropped in many leagues after a brutal August stretch, with two starts looming and a shaky command profile. Meanwhile, Christopher Sanchez shines, pushing into a top-rest-of-season tier thanks to a changeup-heavy approach that keeps hitters off balance and deep outings. The crew also gushes over David Peterson’s rebound, Adley Rutschman’s continued value, and a rising Guardians name who could shake up rest-of-season rotations. The Yankees erupt for 13 runs and nine homers, Judge and Stanton both taping up their health narratives, while the lineup shuffle around Ben Rice and Caballero hints at late-season batting order shifts. Across the minors to the majors, Parker Messick is watched intently as the Guardians tee up a rotation shakeup, and Parker Messick’s potential grab becomes a talking point for 15-team and deeper rosters. Vlad Guerrero Jr. lands on the day-to-day radar with a hamstring issue, while Jacob deGrom’s workload and Judge’s health become tug-of-war storylines for playoff rosters. The show also threads in the NL Young contender chatter around Sanchez and the late-season steam of Wander Franco, Ward, and a handful of hot hitters who could swing category-heavy leagues in the final weeks.

Dodgers squander a golden chance, dropping a sixth straight to Angels as inconsistency in timing and a fragile bullpen overshadow a rotation that has largely carried the load. The skid has the NL West race tight again with San Diego surging and the division up for grabs, underscoring how even elite teams can wilt in high-leverage spots. The offense has flashed, but runners in scoring position have stalled in key moments, and the bullpen has bled leads late, turning wins into losses in rapid succession.

From a fantasy lens, the drama centers on Conforto’s slump, Freeman’s steadying yet inconsistent output, and the search for internal sparks—most notably Ryan Ward’s call-up debate and whether a AAA bat can salvage left-field production. The trade deadline’s “B-minus” verdict looms as a reminder that value and timing matter more than ever when a team is chasing games in August. With Otani looming in upcoming matchups, the Dodgers’ playoff odds stay real, but health, bullpen depth, and lineup balance will determine not just wins, but weekly fantasy returns as the calendar turns to October.

Pete Alonso cemented Mets lore by passing Daryl Strawberry for the franchise lead in home runs, blasting number 253 on Tuesday. The polar bear’s consistency — 253 homers in seven seasons, missed time included — reframes Mets history and casts Alonso as the core of the lineup for years. Fantasy managers should view him as a steady, elite 1B option, with durability that keeps him near the top of the position all year.

The episode pivots from Alonso to a broader franchise narrative: the 300-300 club chatter around Jose Ramirez and others, Wander Franco’s breakout trajectory, and Shohei Ohtani’s brand and on-field dual threat. It also spotlights the Pirates/Tigers prospect pulse and the Dodgers-Padres duel in the NL West, all with eye-opening context for dynasty and keeper formats.