Milwaukee travels to Chicago for a pivotal showdown with the Cubs, both teams chasing key NL standings as they wrap a two-game set. Milwaukee sits 79-47 and aims to stay within striking distance of Houston’s division, while Chicago remains the NL’s top wild-card entry at 72-54. On the mound, Jacob Misiorowski faces Colin Rea in a matchup that carries heavy betting action, including Misiorowski’s 5+ strikeouts prop and an Over/Under tilt at seven runs. The result could tilt the NL Central race or lock in a crucial playoff position for the Cubs.

Misiorowski brings strikeout upside (50 in 34.2 innings) and has popped for at least five K’s in most starts when he clears 12 outs, including a seven-K outing against Chicago in four frames. Rea counters with a steady, veteran-like profile that has yielded multiple runs in past cycles but provides Chicago with a reliable presence to guide late innings. Chicago’s doubleheader win streak and the Brewers’ recent skid add extra juice to a game likely decided in the middle innings and bullpen depth.

Oddsmakers lean slightly toward Milwaukee as a road wager with a -1.5 line and a modest moneyline; the seven-run total offers a battleground for late scoring or a pitcher-friendly duel, depending on bullpen leverage. For fantasy and DFS, Misiorowski’s KO upside makes him an intriguing cash or GPP play in a park-friendly setting, while Rea offers a cost-controlled option with moderate upside in a tight, high-leverage environment.

Wednesday’s MLB slate features 15 games headlined by three solid bets. Detroit Tigers +1.5 against Framber Valdez and the Houston Astros stands out as the clearest value, aided by Valdez’s August struggles and Charlie Morton’s regained form for Detroit. The Rays’ First 5 Innings Moneyline against the Yankees leans in Tampa’s favor behind Rasmussen’s recent ace work, while Cam Schlittler counters for New York. In the NL Central, Milwaukee and Chicago collide with an over/under of 7 that feels too low given Misiorowski’s volatility and Colin Rea’s era indicators.

Valdez’s August skid opens a window for Detroit to stay within reach in the series finale, especially with Morton delivering steady results since June. Rasmussen’s ability to push deep and Schlittler’s early-season command keep the Rays in the driver’s seat early, even as the Yankees try to bounce back offensively. The Brewers-Cubs matchup projects a busy night, with both bullpens capable of late-game bursts that could push the total over 7.

Updated 2025 MLB prospect rankings reflect a year of drafts, breakout seasons and a busy trade deadline that reshuffled the ladder. The piece calibrates upside, risk and proximity to the majors, using a clear tier system (60 FV at the top, 50 FV midrange) and rookie eligibility rules to separate true prospects from recent big‑league callups. Expect movement in Double‑A and above as players graduate or surge, while the top end remains thinened by graduations but loaded with high‑ceiling talent ready to push toward the show.

Konnor Griffin (Pirates) anchors the top tier with a Fernando Tatis Jr.–level upside, strengthened defense and patient, line‑drive approach that could power a 30‑homer peak. Detroit’s Kevin McGonigle and Milwaukee’s Jesus Made highlight the breadth of talent creeping toward the majors, while Samuel Basallo shows legitimate 40‑homer potential for Baltimore and Leo De Vries looks like an elite, everyday infield contributor in the near term.

Beyond the very top, the piece flags a wave of emerging stars—Max Clark and Colt Emerson in Detroit and Seattle, Sebastian Walcott in Texas, Travis Bazzana in Cleveland and Aidan Miller in Philadelphia—each with a clear path to regular at‑bats and a ceiling that could reshape their franchise’s long‑term outlook. With the 55 FV tier thinning as graduates pile up, almost every movement matters in dynasty and keeper formats, and the coming season should reveal several more proximities to the big leagues.

Week 21 waiver-wire push lands five bargain-hunters who can buoy fantasy rosters down the stretch: Daulton Varsho, Joey Ortiz, Paul DeJong, Colby Thomas, Brett Baty. Each offers a path to power, run production, or batting-average gains with minimal waiver cost, ideal for FAAB-driven streams or deep-league depth-building.

Varsho returns from shoulder and hamstring issues to post big-season power bursts, owning 13 HR in 38 games and a .364 wOBA, with a hot August showing (14 games, .295, 5 HR, 14 RBI). Milwaukee’s Ortiz has been scorching in August (.367 in 16 games) with solid contact and pace for runs in a productive lineup. DeJong has heated up since July, delivering multi-position flexibility and a string of homers while mixing in at first base.

Thomas brings a rare blend of power and speed for an Athletics outfield spark, riding a hot streak with multi-homer games and a growing upside as his role tightens. Baty has found form in August with power and improved average in a Mets lineup in the wild-card hunt, adding appeal as a short-term infield boost. These options are ideal for managers seeking upside at low cost as the season winds down.

In short, the group represents a mix of proven track records and breakout potential who can help close gaps in your lineup without heavy capital outlay, making them prime targets for Week 21 and beyond.