Spencer Strider’s August struggles loom large as his fastball shape lags behind the slider and curve. The Braves ace still misses bats, but three straight long outings with five-plus earned runs have fantasy managers pondering a bench or even a non-roster pause. There’s no rush to drop him, per cautionary notes; the upside can swing the balance with back-to-back good starts. Jurickson Profar has seized the moment for Atlanta, fueling a hot streak with multi-homer duels and elite plate discipline from the leadoff, fueling fantasy upside even as exit velocity fluctuates.

Michael Harris II followed with a four-for-four night and 15th homer, plus pace-setting runs and steals, riding a second-half sprint that’s reminded owners why he was a top prospect. Vlad Guerrero Jr. left with hamstring tightness, adding to the list of injuries in a crowded week, while Zack Wheeler’s blood-clot procedure looms as a major timeline question. The show also highlighted Trevor Rogers and Ranger Suarez turning in strong, deep outings, Yuri Perez’s control bumps and Gavin Williams’ rebound, with Bryce Miller slated for a return and Freddy Peralta continuing to pile up wins.

Two-start week conversations center on arms like Dustin May and others, while Freddy Freeman’s late-season resurgence continues to quiet the critics. JT Realmuto and Bryce Harper are among the seasoned bats delivering steady value, and the squad remains vigilant about hamstring and shoulder news that can tilt weekly lineups. The dynamic Braves offense, paired with a rotating cast of pitchers, keeps fantasy rosters nimble as the stretch drive unfolds.

Week three of the MLB season presents a plethora of opportunities for fantasy baseball enthusiasts, particularly with several two-start pitchers on the horizon. Among them, Freddy Peralta faces a challenging lineup with games at Colorado and against the Diamondbacks. While Peralta typically offers reliability, the altitude in Colorado could impact his performance. Justin Steele's matchups against the Rangers and Dodgers also raise concerns, although his strikeout potential keeps him in consideration for points leagues despite his early-season struggles.

Other notable mentions include José Berríos, a 'random number generator' whose inconsistency makes him a gamble against the Red Sox and Orioles, and Tanner Houck, who may only have one start in a week with seven games for the Red Sox. As waiver wire scouring continues, pitchers like Casey Mize and Hayden Wesneski are on the radar due to favorable matchups, increasing their streaming appeal.