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.

Zack Wheeler’s blood clot diagnosis throws a wrench into Philadelphia’s playoff picture, as the right-hander sits atop a rotation that carried the club to a solid NL East lead. The injury clouds Wheeler’s postseason outlook and complicates the Phillies’ path to a favorable seed. Wheeler’s absence would leave a rotation already leaning on Cristopher Sánchez and a mix of young arms, heightening risk around carries and innings in September and October.

Cristopher Sánchez has shined this year, posting a 2.45 ERA with 157 strikeouts, giving the Phillies a ready-made bridge to the back end if Wheeler misses time. But the rest of the rotation has been inconsistent: Jesús Luzardo has 4.21 ERA, Ranger Suárez has an 6.75 ERA in August, and Aaron Nola owns a 6.16 ERA across nine starts. Kyle Schwarber’s comments emphasize health first for Wheeler, underscoring a critical reality for fantasy: any extended absence could tilt Philadelphia’s playoff probabilities and alter fantasy projections for the pitching staff and lineup, particularly in a division as tight as the NL East and a seed race against the Brewers.