Anthony Volpe’s underlying numbers hint at a rebound, but his plate discipline continues to sink him. With playoff races tightening, managers wonder if a hold is worth it or a swap is better.

Jack Flaherty has cratered lately: 26 frames, 24 strikeouts, an ERA north of 4, and rising hard contact with a troubling HR/FB rate. The breakdown leaves fantasy squads chasing safer options.

Palencia’s IL stint pushes Brad Keller into saves duty, while Tanner Scott and Kikuchi draw bench-spot risk. Xavier Edwards, Correa, and Tol get lumped in as caution flags. Keller stands out as the clearest immediate add as the week unfolds.

Carlos Correa has been mashing since returning to Houston, elevating his fantasy value as he repeatedly posts multi-hit efforts and drives in runs in a strong Astros lineup. His overall batting average stays solid, and the counting stats are trending up, making him a must-consider in medium and deeper leagues as his spot in the order floats between top four spots. Drake Baldwin and Hurston Waldrep add to the Houston/Atlanta chatter, while Ezekiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle hot-streaks in Colorado highlight the Rockies’ breakout possibilities. Jurickson Profar’s leadoff value and Jacob Lopez’s improving Athletics baseline round out a streamable, upside-heavy week, with Michael Wacha providing a viable pitching pickup to balance the lineups.

Drake Baldwin’s breakout in Atlanta has him hovering around a useful power-speed mix for catchers, especially in deeper formats. Tovar’s Colorado surge keeps him in the two- to four-category mix, while Doyle’s cores-anchored performance offers daily upside in Colorado’s hitter-friendly environment. Profar’s speed and patience, Lopez’s recent 7.2-inning gem with 10 Ks, and Wacha’s steady control give fantasy managers several streaming and platoon opportunities as Week 21 looms. Waldrep’s early Braves success adds a high-upside arm to rosters, giving believers a reason to diversify pitching holds and manufactured wins.

Owners should chase hot hands but watch for Coors-induced volatility; Correa, Tovar, Profar, and Lopez present scalable value across standard and deeper formats, with Waldrep and Baldwin offering pedigree-driven upside. A balanced mix of proven veterans and breakout talent could tilt the week in fantasy favor, especially for managers who stay aggressive on adds with favorable matchups.

Carlos Correa's unexpected return to the Houston Astros has sent shockwaves through the baseball community, leaving many analysts pondering its impact. Initially off the radar, Correa's move from the Minnesota Twins was influenced by the Astros' need to fill gaps due to injuries, specifically to key players like Isiah Paredes. While his recent performance has been below average, Correa's postseason prowess might spark a resurgence as he transitions to third base, a position he has never played before.

The Twins' decision to offload Correa seems to be part of a larger strategy to relieve financial burdens, with ongoing speculation about their future competitiveness. Historical context adds another layer; this trade mirrors the Astros' previous acquisition of Justin Verlander, showcasing the franchise's willingness to leverage past relationships for immediate gains.