Christian Javier’s return from Tommy John offers a glimmer of late-season upside, with a velocity jump back toward 94 mph and a firmer changeup that produced better whiffs. It wasn’t perfect—an early hiccup followed by four scoreless innings—but the fastball cadence and new sinker/slider dynamics hint at a usable late-stage option in fantasy. Zebby Matthews impressed with nine strikeouts and a clean leash, underscoring his big‑league upside despite allowing three solo homers. Colson Montgomery continued to mash, his 10th homer in 32 games fueling a compelling rookie profile, though a high strikeout rate tempers excitement. On the injuries and rotations front, Judge’s limited outfield action and Alvarez’s live-batting-practice return keep watchful optimism alive for Houston and New York. Everson Pereira’s acquisition chatter and a broader rookies wave (Baldwin, Hayes, and more) add depth to the week’s waiver wires. In bullpen news, Abreu’s potential uptick in close-save chances adds flexibility for holds and saves leagues. Taken together, pitching upside jumps from Javier, Matthews, and Montgomery anchor a week that otherwise teems with high-variance youngsters and patchwork middle-infield depth.

As the MLB season continues, the podcast discusses the thrilling All-Star Game, featuring a dramatic comeback from the AL and a special tribute to Hank Aaron. The introduction of the ABS challenge system received acclaim, highlighting its effectiveness in delivering accurate calls during critical moments. The focus then shifts to players to watch for the second half of the season, including potential sleepers like Zebie Matthews and Luke Keshil, both poised to make waves upon their returns from injury. Other breakout candidates mentioned include Shawn Manaiah and Ryan Mountcastle, both with promising statistics to back their forecasting. With the trade deadline approaching, discussions also touch upon players who might see their value fluctuate based on their team's moves. The podcast wraps up with insight into players to consider selling high, such as Drew Rasmussen and Klay Holmes, as the season progresses.

Prospects in MLB are always a hot topic in fantasy baseball, and this episode highlights several players recently called up and their impact on rosters. Jacob Misarowski is the standout with an impressive performance since his arrival, showcasing both velocity and command, indicating he could be a future ace. However, expectations must be tempered as the league will inevitably adjust to him. Marcelo Mayer has struggled, and it may be time to drop him in non-keeper leagues due to underwhelming statistics. Kagleó Curts and Nick Curts provide contrasting narratives of promise and established performance, respectively. Finally, stashing prospects like Zebbie Matthews and Ivan Herrera could offer long-term benefits, while veterans like Yu Darvish and Dylan Cruz are set to return from injury, presenting intriguing options for fantasy managers.