Week 21 adds three intriguing stash candidates for fantasy baseball: Bubba Chandler, Sal Stewart, and Brandon Sproat. Chandler remains a high-upside arm in the Pirates system, despite a recent AAA skid that has cooled near-term expectations. Stewart has been scorching at Triple-A Louisville with a blend of power and contact that could push him into Cincinnati’s lineup soon. Sproat, blocked for a major-league path by the call of Nolan McLean, still shows flashy stuff that makes him a keeper in deeper leagues for late-season rotations or long-term upside. The piece weighs whether to stash these players on the bench or chase immediate help on the waiver wire, emphasizing the importance of monitoring AAA trends, line-drive power, and pitcher control as promotions loom.

The analysis leans toward patience in shallow formats while advising opportunistic holds in 12+ team leagues where the upside justifies the wait. It also highlights how teams like the Reds and Pirates could lean on their emerging talent to fuel late-season pushes, and how fantasy managers should leverage lineup tools and injury reports to time adds and cuts efficiently. The question remains: are these players a breakout away, or is the wait longer than Week 21? The answer hinges on piecing together minor-league performance, the majors’ call-up timelines, and the exact bench space managers can dedicate in the coming weeks.

Blue Jays erupted early, drilling Mitch Keller for a 5-0 deficit before Toronto settled in and Max Scherzer delivered six innings of concise, one-run relief to notch win No. 220. Alejandro Kirk delivered an RBI single in the first, Nathan Lukes doubled home two, and George Springer capped the surge with a 423-foot, two-run blast in the second. Pittsburgh finally scratched a run in the bottom of the second on Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s bases-loaded groundout, but the cushion was too large to overcome.

From a fantasy lens, Toronto’s lineup flashed depth with Springer, Kirk, and Lukes taking advantage of Keller’s early miscue, while Pittsburgh’s offense struggled to assemble consistent rallies against Scherzer and the Jays’ bullpen. Scherzer’s steady six-inning performance reinforces his reliability in solid matchups, while the Jays’ offense looks primed to carry momentum into upcoming series. Keller’s rough start serves as a cautionary note for managers considering him in the near term, especially against strong lineups at hitter-friendly venues.

Looking ahead, Springer and Kirk emerge as steady power and run producers in Toronto’s order, with Lukes offering multi-positional flexibility in deeper leagues. Keller must rebound quickly, ideally against a more forgiving foe, or risk a leash contraction in his role. The Jays’ plate discipline and timely hits supplied Toronto with a blueprint for continued success as they chase meaningful wins down the stretch.

Scherzer turned in six sturdy innings for win number 220 as Toronto rolled past Pittsburgh 7-3, with Springer launching a 423-foot early two-run shot to spark the attack. The Blue Jays pounced for five runs in the first two frames against Keller, then Kirk capped it with a three-hit night and a two-run homer in the seventh. Guerrero Jr. sat with hamstring tightness, MRI clear, while Kirk’s power and Springer’s early thunder kept Toronto firmly ahead. The Pirates’ baserunning misfires and a bases-loaded threat in the second linger as a reminder that this interleague slate remains a sellers’ market for fantasy value. Bassitt will duel Oviedo in the series finale, with Toronto holding a robust 25-13 interleague mark.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. escaped a hamstring scare with a clean MRI, leaving the Blue Jays hopeful he can return for the series finale in Pittsburgh. Toronto is opting for caution to avoid a longer absence, with Guerrero not in the lineup as the team tries to balance risk and reward in a tight fantasy window.

Guerrero Jr. sits at .298 with 21 homers and 69 RBIs across 124 games, a cornerstone in fantasy lineups when healthy. Bo Bichette flashed his usual defensive instincts, while Toronto shuffled in Ty France at first base on Tuesday. The Pirates rode Paul Skenes to a 5-2 win as Toronto’s miscues opened the door for a Pittsburgh victory and a reminder that health, not the slate, will drive the Jays’ upside this week.

Jared Triolo’s long-throw highlight and the Jays’ defensive lapses created the game’s swing, underscoring how small edges matter in fantasy stacking. In the end, Guerrero’s health is the dominant storyline, and a quick, clean return would lock in Toronto’s potency for the next stretch of fantasy schedules.

Fantasy takeaway: monitor Guerrero’s status daily; if he plays Wednesday, he remains a top-tier asset. If the timetable shifts, consider temporary pivots or targeting the Jays’ supporting cast who could pick up extra RBIs in the short term, with Bichette and the depth pieces offering upside once Guerrero is back in uniform.