The Angels found a rare bright spot this August: Jo Adell unleashed two solo homers in a 6-4 loss to the Reds, boosting his season total to 28 and keeping Angels fans dreaming about a power surge in the post-Ohtani era. He followed a 452-foot center-field shot in the seventh with a game-tying blow in the eighth, his exit velocity peaking at 115.3 mph and underscoring the elite pop he’s brought to Anaheim in 2025.

Meanwhile, Taylor Ward continued to carry the load, pushing his HR total toward a personal best while the Angels’ two-season rebuild inches forward on the back of homegrown talent. Even in defeat, these moments matter for fantasy managers — Adell’s raw power and Ward’s steady output give the Angels a (rare) silver lining in a year defined by transition.

Names like Trout and Ohtani loom in the backdrop, but the real story for 2025 is how Adell and Ward are emerging as the team’s next core. The milestone chase—two Angels with 30+ HRs—highlights a franchise reimagining its offense around homegrown power rather than marquee stars. For fantasy owners, Adell and Ward are the best anchors of that future, offering both power and staring lineup potential as the season winds down.

Goldschmidt suffered a low-grade right knee sprain and did not serve as pinch hitter as the Yankees fell to Minnesota. Boone indicated an IL option is on the table, with a Thursday decision looming on an off day before a weekend set in St. Louis. Goldschmidt downplayed the injury, but the knee issue could alter playing time and lineup construction. If sidelined, New York has 40-man depth to cover first base and designated hitter duties, including Domínguez, Escarra, Wells or Rice, and Bellinger’s versatility on defense could push other pieces around. Stanton’s elbow and Judge’s DH-only situation add more moving parts to the Yankees’ inactivity and lineup risk, while the Twins’ Joe Ryan looms as a key foe. The club may lean on Jorbit Vivas, Braden Shewmake, and others from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre if an IL stint is confirmed, with Domínguez and Escarra likely to stay in the big leagues if possible. Fantasy takeaway: monitor Goldschmidt’s status daily; his absence would boost reserve options who can absorb 1B/DH time and potentially unlock increased opportunities for Domínguez and Rosario if they return or get more at-bats.

Shohei Ohtani is making history this season as the only player in the last 110 years to pitch and hit successfully at the major league level, reminiscent of Babe Ruth. Despite his exceptional 2.37 ERA and a season-high eight strikeouts in a recent game, Ohtani's batting has faltered, with a .219 average over his last eight starts. The Dodgers insist on keeping him as a two-way player, although concerns arise about the strain of balancing both roles. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledges the challenges, suggesting that Ohtani is still adjusting to the demanding routine of pitching and hitting.

In a recent game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Ohtani demonstrated his capabilities with a strong pitching performance and a home run. However, the Dodgers' bullpen struggled, allowing a late-game surge from the Cardinals that cost the game. Ohtani's struggle at the plate reflects a slump that's persisted since mid-June, raising questions about the toll of his dual responsibilities. As he continues to navigate this unique challenge, fans and analysts alike are keen to see how he balances this historic pursuit.

Will Wagner has been placed on the Toronto Blue Jays’ restricted list, taking a day off to attend his father Billy Wagner's Hall of Fame induction. This decision opens a roster spot for Alan Roden, who has been recalled from the triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Will Wagner's batting average of .243 with a modest six RBIs in 36 games indicates he is still finding his footing in his second MLB season. In contrast, Roden has struggled at the plate with a .206 average in his brief appearances with the Blue Jays this year.

Billy Wagner, who tallied an impressive 422 saves over his 16-year career, is being honored alongside Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia, both first-ballot inductees. Wagner's election marks a significant milestone as he garnered 82.5% of the votes on his 10th ballot.