Week 21 of 2025 brings a compact set of starting-pitcher waiver options, tailored for shallow leagues but with deeper-leaning plays that could pay off in standard formats. Will Warren anchors the top tier, offering reliable volume and recent five-inning quality starts as the Yankees chase wins. Jose Quintana stabilizes the rotation with dependable innings and solid ratios on a strong Brewers squad. Jose Soriano combines strikeouts with groundball variety for a back-end slot in many leagues. Hurston Waldrep offers upside as a top Braves prospect getting a late-season shot, while Charlie Morton provides veteran savvy as Detroit managers lean on experience. In deeper formats, Cristian Javier returns to form with injury-recovery potential; Zebby Matthews brings swing-and-mmiss upside tempered by HR risk; Nolan McLean, Jason Alexander, and Ryan Bergert each offer speculative, weekend-ready options with varying ceilings. Kyle Bradish, Michael McGreevy, Sean Burke, Michael Lorenzen, and Joey Wentz close the list with a mix of floor, wins potential, and breakout vibes. Proactive rosters can maximize Week 21 by pairing safe floors with high-upside stashes, while tracking BvP and PvB data for favorable matchups.

As the Chicago Cubs face off against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, both teams come into the game with contrasting performances. The Cubs, holding a 66-48 record, recently lost two out of three games against the Reds, while the Cardinals, at 58-58, just secured a series win against the Dodgers. With the Cubs leading the season series 4-3, they also boast a stronger second-half record. Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (11-4, 2.34 ERA) aims to capitalize on his last outing, where he allowed no earned runs and struck out eight. Meanwhile, Michael McGreevy (3-2, 5.08 ERA) seeks to improve after a rough start against the Dodgers.

The betting odds reflect Cubs' advantage with a moneyline of -153 against the Cardinals' +128. The spread is set at Cubs -1.5 with a total of 8.0 runs. Key betting trends favor the Cubs, supported by their recent success against teams with poorer records. However, the Cardinals have struggled at home, failing to cover the run line in four of their last five games. Insights from the model suggest a moneyline play on the Cubs and an over on the game total.

The St. Louis Cardinals are witnessing a pivotal moment in their franchise's evolution, featuring one of the youngest rosters in Major League Baseball. As they hover just above .500 and sit in fourth place in the National League Central, the potential to revitalize their lineup is evident. Young talents like Michael McGreevy are on the cusp of stardom, signaling a promising future for baseball at Busch Stadium.

Notably, J.J. Wetherholt, the Cardinals' seventh overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft, has been dazzling fans with his performance for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. With a sizzling .500 batting average in his first eight at-bats and an impressive season at Double-A Springfield where he hit .300 with 34 RBIs, Wetherholt's ascent could prompt the Cardinals to trade established players to create space for him. As offseason discussions heat up, the Cardinals may face a critical choice regarding the future of star Nolan Arenado amidst Wetherholt's rapid rise.

The St. Louis Cardinals aimed to enhance their roster with experienced players last offseason, but the impact of veterans like Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson wasn't enough to secure a playoff spot. However, their mentorship of younger pitchers such as Andre Pallante and Michael McGreevy proved valuable.

Brandon Crawford, a two-time World Series champion, has announced his retirement after a brief stint with the Cardinals. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play one last season, highlighting the cherished memories created with his family and teammates.

The St. Louis Cardinals are aiming to reduce expenses this offseason but still plan to enhance their roster. With the decline of club options for veteran pitchers Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson, the team is in need of another starting pitcher.

Max Scherzer, a potential Hall of Famer, is considering one more season and the Cardinals are seen as a viable option. Although he has faced injuries, Scherzer's experience could greatly benefit the team's younger pitchers. As a St. Louis native, joining the Cardinals could be a fitting conclusion to his illustrious career.