Week 22 in fantasy baseball centers on hitters riding momentum and playing time upside. Michael Harris II has turned his season around after a swing adjustment, riding an 11-game streak with strong counting stats and elite underlying metrics. Jake McCarthy has blasted to the top of the last-week batting averages, reminding managers of his spark Plug capability if he earns regular at-bats in Arizona. Miguel Andujar has made a standout impression with Cincinnati, delivering big RBI numbers and a high wRC+ while fitting neatly into middle-of-the-order spots.

Jose Caballero leads the league in steals while his playing time remains the gating factor; a hot minute or two of extra ABs could unleash even more baseline value. Myles Straw and Mike Yastrzemski have shown wheels and power in recent days, particularly when hitting leadoff or top of the lineup, making them solid cheap DFS or roto targets as the season winds down. August wRC+ leaders Brice Turang, Jakob Marsee, and Shea Langeliers headline the sprint for late-season breakouts, with Langeliers anchoring Oakland’s catching corps and Turang providing growing base-path value as the season nears its close.

Lineup optimization this week leans on strong batting averages, RBI potential, and stolen base upside from the new wave of breakouts. For fantasy managers, the takeaway is to roster Harris II, McCarthy, Andujar, Caballero, Yastrzemski, and Straw where possible, while eyeing Turang, Marsee, and Langeliers as longer-term upside bets who could fuel “Week 22” results and beyond.

FAAB season pivots to a sprint, and this week’s targets lean highly toward late-season impact players with clear paths to volume. Cam Schlittler’s ascent in New York makes him a strong streaming bet with two favorable matchups on the horizon, while Cade Cavalli has shown a steady three-start arc that could pay off as a cost-efficient add. Alejandro Kirk’s power surge and premium AVG/OBP upside give him staying power behind the dish, and Lenyn Sosa’s hot stretch in Chicago slots him as a high-upside flier for a contending roster. Jeff McNeil’s elite on-base skill remains a safe floor in a potent Mets lineup, and Jose Caballero’s versatility and speed keep him in the mix for at-bats.

In addition, Brooks Lee’s increased playing time in Minnesota plus Noelvi Marte’s recent hot streak for Cincinnati offer high-upside depth options at modest bids. The piece also highlights prudent FAAB budgeting— Schlittler at around $3, Cavalli around $2, with others ranging from $1-$8 depending on roster needs and risk tolerance. Teams holding tight budgets should chase high-floor contributors with clear paths to playing time and favorable schedules, especially in deeper leagues where multi-positional eligibility matters.

José Caballero’s road trip ended abruptly when he was ejected for arguing a call in the 10th inning in Tampa. The ruling on a bang-bang steal at second stood after review, with Caballero insisting the play shouldn’t have been ruled out as his shin briefly came off the base. The incident forced the Yankees to summon Giancarlo Stanton from the bench, who later delivered a go-ahead two-run homer in a 10-inning win.

Caballero’s impact had already been transformational: MLB-leading 40 stolen bases and a sharp .348/.? OPS through a Yankees stint, with six steals in 12 games. His elite speed fueled late-inning rallies and a string of eye-catching baserunning, while the team balanced lineup needs with Judge’s elbow injury keeping him at DH. Boone’s reaction underscored how one moment can swing momentum and playing time in a tight pennant push.

Stanton’s fielding presence and Caballero’s speed shape the Yankees’ short-term outlook, especially as Judge remains limited. The trade-deadline acquisition of Caballero has paid immediate dividends on the basepaths, and the club will lean on that speed as they chase wins down the stretch. The ejection, while costly, doesn’t erase the value Caballero brings when on base. The next few games will test how New York leverages his wheels alongside Stanton’s power and the evolving outfield plan.

The Yankees unleashed a power onslaught in a rain-delayed showdown with the Rays, launching nine homers—tying a franchise record set earlier this season. José Caballero stomped back into his former stomping grounds and launched two big flies in his first game at Steinbrenner Field for New York, capping a night of fireworks that also featured Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger each going deep twice and Aaron Judge tying his 40th homer. Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ben Rice joined the homer splash for the Yankees as the club stacked a dramatic victory that reinforced their lineup’s pop. The club jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with back-to-back-to-back blasts from Judge, Bellinger and Stanton four batters into the game, marking a rare first-inning power parade that pushed New York toward a four-game win streak. The Rays, playing at a temporary home while Tropicana Field is repaired, watched a nocturnal barrage that underscored the Bronx Bombers’ eye-catching, high-voltage form and the league-wide fascination with their burgeoning offensive machine.

New York exploded for nine homers, tying a franchise single-game record, in a 13-3 rout of Tampa Bay. Three straight first-inning blasts from Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton set the tone, with Judge tacking on his 40th homer as part of a power-packed night that left the Yankees alone atop the AL wild-card race. Jose Caballero joined the party with two homers, while Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ben Rice contributed one apiece, making this a rare, multi-homer showcase from a club that’s riding hot offensive swing.

The slugfest came after a lengthy weather delay at Steinbrenner Field, yet Carlos Rodón steadied after a rough second, finishing six innings with two runs allowed as the Yankees built a cushion early and never looked back. Shane Baz opened for the Rays, and the mound conditions—on a damp night with Diamond Dry in play—delivered a reminder of how the elements can influence high-leverage power games. This nine-homer effort marked the Yankees’ second nine-homer game of the season, underscoring their deep lineup and fantasy upside as the stretch run approaches.