Texas faced a pivotal midweek clash without Jacob deGrom, as Caleb Boushley was tasked with stabilizing a shaky Rangers rotation. Boushley’s rough first-inning total of 38 pitches set the tone for a challenging outing against Kansas City, prompting questions about why Kumar Rocker wasn’t recalled. Rocker has been temporarily removed from Round Rock’s Triple-A rotation to work on delivery issues, keeping him on the active Round Rock roster for now. The situation highlights Texas’ depth concerns and the possible, looming return of Rocker if mechanics can be cleaned up.

Fantasy managers should monitor Rocker’s progress closely; a clean delivery could swing the back of the Rangers’ rotation and boost Rocker’s potential fantasy stock. Boushley’s struggles underscore the volatility of mid-rotation options in the Rangers’ current state, while the Royals series presents an opportunity for Texas to reestablish reliability if deGrom is back soon or if Rocker advances. In the near term, depth arms and bullpen usage will be under the microscope as the Rangers navigate a critical stretch.

Tanner Bibee’s 2025 season has exposed a toxic relationship with his fastball. Stuff+ for the heater has dropped to 85, leading to a major drop in usage (26.6%). In response, Bibee has leaned into the cutter and sinker, both posting elite grades (around 102+ and 110+ respectively) and delivering better results than the fastball in many counts. The sweeper has surged back as a third top offering, giving Bibee a viable 3-pitch mix that offsets the underperforming heater.

Two-strike struggles with the fastball persist, with whiffs collapsing to a career-low rate and opponents hammering the pitch in 0-2, 1-2, and 2-2 counts. The piece highlights a June 26 Toronto jam where a hanging sweeper opened the door to a two-RBI single, underscoring the need for Bibee to abandon the old ex-fastball more often. The takeaway for fantasy players is clear: Bibee’s value hinges on embracing cutter/sinker dominance and limiting the 4-seam fastball in two-strike scenarios.

In practice, Bibee’s path mirrors several peers who effectively diversified from their fastballs. If he continues to deploy the sinker and cutter as primary pressure pitches and keeps the changeup as a secondary option, his fantasy ceiling could rise again, especially in favorable matchups where the sinker plays up against ground-ball-prone lineups.

Kendall George, an outfield prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is showcasing potential as a sleeper in dynasty leagues. Renowned for his speed, George demonstrated impressive skills during the USA Baseball 18U National Team Camp and the WBSC 18U Baseball World Cup, where he worked long counts and rarely struck out.

In his professional career, George debuted with a strong offensive running rating, indicating his ability to impact the game on the bases. Despite a challenging start, his stats have shown an upward trend, making him a player to watch for fantasy enthusiasts. As he continues to adapt to professional pitching, George's speed and agility may translate into substantial stolen base potential, positioning him to be a significant contributor in future MLB seasons.

Week 18 of the 2025 fantasy baseball season brings a host of starting pitcher waiver wire pickups that can bolster your roster. Eric Lauer has emerged as a standout for the Toronto Blue Jays, boasting a formidable 2.61 ERA and six wins. Ryne Nelson of the Arizona Diamondbacks has also shown consistency with a stellar 3.29 ERA over his last five starts. Baltimore's Dean Kremer remains a polarizing figure with eight wins but inconsistent outings, while Jose Soriano from the Angels offers an impressive 68.5% ground ball rate. Will Warren of the Yankees is an intriguing option if he can maintain his strikeout ability despite a high ERA.

For deeper leagues, Nick Martinez from the Reds provides reliable innings, while Zebby Matthews is showing promise after a strong outing against the Nationals. Luis Severino has turned a corner recently, exhibiting potential as a backend rotation piece. Kumar Rocker, who is adapting his pitch mix, could be a gem moving forward. Joe Boyle's recent promotion in Tampa adds to a growing list of options for fantasy managers looking to fill gaps in their pitching rotations.

As we approach the final stretch of the season, it’s critical to optimize fantasy rosters with strategic waiver wire adds. Players like Ryan McMahon have transitioned from the Colorado Rockies to the New York Yankees, presenting unique opportunities despite concerns about his home/road splits. His impressive batted ball metrics suggest he could thrive in Yankee Stadium. Mickey Moniak’s resurgence with a .373 batting average over the last 31 games makes him an intriguing option, while Matt Shaw's growing power showcases potential for fantasy teams looking for infield help. Ramon Laureano is quietly putting together a solid season, and Kumar Rocker’s recent form as a starter for the Texas Rangers could bolster pitching depth.