Week 21 waiver-wire push lands five bargain-hunters who can buoy fantasy rosters down the stretch: Daulton Varsho, Joey Ortiz, Paul DeJong, Colby Thomas, Brett Baty. Each offers a path to power, run production, or batting-average gains with minimal waiver cost, ideal for FAAB-driven streams or deep-league depth-building.

Varsho returns from shoulder and hamstring issues to post big-season power bursts, owning 13 HR in 38 games and a .364 wOBA, with a hot August showing (14 games, .295, 5 HR, 14 RBI). Milwaukee’s Ortiz has been scorching in August (.367 in 16 games) with solid contact and pace for runs in a productive lineup. DeJong has heated up since July, delivering multi-position flexibility and a string of homers while mixing in at first base.

Thomas brings a rare blend of power and speed for an Athletics outfield spark, riding a hot streak with multi-homer games and a growing upside as his role tightens. Baty has found form in August with power and improved average in a Mets lineup in the wild-card hunt, adding appeal as a short-term infield boost. These options are ideal for managers seeking upside at low cost as the season winds down.

In short, the group represents a mix of proven track records and breakout potential who can help close gaps in your lineup without heavy capital outlay, making them prime targets for Week 21 and beyond.

Mets roll to an 8-1 win at Nationals Park behind David Peterson’s eight-inning gem, breaking a brutal 2-14 skid and kicking off a needed stretch of steady wins. The lefty worked efficiently, using a sinker for grounders and a zone-changeup mix to punch out 10, carrying a shutout into the eighth. New York’s lineup finally came alive around a five-run third, with Mark Vientos, Juan Soto, Brett Baty and Jeff McNeil all homering. McNeil doubled, extended a six-game hitting streak, and flirted with the cycle as the Mets gained confidence in a long 16-game, 16-day road swing. The performance underscored a rotation still finding footing, but the offense looked refreshed and the defense supported the surge. For fantasy managers, Peterson’s durability and the updated Mets lineup provide renewed upside, while Soto, Vientos, Baty and McNeil offer spike opportunities as the team leans into run production down the stretch.

Lineup shifts across MLB this week signal value plays for fantasy managers. Atlanta leaned hard into Marcell Ozuna at designated hitter, riding nine straight starts and a .981 OPS with five homers in that stretch, while Michael Harris II has surged in the second half to a .398/.413/.732 line with nine homers, moving up to the fifth spot against right-handers in most recent games. Sean Murphy’s playing time has cooled with the DH being less available, and others like Drake Baldwin have seen splits in starts.

Miami’s Troy Johnston has dominated versus righties, starting 11 of 14, with Marsee showing league-winning potential since arriving and a two-hole stint that energized offense. The Mets have shuffled top of the order, with Lindor back leadoff and Nimmo up the order, while Brett Baty and Mauricio work for at-bats. Philadelphia has Bohm back in the cleanup spot, with Castellanos sliding in and Harrison Bader mixing in more against righties as Kepler’s slump persists.

Across the league, DeJong has started nine of 12 and hit third or fourth for Washington, Ian Happ has faced a positional shuffle in Chicago, and Arenado’s playing time is impacted by injuries in St. Louis. These trends create new buying opportunities for under-the-radar bats while signaling potential risk for players with fragile roles.

Francisco Alvarez’s season took another turn as the Mets placed the catcher on the 10-day injured list with a right thumb issue, recalling Hayden Senger from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the roster spot. The injury stems from Sundays Little League Classic in Williamsport, not the previously suffered left-thumb problem or spring hamate surgery. The Mets face a six-game road swing, starting in Washington against the Nationals, and the severity remains uncertain, with some fearing a longer absence.

Alvarez showed a strong late-resurgence at the plate after returning from a midseason demotion, batting .323 with a 1.054 OPS and four homers. That stretch highlights his dynamic power and contact potential when healthy, underscoring the fantasy implications if he can return soon. Senger’s arrival creates immediate depth behind the plate, and how the Mets deploy the two catchers on the road trip will influence catcher-streaming and lineup flexibility for fantasy managers.

For fantasy players, Alvarez’s status is the primary driver here, with Senger as a potential waiver-wire or depth play depending on playing time. The Nationals series could offer opportunities for Mets bats to rebound, while the Mariners and Williamsport context add a reminder that injuries can pop up in any stretch. Track Alvarez’s status closely, and watch how often Senger starts as the club navigates the injury and a busy schedule.

Mets push for a late-season push with a one-game edge in the NL wild-card race as Francisco Lindor heats up. A favorable matchup awaits David Peterson against Washington, while Jake Irvin struggles at home and has yielded plenty of homers this season. The betting breakdown favors the Mets in a tight opener, but the author leans Peterson to snag the win in a lefty-vs-lefty spotlight. Lindor’s current streak is the centerpiece for fantasy managers eyeing upside in a must-win window.

Prop bets spotlight Lindor again: HR odds at +390 sit in the pocket of a hitter who’s rocking a week-plus of production. With Lindor’s success against Irvin in limited history and Irvin’s August struggles, contrarian DFS and betting angles emerge, including Mets to win while avoiding a heavy moneyline wager. The series sets the stage for a pivotal stretch run as New York tries to hold off Cincinnati and stabilize the wild-card push.