Atlanta handled the Cubs in the series opener as Shota Imanaga battled early, while the Cubs’ offense stayed dormant. Daniel Palencia’s 15-day IL stint triggers bullpen reshuffling, elevating Porter Hodge, Brad Keller and Andrew Kittredge to higher-leverage roles. Kai Horton’s emergence adds a potential playoff thread, and PCA, Nico Hoerner and Seiya Suzuki must spark a late‑season surge to keep October in reach.

Fantasy angles center on PCA’s ceiling, Hoerner’s top‑of‑order stability, Suzuki’s return to form, and Horton’s sustained rookie impact. Monitor Palencia’s timeline and the bullpen, and consider rest for some veterans to squeeze a few more wins in the wild-card race. The Cubs’ path remains uncertain but still very much alive.

Dynasty moves in fantasy baseball hinge on balancing aging stars against a bright crop of youth. The episode argues to treat Verlander, Scherzer, and Ozuna as trade or hold options based on contending status, not retirement inevitability. For rebuilds, target high-upside youngsters and buy low on veterans with upside, while contending rosters should leverage veterans for value but avoid overpaying once futures are on the table.

Key targets to build around: Yuri Pérez, Zack Neto, and Michael Harris II are highlighted for long-term upside, with Neto framed as a cheap dynasty pickup and Harris II as a tradable asset only if you’re in a true winner’s circle. The discussion stresses two paths—rebuild vs. win-now—and leans into the insiders track for instant alerts on callups and waiver moves, underscoring the value of timely information for dynasty success.

Spencer Strider’s August struggles loom large as his fastball shape lags behind the slider and curve. The Braves ace still misses bats, but three straight long outings with five-plus earned runs have fantasy managers pondering a bench or even a non-roster pause. There’s no rush to drop him, per cautionary notes; the upside can swing the balance with back-to-back good starts. Jurickson Profar has seized the moment for Atlanta, fueling a hot streak with multi-homer duels and elite plate discipline from the leadoff, fueling fantasy upside even as exit velocity fluctuates.

Michael Harris II followed with a four-for-four night and 15th homer, plus pace-setting runs and steals, riding a second-half sprint that’s reminded owners why he was a top prospect. Vlad Guerrero Jr. left with hamstring tightness, adding to the list of injuries in a crowded week, while Zack Wheeler’s blood-clot procedure looms as a major timeline question. The show also highlighted Trevor Rogers and Ranger Suarez turning in strong, deep outings, Yuri Perez’s control bumps and Gavin Williams’ rebound, with Bryce Miller slated for a return and Freddy Peralta continuing to pile up wins.

Two-start week conversations center on arms like Dustin May and others, while Freddy Freeman’s late-season resurgence continues to quiet the critics. JT Realmuto and Bryce Harper are among the seasoned bats delivering steady value, and the squad remains vigilant about hamstring and shoulder news that can tilt weekly lineups. The dynamic Braves offense, paired with a rotating cast of pitchers, keeps fantasy rosters nimble as the stretch drive unfolds.

The Mets stumble in a crushing home loss that threatens to stain a pivotal stretch of games. Peterson walked five, forcing the bullpen into a quick meltdown and leaving little room for offensive comeback. The bottom line: New York’s rotation struggles to go deep, and walks keep piling up, sapping any chance to tighten the game late. Seattle rolls into town this weekend, so the immediate mood shifts to how the staff can rebound and which hitters can manufacture value in a slump-in-progress offense. The Braves provided a brutal counterpunch, as Harris II launched a Grand Slam and Atlanta’s bullpen, once a strength, showed cracks of its own.

Fantasy angles sharpen quickly: Peterson’s shaky control raises red flags for streamers and daily lineups, while Michael Harris II remains a focal point of Braves lineups. Juan Soto had opportunities but failed to drive in runs in high-leverage spots, spotlighting the risk-reward calculus around Soto in late-game situations. The Mets announced a call-up looming for McClain, signaling a potential rotation reshuffle that could shift bullpen roles and shorten outings, increasing risk for fantasy managers holding Mets starters this slate.

The current landscape of fantasy baseball is facing challenges as significant injuries and poor performances plague key players. Spencer Schwellenbach of the Atlanta Braves is a notable loss due to an elbow fracture, forcing fantasy owners to consider dropping him from their rosters, especially in redraft leagues. Meanwhile, Kevin Gausman of the Toronto Blue Jays has struggled recently, raising concerns about his consistency and ownership levels. Gausman remains a fixture in many leagues, but deeper formats may necessitate trades or drops as his performance falters.

Additionally, the closing situation in MLB is in flux. Robert Suarez, the San Diego Padres' closer, has been underwhelming, though still securing saves. As his ERA climbs, fantasy managers may want to explore trade options or seek alternatives on the waiver wire. The unpredictable nature of closers this season is a significant factor for fantasy teams as they navigate their rosters.