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 latest episode of the Locked On Fantasy Baseball podcast dives into Round 11 of fantasy drafts, highlighting key players such as Bryce Terang, Spencer Strider, and Roki Sasaki. Terang emerges as a valuable pick, boasting impressive stolen base stats from the previous season and providing a solid option for teams lacking speed. Despite a less impressive batting average, his potential for steals makes him noteworthy. Spencer Strider, while facing injury concerns, represents a high-upside choice with a track record of elite strikeouts. The hosts advocate for his selection as a risky but rewarding option in this round. Additionally, they analyze the prospects of Anthony Volpe from the New York Yankees and Johan Duran of the Minnesota Twins, emphasizing the fine balance between risk and reward in fantasy drafts.