Anthony Volpe’s underlying numbers hint at a rebound, but his plate discipline continues to sink him. With playoff races tightening, managers wonder if a hold is worth it or a swap is better.

Jack Flaherty has cratered lately: 26 frames, 24 strikeouts, an ERA north of 4, and rising hard contact with a troubling HR/FB rate. The breakdown leaves fantasy squads chasing safer options.

Palencia’s IL stint pushes Brad Keller into saves duty, while Tanner Scott and Kikuchi draw bench-spot risk. Xavier Edwards, Correa, and Tol get lumped in as caution flags. Keller stands out as the clearest immediate add as the week unfolds.

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.

The Chicago Cubs suffered a tough loss against the Miami Marlins, falling 8-7 after leading late in the game. Despite a solid performance from the bullpen, they faltered when it mattered most. Closest Porter Hodgej was placed on the injured list, raising concerns about their bullpen depth. Daniel Palencia, the fill-in closer, faced a heavy workload and ultimately couldn’t secure the final outs, leading to the walk-off defeat. The Cubs' injury woes are mounting, further complicating their pitching strategy as they search for reliable arms in the wake of Hodgej's absence.

Ben Brown, starting for the Cubs, struggled, giving up six earned runs, which put the team at a disadvantage early on. The comparison to Justin Steele's early career highlights the growing pains of young pitchers in high-pressure situations. The Cubs are now contemplating roster changes to improve their bullpen depth and maintain their competitive standing in the division, especially with the St. Louis Cardinals breathing down their necks.