Cubs three-game win streak over Milwaukee, plus Matt Shaw’s breakout and Kyle Tucker’s return from a hand injury redefine the playoff push. Suzuki and Owen Casey chipped in as the lineup found life, while the pitching staff continued to anchor wins. Week-to-week, Chicago looks to sustain momentum on a West Coast run, balancing youth with proven arms as they chase a favorable playoff path.

The conversation spans Shaw’s breakout mechanics, Tucker’s health-driven lineup impact, and how the Cubs can maximize offense around a resurgent core. With Shota Imanaga anchoring the rotation and a bullpen delivering, Chicago is squarely in the wild-card mix, eyeing home-field advantage as September nears.

Edward Cabrera’s breakout performance over his last handful of starts has flipped the script on his fantasy fantasy value. Miami’s righty has delivered a late-season surge: 2.06 ERA, 0.78 WHIP across seven starts, and a crisp 9.3 strikeouts per nine with a deceptive fade on both the four-seamer and two-seamer. He’s now a near-automatic add in most formats, with the ceiling to push him into league-winner territory if the heater stays dominant. Brandon Woodruff also looks like a legitimate post-ARC comeback candidate, posting a string of quality starts and high strikeout totals after shoulder concerns, reinforcing that both innings and upside can be real again.

Beyond the obvious arms, several under-the-radar bats jumped into the mix for the weekend. Luke Kishel and Jacob Marcy built hot streaks, while Xavier Edwards produced a rare blend of on-base skills and speed, delivering multiple steals as a standout hot hand in deeper formats. Isaac Collins’ second-half surge added to the growing belief that, in the right matchup, you can ride these inexpensive, high-contact options. Brenton Doyle, Kyle Manzardo, and Matt Shaw joined the roster-shuffling chorus, offering varied paths to value in shallower and deeper leagues alike.

On the pitching side, a handful of waiver candidates flashed enough upside to warrant roster attention: Chase Burns, Mackenzie Gore, and Zebby Matthews each showed two-start upside, with Burns’ 10 strikeouts in a six-inning step-forward and Gore’s late-career resurgence hinting at upside if they stay healthy. The hitting landscape remained elevated thanks to the usual suspects turning it on in the second half—Altuve, Bogaerts, Ohtani, Soto, Lindor, and Rodriguez supplied multi-homer weekends and stolen-base bursts that can swing categories in games or weeks. The overall thread: the waiver wire still has life, and a patient, roster-tight approach can reap solid returns in the weeks ahead.

As the fantasy baseball playoffs approach, the spotlight shines on emerging talents like Matt Shaw of the Chicago Cubs, who's recently displayed a potent mix of power and speed. His performance since July 18, including multiple games with home runs and stolen bases, suggests he's a valuable addition for fantasy rosters. Likewise, Chicago White Sox's Colson Montgomery is making waves with a solid batting average and significant RBI production in his short time in the majors.

Chandler Simpson of the Tampa Bay Rays, a must-add for any team needing speed, continues to excel with an impressive 31 steals this season. His batting average and ability to contribute across multiple categories make him a fantasy gem. Meanwhile, the pitcher Joe Bole has been making headlines with a potential return to the Rays' rotation after a stint in the bullpen, showing promise with a notably low ERA and strikeout rate in his appearances. As teams finalize their rosters for the playoffs, these players should be on every fantasy manager's radar.

Excitement is palpable in the fantasy baseball community as top prospects continue to make their way to the big leagues. Matt Shaw's recent call-up is a focal point, showcasing impressive minor league stats that indicate he has overcome early season struggles. With a blend of speed and power, Shaw could be a valuable asset for teams looking to bolster their rosters. The episode also highlights other notable prospects like Jacob Misarowski, who is showing promising signs of improvement on the mound, and Marcelo Mayer, whose imminent call-up could provide a significant boost to the Red Sox lineup.

In addition, the podcast discusses the potential impact of players like Brady House and Otto Kemp, both of whom have shown significant improvements and could be worth stashing in deeper leagues. As always, the dynamic between prospects and their eventual contributions to fantasy lineups creates ongoing intrigue and analysis for dedicated fans. The prospects' paths will surely affect rankings and player values moving forward.