Four sneaky Week 20 waiver targets surface as potential weekend embeds: Zebby Matthews, Hurston Waldrep, Cade Cavalli and Ben Brown. Matthews brings AFL-like strikeout upside and improving command, with a trendline that hints at a productive second half if his heater and slider calm the surface numbers. Waldrep has flashed swing-and-mip upside with a new split-finger look and a three-pitch mix that keeps hitters guessing. Cavalli returned from a long layoff with velocity gains and a sharpened knuckle curve, signaling he could handle a larger workload. Brown has found a modest two-start rhythm thanks to a heavier knuckle-curve usage, making him a deeper-league streaming option. Fantasy managers should monitor workload, matchup windows, and how each pitcher performs against mid-rotation lineups as August progresses, while keeping rosters flexible enough to chase surges in a thin starter market.

The Chicago Cubs have had an impressive run, holding a share of first place in the NL Central for 108 days, thanks to their strong offensive consistency despite facing injuries in their pitching rotation. However, their recent 12-4 defeat to the Kansas City Royals, coupled with the Milwaukee Brewers' 11-game winning streak, has knocked them off the top spot.

Fans voiced their frustrations during the loss at Wrigley Field, particularly during a challenging fifth inning that saw the Royals capitalize on defensive errors by the Cubs. Despite a promising start, the Cubs fell apart, leading to their current standing of 59-41.

Ben Brown, who was called up from Triple-A, struggled in his outing, allowing seven runs over four innings, raising concerns about his reliability as the Cubs approach the critical October stretch. Manager Craig Counsell indicated that Brown's role may need to change if the Cubs make additional acquisitions before the trade deadline.

The Chicago Cubs, currently leading the NL Central, face off against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, with both teams entering with contrasting recent performances. The Cubs have struggled recently, with a 5-5 record in their last 10 games, including a disappointing series loss against the Mariners. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are on a slight hot streak, having won six of their last ten. Tonight's pitching duel features Cubs' Ben Brown (4-5, 5.57 ERA) against Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore (4-6, 4.08 ERA), both looking to build on their recent outings.

The matchup promises intrigue, with the Cubs having dropped three straight at Busch Stadium. The odds are tight, with the Cubs slightly favored at -109 and the Cardinals at -110. In their last five meetings, the Cardinals have won four at home against NL Central rivals, while recent games have seen totals favor the over. Expert predictions tilt towards the Cardinals on the moneyline and the Cubs covering the spread.

As the fantasy baseball landscape shifts, Scott White offers ten reliable pitchers under 80% rostered for the upcoming scoring period. Among them, Shane Smith of the Chicago White Sox stands out with a resilient performance, maintaining an ERA below 3.00 despite a recent rough outing. His matchups against Arizona and San Francisco present an opportunity for streaming success.

Matthew Liberatore of the St. Louis Cardinals also garners attention, showcasing elite control throughout the season. While his matchups against the Cubs and Indians might be challenging, his recent performance signals a potential rebound. Chad Patrick of the Milwaukee Brewers enters the mix with favorable matchups against struggling lineups, and Hayden Birdsong from San Francisco appears poised for a win against the Marlins. Other notable mentions include Michael Wacha, Jose Soriano, Eduardo Rodriguez, Justin Verlander, Ben Brown, and Will Warren, each with their unique circumstances that fantasy managers should monitor closely.

The Milwaukee Brewers (39-34) are set to face the Chicago Cubs (44-28) in a crucial matchup at Wrigley Field. Chad Patrick is expected to take the mound for the Brewers, while the Cubs will counter with Ben Brown. As both teams come into this game refreshed after a day off, the Cubs hold a significant 5.5-game lead in the NL Central. Recent performance shows both teams are .500 in their last ten games, raising the stakes for this divisional clash.

Betting odds reflect the Cubs as slight favorites at -149 on the moneyline, compared to the Brewers at +125. The spread is set at 1.5 runs in favor of the Cubs, and the total for the game is pegged at 9.0 runs. Recent trends favor the Cubs, having won 6 of their last 8 matchups against NL Central opponents, while the Brewers have kept things tight on the road, covering in 4 of their last 5 games. Projections suggest a lean towards the Cubs for the moneyline, the Brewers for the spread, and the under for total runs.