The Cubs leaned on Turner against left-handers, turning a tie game into a 3-2 win with a go-ahead RBI double off Sale after fending off an 0-2 count. Taillon returned from the IL to give Chicago 4 1/3 innings, keeping the Braves at bay while the lineup leaned into baserunning and timely hits from Suzuki and Kelly. The surge in steals—six in the series and counting—combined with steady pitching gives Chicago a late-season spark as October approaches.

The Cubs open a pivotal three-game set with Atlanta, chasing the NL Central lead and a possible Wild Card berth as Milwaukee paces the league. Chicago gets a jolt with Pete Crow-Armstrong back in the lineup as DH and cleanup, after a knee contusion sidelined him for a game. Crow-Armstrong’s season line (.254/.293/.496) and 28 home runs fit a multi-faceted fantasy asset profile even as August slump lingered. His return could reenergize Chicago’s middle of the order and spark run production in a series that could swing playoff positioning.

Kyle Tucker’s calf injury for Houston removes a key source of left-handed power, narrowing the Astros’ upside in the near term and giving the Cubs a slightly easier path. The broader MLB notes remind fantasy managers that Goldschmidt’s knee rehab and Turner’s late-season setback have ripple effects across lineups and DFS targets as injuries shape late-season value. The Cubs-Braves clash promises power, speed, and bullpen intrigue as playoff races tighten.

Hitters trimming chase rates, boosting contact, and pulling the ball with more authority have posted stronger results in the second half. Nick Kurtz surges to a 220 wRC+ since mid-June, batting .342 with a .453 on-base and .743 slug since July 1, and 24 homers. Brayan Rocchio and Kyle Stowers follow, with Rocchio at 95 wRC+ since July 1 and Stowers at .306/.391/.634 in 39 games with 12 long balls.

Lenyn Sosa shows the biggest three-way gains, while Mike Trout adds power through increased Pulled Air%, even as overall numbers lag. Bo Naylor and Pete Crow-Armstrong post improved swing data but fall in results, underscoring the through-line: better plate decisions don’t always yield immediate fantasy dividends. The piece frames these process gains as bets for 2025 rosters.

In short, track O-Swing, Contact% and Pulled Air% as you project next season’s fantasy values, since those adjustments have real, trackable upside beyond the current season.

Kyle Schwarber anchors the Phillies in 2025 as the NL’s home run leader, chasing a shaping free‑agent market that insiders say Philly won’t let slip away. Nightengale’s bold take: Schwarber stays in Philadelphia, backed by city love and Phillies’ willingness to outbid rivals, with Reds looming as a hometown twist. Wheeler’s injury and Nola’s rough patch keep fans watching the rotation while Schwarber’s power remains the lineup’s engine.

Beyond Schwarber, the surrounding headlines sketch a winter narrative: Pete Crow-Armstrong’s promising rise, Jose Ramirez’s historic pace with Cleveland, and even Aaron Judge’s outfield returns and arm-swing questions—each shaping fantasy and betting angles as free agency and roster moves unfold. In short, Schwarber’s status will dictate the Phillies’ long‑term plan and influence how fantasy rosters are constructed this winter.

In fantasy terms, Schwarber’s continued slugging makes him elite value if he re-signs; a higher AAV is plausible, but the stability for Philadelphia matters more than a short‑term payday. The Reds’ interest adds intrigue to the market, yet Nightengale’s update signals confidence that Schwarber will remain where he’sched to produce power and leadership for years to come.

Kodai Senga's demotion to Triple-A drains redraft value for Week 24, leaving a slim chance of one more regular-season start. Spencer Torkelson and Casey Mize remain intriguing holds in deeper formats as the season winds down. Chandler Simpson offers speed only if you need stolen bases, while Pete Crow-Armstrong’s knee issue looms large for rostering. Robbie Ray, Teoscar Hernandez, and Luis Castillo emerge as high-variance plays given late-season form and upcoming schedules.