Jacob Lopez kept the momentum rolling with another strong showing, gutting Tampa Bay for seven shutout innings while piling up nine strikeouts. The altered slider usage—lower velocity but sharper chase metrics—has him throwing a pitch that whiffs more often, making him a viable two-start option for next week for 61% rostering. The slider’s movement is a conscious shift, and while the home park limits homers, Lopez has flashed enough upside to be in the mix.

Roman Anthony’s breakout continues, as the 21-year-old the leadoff experiment and four walks in one game fuel a high on-base profile and potential for more power and speed as the season winds down. Mets-Brewers slugfests highlighted Pete Alonso’s surge and Francisco Alvarez’s recall, a reminder that big-name bats and top catching prospects can reshape fantasy rosters in a tight stretch run.

Spencer Strider’s struggles grew with the Mets hammering him for eight earned over four, prompting Warometer debates about benching or taxing starts and a broader look at his internal brace recovery. Ranger Suárez also faced velocity dips, a looming question mark for a pitcher who’s historically built on precision and command. Across the board, the mix of hot hitters (Judge, Yordan, Ramirez) and up-and-coming talents (Anthony, Vaughn) is driving a volatile but upside-filled fantasy landscape.

Warometer Wednesday underscored the ongoing calculus: stay aggressive on risers like Vaughn and Alvarez while charting paths around names showing strain or changing velocity. The next week promises a live-test of midseason rhythm and postseason readiness for fantasy rosters.

In a thought-provoking email, a listener suggests Zach Wheeler deserves an honorary Cy Young due to his impressive sustained performance, particularly if he retires without the award. The discussion unfolds around the concept that many pitchers, including Wheeler, strive for tangible accolades rather than honorary titles, as the latter can feel like a consolation prize.

Wheeler's current season is highlighted with statistics that place him among the top pitchers in the league, including being second in strikeouts per nine innings. Although he has a strong chance of winning the Cy Young this year, the conversation also touches on other notable players who never received an MVP or Cy Young, like Jose Ramirez and legendary figures such as Nolan Ryan. This sets the stage for exploring the thin line between recognition and achievement in the realm of baseball.

The latest third base rankings highlight the depth and potential of the position for the upcoming season. With elite talents like José Ramírez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leading the pack, there's also a wealth of promising players to consider. Austin Riley, a standout for his high upside and consistent power, emerges as a prime target, while Junior Caminero's potential adds intrigue. The rankings suggest that after the top tier, many players carry varying degrees of risk and reward, making it crucial to consider positional value and overall team needs when drafting.

As the conversation unfolds, the host delves into the merits of specific players, noting Jazz Chisholm's impressive speed and the potential impact of his move to the Yankees. The discussion also touches on Royce Lewis, whose injury history raises questions about his durability despite his evident talent. The blend of established stars and up-and-coming talents makes third base one of the more interesting positions to monitor as drafts approach, emphasizing strategy and timing in player selection.

Fantasy Baseball today focused on the Third Base position for the upcoming 2025 season, highlighting a robust strategy and offering insights into rankings, sleepers, and players to avoid. Jose Ramirez stands out as a top option with strong multi-category contributions, while the depth at third base appears stronger than first base, allowing flexibility in drafting. Younger players like Jazz Chisholm and veterans like Matt Chapman also generated discussion, particularly regarding their injury histories and potential impact. The podcast emphasized the importance of positional eligibility and draft strategy, with players like Isak Paredes emerging as potential value picks.