The Guardians rolled to an 8-1 win at Fenway as Joey Cantillo spun six solid innings with seven strikeouts, flashing a crisp changeup and improved control that boosts his ceiling toward a #3 starter. George Valera notched his first big‑league hit and carried himself with poise. Gabriel Arias delivered a two‑run homer, Bryan Rocchio kept producing, and Steven Kwan joined the multi‑hit parade with a 3-for-5 night. CJ Kayfus and Bo Naylor added two doubles apiece, while Jose Ramirez cooled off but remains a longtime fantasy asset. Cantillo’s breakout vibe, Valera’s arrival, and the offense’s depth headline a strong push as Cleveland heads to Tampa for four with implications for prospect timelines and late-season fantasy moves.

Ronald Acuña Jr. was activated for a Braves-Gurdian series opener, returning from a 10-day IL stint for a strained right calf. He’s been a key producer when healthy, hitting .306 with 14 homers and 26 RBIs in 55 games this season after missing 49 games to ACL reconstruction. He batted third against Cleveland lefty Joey Cantillo, signaling immediate trust in his bat as Atlanta tries to climb out of a deep hole. Sandy León was optioned to Triple-A, narrowing Atlanta’s depth behind the plate.

Acuña’s return injects big-time fantasy value for Braves' hitters and for bettors tracking pace and lineup leverage. He’s a former NL MVP whose ceiling remains elite; guidance for fantasy: expect a power-speed boost and a top-of-order bump, but monitor calf risk and workload as he works back into an every-day rhythm. With Atlanta 15 games under .500, every win now carries outsized importance, and Acuña’s presence should help reset the lineup’s fantasy upside down the stretch.

In the Guardians’ side, Joey Cantillo started in his return to action, facing Acuña’s lineup as Cleveland opens the series. Cantillo represents a potential streaming option for fantasy managers if he settles into a consistent role and can exploit Atlanta’s left-on-left platoon dynamics. Cantillo’s performance could influence how often Guardians lean on him, especially against a Braves club that will lean on Acuña’s power and speed the moment he’s at full throttle.

Atlanta travels to Progressive Field on Friday night riding a six-win cadence over eight games, while Cleveland sits hot at 7-2 in their last nine and riding five straight series wins. Waldrep vs Cantillo sets the pace in a pitchers’ duel that fantasy players will note for daily formats and season-long implications. The model flags Guardians on the moneyline with a lean to Braves at +1.5, while staying away from a game total at 9.0, underscoring a tight ceiling for offense.

Trend lines favor Cleveland at home, with the Over 4-1 in their last five at home and Atlanta having covered in four of their past five. Waldrep’s 2-0, 1.54 ERA start profile and Cantillo’s 3-2, 4.11 ERA form shape this one as a strategic punt for DFS lineups and sportsbook angles, especially for those targeting expensive stacks or contrarian spreads.

From a fantasy lens, Waldrep’s strike-loom is real but tempered by Cleveland’s lineup depth; Cantillo’s control will be key against a Braves offense climbing back to form. The Guardians’ bullpen depth could tilt late-game outcomes, making this a careful, pace-driven contest for bettors and managers alike.