Luis Garcia returns from Tommy John surgery to start for Houston in Labor Day finale against Yusei Kikuchi. Peña, Alvarez, Altuve and Correa anchor the Astros offense, trying to back a veteran comeback with run production. Los Angeles counters with Trout, Adell, Rengifo, d'Arnaud and Kavadas, while Kikuchi tries to stall Houston’s power.

Fantasy take: Garcia’s workload and rust are key, but a successful return could unlock Houston’s lineup for the stretch. Kikuchi’s recent form and Angels’ lineup volatility create a high-variance DFS or daily fantasy risk/reward scenario, especially with Kavadas and d’Arnaud providing post-hype upside in spots.

AL free-agent weekly: identify likely free agents and Sizing bids for a $100 FAAB budget. Grids compare upside (A–E) and projected value across 12- and 15-team formats, with September rosters in view. High-upside names like Wyatt Langford are noted, but the focus is on practical buys and dart throws that can reshape the back half of standings.

Key bets include Kyle Bradish’s return to form in Baltimore, Taj Bradley’s high-upside dart throws, and a mix of mid-rotation holds like Luis Garcia and Parker Messick. On the hitting side, Ryan Mountcastle and Nolan Jones offer hot-streak paths, while pay-after-run risks like Payton Tolle and Dillon Dingler provide power-speed upside in shallower formats. September bullpen and closer options (Shawn Armstrong, etc.) add late-season ballast.

Three emerging MLB prospects—Jack Perkins, Tristin English, and Ryan Johnson—promise to make significant contributions in fantasy baseball. Perkins, a pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, has shown impressive stats, including a 1.93 ERA with 10 strikeouts in just over 9 innings. He has the potential to fill a starting role or take over as closer, depending on team movements.

Outfielder Tristin English, meanwhile, has been making waves with the Arizona Diamondbacks, sporting a .336 batting average and showing consistent production. His pathway may be aided by injuries to other players, allowing him to capitalize on opportunities.

Finally, Johnson, currently at High-A with the Angels, had a rocky start in the majors but has rebounded terrifically in the minors, boasting a 1.62 ERA in his last outings. As a prospect, his value in dynasty leagues is on the rise, though he may still face challenges returning to the big leagues this season.

The fantasy baseball season is heating up, making best ball formats a perfect avenue for both seasoned drafters and newcomers. Best ball leagues require no management post-draft, allowing players to draft multiple teams and focus on guaranteed plate appearances and innings without worrying about waivers. With varied scoring formats across platforms like Fantrax, understanding player ADPs is crucial for spotting value picks.

This year, notable pitchers such as Brandon Pfaadt of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Jared Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates stand out as potential breakout stars. Pfaadt, despite a rocky finish to his 2024 season, showed great control and strikeout potential, while Jones possesses elite velocity and a promising pitch mix. Other pitchers like Gavin Williams from the Cleveland Guardians and Justin Steele from the Chicago Cubs also warrant attention for their solid ERAs and ability to induce weak contact.

As the draft season approaches, these players are among the best targets for those looking to optimize their best ball strategies.