Week 22 edges into a turbulent fantasy landscape with a mix of breakout performers and riskier veterans. Max Scherzer continues to punch above his weight in a four-start quality-streak stretch, posting sub-3.00 ERA and sub-1.00 WHIP with efficient outings that keep him in strong two-step lineups when the matchup suits. Brenton Doyle has emerged as a late-season spark for Colorado, flipping a rough first half into a second-half run that looks sustainable thanks to improved attack metrics and a ball-in-play approach that should yield value in a seven-game slate next week.

The slate also highlights Julio Rodríguez and Vlad Jr., two power-plus talents who have rekindled fantasy relevance as the season closes. Rodríguez is showing the speed and swing decisions that fuel multi-category upside, while Vlad Jr. maintains power production with steady plate discipline and a favorable park mix. Taylor Ward’s ongoing production raises questions about multi-category constellations for rosters in deeper formats. Kyle Tucker remains a focal point of contention and opportunity, with rest-of-season upside tempered by recent cold stretches that necessitate cautious rostering rather than outright selling.

Injury notes and roster moves pepper the week, with slugging linesman energy across the outfield and infield alike. Managers should prioritize outfield depth in formats with four or five spots, leverage second-half recency for veterans who have shown true outcomes, and consider Doyle as a sleeper in 5-outfield leagues given Rockies’ seven-game week, four at Coors Field. A steady baseline from Scherzer and strategic buys around Rodríguez, Vlad Jr., and Ward can unlock strong roto gains while navigating a week with uneven scheduling.

Brewers sprint to dominance reshapes their postseason odds as Milwaukee rides a nine-game win streak and a league-best mark through a demanding weekend. The pivot hinges on Woodruff’s health and a subtly evolved pitch mix that covers for velocity dips post-shoulder surgery, while Isaac Collins emerges as a sneaky rookie of the year candidate, amplifying the lineup’s impact alongside William Contreras’ hot stretch. The Mariners answer with a high-octane, deep batting order—Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez fueling a surge that could threaten October plans—while Drake Baldwin’s two-homer burst for Atlanta hints at a Braves offense that remains dangerous despite a rough patch elsewhere. Across the league, Wheeler’s steadiness keeps the Phillies in the hunt, Otani’s bat stays electric, and Seattle’s depth is turning into a playoff barrel. The weekend also spotlighted Ichiro’s ceremonial moment in Seattle and a Cubs offense that will need a rebound after trading deadline moves, with managers weighing pitching chaos versus stability as they push toward the finish line.

Milwaukee’s surge centers on a careful reintroduction of Woodruff’s repertoire—the slider and sinker getting more usage while the velocity remains modest. The Brewers’ offense has learned to chase power from Contreras and the rising contributions from Collins, making the midseason sprint more feasible than expected. Seattle’s breakout is less about one star and more about the depth across the lineup, with Rodríguez heating up and Raleigh’s impact growing as teams pivot to pull-heavy hitting strategies. In Philadelphia, the rotation remains the glue even when some peripherals wobble, and CeCe Ce Ce Ce is mixing more pitches, signaling a trend toward greater starter versatility nationwide.

As the MLB All-Star break approaches, fantasy owners are scrambling to adjust their rosters amid a wave of injuries and breakout performances. Notably, Kyle Sters of the Miami Marlins has emerged as a must-roster player after hitting three home runs in a single game against the Baltimore Orioles, showcasing a significant turnaround after a rough patch earlier in the season. Meanwhile, Cody Bellinger continued his resurgence with a stellar performance against the Cubs, hitting three home runs and driving in six runs, indicating that he might be reclaiming his status as a top-tier fantasy asset.

Across the league, Julio Rodriguez is showing signs of life heading into the second half, with a three-game performance that included multiple homers and stolen bases. On the pitching front, Chase Burns recorded his first quality start against the Rockies, while the New York Mets received some much-needed reinforcements as they deal with injuries to key players. As teams prepare for the second half, savvy fantasy managers are looking for waiver wire gems like Zack McKinstry and Noelvi Marte to fill in gaps caused by injuries to starters like Austin Riley and Brandon Lowe.

In the latest episode, key players like Julio Rodriguez and Jackson Chourio are under scrutiny due to slow starts, while veterans like Jacob deGrom and Kevin Gausman are thriving. Discussions focus on potential trades involving struggling stars such as Spencer Schwellenbach and Roki Sasaki, who have had mixed performances. The podcast emphasizes the importance of identifying trade opportunities before they diminish, especially for young talents like Chourio and Rodriguez who have historically improved as the season progresses.

The hosts also analyze Gausman’s impressive start, warning that his performance may not hold, suggesting trading him if possible. The episode concludes with insights into other players to watch, encouraging listeners to stay proactive in managing their fantasy teams.