Spencer Strider’s August struggles loom large as his fastball shape lags behind the slider and curve. The Braves ace still misses bats, but three straight long outings with five-plus earned runs have fantasy managers pondering a bench or even a non-roster pause. There’s no rush to drop him, per cautionary notes; the upside can swing the balance with back-to-back good starts. Jurickson Profar has seized the moment for Atlanta, fueling a hot streak with multi-homer duels and elite plate discipline from the leadoff, fueling fantasy upside even as exit velocity fluctuates.

Michael Harris II followed with a four-for-four night and 15th homer, plus pace-setting runs and steals, riding a second-half sprint that’s reminded owners why he was a top prospect. Vlad Guerrero Jr. left with hamstring tightness, adding to the list of injuries in a crowded week, while Zack Wheeler’s blood-clot procedure looms as a major timeline question. The show also highlighted Trevor Rogers and Ranger Suarez turning in strong, deep outings, Yuri Perez’s control bumps and Gavin Williams’ rebound, with Bryce Miller slated for a return and Freddy Peralta continuing to pile up wins.

Two-start week conversations center on arms like Dustin May and others, while Freddy Freeman’s late-season resurgence continues to quiet the critics. JT Realmuto and Bryce Harper are among the seasoned bats delivering steady value, and the squad remains vigilant about hamstring and shoulder news that can tilt weekly lineups. The dynamic Braves offense, paired with a rotating cast of pitchers, keeps fantasy rosters nimble as the stretch drive unfolds.

The latest insights from the fantasy baseball realm reveal some emerging talents and ongoing struggles in July. Christopher Sanchez has made headlines with his remarkable performance, boasting a 154 ERA with 12 strikeouts in a complete game, positioning him as a potential ace. Meanwhile, Mickey Moniak is on fire, hitting .379 over 29 games with impressive power numbers, yet his reliance on Coors Field raises caution.

Logan Gilbert is also gaining attention with his elite splitter and strikeout potential, indicating he might be a top-five pitcher if he can maintain consistency. The Texas Rangers' hitters, notably Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, have shown signs of life, but the overall team performance remains mediocre. Finally, the anxiety surrounding players like Tommy Edman and Brian Reynolds highlights the volatility of player performance as the season progresses.

The latest episode of the ESPN head-to-head points draft brings together a mix of experienced players and newcomers as they navigate a unique scoring format. Notably, Shohei Ohtani remains the top pick due to his impressive dual-threat capability, despite concerns surrounding his pitching role this season. Aaron Judge follows closely behind, while Bobby Witt Jr. sparks debate about his draft position amidst varying strikeout rates. The discussion also dives into the value of pitchers in this setup, with many opting for a heavier pitching strategy.

As teams progress through the draft, decisions about offense versus pitching weigh heavily, especially as players like Logan Gilbert and Tarek Skubal gain attention for their high upside. The intricacies of this fantasy league highlight the variance in player valuation based on format, making for a lively and strategic draft experience.