Major League Baseball

Covered by: Greg Hoogkamp

💣💣💣 Luis Garcia Jr., 2B WSN (MLB)

3-for-4, 3 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI, K

A career-game for Garcia Jr. as he slugged three home runs (106.6, 97.7 and 110.3 mph) against the White Sox. Garcia, while not an on-base merchant, provides just enough power, speed and batting average to be a worthwhile play in most league formats. Garcia has bumped his power metrics (9.1% barrel rate, 46.1% hard hit rate and15.4% AIRPULL rate) and contact rates (88.5% ZCon and 78.4% overall contact rate) while maintaining double-digit speed (13 SB). The 25-year-old is a backend-top ten second base option in dynasty.

147 PLIVE+, Peak Projection: 20 HR, 16 SB, 6.2% BB, 15.7% K, .274/.318/.447, 113 wRC+
Last 7 Days: 119 PLIVE+, 0 HR, 0 SB, 0.0% BB, 30.0% K, .150/.150/.200
Last 30 Days: 140 PLIVE+, 4 HR, 3 SB, 3.4% BB, 24.1% K, .232/.253/.427

Lenyn Sosa, 1B CHW (MLB)

3-for-4, HR, 2B, R, 3 RBI

If you're in a deep dynasty league, Sosa might be a player to take a look at. Often, we move past the bad teams in search of good players on good teams. But playing time is a huge deal in fantasy and someone has to play for these cellar-dwellers. Sosa has amassed 536 plate appearances in 2025 and pumped out 22 home runs with a .262 batting average. His hard hit metrics (10.0% barrel rate, 43.4% hard hit rate) are trending up, and he's also dual-eligible at 1B and 2B (MI/CI) which is handy when injuries arise. This may not be a terribly long runway of playing time, but he should be relevant the next year or two and should provide depth in deeper leagues.

126 PLIVE+, Peak Projection: 20 HR, 3 SB, 4.5% BB, 21.5% K, .258/.293/.418, 97 wRC+
Last 7 Days: 105 PLIVE+, 0 HR, 0 SB, 0.0% BB, 52.2% K, .174/.174/.174
Last 30 Days: 120 PLIVE+, 4 HR, 0 SB, 3.6% BB, 29.7% K, .217/.252/.349

‼️ Aaron Nola, RHP PHI (MLB)

8 IP, 2 H, ER, 9 K, HRA

It was vintage-Aaron Nola on Friday night as he delivered his best performance of the season. 2025 has been a tough (6.01 ERA, 3.72 xFIP) season for Nola as he's dealt with injury and inconsistency all year long. This performance is well-timed as the Phillies look to make a deep run without their ace Zack Wheeler. It looks like Nola will most likely lineup as the Game 1 starter in their NLDS series to start on Saturday of next week. Nola remains a decent mid-rotation option in dynasty.

66 PLIVE-, Peak Projection: 3.62 ERA, 23.7% K, 6.6% BB, 17.1% K-BB, 44.5% GB

Jordan Westburg, 3B BAL (MLB)

3-for-5, HR, R, 3 RBI, K

Westburg is a very under-the-radar hitter in dynasty since he has never put together a full season. We haven't seen what he can do in a full year; are 25-30 home runs a possibility? His barrel rate (10.7%) and hard hit rate (43.8%) seem to indicate he can hit those marks with 600 PA. While he won't be very helpful in OBP leagues (.314 OBP), the power he provides can be helpful as a 3B or CI.

147 PLIVE+, Peak Projection: 22 HR, 7 SB, 7.2% BB, 22.5% K, .256/.319/.444, 112 wRC+
Last 7 Days: 133 PLIVE+, 2 HR, 0 SB, 9.1% BB, 31.8% K, .105/.227/.421

💣💣 Giancarlo Stanton, DH NYY (MLB)

2-for-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI

Giancarlo lives for this time of year; we know how valuable home runs are in the playoffs and Stanton can hit them in bunches. He will be a key cog for the Bombers as he provides essential protection for Aaron Judge. Fortunately for the Yankees, Judge is able to take the field on defense which keeps Stanton as a DH - a place where he has much less injury-risk. He is what he is at this point: a feared slugger: and even at 35 years old he can provide value (as long as you bake in the injury risk).

167 PLIVE+, Peak Projection: 39 HR, 1 SB, 9.0% BB, 30.8% K, .253/.323/.517, 130 wRC+
Last 7 Days: 129 PLIVE+, 1 HR, 0 SB, 4.5% BB, 54.5% K, .250/.273/.400
Last 30 Days: 153 PLIVE+, 8 HR, 0 SB, 7.3% BB, 39.0% K, .216/.272/.568