Roki Sasaki entered the mound on July 24 with a clear mission: to re‑establish his place in the Dodgers’ rotation after a season that has oscillated between flashes of brilliance and stretches of mediocrity. In his latest start he logged seven innings, allowed just one run, and fanned nine batters, a performance that left the Mets’ lineup flailing.
The outing was more than a counting stat. His four‑seamer averaged 98.6 mph, ranking among the hardest throws of his career, while his splitter produced 13 of his 21 swinging strikes, underscoring a pitch mix that can miss bats even when the opposition adjusts.
Despite the impressive outing, Sasaki’s 4.71 ERA and 4.35 expected ERA reveal a narrative of inconsistency. One dominant start can be followed by a rough patch, a pattern that fantasy managers must weigh when deciding whether to stash him on a roster spot.
Waiver Wire Watchlist
Beyond the mound, the waiver wire offers a spectrum of talent that can plug gaps in batting average, power, or speed. Catchers such as Francisco Alvarez are delivering a .298/.400/.489 line with eight homers in just 33 games, making him a rare source of both catcher eligibility and slugging.
First baseman Ty France continues to post an .894 OPS, backed by underlying metrics that suggest his contact quality is holding up even as the league tightens. Meanwhile, Gleyber Torres remains a solid bet in points or OBP formats thanks to a high walk rate and consistent contact.
Royce Lewis has been on a 28‑homer, 28‑steal pace in just 41 games since returning from Triple‑A, a pace that could translate into a breakout second half. Nasim Nunez, riding a .322 average since June, is on track for a 60‑steal season, while Dylan Crews has posted a .333 average with four extra‑base hits in his first eight games post‑All‑Star break.
Outfielders are also heating up; Steven Kwan has been the most productive hitter since July, posting a .414/.507/.534 line across 19 games, and Cole Carrigg’s 30‑steal potential pairs with a .287/.360/.519 slash. Heriberto Hernandez has exploded with a .313/.370/.687 July line and an exit velocity that tops 93 mph, while Tommy Edman’s versatility at second and third base and his .337/.414/.490 slash with two homers and three steals make him a flexible asset.
The common thread among these players is a blend of statistical upside and situational opportunity. Whether it’s a pitcher looking to harness a high‑velocity fastball and an effective splitter or a position player riding a hot streak, the key for fantasy managers is to identify the mix of skill and playing time that can sustain production through the stretch run.