This week’s Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire is packed with a dynamic mix of players who can either spark your lineup for a single week or provide consistent value for the long haul. Whether you’re hunting for long-term upside or a quick weekend boost, there are plenty of savvy pickups to consider right now.
Add Him Now: Toronto’s Davis Schneider is Hot and Hitting High
Blue Jays rookie Addison Barger has quietly become one of the most intriguing adds in fantasy baseball. Flying under the radar in many leagues, Barger’s production and positioning in the lineup scream fantasy relevance.
He’s absolutely raking — posting a .928 OPS in June after hitting .887 in May — and has proved he can handle both lefties and righties. His .723 OPS against southpaws ensures he stays in the lineup daily. And now, Barger’s been elevated to the No. 2 spot in the order, nestled between Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., two of the most potent hitters in the American League.
With multi-position eligibility (3B/OF) and excellent recent form, Barger should be rostered in all 12-team leagues and considered in most 10-team formats. Don’t wait — this is a potential rest-of-season difference-maker.
Evan Carter: The Strikeout Drop Is the Key
Rangers outfielder Evan Carter has shown elite potential, and now there’s a compelling stat that demands attention — his 15.0% strikeout rate in 2025. That’s a massive improvement over last year (26.5%) and the season before that (32.0%). While this year’s mark has come across a small sample size of 80 plate appearances, it’s a promising sign of development.
Carter combines power and speed, and at just 22 years old, he’s getting a shot to energize a Texas offense still looking for a spark. Savvy managers should take the leap — especially in keeper or dynasty leagues — before his stock rises.
Spotlight on Splits: Smith’s Schedule Makes Him a Sneaky Grab
Arizona’s Pavin Smith has one of the most extreme platoon splits in the league — he’s thriving against righties (.881 OPS) but struggling against lefties (.511 OPS). Fortunately, the Diamondbacks’ next stretch of games favors Smith’s strengths. Over the next nine games, Arizona faces three of the worst pitching staffs in baseball, and seven of those matchups will be against right-handed starters.
In deep leagues, Smith is a great plug-and-play, and lefty outfielder Alek Thomas (1% rostered) also becomes interesting in daily leagues or DFS formats.
Mike Yastrzemski: Another Lefty With Matchups to Exploit
Giants veteran Mike Yastrzemski continues to feast on right-handers, boasting a career .811 OPS against them — and that’s holding steady with an .828 mark this season. Next week, San Francisco is set to face two bottom-tier pitching staffs, with six games lined up against right-handed starters.
In leagues with daily moves or weekly lineup settings, Yaz could be a sneaky source of power and production if your outfield needs a short-term boost
Cubs’ Closer Alert: Palencia Is Locked In
For those chasing saves, Daniel Palencia should be a top target. He’s claimed seven of the Cubs’ last eight save opportunities, and the one miss? He pitched the eighth inning against the Pirates’ toughest hitters — a strategic decision, not a demotion.
Palencia has delivered excellent numbers this year: 1.67 ERA and 0.96 WHIP, anchoring a Cubs bullpen behind one of MLB’s winningest teams. He’s easily a top-15 closer and should be universally rostered in leagues with saves or saves/holds formats.
Two-Start Stud: Patrick’s Streamer Gold
Looking for next week’s best streamer? Boston’s Zachary Patrick checks every box. He’s putting together a quality campaign with a 3.50 ERA and a 76:26 K:BB ratio, and he’ll have two home starts next week — one against the struggling Pirates (29th in road scoring) and another vs. the Rockies (27th).
Even in 10-team formats, Patrick is a must-add for the upcoming scoring period. After next week, feel free to cut bait — but don’t miss out on the easy points while he’s hot.
Max Scherzer: Time to Stash
Veteran ace Max Scherzer is nearing his return from the IL and is well worth a stash in deeper leagues. While his age (41) is a factor, he still put up solid results last season (3.95 ERA, 1.15 WHIP in 9 starts) and maintained strong ratios in 2023 as well.
Toronto’s playoff positioning and solid bullpen should give Scherzer every opportunity to pick up wins upon his return. Don’t wait until he’s back — this is the ideal moment to beat your league to the punch.
Lucas Giolito: Buy Low Before It’s Too Late
Lucas Giolito is regaining form, and fantasy managers may not have much longer to grab him at a discount. Since returning from injury, he’s had a couple of rough outings — but also four stellar ones, including 10 strikeouts over six shutout innings against the Mariners last time out.
With a favorable matchup on deck at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park this Sunday, Giolito could make another big leap. Grab him now if he’s sitting on waivers.
Don’t Forget Dobbins: Quietly Reliable for Boston
Boston’s Tanner Dobbins is flying under the radar but could be a difference-maker in deeper leagues. With a 3.74 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, he’s quietly stabilizing the Red Sox rotation. Despite recent matchups against the dangerous Yankees, he’s allowed just three runs in 11 innings.
Next up: a start at Oracle Park on Friday, followed by a high-upside matchup against the swing-happy Angels, who lead the AL in strikeouts. If you need streaming help, Dobbins could deliver in back-to-back outings.
Final Thoughts
This week’s waiver wire presents a rare mix of hot-hitting breakout bats (Barger, Carter), platoon savants (Smith, Yaz), rising pitching options (Patrick, Dobbins), and elite-level stashes (Scherzer, Giolito). Whether you need immediate help or want to plan for the playoff push, now’s the time to strike — before your league mates do.
