August 16, 2025
After years of futility at Richmond, Daniel Suárez surprisingly had one of the best runs of his Cup Series career here last year, where he led 93 laps and finished 10th, although Suárez's good run was predicted here. Nonetheless, don't expect him to repeat that feat this week. Last year, Suárez benefited from going on alternate tires, but there will be no such possiblity this year, as NASCAR has not decided to repeat last year's optional tire experiment. Furthermore, Suárez has been a lot slower pretty much everywhere than his earlier Trackhouse Racing seasons, so it seems like he doesn't even have the speed to benefit from strategy plays most of the time anymore. When you further consider that Trackhouse Racing has typically not had amazing speed on short tracks to begin with, and his qualifying position was a decent 21st, you should look elsewhere in DFS.
--Sean Wrona - RotoBallerSource: Racing Reference
August 16, 2025
While Erik Jones has been nowhere near as slow as he was in 2023 and 2024, he's still been little more than a mid-packer this year and he hasn't been particularly known for his short track prowess especially after Joe Gibbs Racing fired him. That Jones Boi used to be strong at some short tracks (especially Bristol) at JGR, but Richmond was not one of them as he has never finished better than sixth or led a single lap, although he did finish fourth on track in 2019 before being disqualified. In the No. 43 car, he has been significantly slower on all short tracks and when you consider that he wasn't good here even then and he actually qualified pretty well in 18th, he's a pretty bad choice for DFS play.
--Sean Wrona - RotoBallerSource: Racing Reference
August 16, 2025
Like his Front Row Motorsports teammate Noah Gragson, Zane Smith has never finished in the top ten on a short track and his overall Richmond record is even worse than Gragson's as his best finish in last year's race was 23rd and even in the Craftsman Truck Series, he never finished better than fifth. However, he qualified 29th and he tends to be most likely to be the highest FRM finisher at most tracks. Couple that with him only being in his second season while Gragson and Todd Gilliland have been around longer and it's easier to see Smith making a sudden improvement at tracks where he's struggled in the past. However, attempting to predict which race a driver will suddenly figure out a track is a bit of a fool's errand and there's no way of really figuring that out with any certainty, so Smith should probably be avoided.
--Sean Wrona - RotoBallerSource: Racing Reference
August 16, 2025
Noah Gragson has never earned a top-10 finish on a short track before, but he did earn his second-best finish on this track type in the spring Richmond race in 2024 when he finished 12th. He also won the Xfinity Series race in 2021. Gragson starts 22nd in Saturday evening's event, where he did outqualify both his Front Row Motorsports teammates Zane Smith and Todd Gilliland. While the FRM team has shown some speed here periodically (especially Gilliland), it's hard to imagine Gragson being much of a contender when he has been consistently slow in races throughout this year. When you further consider that he outqualified both his teammates who are more likely to have a decent finish, Gragson's value for DFS lineups is extremely low.
--Sean Wrona - RotoBallerSource: Racing Reference
August 16, 2025
Green Bay Packers running back
MarShawn Lloyd (groin) is expected to make his preseason debut Sunday against the Colts. The 2024 rookie appeared in just one game before suffering an ankle injury and later required an emergency appendectomy that ended his season. Lloyd enters 2025 healthy and projects as the primary change-of-pace option behind starter
Josh Jacobs. For fantasy purposes, Lloyd is an intriguing handcuff with upside, particularly in deeper formats. If Jacobs were to miss time, Lloyd's explosiveness and versatility could give him immediate flex appeal.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Rob Demovsky
August 16, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies closer
Jhoan Duran (ankle) told Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he feels "100%" after taking a comebacker off his right ankle Friday. Duran is walking without a limp, according to Lauber. The hard-throwing right-hander left on a cart after the Washington Nationals'
Paul DeJong lined an infield single off him in the Phillies' 6-2 win. X-rays came back negative after the game, and a day later, it appears Duran is out of the woods. That's welcome news for the Phillies and fantasy managers, as Duran has been outstanding in 2025. The trade deadline pickup from the Minnesota Twins has converted 20 of his 22 save opportunities while pitching to a 1.86 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP and 56:18 K:BB in 53 1/3 innings.
--Connor ByrneSource: Scott Lauber - Philadelphia Inquirer
August 16, 2025
The Minnesota Twins announced that they have placed outfielder
Alan Roden (thumb) on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left thumb and recalled fellow outfielder
James Outman from Triple-A St. Paul. The Twins scratched Roden from their lineup on Friday, and now he'll miss at least a week and a half because of the injury. Roden joined the Twins in a July 31 trade deadline deal and has gone just 6-for-38 with one home run, one RBI, 13 strikeouts, and no walks since then. Between Minnesota and Toronto, the 25-year-old has hit an unsightly .191/.261/.294 with two homers, nine RBI, and 17 runs scored in 153 plate appearances.
--Connor ByrneSource: Minnesota Twins
August 16, 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates have yet to announce their starter for Sunday, but it won't be
Bubba Chandler. The 22-year-old right-hander will remain in Triple-A, where he's scheduled to start tonight. Many expected Chandler to make his MLB debut this weekend, but the Pirates are opting for more development time. The hard-throwing prospect owns a 5-5 record with a 3.82 ERA and a strong 27.6% strikeout rate this season. While fantasy managers will need to remain patient, Chandler remains one of the system's most exciting arms and could debut late this year or open 2026 in the rotation.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Noah Hiles
August 16, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Bowden Francis (shoulder) has begun throwing while rehabbing at the team's Florida complex. It's unclear as to how far he has been able to throw, but it's good news nonetheless that he has progressed to this point. He plans on ramping up his distance thrown and pitch count, but he is still in the early stages of his recovery. The next step forward in his recovery would be completing moundwork. How quickly he progresses will be closely monitored, given that he suffered a setback with discomfort on July 18. Fantasy managers will want to keep him on the waiver wire in all redraft leagues because even if he does return, his role is largely unknown.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Arden Zwelling
August 16, 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates have yet to announce their starter for Sunday, but it won't be
Bubba Chandler. The 22-year-old right-hander will remain in Triple-A, where he's scheduled to start tonight. Many expected Chandler to make his MLB debut this weekend, but the Pirates are opting for more development time. The hard-throwing prospect owns a 5-5 record with a 3.82 ERA and a strong 27.6% strikeout rate this season. While fantasy managers will need to remain patient, Chandler remains one of the system's most exciting arms and could debut late this year or open 2026 in the rotation.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Noah Hiles
August 16, 2025
Seattle Mariners prospect
Harry Ford launched a 411-foot homer on Friday, bringing his total to 15 on the year. The 22-year-old has impressed at Triple-A with a strong plate approach, walking at a 15.3% rate while keeping his strikeouts at just 18.9%. Ford is slashing .294/.412/.479 this season and looks ready for the next step. However, with
Cal Raleigh entrenched as Seattle's starting catcher, Ford's MLB debut may not come until 2026. Dynasty managers should already be stashing him, as his on-base skills and power make him a premium long-term asset.
--Shaun AlbinSource: MLB Pipeline
August 16, 2025
Green Bay Packers running back
Josh Jacobs will not play in Saturday's second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Packers beat writer Mike Spofford. Jacobs will take a seat after playing just one offensive snap in the preseason opener last week against the New York Jets. Most of the team's key starters won't feature this weekend, including quarterback
Jordan Love (thumb) and receivers
Jayden Reed (knee),
Dontayvion Wicks (calf) and
Romeo Doubs (back). In his first year in Green Bay in 2024, Jacobs topped 1,000 rushing yards for the fourth time in his six NFL seasons and scored a career-high 15 rushing touchdowns on 301 carries. Jacobs should again be the workhorse in the Packers' backfield this year, but fantasy managers should expect TD regression, making him more of a low-end RB1 target in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: Packers.com - Mike Spofford
August 16, 2025
Boston Red Sox starter
Kutter Crawford (wrist) is recovering well from the surgery that he had on his right wrist back on July 2, which was a procedure that ended his season. He anticipates that he will be throwing by October, leading to the hope that he will be ready by Spring Training. It has been a rough year for Crawford, who will end up not pitching at all in 2025. Following a breakout season in 2024, where he finished with a 4.36 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP, he started the season on the injured list with right patellar tendiopathy. While he was rehabbing, the right-hander injured himself with an off-field incident while doing yardwork at home. His progress this offseason will be something to monitor, as he could be an option late in 2026 drafts.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Jen McCaffrey
August 16, 2025
Miami Marlins shortstop prospect Aiva Arquette launched his first professional home run Friday in just his eighth game with High-A Beloit. The seventh overall pick in June's draft, Arquette already ranks as the organization's No. 2 prospect. At 6'5", he brings rare size and raw power to the shortstop position, with legitimate 30-homer upside. While he's currently being developed exclusively at short, his defensive versatility could provide multiple paths to the majors. Arquette will be a premium dynasty prospect this offseason and should come off the board early in prospect drafts.
--Shaun AlbinSource: MLB Pipeline
August 16, 2025
The Houston Texans will play several starters on Saturday in their second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, including quarterback
C.J. Stroud, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Wide receiver
Nico Collins will also get a few series on offense with Stroud this weekend, while running back
Dameon Pierce will be held out. This will be Stroud's first preseason action this summer after he sat out of the opener last week against the Minnesota Vikings. The 23-year-old took a step back in 2024 in his sophomore season, throwing for 3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while being sacked 52 times in 17 regular-season starts. Stroud showed in his rookie campaign that he can put up numbers, but a bounce-back in 2025 will depend on whether his offensive line can protect him. Treat him as a low-end QB2 in fantasy with upside.
--Keith HernandezSource: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
August 16, 2025
Boston Red Sox catcher
Carlos Narvaez (knee) has been battling knee soreness of late, which is the reason for his absence from the lineup earlier in the week. While he did return to play on Friday night, he was absent from Saturday's lineup, giving way to the possibility that he could be fatigued or still suffering from recurring soreness. Since the All-Star Break, the 26-year-old has struggled at the plate to the tune of a .130/.161/.296 slash line over 16 games played. It remains to be seen if additional rest can lead to a better approach at the plate. He can stay on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Jen McCaffrey
August
16,
2025
Pittsburgh
Pirates
interim
manager
Don
Kelly
said
that
left-hander
Andrew
Heaney
will
pitch
out
of
the
bullpen
for
the
rest
of
the
year,
according
to
Noah
Hiles
of
Pittsburgh
PG.
It
read more...
August 16, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates prospect
Konnor Griffin stayed hot Friday, going 1-for-3 with a single, a run scored, and two stolen bases. The 19-year-old now has 58 steals on the season across two levels and continues to flash his five-tool skill set. Since his promotion to High-A Greensboro, Griffin is slashing .319/.429/.508 with seven home runs in 49 games. The Jackson, Mississippi native is one of the fastest risers in dynasty formats and should already be rostered in long-term leagues. While his MLB debut likely won't come until 2027 at the earliest, Griffin profiles as a high-upside dynasty asset.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Young Bucs
August 16, 2025
Seattle Mariners first baseman
Josh Naylor (illness) is feeling better and is starting at first base and batting cleanup for Saturday's tilt against the hosting New York Mets and rookie right-hander
Nolan McLean, who will be making his major-leagu debut. Naylor was under the weather and did not play in Friday's series opener at Citi Field, but the 28-year-old left-handed slugger is back in there now and hitting in the heart of Seattle's batting order. The Canadian first baseman should be returned to starting fantasy lineups against the rookie right-hander on Saturday. It's been a strong season for Naylor, although he does have only 15 home runs in 414 at-bats. Since the Mariners acquired him from the Arizona Diamondbacks, he's gone 19-for-65 (.292) with four home runs, 10 RBI, 11 stolen bases and 11 runs scored in 18 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 16, 2025
Texas Rangers second baseman
Marcus Semien (wrist) is out of the starting lineup for Saturday's contest against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays after he was hit by a pitch on his wrist in Friday night's game, according to Shawn McFarland of th Dallas Morning News. Semien said he woke up on Saturday and his wrist was swollen, so he will go for X-rays.
Ezequiel Duran will start at the keystone and bat eighth on Saturday against Blue Jays left-hander
Eric Lauer. It's the first time that Semien has been out since April, and depending on his X-ray results, this could result in a trip to the injured list for the 34-year-old veteran. Fantasy managers need to prepare for that possibility. Semien has been a disappointment in 2025 and has hit just .157 (8-for-51) with a homer, two doubles, six RBI and seven strikeouts in 13 games in August.
--Keith HernandezSource: Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
August
16,
2025
Philadelphia
Eagles
quarterback
Jalen
Hurts
is
not
expected
to
play
in
the
team's
second
preseason
game
on
Saturday
against
the
Cleveland
Browns,
according
to
Tim
McManus
of
ESPN.
Tanner
McKee
also
read more...
August
16,
2025
Cleveland
Browns
wide
receiver
Jerry
Jeudy
and
running
back
Jerome
Ford
are
not
expected
to
play
in
the
team's
second
preseason
game
on
Saturday
against
the
Philadelphia
Eagles,
according
to
Browns
read more...
August 16, 2025
Alex Brasky of SI.com writes that Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Keon Coleman "has dominated training camp" this summer, and it continued with a couple of touchdown catches during Friday's joint practice with the Chicago Bears. The 22-year-old former second-rounder (33rd overall) in 2024 appears to be taking the next step heading into his sophomore campaign after disappointing with 29 catches, 556 yards and four touchdowns on 57 targets in 13 regular-season games (12 starts) a year ago. Coleman has taken advantage of top wideout
Khalil Shakir missing time in camp with an ankle injury. With
Joshua Palmer now in town to serve as a deep threat down the field, the hope is that Coleman's route tree expands and he becomes a more versatile pass-catcher. If that's the case and he continues to ascend, Coleman will end up being an excellent value pick in fantasy drafts in the later rounds.
--Keith HernandezSource: SI.com - Alex Brasky
August 16, 2025
Atlanta Falcons placekicker
Younghoe Koo was a perfect 2-for-2 on field goal attempts and 2-for-2 on extra points in Friday's 23-20 loss to the Titans. The 31-year-old hit from 39 and 42 yards out, but is coming off a rough 2024 in which he converted just 74 percent of his field goal attempts before missing the final three games of 2024 with a hip injury.
Lenny Krieg handled kicking duties in the team's first preseason matchup and is presumably in the mix to compete for the starting job. Krieg hit from 57 yards and missed from 53 in that first game while converting his lone extra point. Regardless of who wins the job, after Koo's struggles and the Falcons' murky offensive outlook, there are better options to choose from at kicker in 12-team fantasy leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
August 16, 2025
Washington Commanders rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (shoulder) was wearing a non-contact jersey in Saturday's training camp practice, according to Ben Standig. Croskey-Merritt only took part in individual drills at practice as he works through a minor shoulder injury. The 24-year-old seventh-rounder suffered the shoulder injury in the preseason opener last week against the New England Patriots, when he carried the ball seven times for 24 yards while catching his only target for eight yards. He has been impressive during camp as he competes for a depth role in Washington's backfield behind
Austin Ekeler and
Brian Robinson Jr. Croskey-Merritt's primary competition for a 53-man roster spot this summer are
Jeremy McNichols and
Chris Rodriguez Jr. From all accounts, Croskey-Merritt has done enough so far to make the team.
--Keith HernandezSource: Ben Standig
August 16, 2025
The Toronto Blue Jays activated outfielder
George Springer (concussion) from the seven-day concussion injured list on Saturday and optioned outfielder
Joey Loperfido to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Springer will jump right back into the starting lineup for Saturday's contest against the visiting Texas Rangers and left-hander
Patrick Corbin, as he's serving as the designated hitter and batting leadoff at Rogers Centre. Fantasy managers will want to get Springer back in their lineups immdiately this weekend, as he's having a resurgent 2025 campaign and has hit .364 with a 1.112 OPS, one home run and five RBI in 11 career at-bats against Corbin. However, he has hit only .225 (20-for-89) with six of his 18 home runs on the year against left-handed pitchers.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
August 16, 2025
Third baseman
Gio Urshela was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Friday, per the team. Infielder
Brett Harris was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas as the corresponding move. Urshela struggled in 197 plate appearances for the Athletics in 2025, recording a .236/.287/.326 slash line with zero home runs, 20 RBI, and 10 runs scored. The 33-year-old posted his highest strikeout rate (20.3%) since 2021, and his lowest barrel rate (2.1%) since 2017. Urshela is known as a strong defender at third base, but has posted subpar defensive metrics in 2025 as well. He may catch on with a different club for the stretch run, but he should remain off the fantasy radar.
--Will BradySource: A's Communications
August 16, 2025
After practice on Friday afternoon at Richmond Raceway, Kyle Busch was being pointed at as one of the drivers to beat for Saturday night's Cook Out 400. However, for that to be the case, he's going to have some work to do, as the No. 8 Chevrolet will roll off the starting grid from 28th place for this weekend's race. Busch is a six-time winner at Richmond, and his teammate Austin Dillon had the best car in this race one year ago, so that has to be encouraging for the Richard Childress Racing organization. Since joining RCR, however, Busch has had just one good finish at this track -- a third-place effort in 2023. As far as DraftKings and DFS goes, Busch ($8,500 on DraftKings) is sure to be a popular pick due to his practice speed and place-differential upside. Hopefully he won't get stuck a lap down early on, though, as there is always a possibility of that happening at such a short track.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: Jayski
August 16, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback
Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) is expected to start Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to the team. With the Browns battling injuries under center, the third-round pick from Oregon will take the reins in a meeting with the defending Super Bowl champions. Expected Week 1 starter
Joe Flacco is resting, while
Kenny Pickett (hamstring) is limited with a hamstring injury, and fifth-round rookie
Shedeur Sanders (oblique) suffered an oblique strain earlier this week. Sanders turned heads in a preseason-opening 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers last week. Gabriel didn't play in that game as a result of a hamstring injury, but he'll have his chance to stand out on Saturday. He and veteran
Tyler Huntley are expected to be the only available Cleveland QBs.
--Connor ByrneSource: Zac Jackson - The Athletic
August 16, 2025
Tyler Reddick will roll off the starting grid from the outside pole for Saturday night's Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, and it'll be interesting to see what kind of speed the No. 45 Toyota has in the race. Reddick's track record at "The Action Track" isn't awful, but it's not great by any means. Outside of his third-place finish in last year's race, Reddick has never finished better than 10th in a Cup Series racxe here, and he has just two top-10 finishes in nine career starts at Richmond. Obviously the solid qualifying effort is a positive for Reddick and his team this weekend, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him slip back after the race starts and settle into the back end of the top 10. The No. 45 Toyota was just 18th-fastest in practice on Friday. As far as DraftKings goes, Reddick ($8,700) should be used sparingly in tournament-style lineups.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: Driver Averages
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