Fantasy Baseball Today FBT Express - Cristian Javier's Return & Josh Hader's Shoulder Injury! (8/12 Fantasy Baseball podcast)
Aug 12, 2025
Cristian Javier makes an impressive comeback, showcasing improved velocity and pitch variety. The team assesses the potential of young pitchers Zebby Matthews and Jacob Lopez, comparing their stats to find future standouts. In injury news, Josh Hader's shoulder injury raises eyebrows, prompting a discussion about Brian Abreu as a potential replacement for fantasy managers. Finally, strategies for leveraging waiver wires and evaluating young hitters emerge, stressing both their promise and the need for cautious optimism.
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Episode notes
Javier's Stuff Looked Close To 2022
- Cristian Javier showed improved fastball velocity and an excellent slider in his return start.
- That combination makes him a more useful fantasy option down the stretch than previously expected.
Pitch Mix Changes Boost Javier's Outlook
- Javier added a firmer changeup and threw a sinker and an excellent slider with strong whiff rates.
- Those pitch adjustments and whiffs suggest he could regain fantasy viability even if he doesn't fully return to 2022 form.
Matthews' Strikeout/Control Makes Him Most Valuable
- Zevi Matthews ranks highest among the three due to elite strikeout and walk metrics despite homer issues.
- If Matthews reduces home run frequency he could be a must-start because of his strikeout and control profile.