New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos got the scoring going for the Mets in Friday's 6-4 win over the Reds with a two-run home run in the first inning, then finished it off with a two-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning. It was part of a 3-for-5 day at the plate, giving him four multi-hit games in his last five and eight of his last 13. The former second-round draft pick has gone into full breakout mode in 2024 since he arrived for good in May, slashing .289/.342/.563 with 20 doubles, 24 home runs, and 62 RBI in just 91 games. Despite being a zero in the stolen base department, he's greatly increased his fantasy stock for 2025.

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI, and three runs scored in Friday's 16-2 rout over the Marlins. It was Schwarber's fifth home run in his last four games and 33rd of the season. From August 9 to September 1 (22 games), the 31-year-old limped to a .125/.228/.193 slashline, but over the last four games he's gone 10-for-19 (.526) with a pair of doubles, five home runs, 10 RBI, and eight runs scored. The 2x All-Star has authored a .249-33-92-96-5 line hitting atop the Phillies lineup with a .368 wOBA and 137 wRC+.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez had another strong outing in Friday's 8-0 victory over the Diamondbacks, tossing seven shutout innings, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out seven on the way to picking up his 14th win of the season. The southpaw had a 1.59 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, and a 24.0% K-BB% over five starts in August and looks to have carried that momentum right on into September with his 15th quality start of the year. The 30-year-old now has a 2.97 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.09 WHIP, and a 16.5% K-BB% in 2024. The 2x All-Star gets a favorable matchup his next time out when he faces the Athletics at home next Thursday.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler threw six innings of one-run ball in Friday's 16-2 victory over the Marlins, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters on the way to earning his 14th win of the season. It was the seventh straight quality start, giving him 22 on the season and the most quality starts in all of baseball. The former first-round draft pick is having a Cy Young-caliber season, posting a 2.59 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 21.0% K-BB% over 28 starts. The 34-year-old will take on the Rays in his next matchup at home on Wednesday.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Alex Cobb (finger) has been scratched from his scheduled start on Saturday at Dodger Stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a blister issue. Cobb had a small blister surface on the inside of the middle finger on his throwing hand when he faced the Pittsburgh Pirates last Sunday. Instead, right-hander Gavin Williams will face the Dodgers on Saturday, with right-hander Tanner Bibee moving into Williams' spot on Sunday. It's been one thing after another for Cobb this year, who landed on the injured list in the middle of August with a fractured nail. The 36-year-old veteran started the year with the Giants but didn't pitch at all for them before being traded to Cleveland. He's been solid in his three starts for the Guardians with a 2.76 ERA with 10 K's and three walks, but he wouldn't have been a recommended fantasy streamer in LA against a potent Dodgers lineup.