Twins pummel the Yankees 7-0 as Brooks Lee fuels the offense with a homer and an RBI double, while Simeon Woods-Richardson racks up 11 strikeouts. Cubs beat the Pirates behind Dansby Swanson’s two hits and Pete Crow-Armstrong’s homer, with Taillon and Soroka quieting the Pittsburgh bats. Orioles edge the White Sox 4-1 as Kyle Bradish resurges. The Braves pop up as a contextual benchmark. Key fantasy angles: early-season depth for Chicago, breakout Twins bats, and Bradish’s return slate.

Braves shuffle pitching depth for a doubleheader with Washington, promoting Jose Suarez and recalling Nathan Wiles while sending Connor Seabold and Alexis Diaz to Gwinnett. Sean Murphy lands on the 60-day IL. Suarez becomes the 18th Braves starter this season, underscoring a bullpen-forward approach as Atlanta navigates a busy twin bill and seeks veteran-length from its depth.

Washington Capitals unveil a retro-inspired third jersey honoring multiple eras. Debut Oct. 17 vs Minnesota Wild, to be worn in 15 home games this season and through at least three years. Red base with white shoulder yoke, Capitol Dome patch, and Screaming Eagle crest from 1995-2007 anchor the look, plus DMV stripes and a DC flag loop. Ovechkin praises the design. Cross-promotions include a Smithsonian statue donning the kit and Nationals players wearing Screaming Eagle shirts before a game; Dylan Strome to throw the first pitch at a Nationals game vs Braves. Jerseys go on sale Oct. 17.

This season-by-season look identifies the biggest ups and downs for all 30 MLB clubs through the lens of fantasy value and betting angles. It highlights breakout talents like Geraldo Perdomo and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and notes pivotal shifts—injury blights, roster moves, and late-season surges—that will shape 2026 fantasy projections and postseason bets. The Dodgers loom as potential back-to-back champs, but health and depth will determine whether the forecast is fate or fiction.