The Cubs leaned on Turner against left-handers, turning a tie game into a 3-2 win with a go-ahead RBI double off Sale after fending off an 0-2 count. Taillon returned from the IL to give Chicago 4 1/3 innings, keeping the Braves at bay while the lineup leaned into baserunning and timely hits from Suzuki and Kelly. The surge in steals—six in the series and counting—combined with steady pitching gives Chicago a late-season spark as October approaches.

Pete Crow-Armstrong breaks out for the Cubs, posting a solid .253 with a 785 OPS and earning his first All-Star nod. Mentorship from Turner and Santana, plus Counsell's focus on the next play, have sharpened his mental game and reset approach during slumps. A brief burst after an off day underscored a higher gear as the season nears its end.

He owns 28 homers and 85 RBI, with a recent 162-game line of .277/.317/.527, signaling a power-speed blend that could sustain fantasy relevance. The clubhouse leadership has helped him channel emotion into consistency, making him a cornerstone as Chicago chases a late-season push.

Joe Ryan headlines the pitching slate with a favorable Royals matchup, backed by a trio of solid arms including Glasnow and Ian Seymour. Freeman leads top targets, while Story and Kremer offer lefty-friendly angles and upside. Jung-Hoo Lee, Blaze Alexander, and a trio of Oakland bats (Langeliers, Rooker, Wilson) provide salary relief. Padres’ stack (Tatis, Machado, Laureano) stands out, with the A's and D-backs also set to feature prominently on Friday's DFS board.

The Chicago Cubs celebrated Greg Maddux Tarp Sliding Bobblehead Day at Wrigley Field, where the ceremony started with a 100-year-old man throwing the first pitch. This festive atmosphere culminated in an unforgettable moment as 40-year-old Justin Turner hit a two-run walk-off home run, clinching a 5-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. This win is significant, not just for the scoreboard, but as it may be a turning point in the Cubs' season as they trail the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central.

Turner, who hadn't consistently hit while coming off the bench, celebrated his first regular-season walk-off home run after 1,736 games. The emotional context of the weekend, filled with tributes to Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg, added to the significance of the victory. His teammates reflected on Turner's leadership and commitment, proving that a veteran's value often reaches beyond statistics.

The Pittsburgh Pirates managed to secure a victory against the Colorado Rockies, winning 9-5 after losing the first two games of the series. Spencer Horwitz was the standout player, hitting two home runs, including a three-run shot that contributed significantly to the Pirates' lead. The team started strong with an infield single from Nick Gonzales followed by a powerful 446-foot home run from Tommy Pham, putting the Pirates up 3-0 early. Mitch Keller led the pitching efforts, allowing only one run through five innings before the Rockies responded with back-to-back-to-back homers in the sixth inning.