Giancarlo Stanton will return to the Yankees' lineup in right field on Tuesday after missing three games with general soreness, while Aaron Boone provided little clarity on Aaron Judge's future field status beyond a cautious approach. Judge, limited to designated hitter duties since Aug. 5, is battling a thumb issue and has no timetable for a field return. Trainers will give a thumbs up before any on-field action, with long toss expected but not a Tampa return this week. New York entered the week with a three-game lead for the final AL wild-card spot after sweeping St. Louis, and they’ll lean on Judge’s bat if he stays productive while managing risk in the outfield. Stanton, hitting .299 with 12 homers and 34 RBIs, adds steadiness but carries a long injury history that tempers expectations for him in the outfield. Boone also noted Judge’s fielding health could influence how the Yankees deploy their outfield mix going forward, especially with Judge's health remaining uncertain for the rest of the season.

Judge's elite line—batting .333 with 39 HRs, 91 RBIs, and a 1.134 OPS entering the week—gives the Yankees star power, but the team must balance production with risk if he can't throw or play the field. Stanton has surged back into action after tendinitis issues in both elbows delayed his debut until mid-June, and his recent soreness has limited his recent outfield work. The combination of Stanton's bat and Judge's health will shape New York's lineup decisions as they chase the postseason, with the wild-card battle heating up and the clock ticking on Judge’s readiness for full positional impact.

Trevor Story is fully healthy and driving a postseason push for Boston, thanks to a dominant on-base and speed revival. His 21 straight stolen bases to start the season set a Red Sox Expansion Era mark, signaling a return of the speed element many hoped would anchor Boston’s offense. Across the last fortnight, Story has surged to a .319 clip with an .810 OPS, adding three extra-base hits and 11 RBIs in 12 games, including Friday’s walk-off winner that plated Roman Anthony and underscored Boston’s late-season momentum.

The resurgence comes as Boston clings to the American League’s second wild-card spot with a 67–56 record, and health remains the most pressing storyline for Story after years of injuries. His athleticism and marketable speed could unlock more aggressive baserunning and run-producing opportunities for the lineup, a boon for fantasy managers eyeing stolen-base upside and RBI potential as the Sox navigate a tight October race.

Ron Darling’s autumn took an unexpected turn as he steps into a Houston backdrop while not seeing an Astros ALCS for the first time since 2016. He’ll call Houston’s tilt vs Detroit for TBS, then return to Houston for a Sept. 2 home date against the Yankees, a schedule that underscores how central Houston has been to his career. The Astros’ arc remains defined by resilience: injuries have pocked the roster, yet the club’s depth and culture carry them toward another division crown.

Houston’s season has not been smooth: Alvarez hasn’t danced in the lineup since May 2, Hader hit the IL, and a midseason influx of Correa, Sánchez, and Urías reshapes the roster. Darling argues the core—plus a healthy Alvarez upon rehab—still fuels the club’s big‑moment pedigree. Carlos Correa’s return, Bregman’s Boston chapter, and the continued dial‑up of Houston’s pitching staff paint a team ready to weather adversity and chase playoff success, with Seattle looming as a formidable challenger.

In Darling’s view, the Astros’ ability to win with whatever is available defines them. The lineup evolves, but the winning culture endures, and the team’s championship DNA is a lure for fantasy managers eyeing late-season value from stepping-up role players and relievers who can close gaps in the bullpen as the postseason nears.

Toronto heads to Pittsburgh for a pivotal tilt with the Pirates, armed with an offense that has surged to the top of MLB averages since the All-Star break. The Jays sit five games ahead of New York and Boston in the crowded AL East, so tonight’s result carries extra weight for fantasy managers chasing stage-setting wins. FanDuel’s numbers lean Toronto on the moneyline (-144) and the -1.5 run line (+118), with an 8-run total. Mitch Keller’s form gives Toronto optimism; Keller has scuffled of late, while Max Scherzer has looked solid for Toronto this season.

With Paul Skenes not drawing the assignment tonight, Toronto will try to plate runs early and back Scherzer’s steady dose of run prevention. Keller’s recent 7.54 ERA over five starts is the key fade spot, and Toronto’s bats have reason to stay aggressive against Pittsburgh’s lineup. The betting angles suggest fading the Pirates and leaning into the Jays’ hot offense, while Keller’s spot starts a more favorable path for Toronto than expected.

The Yankees sit atop the AL wild-card picture after a 7-3 stretch, primed for a pivotal series in the Bronx against the Rays as both clubs chase playoff spots. Tampa Bay slid from the postseason chase after dealing assets at the deadline, while New York braces for a run at the top Wild Card and a possible surge in the crowded AL East race.

In the marquee matchup, Carlos Rodón goes for New York against Shane Baz of Tampa Bay. Aaron Judge looms as a prime DFS/street-promise option, especially given his history against Baz and his power against right-handed pitching this year. The betting line has the Yankees as slim road favorites with favorable remaining schedules helping their cause.

From a fantasy angle, Rodón’s steady 2025 profile and Judge’s popping upside against Baz stand out. The Rays’ lefty-vs-righty dynamics and Tampa’s post-deadline shift add volatility, but New York’s top OPS and runs-scoring pace keep them in the center of attention as they vie for a deeper October run.