Cleveland rides a season-high five-game win streak into Detroit, chasing a postseason push as Gavin Williams faces Detroit ace Jack Flaherty. Cleveland sits 5.5 games back in the AL Central and 2.5 behind the final wild-card slot, with 12 regular-season games left. Detroit is favored at home (-146) in a critical midweek matchup that could redefine fantasy planning for pitchers Williams and Flaherty, while the rest of the slate features implied offense and run-line intrigue.

Yordan Alvarez’s left ankle injury creates a sharp test for Houston’s playoff push. Without the middle-of-the-order slugger, the Astros must lean on depth as they chase the second AL wild card. Alvarez’s absence reshapes the lineup and fantasy projections, while Isaac Paredes and Carlos Correa may help stabilize the offense if healthy. The AL wild-card landscape remains fluid with the Red Sox, Guardians, Mariners, and Yankees looming.

Connelly Early’s second start against Oakland showed a rookie adapting on the fly, flipping from a sinkerless plan to a heavier sinker attack on righties, while elevating the fastball and sharpening the changeup. The adjustment produced more two strike sequences and whiffs, signaling a repeatable, fantasy-friendly approach for Boston if the plan sticks. A breakout vibe for pitchers and streamers alike.

Streaming pitchers highlight the Wednesday slate with Peterson, Singer and Giolito as reliable plays, and Ragans likely limited by workload. Key matchups favor Brewers, Cardinals and Cubs while Phillies and Twins face tougher draws. Hitters to stream lean Marlins at Coors and Marlins hitters at Rockies, with Dodgers, Jays and Rooker in prop bets. THE BAT X backs top HR props Guerrero Jr., Pages and Rooker, plus NRFI/YRFI angles.

Rangers playoff chances have narrowed dramatically after opening in Houston, leaving Texas 3.5 games out with roughly a week and a half left. FanGraphs pegs their odds around 12.9%, and the path to overtaking Boston and Cleveland hinges on an outsized finish and favorable tiebreakers. With a looming showdown against Cleveland and a Boston chase, every game, inning and matchup matters for fantasy rosters that rely on timely wins, bullpen saves, and power production in late September.