Seiya Suzuki delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kyle Tucker kicked off the scoring sequence by singling and swiping second base before Suzuki’s grounder to center plated him. Nico Hoerner added a two-out RBI double after an intentional pass to Ian Happ. Shota Imanaga spun seven strong innings for the Cubs, and Brad Keller closed it out to seal the win.

The Cubs finally snapped a skid, getting three runs from a lineup that has often been held in check this month. Pittsburgh’s offense was limited to a Tommy Pham homer and a handful of opportunities, with rookie Mike Burrows going five innings and Evan Sisk exiting after one, leaving the Pirates to rue missed chances in a tight ballgame. The series concludes with Cubs ace-in-waiting Javier Assad taking the ball for Chicago and Carmen Mlodzinski opening for Pittsburgh, signaling more bullpen depth will be tested in game three.

Fantasy angles center on Suzuki’s late-game power and Tucker’s baserunning pace in a run-heavy back-end of the lineup, while Imanaga’s seven-inning gem underscores Chicago’s ongoing confidence in the lefty. For Pittsburgh, Pham’s homer provides a spark, but the offense will need more sustained production from the top of the order as the Pirates lean on Burrows’ five innings and a deeper bullpen to cover the rest of the series.

Toronto opened a six-game homestand with a 5-1 win over Chicago, riding Ernie Clement’s three-run homer in the fourth after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Daulton Varsho set the table. Guerrero finished with three hits, Varsho homered, and Jose Berrios battled control but escaped with five-plus innings of one-run ball as the Blue Jays pounded out 12 hits.

Berrios walked four but limited the Cubs to two hits and no runs, while Assad struggled for Chicago, allowing four earned runs in four innings. Michael Busch drove in Chicago’s lone run in the seventh as Toronto bullpen slammed the door. The win moves Toronto to 70-50 (best in the AL) and improves their home mark to 39-19. The Jays outhit Chicago 12-4, and a Bichette catch-and-throw highlight in the fourth underscored Toronto’s defensive energy.

Interleague success continues for Toronto, now 23-11 against NL foes—the best interleague winning percentage in the majors. The series continues Wednesday at Rogers Centre with Kevin Gausman scheduled to oppose Cade Horton. The near-sellout crowd of 43,003 left with a clear message: Toronto’s balanced attack travels well, and Guerrero, Clement, and Bichette remain central fantasy pillars as the lineup tightens against solid but inconsistent opposition.

Ernie Clement’s misread bunt sign sparked Toronto’s best moment of the night, turning a routine sacrifice into a three-run homer off Javier Assad and instantly giving the Blue Jays a 4-0 lead in a 5-1 win over the Cubs. Alejandro Kirk opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first, and Daulton Varsho added a solo shot in the eighth to seal the cushion. Jose Berrios pitched into the sixth inning before handing off to the bullpen, setting a tone as Toronto opened the three-game series with a win against Chicago’s offense. The night also spotlighted Toronto’s depth: Clement’s hot bat, plus the return of Andres Giménez to the lineup, and Addison Barger shifting from third to right field as Cliff Lee’s return allowed lineup juggling. In the broader context, Toronto sits in good company near franchise milestones, while the baseball world kept an eye on the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani after a weekend against L.A.’s power. The clash underscored Toronto’s growing ability to blend steady, timely hitting with opportunistic power, a mix that should keep fantasy managers vigilant for daily shifts and breakout performances as the team chases big-season goals.

Toronto rode a Janssen of offense to a 5-1 win over Chicago, becoming the first AL club to reach 70 wins. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. piled up three hits as the Blue Jays cruised behind a sharp Jose Berríos (5 1/3 scoreless) and a patient lineup that plated runs early with Alejandro Kirk’s RBI single and Ernie Clement’s three-run blast off Javier Assad. Daulton Varsho added a leadoff homer in the eighth to widen the gap. Cubs' bullpen work limited Toronto after Assad was tagged for four runs in four innings. Toronto’s crowd of 43,003 cheered a 23-11 mark vs NL opponents and a stout 39-19 home record. Up next: Gausman vs Horton.

Miguel Amaya’s minor-league rehab is done, and he’s poised for activation with the Cubs, adding catching depth as the 40-man roster reshuffles to clear space for his return. Javier Assad moves onto the 40-man, while Nate Pearson is sent to Triple-A Iowa to make room. Jameson Taillon’s rehab progression hints at a potential Monday start in the doubleheader against Milwaukee, which could shift Ben Brown back to Iowa when rosters expand. The Cubs’ pitching staff gains depth at a critical juncture as Amaya, Assad, and Taillon rejoin the big-league club.

Assad hasn’t pitched this year due to oblique issues, but his path to the bullpen or a spot start in the doubleheader could tighten Chicago’s long relief options. Taillon, after a calf strain, carried a strong run earlier in 2025 (13 starts, 2.99 ERA, 0.919 WHIP) and could be a meaningful set of innings as the rotation re-stabilizes. McGuire’s fate hangs on roster moves, while Nate Pearson’s return to Iowa opens a 40-man slot for Amaya. Activation timing and bullpen roles will shape the Cubs’ immediate fantasy upside and the depth chart through August and September.