The Pirates visit the Chicago Cubs for a three‑game set on Friday as a mid‑August pivot in a crowded NL race. Pittsburgh sits 51-71 and has yet to name a starter, while Chicago hands the ball to Colin Rea (4.09 era) in a matchup that could swing leverage for both clubs. The Pirates just endured a brutal Brewers series where pitching allowed 33 runs and the offense managed six. Chicago wrapped a series with Toronto with a 2-1 loss, as Matthew Boyd labored for seven innings but Max Scherzer shut the door. The Cubs sit eight games back in the NL Central but 4.5 games up for a Wild Card spot. NBC Sports’ page lays out odds: Pirates +162, Cubs -196, with Cubs -1.5 and a 9.0 total. The projected pitching duel is TBD vs Rea, with Rea bringing a steady, attackable profile. Nightly lineups and live updates are essential for fantasy players enjoying this clash.

Expect Rea to attack hitters with a mix of fastball and change, while the Cubs lean on their home‑field edge and depth in the lineup. In fantasy terms, Nico Hoerner and Kyle Tucker emerge as players to watch for value against a Pirates bullpen that’s been stressed, while Colin Rea’s ability to work around danger will determine early momentum. The NBC model’s edge lines up Cubs on the moneyline, but a Pirates upset remains a plausible path if Chicago drifts late in the game. The best route for bettors and fantasy players is to track the in‑game moves and the first few innings for clues on who steps up when it matters most.

Stretch drive on the horizon and Sorare MLB lineups have to adapt. Upgrades ignite upside: Matthew Boyd jumps as a top pitching add with a career-best season, plus Brent Rooker and Taylor Ward provide heavy on-base and RBI potential as the Athletics and Angels trend toward late-season bursts. Holds lean into Malik-like caveats: Lawrence Butler, Jackson Holliday, and Nick Lodolo offer value with patience, while downgrades such as Ozzie Albies, Clay Holmes, and Nathaniel Lowe carry clear downside risk on short weeks. The narrative centers on park shifts, platoon splits, and the necessity to balance hot streaks with injury or matchup risk as September looms.

Matthew Boyd is seizing a second chance at a significant workload with the Chicago Cubs, pitching 130.2 innings this season—more than his last two combined. Boyd's performance has been impressive, boasting a 2.34 ERA and earning an All-Star selection. His journey reflects a shift in MLB, as teams increasingly adopt tailored approaches to pitching workloads, rather than strict limits. Players like Garrett Crochet and Clay Holmes are also experiencing increased innings, showcasing a trend towards more flexible management of pitchers' health and performance. Despite the risks, managers are shifting away from conventional wisdom to maximize the potential of their pitchers in playoff races.

MLB action is buzzing with all 30 teams playing, but only 12 games are highlighted for DFS lineups. Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies is a top pitcher with a stellar $10,900 price point after six straight starts allowing just one run. Matthew Boyd from the Chicago Cubs is another solid choice, displaying a remarkable 2.20 ERA. On the offensive front, Trea Turner stands out as he is on track for a potential 30-homer/30-stolen base season. Randy Arozarena, priced at $3,300, is also making waves as he approaches his fifth consecutive 20/20 season. Expect big performances in today's DFS slate!