Six weeks remain in the regular season, and every IL stint carries season-ending implications in fantasy. The headline is Zack Wheeler’s blood clot in the shoulder, a wrench in the NL Cy Young conversation and a gut punch for that dream rotation. The Phillies haven’t set a timetable, but blood thinners and restframes make a return this year a high-stakes needle thread, with a postseason window feeling more plausible than a late-season push. The piece leans into the broader IL landscape, urging owners to stash potential difference-makers rather than chase only activation timelines.

Key targets cited include Yordan Alvarez’s rehab from a fractured hand, Chris Sale’s rehab arc from a fractured rib, and Jackson Chourio’s looming return from a hamstring issue. The column emphasizes prioritizing players whose timelines are hazy but could swing the balance once they’re back, and it frames IL stashing as a strategic bet on upside over guaranteed short-term gains.

Cincinnati Reds toppled Milwaukee in a dramatic 3-2 walk-off in 10 innings to snap the Brewers’ 14-game win streak, the longest active streak in MLB this season. Andrew Abbott worked seven scoreless frames for Cincinnati, while Milwaukee’s offense went quiet until a ninth-inning rally was sparked by William Contreras’ two-run homer that flipped a tight game in the Brewers’ favor before Cincinnati answered late.

The bottom of the ninth produced an unearned Reds run to force extras, and in the 10th, Cincinnati loaded the bases after walking Elly De La Cruz and Will Benson. Austin Hays lined a walk-off single down the third-base line for the Reds, sealing a memorable comeback. Earlier, Blake Perkins’ bunt with the automatic runner on second backfired, ending Milwaukee’s late threat as the Reds finally closed it out in the extra inning.

The MLB's 2025 season's two-start pitcher options for the week show promising matchups for fantasy managers. Key players like Garrett Crochet and Nathan Eovaldi are highlighted for their strong performances, with Eovaldi boasting an impressive 1.38 ERA. Players like George Kirby and Jeffrey Springs also have favorable matchups this week, making them solid choices. However, caution is advised with pitchers like Dean Kremer and Andrew Heaney, who face tougher challenges. Pay attention to the Dodgers, as they won’t have any two-start pitchers due to their six-man rotation.

As MLB action heats up, savvy bettors are focusing on No Runs First Inning (NRFI) wagers, with notable success. Last Friday, a solid performance saw a 3-1 record on four NRFI bets, narrowly missing a sweep due to a late solo home run from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Today, 13 games offer enticing NRFI opportunities, and after careful consideration, six prime betting spots are highlighted for August 4, 2025.

Among today's matchups, Justin Verlander's start for the San Francisco Giants against Johan Oviedo's debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates stands out. The Pirates’ recent offensive output may suffer from a 'Coors Hangover,' creating a favorable NRFI environment. Cade Povich's return for the Orioles against the Phillies also presents a compelling case, given his strong performance metrics pre-injury. With key matchups like the Guardians vs. Mets and Reds vs. Cubs, where pitchers Slade Cecconi and Nick Lodolo have recently excelled, bettors should closely analyze the conditions, especially weather factors, before placing their NRFI bets.