Kayfus delivered a 425-foot go-ahead homer in the eighth, lifting Cleveland to a 3-2 win over Kansas City and keeping their playoff hopes alive in a tense chase for the final AL wild card.

The Guardians leaned on the bottom of the order, with Bo Naylor starting the late-inning rally and Kayfus finishing it, as Steven Kwan, Jose Ramírez and Kyle Manzardo supplied key support. With Seattle and Texas still nipping at the margin, this win mattered as much for momentum as standings.

Guardians sit 73-70, three games back of Seattle for the AL Wild Card, shifting focus to the offseason. Cleveland targets Cedric Mullins to anchor the lineup around Jose Ramirez and Kyle Manzardo, hoping for a rebound in power and on-base skills. Bleacher Report envisions Mullins as the 6th hitter in a 2026 Opening Day setup that also features Travis Bazzana and Steven Kwan atop Ramirez and Manzardo, creating a deeper, more dynamic order. Mullins’ 2025 power streaks and speed could pay off if his bat returns, but the cost must match the upside.

Beside Mullins, the Guardians anticipate a youth infusion with Bazzana in the mix, while Manzardo and Kwan form a formidable top four that should drive offense. The bottom of the order will decide Cleveland’s fate, as Mullins must provide enough pop and consistency to validate a signing. In short, Cleveland bets on offense to finally translate Ramirez’s peak years into a playoff chase.

Zack Kelly bridged Boston’s bullpen with four shutout innings in an 8-1 loss to Cleveland, a rare bright spot after a seven-run first-innings surge. Expanded rosters gave him a chance to show endurance and a cutter-driven plan that kept hitters off balance. Steven Kwan’s 11-pitch battle underscored Cleveland’s patient approach, while Roman Anthony’s oblique strain and roster chatter (Sogard vs Campbell) highlight Boston’s balancing act as rosters expand, with Alex Cora praising Kelly’s grit.

The piece sketches how bullpen depth could shape September and potential fantasy value for Sox relievers, even amid limited offense. It also flags Anthony’s injury as a variable in Boston’s prospect timeline and hints at how the Sox might allocate innings as the season closes.

The Guardians rolled to an 8-1 win at Fenway as Joey Cantillo spun six solid innings with seven strikeouts, flashing a crisp changeup and improved control that boosts his ceiling toward a #3 starter. George Valera notched his first big‑league hit and carried himself with poise. Gabriel Arias delivered a two‑run homer, Bryan Rocchio kept producing, and Steven Kwan joined the multi‑hit parade with a 3-for-5 night. CJ Kayfus and Bo Naylor added two doubles apiece, while Jose Ramirez cooled off but remains a longtime fantasy asset. Cantillo’s breakout vibe, Valera’s arrival, and the offense’s depth headline a strong push as Cleveland heads to Tampa for four with implications for prospect timelines and late-season fantasy moves.