Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are on nondisciplinary paid leave as MLB investigates possible gambling in games they pitched. The extension is open-ended and could stretch beyond the season, complicating Cleveland's late-season save outlook and fantasy planning. Cade Smith has stepped in as closer, shifting the Guardians' bullpen dynamics while they chase a playoff spot. The case echoes MLB's broader crackdown, highlighted by Tucupita Marcano's Padres ban in June 2024.

The unfolding story keeps fantasy managers alert to bullpen volatility and the risk of sudden role changes as the season winds down.

Duran's inside-the-park homer at Fenway turned a 1-1 game into a 4-1 Boston lead and sparked a 5-2 win over Pittsburgh. It was Duran's first career inside-the-park blast, the Fenway milestone marking a rare highlight in a lineup chasing a playoff berth. He enters with a .258 average, 13 homers and 73 RBIs, and Boston sits 76-62—within reach of the Blue Jays and fighting for a late wild-card push.

Cedanne Rafaela delivered an RBI single in the sixth, Wilyer Abreu had flashed his own power earlier (and a June inside-the-park/grand slam combo), and even with Alexander Canario's solo shot for Pittsburgh, the Red Sox held on, keeping their postseason hopes alive as they prepare for Cleveland in a pivotal series.

Fantasy takeaway: Duran’s spark plus Rafaela’s RBI upside and Abreu’s multi-tool profile should keep Boston’s lineup on the radar in daily leagues down the stretch, especially in favorable matchups against Cleveland’s rotation and weaker bullpens.

Seattle beat Cleveland 4-2, leaving the Guardians four games back in the wild-card chase.

Steven Kwan opened the scoring with his 100th career double and Cleveland’s early 2-0 lead was built on a 408-foot homer, but Seattle answered in the fifth with Randy Arozarena’s long homer to tie it.

The Mariners pulled away late as Tanner Bibee labored through 6.1 innings and Cleveland’s offense cooled after the third. Matt Festa and Kolby Allard stabilized the bullpen, while Cleveland’s defense and a key base-running sequence helped Seattle seal the win.

Cleveland heads to Boston with playoff odds fading, while Seattle keeps its postseason hopes alive in a tight June-to-October push.