The Cincinnati Reds rallied in the ninth to thwart the Los Angeles Angels 6-4, keeping pace with the Mets in the NL wild-card chase. A late sequence featured TJ Friedl’s sacrifice fly and Gavin Lux’s go-ahead double off Kenley Jansen, then a Rugged finish as the Reds seized control with three runs in the final frame. Earlier, Hunter Greene dazzled in his first Angels start, punching out 12 over 6 1/3 innings while Elly De La Cruz flashed wheels on a pair of 270-foot baserunner scores that helped stretch a 4-1 cushion.

Greene’s return from a groin strain looked sharp, and he controlled the damage while racking strikeouts at a historic pace for the franchise. De La Cruz’s aggressive baserunning and timely hits helped Cincinnati build and maintain momentum, even as the Angels flirted with another late rally. The win pushed Cincinnati to 67-60, one game behind the Mets for the final wild-card spot with 35 games left, underscoring the Reds’ resilience and playoff implications down the stretch.

Kyle Schwarber launched his 42nd homer of the year to vault the Phillies past the Reds 4-1, extending Philadelphia’s NL East lead and sparking a four-run eighth inning. Abbott had been masterful through seven, but Weston Wilson and Trea Turner delivered RBI doubles in the eighth, setting the stage for Schwarber’s two-run blast off Tony Santillan. Taijuan Walker worked six strong innings, and Orion Kerkering closed it out for his third save. J.T. Realmuto added a fifth-inning double, while Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos contributed late offense to seal the win.

Philly’s offense remains potent, with Schwarber pacing NL power and Turner/R Realmuto providing run production atop a deep lineup. The win pushed Philadelphia six games clear of idle New York in the division, while Abbott’s solid start was undone in the eighth. For fantasy managers, Schwarber’s power remains a core asset, Turner’s multi-category appeal is amplified by surrounding hitters, and the Phillies’ bullpen usage offers late-inning wins and holds upside as the schedule tightens.

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 the MLB season approaches its critical stretch, fantasy managers must optimize their rosters ahead of the playoffs. This week, several undervalued players can be targeted for FAAB bids, especially with a focus on Thursday leagues. Pitchers like Cade Horton and Aaron Civale have shown strong recent performances, while relief options such as JoJo Romero and Calvin Faucher have stepped into prominent roles, enhancing their fantasy value.

Players like Andrew Vaughn are on a hitting streak, indicating that they could provide consistent production down the line. The trade deadline may have passed, but impactful pickups remain available, making it essential to keep an eye on player trends and matchups to bolster teams for the upcoming playoffs.