The Orioles stormed back with a 12-0 throttling of the Astros, leaving Houston’s playoff posture a question mark as Seattle looms. Baltimore’s offense clicked early and never cooled, backed by strong bullpen work through the game’s late innings. The lopsided result shifted the West race's potential margin as Sunday night’s slate could determine how far the Astros’ lead actually sits. Cristian Javier exited early for illness, and Houston’s bullpen surrendered the blowout. Chas McCormick even took the mound in the ninth, delivering a flawless frame that kept the crowd’s optimism intact.

Baltimore’s Kremer matched the offense with a composed outing, and the Orioles plates kept piling on behind a disciplined attack. Gunnar Henderson flashed his usual power and plate presence, while Jesús Sánchez and Jesús Sánchez’s teammate-driven defense helped pressure Houston’s defense at key moments. The night also highlighted the Orioles’ depth, as Jackson Holliday connected for a meaningful baserunner and added to Baltimore’s growing list of dynamic contributors.

Shawn Dubin’s rough patch continued, inflating his ERA to new levels as the fifth inning spiraled. Baltimore’s hits came in clusters, and the Astros’ late-inning defense couldn’t stem the tide. The decisive finish underscored the importance of staying healthy and maximizing bullpen efficiency amid a season-long injury wave in Houston. On the horizon, Houston travels to Detroit for a reunion with familiar faces, as Detroit reunites with Morton and Montero, and Houston counters with Arrighetti, Brown, and Valdez in a pivotal series shift.

Reunion time in Motor City promises a compelling narrative for fantasy owners: the Tigers’ rotation of Flaherty, Skubal, and Morton faces a Houston lineup led by Valdez, Arrighetti, and Brown. The drama isn’t just about wins and losses; it’s about how these roster moves, health fortunes, and bullpen management will influence daily lineups, streamers, and bench depth as the stretch run approaches.

Jose Corniell’s comeback from Tommy John signals a continued flow of high-end depth for the Rangers. After returning in July, the right-hander has four Frisco starts with no earned runs allowed, illustrating the ceiling Texas has built behind the big league rotation. Acquired from Seattle in a Montero swap five years ago, Corniell sits among a cadre of promising arms, spearheaded by a group that includes Winston Santos, AJ Russell, Alejandro Rosario, David Davalillo and Caden Scarborough. Corniell’s early success adds to Texas’ patient, data-driven rebuild and their belief in a steady pipeline of impact potential pitchers.

Sebastián Walcott remains the club’s top overall prospect, with Gavin Fien close behind as the first-round rookie enters the professional ranks. Malcolm Moore slid from No. 2 to No. 11 after finger injury and rust delayed his return; the Rangers believe he can still reclaim his scout-grade upside. Davalillo and Scarborough have been breakout arms this season; Scarborough’s frame and velocity stand out, while Davalillo has dominated at the lower rungs and earned a quick move toward higher levels. Rosario is contending with elbow surgery in the mix, underscoring the volatility and potential in Texas’ farm system.

Texas’ prospect depth isn’t just about raw stuff; Scarborough’s upper-90s heater with plus extension mirrors the body type of Jacob deGrom, and the scouting profile for Walcott and Fien emphasizes bat-to-ball and on-base skills that could translate to big league opportunities when the timing aligns. The piece also notes Moore’s rust after a finger fracture and two-month IL stint, painting a nuanced view of a farm system loaded with upside but mixed with injury risk and development timelines. Overall, the Rangers’ pipeline looks robust, with Corniell anchoring a hopeful wave of young pitchers and Walcott, Fien and Fien’s cohort poised to push for MLB involvement in the near term.

The Detroit Tigers have secured bullpen reinforcement by acquiring right-handed pitcher Rafael Montero from the Atlanta Braves, trading minor league infielder Jim Jarvis. Montero is expected to join the Tigers' struggling bullpen, which has largely relied on Will Vest for consistency. With the Tigers holding a healthy nine-game lead in the AL Central, they aim to enhance their roster as they prepare for a strong postseason run after experiencing a downturn in performance over the last month.

Montero, a seasoned 34-year-old, has played 11 years in the majors, spending time with teams including the Mets, Rangers, Mariners, Astros, and Braves. His current season stats show a 5.40 ERA with a 0-1 record split between the Braves and Astros. However, his standout performance was in 2022, when he recorded a 2.37 ERA in 71 appearances. Meanwhile, Jarvis heads to Atlanta after a solid season at Double-A Erie, where he logged a .242 batting average with two home runs and 29 RBIs.

The Detroit Tigers have bolstered their bullpen by trading for right-handed reliever Rafael Montero from the Atlanta Braves just before the MLB trade deadline. The 34-year-old Montero is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season. In exchange for Montero, the Tigers sent infielder Jim Jarvis, an 11th-round pick in 2023, to the Braves. This season, Jarvis recorded a .242/.316/.336 slash line over 77 games in Double-A Erie. Montero's 2025 season stats include a 5.40 ERA, with 23 walks and 39 strikeouts in 39 appearances.

The Atlanta Braves face significant challenges as they place All-Star third baseman Austin Riley on the injured list, further complicating a season that has not met expectations. Currently positioned below .500, they have shifted their strategy towards becoming sellers ahead of the MLB trade deadline. Notably, the Braves have expressed a reluctance to entertain trade offers for key players who are under contract for multiple seasons, which limits their potential trade candidates.

Among those available, veteran players such as Marcell Ozuna, Raisel Iglesias, and Rafael Montero are expected to be in the spotlight. However, Iglesias's performance has declined, and both he and Montero's trade value appears compromised, making any returns for them questionable at best. Ozuna, playing through injuries, has seen his trade value plummet, potentially forcing the Braves to hold onto him as the deadline approaches.