EightPitch: Saturday MLB DFS pivots center on a Diamondbacks-heavy slate with Arizona projected to carry the day—their top-billed bats look prime against Chase Dollander in Denver, while the Diamondbacks’ hefty run total supports a powerful stack alongside midrange to budget sleepers. Sonny Gray anchors a Thursday-to-Saturday plan with a favorable Yankees matchup in STL, while a budget-friendly Jason Alexander provides a high-floor punt option in Houston. Langeliers, Perdomo, Caminero, Marte and Gurriel headline the infield and outfield cores, with Altuve and Simpson stepping in for value and speed. Houston and Oakland stacks also offer strong leverage spots in this nine-game DK/FD slate, which kicks off at 7:10 PM ET, weather-safe aside from Tigers–Twins risk.

Brandon Young flirted with a no-hitter into the eighth, only to have Ramón Urías break it up with an infield hit that turned into a throwing error, ending the bid and leaving Houston silent at Daikin Park as Baltimore rolled to a 7-0 win.

Young, in his 11th big-league start, rode a fastball up to 95 mph and a cutter, mixing in a curve, splitter and change to navigate a righty-heavy Houston lineup. He exited after eight innings with 93 pitches, six punch-outs and a 83.7 mph average exit velocity against 19 balls in play. Offensively, the Orioles rewarded him with 14 first-half balls in play that yielded timely hits, including Coby Mayo’s two-out homer in the fourth. The Astros’ bats were quiet, with minimal hard contact through six innings, and Valdez yielded four runs, keeping the door open briefly but Baltimore closed it late. Lance McCullers Jr. showed progress on a Sugar Land rehab, signaling depth moves for Houston as the series opened with a notable pitching duel turned one-sided in the Orioles’ favor.

Houston steamrolled the Yankees 7-1 to close the series, fueled by a six-inning, one-hit gem from Jason Alexander that highlighted the Astros’ pitching depth. Jose Altuve kicked off a big night with a homer and joined an exclusive club, while Cam Smith delivered a clutch two-run double and Carlos Correa added late insurance. Mauricio Dubón and Ramón Urías supplied RBI support as Houston ran away in the later innings.

Altuve’s milestone turn—250 homers and 250 stolen bases—puts him in rare company, linking power and speed in a way few players ever have. The performance underscored Houston’s balance: a dominant start from Alexander, a timely offensive flurry, and continued versatile contributions from Dubón and Urías. For New York, the loss extends a rough run in the series, leaving the Yankees to regroup after another tough afternoon in Houston.

As the Astros improve to 66-52, the win reinforces their ability to win with a mix of breakout pitching and timely offense. The night was a reminder that Houston can beat you in multiple ways, and the roster depth often translates into fantasy upside across categories, especially in points leagues that prize stolen bases, homers, and run production.

Jose Altuve punctuated his Astros tenure with a milestone homer in the Bronx, his 250th, off Max Fried. That blast not only gave Houston an early lead but also vaulted him into an exclusive 250 HR / 250 SB club, the eighth player to reach the benchmark with one franchise (Jose Ramirez joined the club earlier with Cleveland).

Altuve’s blend of contact and speed is still fantasy-friendly, carrying a career .305 average with 875 RBIs and 323 steals. Houston sits at 65-52, just a half-game ahead of Seattle, as the AL West tightens and the postseason push intensifies—placing added importance on every series, including a pivotal clash with New York. Ramirez’s concurrent 250-250 feat for another franchise underscores how rare a combination of power and speed remains in today’s game.

The Astros chase a fifth straight division title, leveraging Altuve’s steady output as they chase playoff momentum. While Ramirez’s level of consistency shines, the broader takeaway for fantasy managers is clear: players who combine power with speed at elite levels can swing multiple counting categories, especially in tight races where every at-bat matters.

Carlos Correa’s reunion with the Houston Astros is more than a homecoming; it’s a catalyst for the lineup and clubhouse as Houston chases October glory. In nine games since the trade, Correa has surged to 15-for-37 (.405), reinforcing his leadership and playoff pedigree and elevating the Astros’ offense with his steady contact and postseason flair.

Family moments frame the transition: Daniella handled the logistics, Kylo and Kenzo watched highlights, and Correa’s joy at sliding back into Daikin Park underscored a rare blend of personal and competitive lift. On the field, he reunited with Altuve, embracing a familiar leadership dynamic that Correa says he’s eager to reclaim. He’s already pushing through pregame prep alongside Espada and Altuve, modeling the vocal guidance and video-driven adjustments that fantasy players crave in tight pennant races.

The early vibe is practical as well as emotional: Correa’s early impact isn’t just about his bat, but the voice in meetings and the trust he’s rebuilding in a clubhouse that values preparation as much as production. He’s set sights on sustained success and more playoff runs, a storyline that could influence Astros’ depth and late-season decisions.