Diaz supplied Houston’s lone early spark with a linedrive that reached right-center, highlighting the Astros’ ability to capitalize on missteps and pressure Young in spots. Diaz’s power and contact presence remain a focal point as Houston looks to spread offense across the order.

Diaz provides Houston with pop and a potential game-changing moment. His recent power helps balance Brown’s steady start and Valdez’s control, making him a compelling fantasy target in this high-stakes matchup with Orioles’ Young and Sugano.

Diaz shows clear positive regression signals after a down 2025 season, with a favorable xwOBA and a heavy emphasis on the top three pitches he sees. His hard-hit rate and contact quality suggest power upside could translate to more homers, while his BABIP could rise toward the mid-.260s to .290s range with improved miscues on off-speed offerings.

Diaz is referenced as the ball’s contact source on the fateful play that sparked Rosario’s injury; while not a Yankee, his involvement underscores Astros-Yankees interleague context. Fantasy relevance is limited in this piece, but Díaz’s power profile in a strong Houston lineup keeps him on the radar when evaluating Houston’s offensive stacks.

Yainer Diaz contributed significantly to the Astros' offense with a three-run homer, continuing his productive stretch.