Hitting early, Toledo jumped to a 3-0 lead behind Hao-Yu Lee’s double and Akil Baddoo’s RBI triple, while Gage Workman added a solo shot. The Hens bullpen faltered late, surrendering the lead in a tense, losing effort. Erie countered with a late-inning rally, and Kevin McGonigle capped it with an 11th-inning two-run homer for the SeaWolves, after Danny Serretti tied the game in the eighth with a solo shot.

Lael Lockhart Jr. provided a rehab start for West Michigan that silenced Great Lakes, and Erie’s pitching duo of Austin Bergner and Austin Magno steadied things in relief as Kevin Newman helped spark Toledo’s offense with a clutch two-out hit. The night underscored the Tigers’ system depth and highlighted several hitters to monitor for fantasy value as promotions loom and MLB callups approach.

Key takeaways for fantasy managers: McGonigle and Serretti are the two names with the clearest power upside to translate to higher levels, while Lee and Baddoo offer speed and contact upside that could surface in a future MLB stint. Watch how the bullpen handling and late-inning scenarios play out over the next few weeks as rosters compress.

Colson Montgomery’s arrival has flipped the White Sox’ rebuild narrative. Since early July, the 23-year-old former top-10 prospect has blended power with plus defense to emerge as a middle-of-the-order presence at shortstop, answering questions about his readiness with a 452-foot blast at Rate Field that highlighted a 6-4 win over Cleveland. He’s slashed nine homers, driven in 25 runs, scored 15, and posted an .853 OPS since the All-Star break, a remarkable turn after a Triple-A start that had many doubting his ceiling.

His breakout isn’t just about raw numbers; Montgomery has shed the mental weight that hampered him in 2024, explaining how a months-long focus on preparing and trusting his coaches freed him to let his ability take over. White Sox brass, led by GM Chris Getz, believe his development trajectory could anchor the franchise for years, with his glove at shortstop stabilizing a defense that’s carried the rebuild. Veterans Mike Tauchman and Michael A. Taylor have also stepped up in the outfield, supporting a clubhouse that Venable has cultivated into a consistent, team-first environment.

The MLB's pickoff rules are making for more exciting baseball as players like Chandler Simpson of the Tampa Bay Rays are finding ways to exploit the new regulations. With pitchers allowed only three disengagements per at-bat without penalty, players are taking larger leads and engaging in more aggressive base running. In a recent game against the Los Angeles Angels, Simpson showcased this by dodging two pickoff attempts from Tyler Anderson before stealing second base after a balk. The change has led to a noticeable increase in action on the bases, highlighting the evolution of baseball strategy.

Not only does this create thrilling moments, but it also brings a new layer of strategy for both players and coaches. As base running becomes a more critical aspect of the game, teams will need to adjust their tactics to account for faster players like Simpson, who are willing to take risks. Watching how teams adapt to these changes will be fascinating as the 2025 season progresses.