Seattle travels to Citizens Bank Park in a marquee midweek clash, with Luis Castillo on the hill for the Mariners against Jesus Luzardo and the Phillies. The SportsLine model casts Raleigh and Turner as the two most pivotal fantasy/bet anchors of the game, pairing Cal Raleigh’s power upside with Trea Turner’s contact-rate consistency while giving Luzardo a solid strikeout angle and Castillo a reliable floor. The over/under sits at 8.5 as the series finale looms, making both run production and bullpen usage critical for daily fantasy and prop players.

The model highlights three top bets: Cal Raleigh Over 1.5 total bases, Turner Over 1.5 hits, and Luzardo Over 6.5 strikeouts. Raleigh’s season-long power (47 homers, 102 RBIs) tempers risk around his bases prop, Turner’s hot bat provides multi-hit avenues, and Luzardo’s strikeout upside pairs well with Seattle’s lineup. Castillo, holding a 3.48 ERA and 8-6 record, anchors Seattle’s odds, while Luzardo’s 4.21 ERA and 158 strikeouts frame Philadelphia’s scoring chances in a high-leverage environment.

Zack Wheeler underwent a successful thrombolysis procedure to remove a blood clot in his right upper extremity on Monday. Philadelphia indicated that further treatment and a recovery timetable remain undetermined, with manager Rob Thomson noting this is not a typical soft-tissue issue. The Phillies immediately placed Wheeler on the injured list as they evaluate rotation depth and rest needs.

With Wheeler out, Philadelphia is weighing a six-man rotation and could use top prospect Andrew Painter to bridge innings. Nola’s return from an ankle issue adds a glimmer of optimism, but the loss of Wheeler—who led qualified pitchers in WHIP and strikeouts at the time of IL stint—poses postseason implications and tests the team as it maintains a five-game lead in the NL East.

Zack Wheeler landed on the 15-day injured list with a right upper-extremity blood clot near the shoulder, a setback that pauses one of baseball’s best and most durable workhorses. Wheeler’s season had been climbing toward another 200-inning run with a 2.71 ERA and a league-leading strikeout total, making this IL stint a meaningful swing for Philadelphia’s rotation and fantasy plans. The Phillies were preparing to activate Aaron Nola on Aug. 17, opening a six-man path that could give Wheeler extra rest when he returns, before likely sliding back to five. In the interim, Taijuan Walker will slot into Wheeler’s spot, with Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez and Jesús Luzardo continuing to cube out the rest of the order, and promotions for top prospect Andrew Painter under consideration if six-man depth is desired. The medical timeline remains undetermined, and Philadelphia will recalibrate workloads and matchups around the rotation shakeup while Painter navigates a return from Tommy John surgery at Class A. In the bigger picture, Wheeler’s absence nudges Philadelphia’s fantasy landscape toward longer timelines, increased reliance on Nola and Sánchez, and a sharper eye on Painter’s development as a potential midseason acceleration option.

Washington Nationals were the last opponent Wheeler faced prior to the IL move, and the Phillies’ immediate plan is to stabilize on the mound with Nola’s return and a reconfigured five-man rotation after the six-man stretch. Philadelphia’s depth will be tested as they monitor Wheeler’s recovery and determine when a more permanent schedule can be established. For fantasy managers, Wheeler’s injury elevates value for Nola, Suárez and Sánchez in the short term, while Painter’s continued progress remains the key long-term pivot behind the scenes, with Luzardo’s inclusion in the discussion signaling the breadth of the rotation’s potential once Wheeler is back in action.

Aaron Nola is set to return Sunday, reuniting Philadelphia’s trusted rotation as the Phillies opt for a six-man mix for the near term to ease the workload. The move comes after the rotation logged MLB-leading innings and a robust 3.42 ERA, with Wheeler, Sánchez, Luzardo, Nola, Suárez, and Walker forming the backbone. Depth beyond the top six remains thin, but the plan preserves a high-floor starting corps behind a lineup led by Harper, Turner, Schwarber, and company.

Fantasy players should note the structure: Nola back strengthens stability atop a rotation already driving wins, while the six-man approach creates occasional bullpen angles and rest days for each starter. With the Phillies’ rotation carrying the ball, Philadelphia’s pitchers remain a top source of value as the season wears on, even as depth options like Joe Ross or top prospects enter occasionally.

Jesus Luzardo heats up Nationals Park as he aims to keep his hot stretch going, carrying an 11-5 record and 4.20 ERA. He’s already surpassed his career-high win total from 2023 and has won four straight decisions, with no losses since July 4. Brad Lord counters for Washington, rolling into the start with a 3-6 mark and a 3.28 ERA, valued for his recent turn back into a starter role and a 2.70 ERA over the last month. Philadelphia sits atop the NL East with strong momentum; Washington trails badly, adding bite to a marquee matchup that carries -193 on PHI and +160 on WAS. Beyond this pair, the day’s slate features Diamondbacks at Rockies, Marlins at Guardians, and a lineup of high-leverage bets, including Kyle Stowers’ +425 homer prop. The Rays of the rest of the night include Padres at Dodgers with a King-Kershaw duel, underscoring a MLB-wide focus on value in a crowded market.