Twins pivot to a sinker revival, with Zebby Matthews adding a two-seam sinker to his mix alongside a four-seam and cutter. The goal: a different look that nudges right-handers off the plate and off the barrel, not a knockout pitch but a pocket wrinkle that complements velocity. On the bullpen side, Minnesota tests a four-day, multi-inning plan with Travis Adams as a catalyst, while Pete Maki and Rocco Baldelli emphasize sequencing and adaptability as they map out 2026 bullpen depth.

These shifts signal a clearer path for fantasy managers: pitchers who can blend velocity with breaking and sinkers to induce grounders and weak contact may offer sustainable value, especially in weekly formats. Buxton’s leadership and Montgomery’s rising profile add upside for Twins stacks, even as the staff leans into a more versatile, durable late-season approach.

David Festa's 2025 season is over after a recurrence of shoulder pain; he’ll travel to Dallas for evaluation by Dr. Keith Meister as Minnesota pulls the plug on the rookie’s campaign.

Festa flashed late-2024 promise with a 3.81 ERA across 12 starts, but his 2025 line spiked to 5.40 ERA with 10 homers in 53⅓ innings. He rehab-started in Toledo, then was with St. Paul before the latest setback that ended any remaining pitching hope for the year.

Austin Martin will keep rotating between outfield and infield, with Edouard Julien and Luke Keaschall in the mix and Martin likely handling second base when needed. The Twins intend to ride their top arms—Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and Pablo López—without load management, keeping the pedal down as they chase a September surge.

Braves lineup shifts drive immediate fantasy implications. Marcell Ozuna’s benching and Ha-Seong Kim’s potential takeover at shortstop create a volatile DH/UTIL dynamic in Atlanta, while Vidal Bruján’s spot at short offers multi-position appeal and potential runway for increased run production. Mets see Ronny Mauricio lose playing time as Baty and Vientos heat up, with Alvarez looming back from rehab; Philadelphia leans on Realmuto’s steady bat amid Castellanos’ benching.

Key fantasy signals also surface from Cubs and Reds: Ian Happ’s clean-up run steadies his value, while Miguel Andújar’s role remains situational. Xander Bogaerts’ expected IL absence for Padres shifts Jose Iglesias and lineup patterns; Nolan Gorman and Jordan Walker provide rookie upside for STL, while Francisco Alvarez and Francisco Mejía could impact Mets catching/lineup depth.