Shohei Ohtani pulled off a feat baseball hadn’t seen in the modern era: as the Dodgers’ starting pitcher, he led off the game with a triple. It’s a rare moment when a pitcher occupies leadoff in the batting order and makes history with a leadoff triple, a testament to his rare speed and two-way impact. The night in Anaheim wasn’t just about one swing, though; Ohtani’s leadoff hit kickstarted an athletic showcase that underscored his unique ability to blend pitching prowess with elite base-running. The Dodgers’ offense followed with Mookie Betts delivering a timely single as Ohtani’s misdirection on the bases kept Angels on their heels. The moment sits alongside a broader arc: Ohtani’s eighth triple of the year ties a career high, and his 44 triples across his MLB career highlight a speed profile that defies ordinary expectations for a pitcher.

Even with the designated hitter in both leagues, this night reinforced how Ohtani remains a frontier case, a player who can lead off from the mound and still contribute in the run-scoring column from the leadoff spot. The combination of fast-twitch speed and two-way reliability creates a fantasy and betting landscape where rostering Ohtani consistently remains a high-risk, high-reward proposition—one that can swing expectations in multiple categories in a single game. The Dodgers’ win night put a spotlight on the team’s depth, with Betts supplying the glue after Ohtani’s early fireworks.

Historically, the leadoff triple by a pitcher marks a rare footprint in MLB history, and Langs’ historical note emphasizes the novelty: since 1900, only a handful of starting pitchers have batted leadoff, and none has combined that with a dominant mound appearance in the same game. Ohtani’s performance adds to a narrative about velocity, sprint speed, and run creation—elements fantasy players chase when projecting lines, matchups, and park factors. As the season progresses, this night serves as a reminder that Ohtani’s ceiling—on both sides of the ball—remains higher than most can reliably forecast, making him a perpetual centerpiece for both fantasy lineups and real-world bets.

Toronto’s Ernie Clement powered the Blue Jays to a 5-1 win with a three-run homer in the fourth after a bunt-sign went awry, stretching Toronto’s early lead and capping a night where his power swing steal the spotlight. The blast widened a 4-0 gap and kept the Jays firmly in control as they cruised to victory.

Clement has flipped the script with a hot stretch, homering in three straight games and four of five, lifting his slash to .288/.740 with nine homers. The surge comes as he chases a career-best, and Toronto’s lineup appears willing to ride the hot bat while superstition lingers around bunt plans. Manager John Schneider applauded the results, while Clement playfully acknowledged he missed the sign—proof that in baseball, sometimes the best outcomes come from the unexpected swing.

Beyond the on-field drama, the piece threads in broader MLB chatter—from Guardians star Steven Kwan to the Mookie Betts spotlight and Kyle Schwarber’s market chatter—highlighting how hot streaks, sign-gone-wrong moments, and strategic faith in players shape fantasy value and real-game outcomes alike as the season heads toward the stretch run.

Luke Keaschall delivered a walk-off two-run homer in the 11th inning as Minnesota beat Kansas City 5-3, marking the Twins’ ninth walk-off win of the year. Keaschall extended his on-base streak to 12 straight games to begin his career, capping a late-inning comeback that rallied past the Royals’ bullpen.

Earlier, Fitzgerald logged his first career hit with a homer, and Jeffers tied it in the eighth after Austin Martin tripled on a misplay by John Rave. Pasquantino’s 20th homer gave KC a 3-2 lead in the seventh, but the Twins answered with a late surge. Tonkin contributed two scoreless frames for Minnesota, while Estévez suffered the defeat.

The Royals also left 15 runners on base and were 1-for-15 with men in scoring position, underscoring a squandered opportunity as Minnesota capitalized when it mattered. The win sets up Monday’s matchups featuring Falter and Cavalli, with Zebby Matthews and Will Warren scheduled to start for Minnesota and New York, respectively.

Ryan Fitzgerald, a promising shortstop, has joined the Minnesota Twins' taxi squad as they await updates on injured stars Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton. Fitzgerald, who batted .328 in the minors, may soon make his MLB debut. Both Correa and Buxton are currently in MLB's concussion protocol, with their status uncertain for upcoming games. Fitzgerald's path to the majors has been long, starting from independent leagues to a solid performance in Triple-A.

The Twins are also considering Zebby Matthews for a potential start this weekend after he was scratched from his scheduled AAA start. Matthews boasts a 2-1 record with a 1.93 ERA, showing promise for the major league roster.