New York’s Mets face a decisive late-season sprint as a seven-game skid threatens their playoff hopes, even with Soto delivering MVP-like numbers. The AL Wild Card picture tightens with Seattle closing in on Houston, while the NL race features Mets, Giants, Reds and D-backs all within striking distance. Byes go to the Blue Jays and Tigers in the AL and Brewers and Phillies in the NL, but a final regular-season series tiebreaker will determine some crucial spots.

The stretch run promises volatility: a couple of wins can vault teams into clinching scenarios, while losses can flip a wildcard order overnight. Fantasy managers must monitor lineup shifts, bullpen usage, and park factors as teams jockey for a postseason berth in the two weeks ahead.

New York rumbled past Boston again, taking the series and tightening the race to the postseason. The Red Sox, battered by injuries including Roman Anthony’s IL stint, could not capitalize in the opener and endured a rough first inning that set the tone. Boston will lean on Garrett Crochet to salvage the finale with 13 games left in a crowded wild-card chase. Fantasy angles: value in NYY depth, risk in BOS bench depth, and late-season bullpen volatility.