The New York Yankees erupted for nine homers against the Tampa Bay Rays at Steinbrenner Field, tying a franchise record. Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton launched a first-inning trio, with Bellinger and Stanton adding another shot later. José Caballero, fresh off a Rays-to-Yankees swap at the trade deadline, went deep twice—his first two as a Yankee. Jazz Chisholm Jr. also homered in the high-scoring showcase. The win keeps New York rolling toward the top wild-card spot, while the Rays slide in the standings.

Historically, only four teams have produced nine homers in a game, and the Yankees became the first club to post two nine-homer games in a season. Judge’s 40th of the year sits beside a four-season 40-HR club list, underscoring the Yankee power core. Boone, who managed one of the prior nine-HR games, hinted Judge might rest his throwing going forward, adding a layer of fantasy-management nuance as the season winds down. Caballero’s power outburst adds another dynamic piece to New York’s lineup, while the Rays’ playoff chances fade a bit more as they chase late-season momentum.

The Yankees unleashed a massive power binge, slugging eight homers through six innings in a single game against the Rays. It marked the fourth time in franchise history they’ve posted 8+ homers in a regular-season game, and it was the second time this season they’ve reached that mark. New York rode a wave of mega-miles-per-hour swings from its big guns and mixed in a surprising bench pop, underscoring a hot stretch as the playoff push looms. Fantasy players should note that Judge, Stanton and Bellinger supplied the backbone of the onslaught, with Rice, Chisholm and Caballero joining the party for a day that felt like old Bronx Bombers magic in an unfamiliar Tampa setting.

The Rays, who had to relocate to Steinbrenner Field after Tropicana Field flooded, couldn’t slow the surge, as the ball seemingly carried more than usual. The result is a reminder that even in a sample-size game, NYY’s offense can surge in a hurry and create monster fantasy days. For managers, this is a cue to monitor NYY’s lineup closely in upcoming series and to consider stacking the hot bats while they ride this power wave, especially Judge, Stanton and Bellinger, who led the charge in a game that mattered late in the season.

Aaron Boone’s remarks on Aaron Judge’s elbow have injected doubt about Judge’s ability to throw for the rest of the season. Judge’s flexor strain landed him on the 10‑day IL on July 27 after an initial July 22 injury, but there was no UCL damage, avoiding Tommy John. He returned August 5 and has served as the DH, not yet looking like himself. In 11 games since, his OPS is 1.134, yet he’s hitting .229 with 2 homers and 6 RBIs. He still leads MLB in AVG (.333), OBP (.447), SLG (.687), plus WAR (6.9), fWAR (7.4) and wRC+ (200). Boone later said he may have overstated, leaving the throwing question unresolved for the year. The MVP case remains strong if he can get back to full strength.

From a fantasy lens, Judge remains elite in OBP and power, but the lack of throwing reduces speed and defensive upside and adds injury risk. Treat him as a premium DH with mindful lineup planning and readiness to pivot on updates about throwing strength and positional duties. His unprecedented production, combined with health uncertainty, keeps him at the top tier of fantasy considerations and MVP chatter.

Olson’s ironman stretch is now 746 straight games, moving into 12th on MLB’s all-time list and tying Pete Rose. It’s the fifth-longest streak in the expansion era, and if he keeps going through 2026 he’d climb to eighth. The Braves’ stalwart first baseman isn’t just durable; he’s delivering power and defense, making him a foundations-level asset for fantasy lineups every day.

The piece also nods to broader MLB narratives, like Soto, Naylor and Raleigh helping revive stolen-base intrigue, signaling a multi-stat offensive backdrop that could sustain strong counting stats for Olson and teammates. In fantasy terms, Olson’s daily presence reduces lineup juggling and enhances stability in runs and RBIs while the Braves’ lineup supports big-power seasons from its cornerstones.

Aaron Judge’s throwing remains limited as he recovers from a flexor strain, with the team routing him to DH duties for the rest of the season. He’s on a throwing program and has stretched out to 150 feet, but the plan centers on protecting him rather than returning to full arm usage. Boone indicated the throw limit might linger, underscoring the need to keep him healthy for the stretch run.

Giancarlo Stanton has stepped into right field at times, and his bat has been a bright spot in the lineup (.299/.377/.576 with 12 homers over 44 games). The Yankees, who own a postseason spot ahead of the Red Sox and Mariners in the wild-card chase, still need both sluggers in the lineup as they push toward October. Judge’s injury adds a layer of risk—teams may test the arm on the bases—while Stanton’s health remains a key factor in optimizing fantasy lineups.