Aaron Judge is back in the Yankees’ batting order, but an elbow flexor strain keeps him from his usual outfield throws this week against the Rays. Manager Aaron Boone says Judge will primarily DH for now and is focused on protecting the elbow, not regaining his full throwing velocity this season.

Judge has appeared 11 times since Aug. 5, slashing .229 with a double, 2 homers and 6 RBIs. Giancarlo Stanton has gotten some right-field work to fill the holes, but mobility concerns persist. New York must ride the rest of the lineup to keep the offense humming while safeguarding Judge’s health.

Fantasy players should still treat Judge as a big power source, but the risk of reduced speed and limited defensive value weighs on his overall ceiling. The Rays series becomes a benchmark for how far the Yankees can push their lineup—Stanton and the supporting cast must carry RBI and runs while Judge heals.

Ron Darling’s autumn took an unexpected turn as he steps into a Houston backdrop while not seeing an Astros ALCS for the first time since 2016. He’ll call Houston’s tilt vs Detroit for TBS, then return to Houston for a Sept. 2 home date against the Yankees, a schedule that underscores how central Houston has been to his career. The Astros’ arc remains defined by resilience: injuries have pocked the roster, yet the club’s depth and culture carry them toward another division crown.

Houston’s season has not been smooth: Alvarez hasn’t danced in the lineup since May 2, Hader hit the IL, and a midseason influx of Correa, Sánchez, and Urías reshapes the roster. Darling argues the core—plus a healthy Alvarez upon rehab—still fuels the club’s big‑moment pedigree. Carlos Correa’s return, Bregman’s Boston chapter, and the continued dial‑up of Houston’s pitching staff paint a team ready to weather adversity and chase playoff success, with Seattle looming as a formidable challenger.

In Darling’s view, the Astros’ ability to win with whatever is available defines them. The lineup evolves, but the winning culture endures, and the team’s championship DNA is a lure for fantasy managers eyeing late-season value from stepping-up role players and relievers who can close gaps in the bullpen as the postseason nears.

Toronto heads to Pittsburgh for a pivotal tilt with the Pirates, armed with an offense that has surged to the top of MLB averages since the All-Star break. The Jays sit five games ahead of New York and Boston in the crowded AL East, so tonight’s result carries extra weight for fantasy managers chasing stage-setting wins. FanDuel’s numbers lean Toronto on the moneyline (-144) and the -1.5 run line (+118), with an 8-run total. Mitch Keller’s form gives Toronto optimism; Keller has scuffled of late, while Max Scherzer has looked solid for Toronto this season.

With Paul Skenes not drawing the assignment tonight, Toronto will try to plate runs early and back Scherzer’s steady dose of run prevention. Keller’s recent 7.54 ERA over five starts is the key fade spot, and Toronto’s bats have reason to stay aggressive against Pittsburgh’s lineup. The betting angles suggest fading the Pirates and leaning into the Jays’ hot offense, while Keller’s spot starts a more favorable path for Toronto than expected.

The Yankees sit atop the AL wild-card picture after a 7-3 stretch, primed for a pivotal series in the Bronx against the Rays as both clubs chase playoff spots. Tampa Bay slid from the postseason chase after dealing assets at the deadline, while New York braces for a run at the top Wild Card and a possible surge in the crowded AL East race.

In the marquee matchup, Carlos Rodón goes for New York against Shane Baz of Tampa Bay. Aaron Judge looms as a prime DFS/street-promise option, especially given his history against Baz and his power against right-handed pitching this year. The betting line has the Yankees as slim road favorites with favorable remaining schedules helping their cause.

From a fantasy angle, Rodón’s steady 2025 profile and Judge’s popping upside against Baz stand out. The Rays’ lefty-vs-righty dynamics and Tampa’s post-deadline shift add volatility, but New York’s top OPS and runs-scoring pace keep them in the center of attention as they vie for a deeper October run.