Jazz Chisholm Jr. slugged two homers to reach 101 for his career, a night that felt bigger because he powered the Yankees to a rivalry win over Boston while mourning the loss of his best friend. He sits at 24 homers in 98 games this season, building on a 35-homer pace across 144 games since the 2024 deadline trade that shipped him from Miami.

The performance came with a national TV audience and a heavy heart, underscoring his ability to deliver in clutch moments for fantasy managers. It highlights his potential as a multi-category contributor as the Yankees chase down a playoff push.

Orion Kerkering emerged as a promising closer for the Philadelphia Phillies, recording his first career save against the Miami Marlins. Matt Strahm, a fellow reliever, expressed confidence in Kerkering's abilities on social media, hinting at many more saves to come. Despite a rocky start to the season with a 6.53 ERA, Kerkering has jettisoned concerns with a stellar performance since May, boasting a 0.53 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched. However, control remains a challenge, as he has struggled with walks.

Manager Rob Thomson has hinted at the potential for Kerkering to receive more closing opportunities. With his recent success and the endorsement from teammates like Strahm, Kerkering seems poised to take on a more significant role in the Phillies' bullpen moving forward, especially given the current struggles of established closers like Jordan Romano and the suspension of Jose Alvarado.

In MLB's opening week, the introduction of the "torpedo bat" has sparked significant excitement and controversy. Developed by a New York Yankees physicist, this bat features a thicker barrel at its sweet spot, leading to an uptick in home runs. Despite this innovation, experts caution against jumping to conclusions about its overall impact, especially as some teams have yet to play in their home parks.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm commented on the bat's implications by proposing a trade-off: if batters can wield such bats, then pitchers should be allowed to use pine tar for grip. Strahm emphasized the need for a more balanced playing field in light of MLB's crackdown on sticky substances for pitchers, which has led to historically low batting averages. This debate highlights ongoing tensions between hitters and pitchers as they adapt to evolving equipment and rules.

The Philadelphia Phillies are likely finished making significant additions to their Major League roster this offseason, as they appear to be shifting their focus towards depth at their Triple-A affiliate. Despite fans' frustrations over playoff performances in recent years, the team's current roster is still viewed as competitive enough to contend for a World Series title. However, the bullpen remains a notable concern, particularly after the acquisition of Jesus Luzardo, which addressed previous rotation issues.

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Orion Kerkering is projected to take on the closer role, despite having faced challenges in save situations during his rookie year. The long relief positions are expected to feature Joe Ross, Jose Ruiz, and Taijuan Walker, with Walker likely transitioning into a bullpen role due to competition for rotation spots. Meanwhile, the backend of the bullpen will include Matt Strahm, Jordan Romano, Jose Alvarado, and Tanner Banks, with Strahm potentially serving as a versatile option for high-pressure situations.

Overall, the Phillies are not expected to pursue high-profile relief options, which places the onus on existing players to improve or rebound from previous seasons. The organization is banking on these players to step up, as they navigate a bullpen that lacks established star power.