Ohtani sat with illness as Emmet Sheehan started on short notice. A controversial moment—allegations that the first MLB hit ball was kept by Devanney— sparked online debate, which Sheehan later called a misunderstanding. He logged 4.2 innings with six strikeouts as the Dodgers managed five hits, while McCutchen delivered a 408-foot homer for Pittsburgh.

Freeman produced a single and Ohtani, back as DH, added two hits, yet Los Angeles’ offense struggled to sustain pressure. The ball incident and the surprise start shaded the game, leaving fantasy managers weighing Sheehan’s next opportunity against the steady power of Dodgers veterans in the coming schedule.

Dodgers wasted scoring chances in a 3-0 loss to the Pirates. Emmet Sheehan battled in a long first inning and watched Bryan Reynolds launch a homer after a 12-pitch duel, setting the tone early. L.A. stranded 10 and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, while Pittsburgh padded the lead with a sixth-inning RBI double off Ben Casparius. Shohei Ohtani produced two hits and extra-base power, but the offense otherwise stagnated behind a rebound from Andrew McCutchen and Reynolds. L.A. still holds a 2.5-game cushion on San Diego; the series wraps with Blake Snell vs. Paul Skenes, a notable setup for fantasy managers.