The Cubs leaned on Turner against left-handers, turning a tie game into a 3-2 win with a go-ahead RBI double off Sale after fending off an 0-2 count. Taillon returned from the IL to give Chicago 4 1/3 innings, keeping the Braves at bay while the lineup leaned into baserunning and timely hits from Suzuki and Kelly. The surge in steals—six in the series and counting—combined with steady pitching gives Chicago a late-season spark as October approaches.

Joe Ryan labored through four innings, the shortest of his season, as three unearned runs in a chaotic fourth inning opened the door for Oakland to pull away 6-3 at Target Field. Defensive miscues and a key error helped fuel the inning, and Minnesota couldn’t recover despite Ryan’s early command and a late Twins flurry. Broader context: Minnesota’s season-long struggles continued, with the club sitting deep in the AL standings as the offense stalled and the defense faltered behind a promising young starter.

Offense mattered in spurts. Brooks Lee blasted a solo homer in the fourth, giving the Twins life, while Matt Wallner delivered an RBI double and Ryan Jeffers added a homer later. Nick Kurtz carried a five-plate-appearance streak, reaching base in all five trips and contributing an RBI double. The Athletics, boosted by a four-run fourth and a relentless approach, held on for the win as Minnesota’s bullpen kept them in it but could not bridge the gap.

Fantasy take: this pairing spotlighted breakout potential and risk. Lee’s power and on-base presence are intriguing; Kurtz’s multi-plate appearances keep him in the streamer conversation in deeper leagues. For Minnesota, manage expectations on Ryan’s next outing and monitor whether the defense corrals routine plays to support a rebound performance.

Detroit erupted early and never looked back, routing Minnesota 7-0 as Charlie Morton carved six scoreless frames in his third start with the Tigers. Five first-inning runs, sparked by Colt Keith’s run-scoring swing and a misplayed ball by Luke Keaschall, set the tone. Dillon Dingler delivered a two-run single and Javier Báez added an RBI double as Detroit capitalized on a shaky Twins starter, then Dingler’s RBI double in the third and Báez’s sac fly closed the scoring.

Detroit’s lineup piled up hits from Gleyber Torres, Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene and McKinstry, with Dingler totaling two doubles and three RBIs. Dingler, Báez and Torres supplied the big hits, while Morton, despite command struggles (three walks, one hit-by-pitch), avoided trouble and faded strong after six innings. The victory extends Detroit’s lead in the AL Central and fuels optimism for fantasy managers counting on this offense to stay hot as the schedule tightens.

Key notes for fantasy: Dingler’s two-hit, three-RBI day anchors his growing value, especially in daily formats; Torres’ two-hit performance rekindles optimism after a hitting slump; Báez’s multi-RBI day adds upper-half upside in deeper rosters. Morton’s six innings without allowing a run provides a potential streamer option in favorable matchups, while Torkelson and Pérez showed cautious but productive plate discipline that could translate into continued run production against suspect pitching.

The Chicago Cubs' offseason trades with the Houston Astros have not panned out as expected. Ryan Pressly, originally acquired to bolster their bullpen, has struggled this season with a 3.79 ERA and a troubling -0.2 fWAR, leading to a diminished role behind closer Daniel Palencia. Despite a strong history, Pressly's performance has raised questions about his reliability in high-leverage situations. As he approaches free agency, the Cubs may consider trading him to clear salary space and potentially acquire a prospect for the future.

Christopher Kline notes that while Pressly has shown flashes of his past form, including a decrease in his WHIP, a contender may still find him appealing as a low-cost rental. The Cubs, aiming for a competitive run, might weigh the benefits of offloading Pressly against their need for a strong bullpen. If they can secure an intriguing prospect while freeing up funds, it could be a prudent move for their long-term strategy.