Cruz tied for NL lead with 38 stolen bases, showcasing elite speed and baserunning impact for Pirates.

<p>Cruz’s wall collision moment and the ensuing Marte homer symbolize the volatility and upside in Pirates’ speed-and-power mix. Cruz’s athleticism remains a key piece in the Pirates’ late-inning push and fantasy upside scenario.</p>

Cruz continues to showcase power, with a Statcast-hard-hit pace that keeps his fantasy ceiling high when in the lineup. His spot in the order and protection around him will determine his run and homer potential as the Pirates navigate a series with Oakland.

<p>Oneil Cruz steps into the leadoff role, a move that boosts his upside in runs and stolen bases when atop the order. Historically productive as a leadoff, his fantasy value hinges on keeping that slot, where his OBP and speed translate into more scoring opportunities for the Pirates.</p>

Oneil Cruz played a role in the final-out sequence, contrasting the Pirates’ fight with the Cubs’ celebratory mood as the Pirates’ bullpen battled in a late-inning bid but fell short as Chicago sealed the win.