Seiya Suzuki delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kyle Tucker kicked off the scoring sequence by singling and swiping second base before Suzuki’s grounder to center plated him. Nico Hoerner added a two-out RBI double after an intentional pass to Ian Happ. Shota Imanaga spun seven strong innings for the Cubs, and Brad Keller closed it out to seal the win.

The Cubs finally snapped a skid, getting three runs from a lineup that has often been held in check this month. Pittsburgh’s offense was limited to a Tommy Pham homer and a handful of opportunities, with rookie Mike Burrows going five innings and Evan Sisk exiting after one, leaving the Pirates to rue missed chances in a tight ballgame. The series concludes with Cubs ace-in-waiting Javier Assad taking the ball for Chicago and Carmen Mlodzinski opening for Pittsburgh, signaling more bullpen depth will be tested in game three.

Fantasy angles center on Suzuki’s late-game power and Tucker’s baserunning pace in a run-heavy back-end of the lineup, while Imanaga’s seven-inning gem underscores Chicago’s ongoing confidence in the lefty. For Pittsburgh, Pham’s homer provides a spark, but the offense will need more sustained production from the top of the order as the Pirates lean on Burrows’ five innings and a deeper bullpen to cover the rest of the series.

The Pirates and Cubs collide in a Saturday matinee at Wrigley as Pittsburgh sends Mike Burrows to the mound against Shota Imanaga for Chicago. Burrows helped snap a five‑game skid for his club with Friday’s 3‑2 win, but Pittsburgh has dropped four of five lately. Imanaga comes in with strong run prevention and a high strikeout ceiling, fresh off a productive stretch in which he’s posted sub‑3.20 ERAs and whiff totals that fantasy managers crave. The over/under sits at 8.5, and SportsLine’s model leans into Imanaga’s strikeout upside and Burrows’ mid‑rotation floor, while weekend props spotlight Kyle Tucker, Bryan Reynolds and Imanaga’s K pace.

For fantasy players, leverage Imanaga’s ceiling in this lefty‑duel setup and target Pirates bats with caution when Burrows is on the bump. The model’s three top bets—Tucker under 1.5 total bases, Reynolds over 0.5 hits, and Imanaga over 5.5 strikeouts—underscore the game’s mix of power, contact and strikeout potential. With Chicago’s offense scuffling and Pittsburgh’s bullpen depth a factor, daily lineups should tilt toward the talent edge and defensive settings at Wrigley.

The Reds exploded for 14 runs, stamping a decisive road win at Pittsburgh as Elly De La Cruz kicked things off with an RBI single and Miguel Andujar followed with a three‑run homer. Cincinnati never let up, with Noelvi Marte and Spencer Steer padding the cushion and Steer delivering a two‑run double before later adding a two‑run homer for insurance. Pittsburgh battled back briefly, tying the game on timely hits and a Kasper-like run, but the Reds pulled away late with a multi‑run eighth. The slugfest underscored Cincinnati’s breakout push and highlighted several players fantasy managers will want to chase down the stretch.

Key contributors for Cincinnati: De La Cruz, Andujar, Marte, and Steer supplied the offense in waves, while Yohan Ramírez yielded early damage before the bullpen steadied. For Pittsburgh, Jack Suwinski and Bryan Reynolds contributed, Isiah Kiner-Falefa lined a two‑run double and Spencer Horwitz added a run‑scoring single, but the late surge by Cincinnati overwhelmed the Pirates. The final 14‑8 tilt leaves Cincinnati at 62‑57 and Pittsburgh at 51‑68, with the Reds asserting themselves as legitimate playoff hopefuls in this intraleague showdown.

Fantasy takeaway: buy into Reds bats now—De La Cruz, Marte, Andujar, and Steer have multi‑hitter upside, while the depth of Cincinnati’s lineup supports weekly streaming. For Pittsburgh, streaming opportunities are slimmer but situational plays like Suwinski and Reynolds can still help in deeper formats, especially when they face righty‑heavy matches. Target the Reds’ ongoing power surge and monitor bullpen usage as Cincinnati looks to push this run production trend forward.

Sunday’s Reds-Pirates finale at PNC Park shapes up as more than a division tilt. Cincinnati, chasing a playoff berth, sends Zack Littell back to the mound for the second time since the deadline deal, while Pittsburgh counters with Mike Burrows. The Reds’ run to stay in the hunt clashes with the Pirates’ bid to play spoiler, setting the stage for a tense afternoon.

Bookmakers show Cincinnati as slight underdogs but with more at stake, including a -1.5 run line that carries a tempting payout. A notable long-shot prop is Bryan Reynolds to homer at +600, riding a hot stretch and facing Littell, who has surrendered a high volume of homers this season. For fantasy players, Littell’s strong debut by seven innings, one run allowed, signals upside but his homer-prone history remains a concern, while Burrows has struggled in recent starts and Pittsburgh’s lineup has been slow to produce runs. Reynolds’ form and the Reds’ urgency combine for a compelling, contrarian DFS angle as the day unfolds.

The San Francisco Giants face the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 2 of their series, with Logan Webb on the mound for the Giants and Mike Burrows for the Pirates. Following a close 5-4 loss, the Pirates have shown resilience, winning seven of their last nine games. Webb has a solid 3.31 ERA, while Burrows stands at 3.88. The Giants are favored at -160 on the moneyline against the Pirates' +134. Betting trends favor the Pirates at home, particularly with the Over hitting in five of their last seven home games.

Webb's recent performance against the Pirates, featuring 11 strikeouts, enhances his appeal in fantasy leagues. The Pirates, buoyed by the timely hitting of Isiah Kiner-Falefa, are gaining momentum. The odds suggest a competitive matchup, making it a crucial game for both teams as they navigate the latter part of the season. Look out for strategic plays as each team seeks to capitalize on pitching matchups and batting statistics.