Blue Jays erupted early, drilling Mitch Keller for a 5-0 deficit before Toronto settled in and Max Scherzer delivered six innings of concise, one-run relief to notch win No. 220. Alejandro Kirk delivered an RBI single in the first, Nathan Lukes doubled home two, and George Springer capped the surge with a 423-foot, two-run blast in the second. Pittsburgh finally scratched a run in the bottom of the second on Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s bases-loaded groundout, but the cushion was too large to overcome.

From a fantasy lens, Toronto’s lineup flashed depth with Springer, Kirk, and Lukes taking advantage of Keller’s early miscue, while Pittsburgh’s offense struggled to assemble consistent rallies against Scherzer and the Jays’ bullpen. Scherzer’s steady six-inning performance reinforces his reliability in solid matchups, while the Jays’ offense looks primed to carry momentum into upcoming series. Keller’s rough start serves as a cautionary note for managers considering him in the near term, especially against strong lineups at hitter-friendly venues.

Looking ahead, Springer and Kirk emerge as steady power and run producers in Toronto’s order, with Lukes offering multi-positional flexibility in deeper leagues. Keller must rebound quickly, ideally against a more forgiving foe, or risk a leash contraction in his role. The Jays’ plate discipline and timely hits supplied Toronto with a blueprint for continued success as they chase meaningful wins down the stretch.

Scherzer turned in six sturdy innings for win number 220 as Toronto rolled past Pittsburgh 7-3, with Springer launching a 423-foot early two-run shot to spark the attack. The Blue Jays pounced for five runs in the first two frames against Keller, then Kirk capped it with a three-hit night and a two-run homer in the seventh. Guerrero Jr. sat with hamstring tightness, MRI clear, while Kirk’s power and Springer’s early thunder kept Toronto firmly ahead. The Pirates’ baserunning misfires and a bases-loaded threat in the second linger as a reminder that this interleague slate remains a sellers’ market for fantasy value. Bassitt will duel Oviedo in the series finale, with Toronto holding a robust 25-13 interleague mark.

Pittsburgh shuffled its order, moving Spencer Horwitz to the two-hole for the first time this season as Ronny Simon leads off, a bold shake-up in a game that pits the Pirates against Brandon Woodruff and Milwaukee in a bid to stave off a sweep after a 14-0 setback.

Simon, recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis after Oneil Cruz landed on the seven-day concussion IL, brings speed and a track record of spark though his big-league path is still unfolding. Horwitz, who’s usually atop the lineup, now occupies a different slot, while he’s shown strong leadoff value (.284/.345/.450) versus weaker cleanup numbers (.205/.276/.282). Kelly’s lineup shuffle signals a proactive chase for offense and a fresh path to production against Milwaukee.

The shift to second and Simon’s top-of-lineupRole anchor could reshape how the Pirates generate runs in this series, with Horwitz’s leadoff-warmth and Simon’s speed providing multi-positional fantasy upside if the arrangement sticks beyond this game. Monitor how this dynamic evolves as Pittsburgh tries to snap an 11-game Brewers streak and avoid slipping into a longer skid.

Milwaukee invades American Family Field riding an 11-game win streak and the NL’s best record, aiming to extend its dominance over the Pirates in a pivotal August matchup. The Brewers sit as a heavy favorite (-192 moneyline) with a 7.0 total as Mitch Keller (Pirates) matches up with Brandon Woodruff (Brewers) in a clash that could shape the NL Central race down the stretch. NBC Sports’ model leans Brewers on the moneyline and favors the over, citing Milwaukee’s current form and Woodruff’s home-leaning excellence.

Keller enters with a 5-10 mark and a 3.86 ERA, coming off a 3.18 earned run turn with three walks and three strikeouts across five innings. Woodruff, 4-0 with a 2.29 ERA, punched out eight in his last outing, continuing his season-long patience and efficiency. The model factors in park effects, recent performance, and weather for a relative confidence edge on Milwaukee’s side, while noting the Pirates’ recent slide (#0-4 in their last four).

Trends point toward Brewers’ continuing home success (17 of 20 at home with Woodruff starting) and a run-line edge against Pittsburgh. Woodruff’s 1.96 ERA over his last five home starts reinforces Milwaukee’s home dominance; Keller will need to limit the big hits and pitch efficiently to keep this close. Fantasy players should weigh Milwaukee’s batting order depth and Woodruff’s at-home form when setting lineups.

As the MLB offseason approaches, trade rumors are heating up, with several players expected to be on the move. Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins is a key name, especially if the club decides to rebuild. His impressive fastball makes him a desirable asset.

Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers is also on the radar as he enters his walk year. The Guardians may face dilemmas about Steven Kwan, whose declining athleticism raises questions about his future. Sandy Alcantara, despite struggles post-surgery, could still attract interest if he can return to form. Mitch Keller from the Pirates offers a compelling mix of reliability and affordability.

MacKenzie Gore of the Nationals finds himself in a pivotal offseason for the team, while Brendan Donovan could be an appealing trade target due to his versatility. Pete Fairbanks' high-leverage role with the Rays makes him a candidate for a deal. Finally, Josh Jung of the Texas Rangers could also be traded, particularly with his arbitration status looming.