San Francisco’s bats wake in the 11th, delivering a 5-1 win at Arizona after Brandon Pfaadt’s nine-inning gem. Justin Verlander spun seven scoreless for the Giants, but the bullpen couldn’t hold in extras until a huge 11th-frame rally. Bryce Eldridge drew a first major league walk, Patrick Bailey sparked the bases loaded hit, and Rafael Devers knocked in the go-ahead runs as San Francisco seized the moment and closed within striking distance in the wild-card race.

Fantasy takeaway: late-inning surges and bullpen decisions shaped the result, elevating the value of Giants role players (Bailey, Koss, McCray) while underscoring Pfaadt’s dominance despite the loss. With 10 games left, every inning matters as these teams jockey for postseason positioning.

The San Francisco Giants, despite appearing to be sellers at the trade deadline, continue to chase a playoff spot, boosted by the impressive performance of top prospect Bryce Eldridge. After a difficult start to the season, Eldridge has excelled in Triple-A Sacramento, hitting three home runs in recent games and maintaining a strong .281 batting average with a 1.023 OPS since returning from injury. His ability to cut down on strikeouts is noteworthy, with 22 strikeouts in 74 plate appearances. Giants president Buster Posey remains cautious about an immediate call-up, stating they want Eldridge to be fully prepared before stepping into the majors. With power hitting being a concern for the team and a recent injury to Jerar Encarnacion, the Giants may need to consider an impact player like Eldridge more seriously as they look to strengthen their lineup.

As the Giants navigate a crucial next few weeks, including a series against the wild-card-chasing Padres, their decision on Eldridge may define their playoff aspirations. While Posey hinted at the possibility of a late-season call-up for Eldridge, he emphasized the importance of readiness and overall player development. The Giants face a challenging path ahead as they aim to solidify their position and capitalize on Eldridge’s potential.

The recent MLB trade deadline has significantly altered the landscape for fantasy baseball, creating new opportunities for saves from a variety of relief pitchers. With many teams reshuffling their bullpens, several closers have emerged as valuable pickups for fantasy managers looking to enhance their rosters.

Dennis Santana of the Pittsburgh Pirates has stepped into the closer role after the departure of David Bednar to the Yankees, despite a rocky start in his new position. In Cleveland, Cade Smith is now filling in for Emmanuel Clase, who is on paid leave due to a betting investigation, while Kevin Ginkel has taken over closing duties for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Other notable mentions include Jose A. Ferrer for the Washington Nationals and Randy Rodriguez for the San Francisco Giants, both of whom have shown promise in their new responsibilities.

Bob Melvin is looking for an opportunity to integrate Jerar Encarnación into the San Francisco Giants lineup after his long recovery from a hand injury. Encarnación made his season debut as a substitute, showing promise despite going 0 for 3. His manager praised his composure in tough situations, indicating that he might start in upcoming games. After a successful spring training, the Giants are counting on his power to improve their offensive struggles, which have seen them score only 30 runs over their last 16 games. Encarnación is eager to contribute and is well-regarded by teammates for his energy and enthusiasm.