Seattle is surging into the home stretch with a deadline-aided push that has fans dreaming of October glory. Fangraphs pegs the Mariners at 9.9% to win it all, a mark that sits behind the Dodgers but places Seattle ahead of most AL contenders. The mix of home-run power and aggressive baserunning, paired with a pitching staff that avoids free passes, makes Seattle a viable late-season spoiler and fantasy darling. Cal Raleigh’s historic splash, combined with Julio Rodríguez’s continued growth and Eugenio Suárez’s arrival, fuels optimism that Seattle can sustain its momentum through the postseason.

Beyond Seattle, the narrative touches the AL’s openness and the weight of bullpen depth, while marquee names like Mookie Betts and Randy Arozarena remain potential fantasy catalysts as race resumes. The article threads a crisp road map for fantasy managers: target Seattle’s power and speed, monitor the Mariners’ rotation, and watch the wild-card-driven innings pile up as teams jockey for the Fall Classic. The blend of youth, proven talent, and deadline upgrades keeps the AL's path to October wide open.

Cal Raleigh delivered MLB-leading power, belting his 44th homer as Seattle defeated Tampa Bay 7-4 and stretched its winning streak to six—the longest in the American League. Raleigh’s three-run shot in the third capped a crucial swing after YOUNG’s earlier walk set the table for a bullpen-night that held the Rays to five hits. Julio Rodríguez supplied a two-homer night, including a 436-foot blast in the first, lifting Seattle’s offense and keeping the club within a half-game of Houston in the AL West. The victory capped a standout performance from the offense while Seattle’s pitching, though imperfect, managed the late innings to preserve the win.

The key moment came when Brandon Lowe started the Rays’ scoring with a homer, and Junior Caminero later added a three-run shot, but Seattle answered repeatedly. Rodríguez’s power complemented Raleigh’s season-long onslaught, as the Mariners kept pressuring opponents while their bullpen closed out the final frames. J.P. Crawford even showcased a marathon 17-pitch at-bat against Mason Englert that underscored Seattle’s resilience and depth.

Up next, Seattle hopes to keep the momentum as it chases within striking distance of the division lead; Tampa Bay will look to rebound as the two teams finish their series. Fantasy note: Raleigh’s 44 HR pace makes him an anchor at catcher, while Rodríguez remains a cornerstone contributor with multi-homer upside.

In today's slate of MLB games, Nathan Eovaldi and Bryan Woo are positioned as the top pitchers for DFS players. Eovaldi, priced at $10,500, boasts a higher strikeout rate against an Angels team that ranks second in the league for strikeouts this season. Meanwhile, Jose Soriano and Will Warren represent the next tier of pitchers, with Warren facing a struggling Rays lineup, making him a compelling choice at $7,800. Jeffrey Springs and Nick Martinez round out the pitching options, with Martinez’s favorable matchup against the Dodgers.

Top hitters to watch include Kyle Stowers, who is on fire and up against Miles Mikolas, known for giving up home runs. The Guardians and Rockies clash, with potential value coming from players like Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez. The Mariners' lineup, featuring Julio Rodriguez, is also worth considering against Springs. For those looking to stack, Cleveland and Seattle present solid opportunities against vulnerable pitching.

The Seattle Mariners are in a strong position for the postseason, currently holding the second American League wild card spot and just two games behind the AL West leaders. A significant factor in their success is the emergence of catcher Cal Raleigh, alongside key acquisitions like Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez. However, the spotlight also shines on the young star Julio Rodríguez, who, despite his ups and downs, continues to showcase his immense talent.

At just 24 years old, Rodríguez has already made significant contributions, including a historic achievement of 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in each of his first four seasons. While he has faced criticism for his strike zone discipline and low batting average, his defensive skills and base-running prowess remain exceptional. His current performance metrics, including a 116 OPS+ and a 4.8 WAR, indicate that he is not only above average but one of the more valuable players in baseball at this stage of his career.

The Chicago White Sox are struggling this season, currently sitting at 42-72, and facing the Seattle Mariners who are pushing for a playoff spot at 62-53. In their last matchup, the Mariners prevailed 8-6, fueled by early home runs from Josh Naylor and Julio Rodriguez. This afternoon, Shane Smith (3-7, 4.25 ERA) takes the mound for the Sox against Logan Gilbert (3-4, 3.45 ERA) in Seattle, as both teams look to solidify their standings in the American League.

Betting lines have the Mariners favored at -281 on the moneyline, while the Sox are sitting at +226. The over/under is set at 7.0 runs, with the Mariners winning five of their last six home games against American League opponents. With high hopes from Seattle's recent form, they aim to narrow the gap to Houston in the AL West.