Giancarlo Stanton resurfaced as a spark for the Yankees, pinch-hitting in the ninth and drawing a walk as New York mounted an 8-4 rally to beat the Cardinals. Stanton’s appearance—his first since midweek—came while he nurses lower-body soreness, with Anthony Volpe pinch-running and scoring in the late surge. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge remains the Yankees’ designated hitter as he rehab throws ahead of a possible outfield return. Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt came back into the Cardinals’ lineup, with Goldschmidt delivering a multi-hit day after knee inflammation and a spirited standing ovation marking a six-season Cardinal reunion. Rehabbing arms from both clubs surfaced in the bullpen notes: Loáisiga’s rehab start and Cruz’s brief return-to-action. The mix of health updates and late-game offense shaped a tight narrative as the season moves toward critical late-summer windows.

In a 3-2 grind in St. Louis, Chicago’s offense produced a handful of loud moments but came up short in the late innings. Matt Shaw’s two-run homer to erase an early 2-0 deficit set the tone, and Nico Hoerner added multi-hit base hits, yet the Cubs couldn’t push the go-ahead run across in the ninth. Eight Cubs hits and a trio of walks couldn’t overcome a tight Cardinals bullpen and clean late single from Nolan Gorman. Despite elite early stuff from Shōta Imanaga, the Cubs left more on the table than their stat line would suggest, with just two runs scoring on eight hits and one error by the Cards helping tilt the balance in a one-run decision.

The loss tightens the chase for a wild-card spot as Chicago heads to Toronto. The series outlook comes with Miguel Amaya’s return on the horizon and rotation shifts nudging toward Taillon and Javier Assad soon, which could reshape the Cubs’ late-season rotation. With a 1.5-game cushion on the Padres for the top wild-card, every run and decision matters as they navigate health and bullpen depth over the next 6–7 weeks. The bullpen (including JoJo Romero’s save) and the tactical eighth-inning calls will be under the microscope as Chicago eyes the postseason.

Brad Keller’s one-inning push as the hero for St. Louis and Nolan Gorman’s seventh-inning RBI provided the decisive edge, while Carson Kelly supplied three hits in a critical win. The Cubs will need to replicate the offensive tempo they showed in bursts and solve the late-inning touches that slipped away in this one, because every game in this window could tilt a wildcard outcome.

As the MLB season approaches its climax, fantasy managers must navigate the FAAB landscape carefully to fortify their rosters for the playoffs. With the trade deadline behind us, key players are now available for bidding, and this week's article highlights several targets likely to aid in your final push. Each pickup recommendation is informed by recent performance trends and emerging playing time opportunities.

Rookie Cade Horton of the Chicago Cubs stands out after tossing 22.2 shutout innings, now holding a 3.18 ERA. While his next matchup against the Blue Jays might be challenging, his recent form suggests he’s worth a FAAB bid of $5. Aaron Civale has started strong for the White Sox, notching a 2-0 record with a perfect 17.1 innings since the All-Star break, presenting an enticing opportunity at $3. Similarly, Brady Singer is finding his stride with a solid strikeout rate, making him a streaming option against weaker offenses like the Pirates. For relievers, JoJo Romero is emerging as a closer for the Cardinals with two recent saves and could be picked up for $3.

As the MLB season approaches its critical stretch, fantasy managers must optimize their rosters ahead of the playoffs. This week, several undervalued players can be targeted for FAAB bids, especially with a focus on Thursday leagues. Pitchers like Cade Horton and Aaron Civale have shown strong recent performances, while relief options such as JoJo Romero and Calvin Faucher have stepped into prominent roles, enhancing their fantasy value.

Players like Andrew Vaughn are on a hitting streak, indicating that they could provide consistent production down the line. The trade deadline may have passed, but impactful pickups remain available, making it essential to keep an eye on player trends and matchups to bolster teams for the upcoming playoffs.

The countdown to the MLB playoffs intensifies with just two months left in the regular season, making it crucial for fantasy baseball managers to optimize their rosters. With the addition of players from the minors, this week's waiver wire targets include notable names such as Luke Keaschall, Andrew Vaughn, and Shane Bieber. Luke Keaschall, recently activated from the injured list, has made an immediate impact, hitting .444 with six RBIs in two games. Andrew Vaughn is also a strong contender with a consistent batting average, making him a valuable asset as managers push for playoff spots.

In addition to Keaschall, pitchers like Bubba Chandler and JoJo Romero are intriguing options. Chandler has shown promise with 20 strikeouts in Triple-A, despite a high ERA, while Romero's recent performances are worth monitoring. As teams expand their rosters, keeping an eye on these players can greatly influence fantasy outcomes. The landscape is ever-changing, and staying ahead in the waiver wire could be the difference come playoff time.