Giancarlo Stanton returns to the New York Yankees’ lineup after three games of general soreness, set to start in right field in one of the two games against the Rays while Aaron Judge remains out of the outfield. Judge’s timetable is unclear as he tests his right elbow with long toss, and Boone suggested he may not regain full throwing strength this season. The Yankees sit three games ahead of the AL wild-card cutoff, relying on production at the plate while managing health constraints. Stanton sits at .299 with 12 homers and 34 RBIs, OPS .953, while Judge has ripped .333 with 39 HR and 91 RBIs since Aug. 5 as a DH. Stanton’s risk—an outsized history of injuries—adds a layer of tension to any outfield deployment. The Cardinals were swept by New York, underscoring the club’s momentum, but Judge’s fielding absence hinders flexibility as the club navigates a critical stretch.

For fantasy players, Stanton’s return provides a power boost but comes with positional risk, especially in RF given his elbow history. Judge’s elbow uncertainty makes the outfield a flux point for the Yankees, potentially elevating Stanton’s upside in the short term and reshaping who benefits from New York’s lineup protections. The Rays series becomes a test of health, depth, and strategic use of the lineup as the team tries to hold its wild-card position while balancing rest for veterans.

Aaron Judge is back in the Yankees’ batting order, but an elbow flexor strain keeps him from his usual outfield throws this week against the Rays. Manager Aaron Boone says Judge will primarily DH for now and is focused on protecting the elbow, not regaining his full throwing velocity this season.

Judge has appeared 11 times since Aug. 5, slashing .229 with a double, 2 homers and 6 RBIs. Giancarlo Stanton has gotten some right-field work to fill the holes, but mobility concerns persist. New York must ride the rest of the lineup to keep the offense humming while safeguarding Judge’s health.

Fantasy players should still treat Judge as a big power source, but the risk of reduced speed and limited defensive value weighs on his overall ceiling. The Rays series becomes a benchmark for how far the Yankees can push their lineup—Stanton and the supporting cast must carry RBI and runs while Judge heals.

The Yankees sit atop the AL wild-card picture after a 7-3 stretch, primed for a pivotal series in the Bronx against the Rays as both clubs chase playoff spots. Tampa Bay slid from the postseason chase after dealing assets at the deadline, while New York braces for a run at the top Wild Card and a possible surge in the crowded AL East race.

In the marquee matchup, Carlos Rodón goes for New York against Shane Baz of Tampa Bay. Aaron Judge looms as a prime DFS/street-promise option, especially given his history against Baz and his power against right-handed pitching this year. The betting line has the Yankees as slim road favorites with favorable remaining schedules helping their cause.

From a fantasy angle, Rodón’s steady 2025 profile and Judge’s popping upside against Baz stand out. The Rays’ lefty-vs-righty dynamics and Tampa’s post-deadline shift add volatility, but New York’s top OPS and runs-scoring pace keep them in the center of attention as they vie for a deeper October run.

Rob Manfred floated expansion and geographic realignment as a path to cut travel time and refresh MLB’s post-season format. The idea pairs teams like the Dodgers, Angels, Padres, Giants, Athletics and Mariners in a Pacific Division, with East/West scheduling aimed at boosting West Coast visibility and reducing wear on players. Nashville and Salt Lake City emerged as top expansion targets, alongside Portland, Orlando, San Antonio and Charlotte, signaling a broad market push that could reshape rivalries and travel patterns for fantasy play.

But pushback from traditionalists and questions about competitive balance linger. Cameron Maybin warned that balanced divisions matter more than geography, while Manfred argued realignment could unlock new markets and stronger TV windows. The Rays’ future and the Rays-Diamondbacks dynamic from the league’s 1998 expansion add layers to timing and location decisions, with 2029 eyed for expansion approval and a linked realignment plan that could redefine cross-town and cross-state series, including a potential revival of regional clashes like a West Coast matchup cadence.

MLB is weighing a dramatic 32-team expansion and a geographic realignment designed to cut player travel and open new market opportunities. Commissioner Rob Manfred floated the idea during ESPN's Little League Classic featuring the Mets and Mariners, suggesting cities could be chosen by 2029 and divisions realigned by region. A drastic shift could reshape rivalries and the postseason, moving beyond the traditional AL/NL structure to boost cross-country marquee matchups.

The plan would hinge on travel savings and broadcast strategy, with Manfred noting that a 10 p.m. Pacific Time slot for West Coast games could become a genuine audience boon. The last expansion occurred in 1998 (Diamondbacks and Rays) and the last realignment in 2013 (Astros to the AL). The Mets and Mariners are foregrounded in coverage of the idea, but other markets such as Boston and Anaheim would be in play for two new clubs.