Grisham opened the day with a leadoff homer into the short porch as the Yankees overwhelmed Washington in a rout, six homers allowed and a third inning that spiraled into a nine-run nightmare with 15 Yankees reaching. Nationals pitchers totaled 77 pitches in that half-inning, the most in a half-inning since 2003, a hollow marker of the night.

Washington’s minus-171 run differential highlights how far they are from contending and fuels talk of a full rebuild: new manager, new GM, and a payroll focused on drafting and development over splashy free agents. The piece argues the path back lies in organizational change and patient, data-driven reconstruction rather than quick fixes.

Yankees take two from Washington and chase a three-game sweep in a Bronx matinee, leveraging a light late-season schedule and a depth-laden lineup to pressure the Nationals after back-to-back wins. Cavalli faces a bats-first NYY attack, testing his command in a pivotal early-afternoon showdown. Jazz Chisholm Jr. headlines At-Bat of the Week with a late Sunday homer, while Rivalry Roundup and a look back at the 2000 Yankees add context for fantasy minds.

The 1:05 p.m. ET tilt streams on YES, MASN and MLB Network, with radio on WFAN and WADO shaping lineup decisions and daily fantasy adjustments.

Stanton’s August eruption has the Yankees vaulting toward a postseason bid, providing elite power and RBI in the heart of the order as New York chases a wild-card spot. Since July 1, he’s hit .333 with 42 hits, 17 homers and 43 RBIs in 40 games, capped by a five-RBI night against Washington. Boone publicly praised his resurgence, and Stanton’s presence becomes even more valuable with Judge's inconsistencies and the lineup dealing with injuries. The 72-60 Yankees sit 4.5 behind Toronto and 0.5 behind Boston in the AL East, with August’s 14-12 mark signaling momentum.

Beyond the box score, Stanton’s return has transformed the Yankees’ middle of the order into a feared force that can flip games. Fantasy managers are taking notice as the veteran’s power pace could anchor fantasy lineups through a pennant race, especially in leagues that reward multi-HR, multi-RBI nights. If this surge continues, Stanton becomes a dependable cornerstone in power-heavy paths to playoff fantasy points.

The 2025 MLB schedule bursts onto the scene with the Giants hosting the Yankees on March 25, the earliest opening salvo since international play aside. A full slate follows across all 30 clubs, kicking off a season that blends traditional interleague play with notable quirks like West Sacramento hosting A’s three-game sets and a possible Phillies-Twins Field of Dreams game. Rotation and bullpen planning become crucial right away as teams navigate travel, travel days, and elevated early-season workloads.

Rivalry weekends, World Cup off-days, and a July All-Star backdrop in Philadelphia shape early-season strategies. Interleague matchups like Yankees at Mets and Dodgers at Angels pepper the calendar, while potential international forays (London, Mexico City) loom but face scheduling headwinds. The schedule invites bold early bets on hot starts, bullpen depth, and opportunistic lineups as teams seek fast, sustainable starts.