Mets roll to an 8-1 win at Nationals Park behind David Peterson’s eight-inning gem, breaking a brutal 2-14 skid and kicking off a needed stretch of steady wins. The lefty worked efficiently, using a sinker for grounders and a zone-changeup mix to punch out 10, carrying a shutout into the eighth. New York’s lineup finally came alive around a five-run third, with Mark Vientos, Juan Soto, Brett Baty and Jeff McNeil all homering. McNeil doubled, extended a six-game hitting streak, and flirted with the cycle as the Mets gained confidence in a long 16-game, 16-day road swing. The performance underscored a rotation still finding footing, but the offense looked refreshed and the defense supported the surge. For fantasy managers, Peterson’s durability and the updated Mets lineup provide renewed upside, while Soto, Vientos, Baty and McNeil offer spike opportunities as the team leans into run production down the stretch.

Lineup shifts across MLB this week signal value plays for fantasy managers. Atlanta leaned hard into Marcell Ozuna at designated hitter, riding nine straight starts and a .981 OPS with five homers in that stretch, while Michael Harris II has surged in the second half to a .398/.413/.732 line with nine homers, moving up to the fifth spot against right-handers in most recent games. Sean Murphy’s playing time has cooled with the DH being less available, and others like Drake Baldwin have seen splits in starts.

Miami’s Troy Johnston has dominated versus righties, starting 11 of 14, with Marsee showing league-winning potential since arriving and a two-hole stint that energized offense. The Mets have shuffled top of the order, with Lindor back leadoff and Nimmo up the order, while Brett Baty and Mauricio work for at-bats. Philadelphia has Bohm back in the cleanup spot, with Castellanos sliding in and Harrison Bader mixing in more against righties as Kepler’s slump persists.

Across the league, DeJong has started nine of 12 and hit third or fourth for Washington, Ian Happ has faced a positional shuffle in Chicago, and Arenado’s playing time is impacted by injuries in St. Louis. These trends create new buying opportunities for under-the-radar bats while signaling potential risk for players with fragile roles.

Francisco Alvarez’s season took another turn as the Mets placed the catcher on the 10-day injured list with a right thumb issue, recalling Hayden Senger from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the roster spot. The injury stems from Sundays Little League Classic in Williamsport, not the previously suffered left-thumb problem or spring hamate surgery. The Mets face a six-game road swing, starting in Washington against the Nationals, and the severity remains uncertain, with some fearing a longer absence.

Alvarez showed a strong late-resurgence at the plate after returning from a midseason demotion, batting .323 with a 1.054 OPS and four homers. That stretch highlights his dynamic power and contact potential when healthy, underscoring the fantasy implications if he can return soon. Senger’s arrival creates immediate depth behind the plate, and how the Mets deploy the two catchers on the road trip will influence catcher-streaming and lineup flexibility for fantasy managers.

For fantasy players, Alvarez’s status is the primary driver here, with Senger as a potential waiver-wire or depth play depending on playing time. The Nationals series could offer opportunities for Mets bats to rebound, while the Mariners and Williamsport context add a reminder that injuries can pop up in any stretch. Track Alvarez’s status closely, and watch how often Senger starts as the club navigates the injury and a busy schedule.

Mets push for a late-season push with a one-game edge in the NL wild-card race as Francisco Lindor heats up. A favorable matchup awaits David Peterson against Washington, while Jake Irvin struggles at home and has yielded plenty of homers this season. The betting breakdown favors the Mets in a tight opener, but the author leans Peterson to snag the win in a lefty-vs-lefty spotlight. Lindor’s current streak is the centerpiece for fantasy managers eyeing upside in a must-win window.

Prop bets spotlight Lindor again: HR odds at +390 sit in the pocket of a hitter who’s rocking a week-plus of production. With Lindor’s success against Irvin in limited history and Irvin’s August struggles, contrarian DFS and betting angles emerge, including Mets to win while avoiding a heavy moneyline wager. The series sets the stage for a pivotal stretch run as New York tries to hold off Cincinnati and stabilize the wild-card push.

Tuesday’s MLB slate features 16 games, with a Cubs-Brewers doubleheader looming after Monday’s rainout. The prop spotlight centers on power against suspect arms: Judge, Lindor and Bregman headline the board with favorable odds (+205, +390, +400 respectively). Riley Greene also enters the mix after Monday’s homer, giving fantasy managers a hot streak target. The narrative around each pick hinges on matchup specifics: Judge vs Baz, Lindor vs Irvin, and Bregman vs Sugano, plus the surrounding context of recent form and handedness splits. A strong reminder that odds shift and bankroll discipline remain essential as the night progresses.

Judge’s post-IL plate discipline leans into a right-handed power profile, and Baz has coughed up a number of homers this season. Lindor has heated up, delivering multi-HR power in recent games and a proven track record against Irvin, who has shown home-run propensity. Bregman sits in a favorable two-week sample against righties, with a history of success against southpaws and a lineup-friendly environment in AL East play. DraftKings odds are refreshed periodically, so timely placement matters, especially with 16 games and potential lineup changes.