Boston chased Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly from Arizona by offering Connelly Early as the centerpiece, but the Diamondbacks sought more value than a late first-round pick and preferred to keep the veteran arms. Boston instead added Steven Matz and Dustin May to stabilize the rotation and bullpen as it pushes toward the playoffs. Gallen’s post-deadline form—2.20 ERA across seven starts (41 IP)—underscores the market’s premium on him, while May has struggled to a 5.40 ERA in five starts. Early looms as a tantalizing lefty prospect who could reach Boston soon, as Yoshida’s leadoff role keeps the lineup dynamic in Cora’s shuffle.

Sugano’s command wavered as Anthony’s leadoff homer and Duran’s three-run blast flipped the game, pushing Boston to a 4-3 lead. Baltimore stranded eight with runners in scoring position, even after Colton Cowser’s clutch RBI single and a Cowser-stoked rally tied by center-field power. Mountcastle was plunked and Mayo walked to fuel another late threat, but the Orioles couldn’t push across the tying run in the final frames. Yoshida and Story supplied the Sox’s early pressure, while Boston’s bullpen slammed the door late.

Fenway spectacle turns dramatic as Dane Myers’ leaping grab briefly etches a highlight, only to melt into a two‑run homer that shores up Boston’s lead before Miami rallies. Myers redeems himself with a ninth‑inning solo shot off Greg Weissert to knot the game, then Jakob Marsee’s two‑run blast off Steven Matz torpedoes the Red Sox in a 5‑3 Marlins win that snaps Boston’s weekend sweep bid.

Miami’s Janson Junk and Garrett Crochet delivered a masterclass in a near‑pitchers’ duel, each spinning seven innings and allowing just one run apiece before the late miscues. Aroldis Chapman’s Saturday closer duties linger as a Sunday absence looms, complicating bullpen plans for Boston. Abreu’s calf tightness adds to the drama, leaving the Red Sox to navigate rest of season health concerns while still clinging to a marginal AL East edge.

The Sox’ offense stalled for much of the day, grinding out a few homers and the crucial insurance run from Abreu’s replacement, while the Marlins kept pressure on with timely hits in scoring positions. Boston’s late framing crumbles, giving Miami life and the series win as the season’s tight divisional race continues, with Boston five games back in the division after Toronto’s Sunday loss.

Fantasy angles spike here: Myers’ power outbreak and Marsee’s late‑game impact highlight the Marlins’ depth in outfield and the potential for surprise power off the bench, especially if Abreu misses time. For Boston, the bullpen shuffle and Chappy’s availability loom large in DFS lineups and weekly forecasts, while Matz’s success against a power‑heavy lineup raises questions about how to attack Miami in future interleague encounters.

The St. Louis Cardinals are actively reshaping their roster ahead of the MLB trade deadline, initiating a seller's approach. Recently, they traded Ryan Helsley to the New York Mets and are now finalizing a deal to send left-handed reliever Steven Matz to the Boston Red Sox. With a solid 3.44 ERA over 55 innings this season, Matz's performance has made him an appealing target, even as a rental player.

In exchange for Matz, the Cardinals will acquire Blaze Jordan, a promising first baseman who has displayed impressive minor league numbers, including a .308 batting average and 12 home runs this season. Jordan is recognized for his potential and has close ties to the Cardinals' future leadership, having been drafted by the Cardinals’ future VP of Baseball Operations, Chaim Bloom. This strategic trade marks a significant step for St. Louis as they look to rebuild for the future while remaining competitive.

The Boston Red Sox made a strategic move to bolster their pitching staff by acquiring veteran left-hander Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals right before the MLB trade deadline. In exchange, the Red Sox parted ways with minor league first baseman Blaze Jordan, a prospect with considerable power potential. Matz, who has transitioned primarily to relief work in 2025, has demonstrated solid numbers with a 3.44 ERA and a strikeout rate of 47 over 55 innings. His ability to limit left-handed hitters to a .179 average adds depth to the Boston bullpen.

Matz brings a wealth of experience, having pitched for teams like the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays prior to signing with the Cardinals. His best season came in 2021 when he notched 14 wins for Toronto, showcasing his potential as both a starter and reliever. The move is also notable as Blaze Jordan was previously selected by former Red Sox executive Chaim Bloom, who is now with the Cardinals and will take over as their president of baseball operations in the offseason.