The Braves endure injuries and a season-long cold stretch, setting the stage for offseason changes as Brian Snitker heads toward a likely retirement. A waiver claim for Ha-Seong Kim signals a shift in Atlanta’s infield planning and a potential 2025-26 role for the versatile 29-year-old at shortstop or second base.

Kim’s arrival from the Rays comes with a modest 2025 salary and a $16 million option for 2026, and his debut three-run homer hints at immediate value. The move underscores Atlanta’s cautious budgeting and a likelihood of continued roster tinkering as they pursue stability in 2026.

Atlanta claim Ha-Seong Kim from Rays, a bold, short-term bet on a high-upside middle-infield for 2026. Kim carries a $16 million player option if he stays, but his health is a caveat after back inflammation and leg injuries. When right, he profiles as a solid 2-4 WAR contributor. The Braves have shifted from Orlando Arcia (now with Colorado) and Nick Allen at short, signaling a potential long-term plan around Kim’s upside.

The Cubs edged the Rockies 4-3 at Coors Field, extending their series dominance to six straight wins and 12 of 14 overall. Chicago leaned on timely hitting and bullpen steadiness after McCade Brown’s taxing start, while Colorado fought to the end but couldn’t sustain its offense in the late innings.

Key moments: Happ’s RBI double and Kyle Tucker’s early run-scoring hit helped the Cubs grab a lead that held through the finale as Bernabel snapped a 0-for-26 skid with a two-out single. Moniak’s triple and a late sac fly padded Chicago’s cushion; the Rockies stranded 11 and lacked a rally after the sixth.

Fantasy takeaway: chase Cubs hitters who produced multi-hit nights and monitor Brown’s next turn at altitude; Rockies’ spark plugs—Moniak, Fernández, Montes, Freeman, Goodman—remain streaming options in the right matchups.

Nationals aim to snap a six-game slide as Jake Irvin starts at Nationals Park against Tampa Bay. Brady House sits, Paul DeJong starts, and Luis García Jr. slides to the 8th against a righty. Rays reshuffle the bottom of the order with Jake Mangum, Chandler Simpson, Bob Seymour and Hunter Feduccia while Ryan Pepiot takes the mound.

This afternoon doubles as an audition for Washington’s young core with a month left in the season, while Tampa Bay looks to maintain momentum in an afternoon clash that could ripple through late-season lineups and fantasy rosters.

Cade Horton vs Germán Márquez opens a marquee Rockies-Cubs series at Coors Field. Horton has been sensational this season, going 8-4 with a 2.88 ERA and allowing only two earned runs across his last seven starts, a 0.49 ERA over 37 innings. Márquez, back from the IL, must locate rhythm and keep the ball down in the thin Denver air. Colorado’s lineup leans on Tovar and Doyle with Arcia at 2B while Ritter rests, creating a DFS-friendly clash with upside for both teams.

Expect Coors to amplify every hit, and fantasy managers will chase the ceiling of Horton and Márquez while factoring Rockies’ bats who have shown pop against Horton in the past. The matchup sets up a nuanced, midseason test for both rotation and lineup construction, offering meaningful value opportunities in daily formats.