Washington hosts Pittsburgh in an early rubber match at Nationals Park, with Washington reshuffling the lineup as Dylan Crews sits. Robert Hassell moves to right, Jacob Young to center, Daylen Lile in left, and James Wood shifts to DH while Riley Adams handles catching and Nasim Nunez stays at second. Cade Cavalli starts for the Nats. Pittsburgh counters with a lefty-friendly lineup featuring Oneil Cruz, Ji Hwan Bae, Spencer Horwitz, Joey Bart catching, and Mike Burrows on the mound. The Nats seek a September spark against aPirates club facing similar odds, hoping to prove they can beat teams in this tier.

The tactical shifts create fantasy intrigue: expect Hassell and Young to climb the batting order, Lile and Wood to contribute from spots that boost run potential, and Cavalli to deliver mixed results against a left-handed heavy Pirates lineup. For Pittsburgh, left-handed combinations against Cavalli will test Washington’s defense and opportunistic baserunning. This game is a chance for both teams to showcase resilience in a tight early-season schedule.

Shohei Ohtani blasted a solo shot at PNC Park that leapt off the bat at 120 mph, the hardest-hit ball in the Statcast era. Off Bubba Chandler at 99.2 mph, it became the toughest homer off a sub-100 mph pitch in the era and pushed Ohtani’s season total to 46, plus his 100th Dodgers homer. He remains a DH candidate as he builds back toward full mound work, with Teoscar Hernández backing the offense and the Dodgers clinging to a narrow NL West lead.

Ohtani’s feat comes amid a Dodgers- Pirates test, with Teoscar Hernández driving in a run to tighten the score and Rafael Diaz-like power looming on the horizon for fantasy managers. The Dodgers sit at 78-59, entertaining a hopeful finish as Ohtani continues to blend elite power with a recovered mound role, following a five-inning start against the Reds and prepping for another start versus Pittsburgh.

Zack Wheeler’s season took a sharp turn when a blood clot near his throwing shoulder landed him on the 15-day injured list, forcing the Phillies to rethink rotation plans. Early indicators point to a cautious approach with treatment already underway, including blood thinners, as doctors determine whether surgery to decompress the area (likely the first rib) is needed. If surgery is required, Wheeler’s 2024 campaign would end, but a return in 2025 remains plausible. The Phillies will prioritize long-term health as they map a careful path forward.