Cubs host Washington in a pivotal three-game set as Chicago chases a playoff return after five years. Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV+ features Javier Assad for the Cubs against Jake Irvin of Washington, a matchup that could set the tone early in the series.

The games run at 2:20 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Irvin is 8-20 with a 5.42 ERA; Assad is 1-1 with a 4.05 ERA. With Chicago in playoff contention, fantasy managers will eye streaming value and bullpen angles in this cross-division showdown.

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.

Zack Wheeler’s season-ending thoracic outlet syndrome surgery leaves Philadelphia’s rotation thinner, but the Phillies still sit 6 games up in the NL East as they host Washington. Ranger Suárez draws Jake Irvin, a pitcher with a 5.30 ERA, in a matchup tuned for offense. Bryce Harper is projecting as a prime DFS target with a +155 home-run prop against Irvin, who’s been hittable and is backed by a Nationals bullpen with a high ERA. The total sits at 9.5 as both offenses look to exploit shaky bullpens, setting up a favorable fantasy-slanted tilt for Sunday.

Harper’s recent form, Irvin’s struggles, and Philly’s depth behind Wheeler create a path for big fantasy days from Phillies bats and a potential high-scoring finish. With Philly’s lead in the division and Nationals showing late spark, bettors and fantasy managers alike will watch the prop market, as Harper’s lane to another long ball could be the decisive edge in a must-win-looking Sunday game.