Pirates explode for a decisive eighth, snapping a seven-game skid with a 5-1 win at Nationals Park as Bubba Chandler silenced Washington by retiring the first 15 batters he faced. The inning opened with a bases-loaded situation and Pittsburgh capitalized with two timely hits from Andrew McCutchen and Nick Yorke to take control.

Spencer Horwitz and Tommy Pham drew walks to fuel the rally, Bryan Reynolds added the final blow, and Pittsburgh padded the lead with cushion runs. The result offers a spark for fantasy managers, underscoring late-season depth and a potential uptick in value for Pirates role players the rest of the way.

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.

The New York Mets, led by President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, face a significant challenge in their starting rotation as the season progresses. Despite a strong start, Mets starters have struggled to pitch deep into games, with only David Peterson achieving six innings in the last month. After not acquiring an additional starter at the trade deadline, the focus is now on promoting standout prospects Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean from Triple-A, should the need arise. Stearns has emphasized a disciplined approach to roster building, particularly in the pitching staff, preferring pitchers with untapped potential over high-cost trades.

While the Mets bolstered their bullpen by acquiring Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, and Gregory Soto, the absence of a true ace has become evident as they head into the final stretch of the season. The Mets previously pursued elite pitchers like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Sean Manaea but opted for less expensive options, leading to a mixed performance in their rotation. With injuries to key starters like Kodai Senga and the inconsistency of others like Luis Severino, the need for internal reinforcement looms larger as the Mets look to reclaim their position in the playoff race.

After addressing their injury-ridden batting lineup through trades, the Houston Astros are focusing on bringing back key pitchers from the injured list before the postseason. General manager Dana Brown has opted not to pursue additional starters, confident that Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier, J.P. France, and Luis Garcia will return soon. However, concerns are mounting regarding Garcia's recovery from Tommy John surgery, as he continues to struggle during rehabilitation starts.

Garcia's latest outing was particularly troubling, where he allowed three earned runs over 2.2 innings while only reaching a pitch count of 50. With his 30-day rehab window closing soon and uncertainty about his readiness to return as a starter, the Astros may consider extending his assignment. Garcia's setbacks have left him without a major league appearance for over two years, complicating his timeline as the team looks ahead to the playoffs.

As the trade deadline approaches, significant changes in MLB bullpens are occurring, especially with injuries and potential trades impacting closer roles. With Felix Bautista of the Baltimore Orioles sidelined due to shoulder discomfort, Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto have emerged as primary save options. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers are leaning on Alex Vesia and Kirby Yates after Tanner Scott's injury, while the Arizona Diamondbacks are facing turmoil with their closer situation. Similarly, the Miami Marlins' Ronny Henriquez seems secure in his role amidst minor trade talks. The Texas Rangers are experiencing a messy bullpen due to injuries, but Robert Garcia and Jon Gray could see increased save opportunities. Fantasy managers should take note of these volatile situations to scoop potential saves as the trade deadline approaches.