Trent Grisham turned in a career-high season pace with 30 homers and just nine doubles, a combo that places him in a historic club alongside Kingman, McGwire and Stanton. A single extra double would push him out of that elite group, underscoring a dramatic power surge that elevates his fantasy ceiling while keeping RBI potential and run scoring tied to lineup protection.

The power spike signals a genuine breakthrough rather than luck, reshaping how fantasy managers evaluate his upside and risk. Monitor stay-in-lineup, park effects, and his continued swing changes as the season unfolds to gauge whether this burst can be sustained.

The Yankees survived a 12-game gauntlet against four likely playoff clubs, going 7-5 and locking in the top AL wild-card path as they close with a favorable schedule. Boone’s sleep strategy and Judge’s arm rehab shaped decisions, while a deep rotation and improving bullpen helped the push into October.

Key fantasy takeaways: Judge’s cautious ramp and looming October arm usage; Caballero’s rise over Volpe at short; Bednar as closer and a bullpen finding its footing; Gil and Schlittler fueling the rotation depth; Grisham and Bellinger stabilizing the outfield as Dominguez develops, making late-season lineups and playoff projections dynamic and compelling.

Framber Valdez's bold 93-mph fastball after a Grisham grand slam sparks debate about clubhouse leadership and offseason leverage. One MLB club reportedly cooled talks, which could help Houston hold onto Valdez as free agency narrows. Valdez remains a core of Houston's rotation alongside Hunter Brown, carrying a 12-9 record with a 3.42 ERA and 171 Ks, keeping fantasy managers attentive to his durability and workload.

For fantasy, Valdez's mix and endurance maintain allure, even as the scandalous moment fuels chatter about loyalties and market value. Houston's stance—if they want him back—could shift late-season decisions and impact how investors in the Astros' staff view the pitching depth down the stretch.

Yankees survive a chaotic night in Houston, winning 8-4 to take the series from the Astros and put them in position for a push at Toronto. Bednar escaped a bases-loaded threat in the ninth to seal it, while Cruz’s seventh-inning strikeout of Altuve preserved a one-run edge. Grisham’s eighth-inning three-run shot, his 100th, cemented the comeback after a flurry of strange calls and defensive miscues.

The win keeps New York (78-62) focused on the Blue Jays, with Rodón delivering six solid innings of one-run ball and Boone juggling a bullpen still contending with the Circle of Trust and a few late-innings hiccups. The night was as much circus as baseball, but the Yankees emerged with a series win and momentum heading home.