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This may have been Gray’s best start of the second half. He worked his fastball, sinker, sweeper, and cutter beautifully while mixing just enough changeups and curveballs to keep the Brewers guessing. All six of those pitches forced at least one swing-and-miss and Gray didn’t have an inning in which he threw more than 20 pitches. It’s a shame JoJo Romero blew his win when Eric Haase hit a home run on the first pitch he threw out of the bullpen. Alas, this was still a tremendous start from Gray against one of the hottest lineups in the National League. He’s scheduled to face the Reds at home next time out.

Hodge did allow a hit and a walk, but he was able to work around those runners to protect a one-run lead. The right-hander has now locked down six saves since taking over the closer role, and it sure seems likely that he’s earned that role to begin the 2025 season.

Ward was responsible for the lone Angel run with a solo blast off an otherwise strong Yusei Kikuchi. The 30-year-old has now gone deep 25 times, which adds to his already career high. Ward frustrates with inconsistency, but there are just enough moments like this to want to have a player like him on your roster.

Singleton came up big with a two-run double with two outs i the eighth to give the Astros the 3-1 lead and ultimately the victory. Singleton has now driven in 41 runs in 2024, and he’s hit well in September with a .913 OPS over 38 at-bats.

There were many who criticized the Kikuchi trade, but so far, the Astros have to be thrilled with the results. The southpaw has allowed only more than two runs in just one of his starts, and while he doesn’t get the win, he once again kept the Astros in the game and helped fantasy managers in the process. He will be back on the mound Wednesday against the Mariners in what could be a clinching situation for Houston.

Suarez was making his first start as a member of the rotation and it went very well. The left-hander struck out five and allowed just three hits against a quality Houston lineup. Suarez will get one more start before the season ends, and it could bode well in attempting to win a rotation spot to begin 2025.

Abrams now has reached 30 steals on the season — 31 to be exact — and while that’s down from the 47 he picked up in 2023, it’s worth noting that’s in 14 fewer games. The 23-year-old has flashed star potential, and while the .247 average is a little lower than fantasy managers would like, the 20 homers on top of the aforementioned swipes are a reminder that he could be among the very best fantasy players in baseball in the coming seasons.

Assad gave up a pair of run-scoring singles; one of them by CJ Abrams in the first and a two-run knock by Jose Tena in the third. The right-hander wasn’t horrible while picking up the victory, but far from dominant; not that anyone was expecting dominance from the 27-year-old. Assad still has a strong 3.34 ERA on the campaign, and his last start of the year will be Wednesday against the Phillies.

Corbin allowed a pair of runs on a two-run blast by Seiya Suzuki, but he was consistently in trouble with eight hits allowed in the contest. The 35-year-old was at one point one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball. He’s now someone you should look to stack your lineup against. Time is not always kind. Corbin’s final start of 2024 is scheduled to be against the Royals next Thursday.

Hader needed only seven pitches to get the save, and six of them were for strikes. He’s now up to 32 saves in his first year with the Astros, and while there have been maybe more clunkers than anticipated, he remains one of the best relief options in the sport.

The save was Chapman’s 10th of the season. He has a 4.03 ERA on the year, but he’s still effective enough to have fantasy value as long as he’s getting saves.