San Francisco’s bats wake in the 11th, delivering a 5-1 win at Arizona after Brandon Pfaadt’s nine-inning gem. Justin Verlander spun seven scoreless for the Giants, but the bullpen couldn’t hold in extras until a huge 11th-frame rally. Bryce Eldridge drew a first major league walk, Patrick Bailey sparked the bases loaded hit, and Rafael Devers knocked in the go-ahead runs as San Francisco seized the moment and closed within striking distance in the wild-card race.

Fantasy takeaway: late-inning surges and bullpen decisions shaped the result, elevating the value of Giants role players (Bailey, Koss, McCray) while underscoring Pfaadt’s dominance despite the loss. With 10 games left, every inning matters as these teams jockey for postseason positioning.

Chicago Cubs clinch a postseason berth, their first since 2020, and set the stage for a potential top Wild Card seed as the NL field tightens around them. Milwaukee and Philadelphia already locked in, with Dodgers and Padres in the mix for byes and seeds as the Mets and others jockey for the last wild-card spots. Cubs rotation likely features Imanaga, Horton, and Boyd as playoff anchors, while the lineup combines solid runs with strong defense. Injuries to Kyle Tucker and Daniel Palencia could shift late-season usage as Chicago plans October rest and postseasons auditions. Blue Jays loom as the next likely clincher in the NL-wide race.

Hoyer’s Cubs, rebuilt since Theo Epstein’s exit, balance offense and pitching with a +129 run differential and a run-scoring edge near the league's top. The Cubs sit eight and a half games clear of the Padres for the top wild-card, with a potentially favorable path through a Wild Card Series at home. Rested veterans and emergent youngsters will share responsibilities as October approaches, while the broader NL picture—Brewers, Phillies, Dodgers, Padres, and Mets—points toward a compressed, high-stakes finish.