Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge lead the AL MVP debate, Raleigh delivering a historic 60-homer season and Judge anchoring the Yankees’ offense with elite averages and a batting-title bid, stirring thoughts of a rare co‑MVP possibility. Shohei Ohtani looks like a lock for NL MVP with 56 homers, top OPS, and two-way dominance for the Dodgers. The awards landscape also spotlights Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes for Cy Young, a wave of rookie breakthroughs, and a manager‑driven chessboard reshaping fall fantasy rosters.

Across the league, debate swirls around leadership, defense, and the impact of late-season surges. Mariners and Guardians fans alike watch Raleigh’s offense and pitching staff leadership, while the rest of the contenders—Schwarber, Soto, and the rest—keep managers crafting intricate playoff and dynasty lineups. The October narrative blends historic milestones with strategic fantasy considerations, from abs bullpen shifts to lineup construction and event-driven value bets.

In short, the season’s storytelling isn’t just about stats—it’s about who moves the needle in real life and fantasy, and how late-game pivots, injuries, and managerial decisions shape the last bites of fantasy value.

The Braves keep Friday’s lineup, with Brett Wisely at second and batting ninth, and Drake Baldwin catching and hitting cleanup. That stability sharpens fantasy reads as Baldwin pursues his NL Rookie of the Year case and Wisely chips in from the bottom of the order with speed and opportunistic baserunning.

Pittsburgh’s lineup isn’t posted yet, so fantasy managers will rely on the pitching matchup and Braves depth. Tonight’s 7:15 PM ET start invites a tactical game where Baldwin’s RBI upside and Wisely’s baserunning can swing DFS value, guided by the game preview and late-inning flexibility.

Bottom line: monitor the pitcher edge and lineup stability, as Baldwin’s cleanup spot and Wisely’s speed give the Braves chances to produce from multiple spots in the order.