Fried’s command betrayed him as the splitter baffled hitters and the fastball-slider mix never fully clicked, leaving Atlanta’s offense to improvise. The bullpen was forced to adapt, with Will Smith stepping in for length and to bridge the gap, keeping the game within reach. Despite the stumbles, the club remains steadfast that Tuesday can flip the script, leaning on adjustments and the belief they can solve their nemesis.

Two losses in a row stung, but the Braves insist they haven’t lost confidence. They plan to attack with sharper pitches, smarter matchups, and a renewed focus on sustaining pressure. In a season full of quirks, the team expects to rebound quickly, aiming to seize the moment in the next tilt and push the series back in their favor.

Fried rode six solid frames before the bullpen, with the plan to close the chapter in the seventh when traffic mounted and a run persisted. A precise late-game pull set up the Duran- and Rafaela-driven lineup moves, then a high-leverage call to Weaver to handle the middle innings. The offense pressured but could not convert the decisive hit, leaving a fresh canvas for tomorrow as the series hinges on one swing and a few smart matchup calls.

Rafaela’s righty split against Weaver, plus the coach’s intent to mix in Williams and Bednar behind a shorter bench, framed the decision tree for the final outs. Goldschmidt and Judge provided bright spots with multi-hit at-bats, while the club leaned on Goldschmidt- and Rosario-driven rallies that just fell short. The mood: ready to come back locked in, with adjustments for the rematch and a path to the next win.

In a postseason setting, tempers stay even and plans stay sharp. The team previews tomorrow as a must-win continuation, confident in the preparation and the depth behind a potential late-inning surge. The moment demands crisp at-bats, timely bullpen usage, and the willingness to push one more hitter across the plate.

Pete Alonso's contract talks anchor winter chatter in Queens. A five-year, roughly $175 million deal seems plausible given his age (31) and power, with Olson and Freeman as benchmarks and Nimmo/Lindor looming in the payroll ladder. The panel flags the balance of offense and defense, arguing the Mets may need to preserve Alonso while exploring defensive upgrades and potential opt-outs to manage risk.

Beyond Alonso, misgivings about run prevention push discussions toward defensive alignments, possible DH time for Alonso, and a look at next year's free-agent crop—Naylor, O’Hearn, Goldschmidt—as contingencies if Alonso tests the market. The conversation maps a careful path between star retention and roster reshaping.

Pete Crow-Armstrong blasted onto the fantasy radar with a 3030 rookie season and a clear path to 2026 stardom, sending a message that Cubs outfield depth could become a real advantage next year. Geraldo Perdomo followed with a complete shortstop breakout: 20 homers, 27 stolen bases, and a .290 average across 161 games, presenting a floor that should keep him in the middle infield mix.

Shay Langeliers transformed into a true power catcher, topping 30 homers and driving catcher value higher than expected, while Hunter Goodman thrived in Colorado with 31 HR and 91 RBI in a full season, though Colorado shelter or league change could twist the numbers. Andy Paz, Christopher Sanchez, Andrew Abbott, and other youngsters fed optimism and caution in equal measure as the season closed, feeding Keeper/Dynasty plans and 2026 draft boards.

Further notes pointed to strong late-year performers like Langeliers and Sanchez, while question marks around Paz’s second-half fade and Abbott’s regression risk kept expectations grounded. The episode also highlighted carryover keeper strategies, keeper/dynasty timelines, and how to attack 2026 ADPs with breakout potential in mind.