Cleveland calls up Chase DeLauter for the wild-card against Detroit, hoping the injured rookie’s left-handed bat can inject life off the bench. He hit .278 with 5 homers in Columbus before injuries limited him to brief Triple-A stints, and his availability could tilt late-game matchups as Cleveland leans on 11 pitchers in the series.

Rosters across the league highlight depth, speed, and cross-team familiarity. New York carries 12 pitchers and 14 position players; Boston boosts speed with Eaton, Hamilton, Early, and Tolle while Giolito is sidelined; San Diego stacks catchers; Chicago adds Alcántara and Ballesteros while others are cut. These moves shape playoff lineups and fantasy upside in a tight best-of-three.

Cubs and Braves wrap a two-series set at Wrigley as Chicago seeks a Wild Card cushion after a long road swing. Horton's dominance versus Elder's rough stretch makes this a high-leverage fantasy showdown, with the Cubs' rotation depth tested by injuries ahead of a Nationals series.

Horton has logged a 0.99 ERA over seven starts and nears 100 strikeouts, while Elder carries a 5.85 ERA in recent outings. Cubs IL woes (Taillon, Steele, Amaya, Brasier, Soroka) stress bullpen planning, adding urgency for how Chicago handles the bullpen and rest for the playoff push.

Cubs in for a near-lock playoff berth, with the wild-card as the path and a potential rematch against Dodgers or Padres looming. Home-field diplomacy hinges on division records, and Chicago’s edge vs LA in the season series could shape a Wrigley-hosted three-game set. Padres’ interdivision mark and tiebreakers against NL Central foes also factor into who hosts. Amaya and Happ provide late-inning punch that keeps Cubs fans optimistic about any short series.

Fan voting is encouraged as the Cubs’ playoff fate hinges on those tiebreakers and matchup vibes: Cubs vs Dodgers looks likeliest to bring nostalgic drama, with Dodgers' pitching depth testing Chicago’s lineup. Padres present a tougher grind, but the Cubs’ recent rallies hint at a postseason-ready resilience that fantasy managers should monitor as the finale approaches.

Amaya returned from the 60-day IL after a left oblique strain and started at catcher for the Cubs in Toronto, only to leave the game with an ankle sprain. X-rays were negative, but the initial diagnosis is an IL stint and a harsh setback for a club that sat atop the NL wild-card race. The Cubs quickly recalled Owen Caissie, Chicago's No. 2 prospect, as they weather the injury and push toward the final six weeks.

Kelly and McGuire split catching duties during Amaya's absence, leaving the door open for Caissie to debut soon in a roster-starved stretch. The Cubs finish the Jays series before a homestand against Pittsburgh and Milwaukee, a crucial period for fantasy managers monitoring backstops and the lineup’s depth behind the plate.

Amaya's late setback adds volatility to Chicago's catching depth and lineup construction, forcing a closer watch on IL timelines and how Caissie (and the backup catchers) will impact playing time, run production, and ownership in fantasy formats as the Cubs navigate a tight wild-card chase.