Brewers vs. Cubs in the NLDS centers on rest vs. grind. Matthew Boyd’s short rest start for Chicago invites risk while Milwaukee leans on a fast, defense-first lineup featuring Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, and William Contreras to spark early pressure. Blake Perkins adds elite defense and baserunning value; Sal Frelick provides speed up top. Freddy Peralta’s rest-accustomed ace status looms large as Chicago counters with a resourceful bullpen and a nimble infield led by Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson. Michael Busch fuels Cubs’ power, while a leadoff homer and timely defense shape the chase for fantasy relevance in multiple lineups.

Rotation decisions drive fantasy upside: Cubs’ Javier Assad is out of NLDS contention, pushing Boyd into an iffy role on short rest, while Milwaukee’s bullpen usage could tilt leverage and save chances. Chicago’s middle infield defense (Hoerner, Swanson, Crow-Armstrong) pairs with a ground-ball Brewers lineup, making plate discipline and batting order placement hot topics for daily formats. The broader playoff movements include Mariners’ Bryan Woo and Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette, framing the surrounding ALDS chatter around rest and bullpen depth.

Overall, expect a tactical game where rests, bullpen readiness, and strong defensive plays drive fantasy value more than raw power alone. The Brewers’ dynamic up-the-middle trio and Peralta’s readiness could tip timing in Milwaukee’s favor, while Chicago’s power and defense offer counter-punch threats as rotation and roster machinations unfold.

Cubs will open NLDS vs Milwaukee without Cade Horton, who is on the 15-day IL with a right rib fracture. Horton injured Sept. 23 and was placed on IL Sept. 27. He finished with a 2.67 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 118 innings, and a sensational late-season run (1.03 ERA over his final 61.1 IP) that put him among the game's elite rookies. Chicago must lean on Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and Collin Rea to bridge the gap in a high-stakes series.

The injury reshapes the Cubs’ playoff math, elevating the importance of veteran depth and bullpen execution. Horton’s absence magnifies the workload on the top four and raises questions about future playoff health. For fantasy managers, Horton’s absence could tweak rotation usage, win expectations, and bullpen split plans in a tightly contested NLDS.

Jhoan Duran joins Philadelphia’s bullpen, boosting late-inning stability as October nears. Aaron Nola delivered a vintage performance, shaping the Phillies’ playoff rotation. Cade Horton’s playoff outlook darkens for the Cubs with an injury setback. Across MLB, the premium on a .300 hitter eases while Turner, Luzardo, Buehler and Bader drive strong postseason chatter. Twins-Phillies threads cap a pivotal finish, centering on bullpen depth, rotation leverage, and October firepower.