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.

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 place Cade Horton on the 15-day IL with a right rib fracture, likely sidelining him through at least the NLDS. Jordan Wicks is recalled to add rotation depth as Horton’s status remains uncertain; the earliest return could be Oct. 10, with further roster rules complicating a possible NLDS Game 5 start. The Cubs’ current rotation features Justin Steele, Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Colin Rea, and Javier Assad, with Horton’s absence reshaping the workload and bullpen planning.

Baseball Prospectus notes rib fractures typically require a lengthy recovery, averaging about 88 days in recent data, underscoring the risk of a short-term return. Horton, 24, posted a 2.67 ERA across 118 innings in 22 starts, leaving Chicago with strong but thinner depth if he cannot contribute. The Cubs are navigating postseason substitution rules as they prepare for the Wild Card Series and NLDS.

Week 26 of 2025 brings a deep pool of starting pitchers on the waiver wire as playoff pushes heat up. Top shalers include Emmet Sheehan and Ryne Nelson, each offering mixed strikeout upside and ratios that can anchor a fantasy staff in shallower leagues. Deeper-league options like Brandon Sproat and Trey Yesavage add upside with low ownership, while names such as Joey Cantillo and Ian Seymour offer late-season run-ins for contenders chasing streaming wins. Prepare for a mix of veteran floor and young upside as the rotation turns into playoff mode.

Expect pitchers who can deliver quality innings with favorable matchups and a path to wins. Sheehan’s multi-role usefulness, Nelson’s ratio control, and Warren’s steady output stand out for week-long streams. In deeper formats, Sproat and Yesavage carry upside with limited track records, while Cantillo and Tong could surprise in favorable late-season slots. Track bullpen usage, park factors, and opponent lineups to maximize weekly streaming value.

Stay proactive with these adds as the calendar closes. If your league uses platoon-heavy or bullpen-heavy scoring, verify the schedule density and the likelihood of spot starts. The right mix of proven innings and lottery-ticket arms can propel fantasy rosters into the postseason.

Power finally arrives for Cincinnati as five homers fueled a 7-4 win over Chicago. Elly De La Cruz ends a 43-game drought with a solo shot in the sixth, sparking a Reds attack that also included Spencer Steer delivering a two-run blast in the same frame. Miguel Andujar and Matt McLain chimed in with solo shots, while TJ Friedl added an RBI single in a game decided by the bottom of the sixth. With eight games left, Cincinnati hints at a more power oriented path that could lift playoff odds and shape late season fantasy pivots.