Dodgers' Sunday win nudges them toward a pivotal stretch, led by Betts and Otani who carried the offense alongside Conforto, Call and Teoscar Hernandez with timely knocks. Kershaw supplied a steady heartbeat while Yamamoto stretched the rotation and the bullpen showed signs of steadier late-inning work, aided by Vesia and other trusted arms. Returning from injury, Muny and Edmond boost the lineup as Smith edges back into action. A Rockies-Phillies-Giants slate awaits, testing depth and focus in October timing.

Defensive miscues and baserunning lapses dominated the chatter, highlighting the need for sharper situational hitting and attention to detail. The rationale: if Muny and Edmond can supply middle-of-order pop and Conforto stays productive, the Dodgers can balance a strong rotation with a now more reliable bullpen. Health and focus remain the crux; the next three series will determine whether the spark translates into a postseason push.

Dodgers 11, Rockies 4: an offensive outburst with 18 hits across the lineup, led by Alex Call’s four-hit night including the longest Dodger homer this season. Mookie Betts and Will Smith chipped in multi-hit nights, Freeman contributed, and Teoscar Hernández added a spark that underscored the team’s depth. The win offers a confidence boost after recent slumps and sets up a meaningful weekend series with the Padres.

Defensive questions hovered around Teoscar in right, as the panel debated where he fits best with healthy bodies returning. They floated a front-office-friendly alignment: Edmond in center, Mookie in right, Teoscar in left, with Freeland and Kennedy providing versatile depth. Emmet Sheehan delivered six sturdy innings, easing bullpen strain in a stretch with heavy workload, signaling the rotation’s improving form heading into October.

Rosters and outfield fit remain ongoing talking points as September call-ups approach. The show mused about center-field candidates and the value of speed and defense in the postseason mix, while acknowledging the Dodgers’ need to balance cost, depth, and upside with Holistic roster moves. A personal note closed the segment, as the hosts teased an upcoming Hood to Coast relay—a reminder that the team’s world is larger than the box score.

Week 22 edges into a turbulent fantasy landscape with a mix of breakout performers and riskier veterans. Max Scherzer continues to punch above his weight in a four-start quality-streak stretch, posting sub-3.00 ERA and sub-1.00 WHIP with efficient outings that keep him in strong two-step lineups when the matchup suits. Brenton Doyle has emerged as a late-season spark for Colorado, flipping a rough first half into a second-half run that looks sustainable thanks to improved attack metrics and a ball-in-play approach that should yield value in a seven-game slate next week.

The slate also highlights Julio Rodríguez and Vlad Jr., two power-plus talents who have rekindled fantasy relevance as the season closes. Rodríguez is showing the speed and swing decisions that fuel multi-category upside, while Vlad Jr. maintains power production with steady plate discipline and a favorable park mix. Taylor Ward’s ongoing production raises questions about multi-category constellations for rosters in deeper formats. Kyle Tucker remains a focal point of contention and opportunity, with rest-of-season upside tempered by recent cold stretches that necessitate cautious rostering rather than outright selling.

Injury notes and roster moves pepper the week, with slugging linesman energy across the outfield and infield alike. Managers should prioritize outfield depth in formats with four or five spots, leverage second-half recency for veterans who have shown true outcomes, and consider Doyle as a sleeper in 5-outfield leagues given Rockies’ seven-game week, four at Coors Field. A steady baseline from Scherzer and strategic buys around Rodríguez, Vlad Jr., and Ward can unlock strong roto gains while navigating a week with uneven scheduling.