Will Smith returns from a fractured hand and sits on the Dodgers' wild-card roster with uncertain Game 1 duties. If Smith can’t go, Ben Rortvedt would start behind the plate, giving LA a trusted backup catcher and pinch-hitting option. Michael Conforto is omitted from the playoff roster, while Alex Call and Justin Dean earn bench roles. Hyeseong Kim adds speed, Shohei Ohtani remains a two-way factor, and Roki Sasaki returns in relief. The bullpen centers on Glasnow, Treinen, Scott and other lefty options, with Kershaw left off this round.

The Dodgers emphasize depth and flexibility in a short series, balancing injury comebacks, bench speed, and bullpen versatility. Rotational plans stay conservative unless they advance, while post-season feel and matchup nuance shape lineup choices and late-inning strategy, offering dynamic fantasy leverage across hitters and relievers.

Dodgers push for back-to-back titles as playoffs open. Snell starts game one vs Reds, Yamamoto backs him, and Ohtani could pitch in a deciding game three if needed. After a bumpy season, LA enters as NL third seed with a run of eight wins in ten and a fully healthy rotation that fans crave in October. The Dodgers’ path features a wild-card showdown with Cincinnati before a likely NLDS with strong contenders.

Across the NL and AL, Padres visit Cubs while Brewers wait as the top seed for a potential divisional clash. In the AL, Yankees meet Red Sox in a heated Bronx series, while Blue Jays hold the top seed and face the winner of Sox-Yankees. Guardians vs Tigers and Mariners’ looming presence complete a crowded bracket, with star arms and lineups shaping fantasy bets and playoff props.

Tanner Scott’s ninth-inning collapse vs Arizona highlighted the Dodgers’ looming bullpen headaches as playoff pressure mounts. Shohei Ohtani answered with six shutout innings, boosting his playoff-rotation prospects and underscoring his value as a two-way asset. Hyeseong Kim returned from the IL but has faced left-handed-hitting challenges, forcing Los Angeles to balance leverage, rest, and depth as the season narrows.

The Dodgers must tighten late-inning execution, decide how to deploy Kim, and keep Ohtani’s arm fresh for October, all while navigating a tight race with Arizona and carving a clear path to the postseason rotation.