Six MLB athletes emerge as fantasy X factors in the final sprint: Anthony Volpe anchors the Yankees, Shohei Ohtani retools as a postseason pitcher for the Dodgers, Orion Kerkering powers Philadelphia’s bullpen, Riley Greene drives Detroit’s lineup with power, Dylan Cease seeks a Padres revival, and Andrew Vaughn fuels Milwaukee’s finish. Each player carries a clear path to impact in October, from lineup leverage to bullpen depth and rotation order.

Volpe’s continued development, Ohtani’s two way capability, Kerkering’s late inning upside, Greene’s explosive bursts, Cease’s command shifts, and Vaughn’s swing balance will shape rosters, rotations, and playoff seeding. The final ~30 games could redefine fantasy value for these six and the teams chasing byes and division titles.

These six players are framed as catalysts whose performances may tilt rosters and fantasy standings as the postseason approaches, with Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, Tigers, Padres, and Brewers all weighing heavily on their contributions.

Clayton Kershaw, at 37, has reasserted himself as the Dodgers’ core, posting a 9-2 record and a 3.06 ERA through 17 starts as Los Angeles leans on precision over pure power. Friedman’s praise—“the ultimate competitor”—captures his impact as the rotation battles injuries, with August delivering a 5-0 run and a 1.88 ERA. Ohtani’s respect underscores a mentorship effect, and with Snell, Glasnow, Yamamoto healthy, the Dodgers’ rotation is finally shaping a playoff-ready core.

Even on nights when stuff isn’t elite, Kershaw’s adaptability—shorter outings, smart pitch management—produces outs and keeps the team in games. The combination of a stabilized staff and a rising lineup positions L.A. for October, while Kershaw’s looming free agency adds an extra layer of narrative for fantasy managers tracking durability, role clarity, and late-season innings.

Zac Gallen outdueled Blake Snell in a 3-0 Dodgers loss at Dodger Stadium, with Arizona’s offense breaking through on Blaze Alexander’s two-run homer and a Gabriel Moreno RBI hit. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled ahead of the homer, while Teoscar Hernández robbed Corbin Carroll of a leadoff double. Mookie Betts added a sixth-inning double, but Will Smith’s late homer attempt fell short. Dodgers bullpen delivered 3 2/3 scoreless innings, and Glasnow is set to face Rodriguez next.

Gallen’s performance was a quiet gem after an early wild spell, and Arizona benefited from timely hits while Snell received little run support. The game underscored fantasy angles around Arizona’s multi-hitter production and Los Angeles’ top-line stars, with the next matchup highlighting Glasnow against Rodriguez as a potential pivot in weekly rosters.

Arizona's roster shake-up leads with Jordan Lawlar’s recall and Brandyn Garcia’s Reno call, plus Pavin Smith placed on the IL. Lawlar slots in immediately as the D-backs face the Dodgers in a high-stakes series opener, with Ohtani at DH, Betts and Freeman driving LA. Zac Gallen vs Blake Snell headlines the pitching duel, while fresh faces and bullpen intrigue color fantasy angles on a game that could swing several rosters this week.

A Santa Ana bookmaker, Mathew Bowyer, received 12 months and one day in federal prison for running an illegal gambling operation, money laundering and filing a false tax return, with two years of supervised release and $1.6 million restitution to the IRS.

The case ties Bowyer to a broader probe into illegal sports betting that also involved Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, who is serving about five years after pleading to bank and tax fraud tied to a massive wagering scheme. Bowyer’s cooperation helped prosecutors secure two convictions, highlighting the scale of offshore betting and the crackdown, while MLB’s actions—like Tucupita Marcano’s lifetime ban—underscore ongoing risk for players and bettors alike.