Clayton Kershaw’s postseason finale unfolds as a rare arc: from frontline ace to relief option, while the Dodgers lean on a rotation of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow and Emmet Sheehan. The embrace mirrors Greg Maddux’s quiet retirement, signaling a new era of durability, adaptability and depth in October strategy.

The Dodgers’ front office under Andrew Friedman has built a blueprint where innings and bullpen bridges matter as much as pure talent. For fantasy managers, track Kershaw’s playoff innings, the health of the core arms and how the bullpen supports a championship push.

Dodgers steal Game 1 on the road as Ohtani’s postseason debut as a pitcher hits rough seas in the second inning, yet Teoscar Hernández’s three-run homer and a late two-run double from Kike Hernández flip the script. Philadelphia rallies briefly, but the bullpen—Glasnow, Vesia and Sasaki—shuts the door, giving LA a 5-3 win. With Snell and Yamamoto lined up, the series momentum tilts toward the Dodgers as they chase a title defense.

Ohtani’s two-way legend is still a storyline, but the immediate takeaway is resilience and depth. The Dodgers nailed a road victory that reshapes expectations for the NLDS; if a fifth game is needed, six days’ rest for Ohtani and a curated pitching plan from Friedman and Roberts loom large.

Dodgers roll out a star-studded NLDS rotation: Shohei Ohtani starts game one after extra rest, with Blake Snell in game two, Yoshinobu Yamamoto in game three, and Tyler Glasnow slated for game four. Clayton Kershaw is confined to relief duties to maximize late-inning depth. The plan hinges on rest, bullpen flexibility, and high-leverage matchups that could swing fantasy value across multiple arms.

The Phillies present a formidable foe, but Los Angeles bet on a depth-forward strategy that could lift Dodger relievers and keep daily fantasy lines lively across the four games. Expect top-tier upside from Ohtani and Snell, with Yamamoto stepping into a pivotal third-game role and Glasnow offering rental-style value in late innings.

In all, this series blends star power with strategic pitching usage. Fantasy managers should monitor bullpen usage and late-inning opportunities, while keeping an eye on how the Dodgers deploy their ace lineup to maximize wins, saves, and holds across the set.