Padres face a pivotal 2026 free-agent decision with Luis Arraez, a high-average leadoff threat acquired from Miami, entering the market. Arraez’s value hinges on batting average and on-base skills, but his power is limited and playoff performance will weigh heavily on any deal. San Diego must balance market price, years, and the window to win as they weigh re-signing Arraez against other roster moves, including Dylan Cease and Ryan O’Hearn.

The question isn’t just cost but fit: can Arraez anchor the lineup while preserving flexibility for a pitching staff that aims to contend with the Dodgers and others? A favorable AAV/term could keep the top of the order sharp; a steep price or long commitment could push the Padres toward a broader upgrade in the lineup and rotation.

Tarik Skubal escaped a scare with left-side tightness, and imaging showed no structural damage. The Tigers expect him to take the mound again Thursday against Cleveland, preserving Detroit's postseason pursuit with 12 games left. Skubal's season has featured Cy Young-type dominance, and his return would fortify Detroit's rotation and boost fantasy rosters counting on heavy innings from a true ace.

With a 2.26 ERA and 224 strikeouts in 29 starts, the 28-year-old has been a cornerstone for Detroit. His health is pivotal for October plans and for fantasy managers prioritizing volume and wins down the stretch.

Otto Lopez has surged to a .340 over his last 14 games, giving the Marlins another versatile, multi-category contributor as they head toward the fantasy playoffs, especially with a Coors Field trip on tap. Harrison Bader has heated up since joining the Phillies, batting .352/.410/.544 with expanding power at the top of the order. Verlander continues a late-season bump for the Giants, while Tanner Bibee delivered back-to-back quality starts, including a complete game, boosting late-season trust.

Ketel Marte and Eugenio Suárez have cooled in September, threatening middle-infield and corner-depth depth, while Aaron Nola and George Kirby battle inconsistency and tougher matchups. Managers must weigh rest-of-season risk against upside in a tight fantasy race, with several hot names and a few uncertain arms shaping last-week decisions.

Two-start upside dominates this week’s fantasy slate as waiver-wire movement finally bears fruit. Kyle Bradish tops the list, delivering front‑line reliability since TJ surgery and eyeing a favorable pair with Chicago and New York. Emmet Sheehan has cemented himself as Dodgers’ best rookie starter, while Michael Wacha brings steady ERA/WHIP in home-friendly games. Connelly Early adds a tantalizing immediate upside despite stern early matchups.

In hitter land, Daulton Varsho’s late‑season power surge fuels a seven-game week, Daylen Lile cleanly anchors Washington’s lineup, and Heriberto Hernandez profits from regular playing time in Colorado’s openers. Austin Hays stays steady for RBIs and runs across a busy week. A parallel thread spotlights one-start streamers to squeeze value from the final stretch and maximize seven‑game weeks.

Bottom line: streaming and roster pruning are the order of the week. Target high‑upside arms and batters with multiple games, while rotating in fresh arms from the waiver wire who can deliver in two starts and avoid negative matchups. One‑start streamers offer additional flexibility, but the core is extracting value from a realistic, high-floor two-start window.