Pitching mastery anchors this week’s League Championship Series, with Yamamoto vs Peralta in NLCS Game 2 and Kirby vs Bieber in ALCS Game 3. Castillo relays in for Game 4 while Snell eyes another marquee showing in NLCS. Sasaki looms as the Dodgers’ late‑game disruptor, and the bullpen becomes as pivotal as the starters. Home-field, lineup quirks, and split‑season form shape the fantasy outlook as teams chase a World Series berth.

Depth and leverage pitching dominate the storylines: Yamamoto’s upside tests Milwaukee, Bieber’s experience counters Seattle’s offense, and Castillo’s steadiness could bridge to Game 5 if needed. Dodgers’ bullpen clarity, Snell’s rhythm, and Sasaki’s willingness to pitch big spots will swing late‑inning dominance, making every start a high‑stakes fantasy play.

Blake Snell hurled eight flawless innings in Game 1 of the NLCS, allowing just one hit (Caleb Durbin’s third-inning single), no walks, and 10 punchouts over 103 pitches. He faced the minimum 24 batters through eight frames, then the Dodgers barely pulled through 2-1 as Freeman homered and Betts provided steady run support. The performance drew immediate comparisons to Sandy Koufax and underscored L.A.’s dominant rotation in a postseason classic.