Milwaukee and San Diego have surged as the two hottest NL clubs, rewriting postseason math with strong pitching, elite defense, and a willingness to lean into power in a power-driven era. The Brewers and Padres aren’t built on home runs, but they’re converting balls in play into outs at a top-tier rate and riding deep bullpens and wipeout front-line arms toward October.

Power matters more than last decade’s small-ball bias in the current postseason math. The Brewers have quietly added Andrew Vaughn and Brice Turang to lengthen their lineup and boost slug, while San Diego’s late-season upgrades Ramon Laureano and Ryan O’Hearn bolster the middle of the order and provide plate discipline upfront. The Padres also rely on trio Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Gavin Sheets to supply the bulk of their power, while Jackson Merrill’s resurgence hints at upside on the mound.

This matchup isn’t about fluff; it’s about a shift in how teams win in October. The data show home runs correlate more strongly with World Series success than avoiding strikeouts, and the 2025 landscape favors power with contact. The Astros, Yankees, Dodgers, and Mariners are still poised to capitalize on that, but Milwaukee and San Diego are proving you can win with a composite of speed, defense, and big blasts when the lineup breathes and the bullpen holds the late innings.

Cade Horton exited with a finger blister in the Cubs' third against Milwaukee, going 2 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, one walk and a hit-by-pitch while striking out three. Brice Turang answered with a solo homer in the third to put the Brewers on top 1-0 as Horton departed.

Drew Pomeranz came on with two outs and the bases loaded, escaping the jam by retiring Blake Perkins and holding Milwaukee’s lead. Horton entered Monday's doubleheader with a 7-3 record and a 3.07 ERA, and the Cubs will monitor the blister ahead of the nightcap at 7:05 p.m. CT.

Fantasy takeaway: health matters for Horton pitchers, and his early exit reshapes Cubs bullpen plans in a rare day-night pairing. Turang’s homer highlights Milwaukee’s opportunistic approach, while Pomeranz’s out of the jam appearance is a small boost for Chicago’s relief usage in upcoming starts.

Milwaukee surged to 14 straight wins, a franchise mark, as they edged Cincinnati 6-5 in 11 innings. The rally-heavy affair showcased Milwaukee’s depth and clutch hitting, headlined by Andrew Monasterio’s pinch-hit, three-run homer that sealed the victory. With the streak at 16 straight wins across 1986-87, the Brewers sit 34 games over .500 and own a nine-game NL Central lead, highlighting a fantasy wave of Brewers players who thrive in opportunistic lineups.

Turbulence and grit defined the night: Brice Turang opened the scoring with a run-scoring double; Milwaukee tied it late on an opponent error; Seigler crossed the plate in the 10th, setting the stage for Monasterio’s decisive shot. Reds’ stars countered at times, but Milwaukee’s resilience carried them to a marquee win and a continuing hot streak that fantasy managers will be eyeing for weeks.

Three strong plus-money homer bets headline today’s MLB action: Josh Bell at +450 against Taijuan Walker, Brice Turang at +450 versus Zack Littell, and Ronald Acuña Jr. at +370 against Slade Cecconi. Bell arrives with 15 homers this season and has already knocked a ball out against Walker, giving him real upside in this matchup. Turang Sports a .410 slugging pace with 12 homers and has seen Littell allow HRs at a notable rate, making his +450 flyer compelling. Acuña Jr. is back in the Braves’ lineup and mashing (.568 slugging in 56 games), drawing Cecconi who’s given up plenty of long balls this season.

The plan hinges on targeting favorable matchups and hot hands, pairing proven power with pitcher weaknesses and park factors, while keeping an eye on promotions and value today. These three picks offer a blend of steady upside and tournament-friendly potential, aiming for a three-day homer-profit streak.

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